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    M17x R1 to R2 conversion not powering up.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Pizpump, Dec 30, 2012.

  1. Pizpump

    Pizpump Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wondering if you all might be able to help.

    Recently replaced my R1 mobo (fried the vid card slot) and proc with a refurb R2 mobo and proc. Everything fits nice but the unit won't power up. Nothing. Thinking the power ribbon cable is at fault?

    Are the two cables different for R1 and R2?

    Is there some way I can bypass the ribbon/button and "jump" the mobo to see if it powers up?
     
    Pizpump, Dec 30, 2012
    #1
  2. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    Power ribbon cable? The power jack should be soldered to the motherboard. I think you mean the ribbon cable that goes between the control center cover (power button) and the motherboard? I'm not sure if that ribbon cable is the same between the R1 and R2. What I am sure about it the connectors are down right finicky. I've had to play around with the end that goes into the bottom of the control center cover, constantly adjusting it left and right until the power button and Alienhead LED finally worked. Just be patient and do small adjustments until the power button finally responds. I will look up the eBay seller I bought a replacement ribbon cable from. It has made such a huge difference in the process of having to work on my R2 when I don't have to sit for 30 minutes and play with ribbon cable to make the control center work after putting my system back together.

    Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III© powered by Sprint®
     
    radji, Dec 30, 2012
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  3. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    I don't know the pinout of the ribbon but i can tell you that the ribbon is the same for the R1 and R2.
    If it doesn't power on, it must be faulty or you might have another problem.

    You might want to make a closer visual inspection of the ribbon and check if the pins are ok.
     
    katalin_2003, Dec 30, 2012
    #3
  4. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    Use the ribbon for the touch pad in the slots. Just make sure its all the way to the right or left. I forget which. But when my rib ion went bad I used the touch pad ribbon. I also use an external mouse so I didnt use the touch pad.

    Sent from my Samsung Captivate/ICS CM9 via Tapatalk.
     
    DR650SE, Dec 30, 2012
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  5. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    I stopped having to adjust the ribbon left or right when I bought this new aftermarket one. It just fit right in nice and snug. I've tried the touchpad cable (I bought a spare from Dell some time back) and even with the new cable, something about the OEM ribbon cable just doesn't fit with the control center cover. In any event, here is the aftermarket one I bought: AWM 20798 Ribbon Cable Inverted 0 50 mm Pitch 16 Pin 200mm Alienware | eBay

    IMPORTANT: email the seller and ask if he has one that's only 100mm long. The 200mm long one is way longer than it needs to be.
     
    radji, Dec 30, 2012
    #5