M17x R2 Won't Start, Boot or even Stir! Possible Causes???

So I bought my M17x R2 a few months back. I upgraded the RAM to 16GB and the CPU to a 920XM. It had a CF setup with 5870M, but I ended up killing one of them... Since then these are the problems I have dealt with:

1) I lost the retention clip for the power cable on the power strip panel (thing seemed to barely hang on when I got it). From then on I would have to physically hold the wire in and push the power button to get it to boot.
2) It often would not boot on the first try. I would have to press the power button for 20 seconds without the charger plugged in before getting it to finally boot. I figured this was because of the lost retention clip...
3) About a month ago it wouldn't turn on anymore. I tried with and without the battery to no avail.

What I have tried:

1) I went ahead and ordered a new power strip panel which is far better than the last since the last had missing plastic clips... I tried that out today, but still nothing.
2) I tried with and without the battery (does show it is charging with the glowing alien head when in).
3) I tried pressing the button for 20 seconds without success.
4) I unscrewed the keyboard and reinserted the two cables underneath as I know the big one will also prohibit from booting if not inserted correctly.

My big question is what else could it be that would not even allow the system to show any signs of life? Could it be the graphics card? I have another at my disposal and can try that. What about the CPU? Maybe not enough TIM? I was thinking the power cable may be faulty and could try to swap out the one from the mouse pad to check... Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Actually I have pretty much the same problem as you. Before I sent my laptop to the Depot, the laptop would shoot out a constantly lit on Num and blinking lights on SCROLL and CAPS which relates to video card problem. A day later, my laptop would refuse give me any lights. It would turn on but slowly dies out. Sent to the depot, had motherboard replaced but not the graphic cards. Received the laptop back today, endless BSOD. During the conversation with the rep, the laptop doesn't even turn on now. No power whatsoever. I'm assuming it's something related to the motherboard and graphic card. I'm not sure. Tech will give me a call tomorrow to schedule an appointment. Let see if he can solve the problem. I'll let you know in couple of days.

 

Easy there Turbo! The ribbon cables that go between the power button and the media center cover, and the media center cover and the motherboard are notorious for being finnicky. BUT...as you have an R2, you have an alternative power on option. If you've got a universal remote (even one from a cable company), there is a chance it has the programming codes to control an Alienware. I know Cox and Time Warner universal remotes have the codes for such. But any universal remote will do. Once you program the remote with the code, press the power button on the remote and see if your system powers up.

 

There is a second power button the M17x r2 it is hidden under the protective black plastic stuff/tape, i use it all the time to trouble shoot my system.

Use a long tool to feel for a bump then press it.

 

So very true, I completely forgot about that. +1 to you.

 

Thank you @radji +1 back, I hope you figure out what is wrong with your M17x R2 @Heatshiver best thing would to go through the entire laptop and check every cable, and connections like the Mini PCI slots/MXM slots and make sure everything is seated properly, I've sometimes put a cable in wrong causing my laptop to not turn on at all.

 

@radji - Wow, didn't know about that, and that's pretty damn cool. Unfortunately I'm not in the States right now so I don't think that will be a viable solution. Although, when I come across a "good" universal remote with those codes I'll check.

@Izen - Thanks. I definitely did not expect it to be that area. I will try that ASAP. Even if it does work, would that then mean that the power cable is faulty, or the power assembly is faulty?

Everything worked for a few months after installing the items above without issue. I just had to turn it on in an odd way due to the retention clip being lost. But I will try another graphics card. If that doesn't work, I'll try the other power cable, If that doesn't work, I'll disassemble everything and reapply TIM to the CPU and then put everything back together. Worse case scenario, I'll wait until I travel over to Singapore and have someone take a look at it over there.

 

Ok, i'm having a similar problem, something in the laptop has died, and it could not see the charger anymore.
- I replaced the charger, but it would still not turn on.
- Replaced the motherboard, but still nothing.
Tried to turn it on with the hidden button, but to no avail.

I'm really running out of ideas,
Anyone has any idea what should i check next?

The laptop gives no sign of life at all, and the battery doesnt even charge if put in the laptop and AC pluged.
Everyhing is exactly the same as it was before i replaced the motherboard and charger.

