M17x R1 won't POST

Wondering if anyone can help me with this...

I am unable to get the laptop to POST after a BSOD during a Win7 reinstall. Prior to the reinstall I had successfully updated the BIOS to A07 and loaded into Win7, so I know I didn't mess that up. When getting ready for the reformat/install, I loaded the system defaults in the BIOS and was able to POST again. At that point I disabled discreet graphics and went with just the integrated graphics for the install... The Win7 install was going just fine and then BSOD and I haven't been able to get the machine to POST.

When I press the power button I am able to hear the cpu fan spin-up then settle, but nothing else occurs and the screen remains blank. No beeps or anything.

I've pulled the CMOS battery out and held the power button for 30 seconds while unplugged, but still unable to get it going.

I'm going to test individual memory sticks (2x4gb) to see if that could be the problem, but after that I'm just about out of ideas. I'd rather not have to go track down a replacement coin cell battery for the CMOS just to troubleshoot that, but I'm not opposed to doing so if it comes to that.

Any ideas?

***EDIT***
I've finished testing the RAM in all possible configurations and was unable to achieve anything different than a blank screen.

Also, I should mention that the keyboard backlight comes on as well as the other standard lights, except nothing from the three caps/scroll/num lock lights. The two fans to the left and right of the cpu fan also spin up as well.

I'm all ears now...

 

Have you got a warranty?

 

haha, I figured that would be the case... and nope... it expired about 6 months ago...

 

No chance of extending the warranty at this point?

 

That's more or less good news,at least it's getting juice.
Probably the backlightning of the screen is dead(inverter etc.) , if you have a flashlight or something like that to see if it actually posts but there's no light.

cheers

 

Thank you for the responses!

@Moral
I would like to avoid purchasing a warranty extension (Not sure if it is even possible, it was given to me by a friend because of the constant BSOD/freezes) and spending money on something that I could fix. I've built/modified many desktop systems and feel comfortable with most of the work I could have to do to fix it, so I'd rather keep from paying for someone else to do it.

@Katalin
I'm not sure what you mean as far as the flashlight goes... Should I just point a flashlight at the screen to see if I'm missing something?

Note:
I took some of the laptop apart last night to get to the LCD ribbon connector to ensure it was seated. I reseated it just to make sure and then reassembled it. No change. Also, I did notice the LCD power cable extending underneath the palm rest (did not remove last night) and am wondering if I should check that as well just in case the power isn't flowing. I chose not to pursue that last night because I figured the "Alienware" and back logo are lit, so there must be power.

I'll check with a flashlight and see if I am missing something on the screen.

When having this much trouble POSTing, I usually replace the CMOS battery, but I haven't had one with the wire connector (Desktop guy, sorry) and don't know how easy they are to find.

On another note, has anyone ever hotflashed the BIOS by swapping ROM chip for another functional ROM chip while in the BIOS on an Alienware? I haven't looked at the system board to see how the ROM chip is situated, just another shot in the dark...

 

I would remove everything removeable from the laptop including HD's memory GPU's network cards etc and try to post, it will show errors etc but if it actually starts then you know you have a hardware issue with something you removed, the fact that your friend had many bsod's would indicate something was failing

 

Most of the notebooks I've had would post without a CMOS battery installed.

On notebooks the chip is usually soldered to the motherboard. If it's a phoenix bios you can try a crysis disk to flash the bios:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-your-phoenix-bios-bios-recovery-methods.html

 

Yes,that is what i meant concerning the flashlight (you won't be the only one having the inverter failing)
It is a good idea to start with minimal hardware and add as you go, ribbons can be a PITA too.
Also I doubt you need to change the CMOS battery as they last for years.
Try everything it comes to your mind and leave a crisis recovery ad a last resort

Good luck