Edit:
When i plug the battery into any of the motherboards, i can hear a very quiet quirking noise coming from the motherboard, that eventually goes off.
But when i plug the ac in the is no such noise.

 

Like I said, the ribbon cable is very quirky and if it's not seated in its connectors perfectly, the power and media center buttons will not work. Also, if there is the slightest tear or kink in that cable, it will not function.

Have you tried running it solely on battery, or on AC without the battery plugged in? Try either of those and see what shakes loose.

 

Both motherboards can't run on any of the AC adapters (1x delta, 1x flextronics)
Both motherboards won't charge the battery so i cant run it off the battery.
However it still has the minimal charge, but not enough for it to let the laptop power on.
If i could only charge it somehow :S

I know mine was working on battery, but it didn't see the charger at all (In bios the AC rating field was blank, as if adapter wasnt even connected)
that's why i ordered replacement motherboard, but it looks like that this motherboard has the same issue :/

I know that battery gives some power to the mobo, because on both mobos i start hearing some electric noise for a few seconds.
But with the AC i get absolutely nothing.
Could it be that the second motherboards also has broken charging circuitry?

Could some1 test for me, what is the minimum configuration for M17x R2 to turn on? (mobo, cpu, cpu fan, ....)

Greatly appreciated

Edit: Looks like the mobo i bought isn't really new, the DC jack was replaced, or resoldered already.

 

@Izen - It took me a while to try (work beckoned), but your alternative power button option worked perfectly! I am guessing, since I have a new power strip panel, that this means my power cable is faulty..?

The only thing I have noticed on it is that the small gray "pins" at its end shows two that seem like they are bare... It also was bent quite a bit more than usual when I had tried to tape it for a while, which I would think could suggest some sort of tear inside of it I can't see.

@maxslo - Not sure if this will help, but I noticed that if the big orange cable under they keyboard was not seated perfectly, it would not turn on either. Other than that, it does sound like some sort of adapter issue from what you've stated. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know much in that area.

P.S.
Should I start a new thread for the faulty power cable? I just want to buy a new one if that seems like that culprit...

 

Get a new cable from Alienware. $12.99. The part number is FD86P.

 

You can send an e-mail to [email protected] to get that.

 

Well i put it all together, and still nothing, i'll just return the motherboard,
and get a new one from ebay i guess unless any1 here has 1 for sale.

 

Where did you get your motherboard? I am thinking about getting one from 14M8C 014M8C CN-014M8C | Dell 14M8C Alienware M17X R2 Motherboard I
what do you think?

 

Are you kidding me?!?!?
I had the same problem for weeks until a few days ago.
Dell Holland does not supply that part
I had to have this cable custom made to fix my problem.
Perhaps you can order a few of these baby's, i am more then willing to have a pair of backup ribbon cables!

Custom ribbon cable from mobo to power panel

The original cable:

The aftermarket replacement ribbon:

 

After finally getting a replacement cable (searched high and low and kept at it for weeks), I'm sort of back in business. Now I have to try to figure out why it doesn't POST - no beeps or LED codes either.

 

Does the panel work?
Are you sure that the cable works? one wrong bend and the cable is useless.

Do the fans turn?

 

Have you tried to turn it on using the button on the board?
Also if you have any charge left in the battery try to power it up on battery only.

 

I am glad I was able to help as much as I was able too, sorry for the very late reply but yes, I am guessing it is and obviously was a faulty ribbon cable. But I have some good news, I was able to trade my M17x R2 for an M18x R1. Altho I know the M17x R2 more then I've known most laptops/desktops. If you have any more questions or need help feel free to inbox me as I get email notifications.

Oh and thanks to @Nospheratu for the like and rep.

Btw, If anyone would like me to do a detailed tare-down Of my M18x R1 I will gladly do so.

It's specs are:
Core i7 2920XM
16 GB DDR3
1.3 TB raid of two 750 GB.
Crossfire 6990M's
1080P truelife display.

 

There was a discussion about this a few months back.
You should have read it

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-17-m17x/709613-ribbon-cable.html


I found an off the shelf cable that works, link is in one of my comments and ive been using it since.
Got mine 0.5 cm longer than the original but you can get the same if you search a bit more.