M17x R3 Graphics Issues

Hi all.
Had my main board replaced yesterday after a 7beep (processor failure) issue resulting in no post.
Replaced it (doing damage to the case which dell have been informed about and pictures sent off to them) but now integrated graphics no longer work.

Tried reinstalling drivers but its stated that it is "not supported".
Looked in BIOS and it says that it's not detected, so tried removing CMOS battery and doing power drain, but the same happens after.

It's annoying me a lot as I use switchable graphics a lot when I'm travelling and running on my Radeon card only goes me next to no battery life.

Any ideas on resolving this?
(I have a feeling it's still a hardware issue myself, but have tried every option including reseating GPU/CPU and installing Dell AMD drivers to see if that would work, all to no avail)

Thanks

 

Integrated graphics is part of the CPU. So if y'all had a 7 beep error code, and now the integrated graphics isn't detected, I would conjure the problem is with the ...da ta ta da! THE C-P-U! Was the CPU replaced along with the motherboard?

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I did say to the chap on the phone to get the engineer to bring another i7 out to test but he didn't and only replaced the mother board (took him 10 mins so gives you an idea of the care he took when doing it) and said it would be fine. Far from the case.

Looks like I'm going to have to call them on Monday now as I called today and they said they wouldn't do anything blah blah blah and that they would call me around 10am, can't see that happening to be honest.

 

10 minutes isn't enough time to replace a whole motherboard...especially in our Alienwares. But IIRC, Dell's policy is to reseat the CPU, the replace the motherboard, THEN replace the CPU in the event of a CPU failure beep or error code.

 

Thanks for letting me know their process, makes it a little more reassuring to know I may be getting somewhere.
The 10 mins he took he pretty much ripped it apart, used no cloth/foam to protect the machine or any of the parts at all and was laying the GPU, CPU and memory on bare wood on the desk he used.

 

Okay, so they called me back today, after spending 45 mins on the phone on saturday complaining about the service, and emailing pictures to them regarding the damage sustained.

There now telling me that they are coming out to replace the motherboard again as they are "100% sure" this is the fault. I tried explaining the issue several times (integrated graphics not working, previous 7 beeps on boot) and requested they bring another i7 to test the system, to make sure the motherboard is working correctly.
They said they wouldnt.
This will be the second motherboard in 5 days thats gone into the machine, so is abit rediculous that they cant be bothered bringing a part out to check that its working or not.

So now, i dont have a laptop that works properly, it now has damage to it, and probably wont get fixed this week now as "tech support" (if you can call them that) simply dont listen.

Seriously doubting my choich buying Alienware/dell now, although when it works its a good laptop, no doubt about that, the hassle you go through to get it repaired under warranty is an absolute Joke.

 

Get a hold of the Alienware reps here in the forum. They can actually think for themselves instead of reading a from a script like India's phone support does.

 

Thanks for the advice again. Will have a look for a UK rep on here when I get in from work.

 

Well, I would recommend to run a BIOS flash, then try Fn+F7 to enable the IGFX card.
The computer has to have an IGFX because it is built into the motherboard and it needs to go through that one to be able to get to the discrete card (that's how it's made) so if it wasn´t working you would probably get 6 beeps on startup.

Try those steps above and let us know.
BTW you can also try loading the BIOS default options.

 

Dell engineer fixed it, had two faulty motherboards in a row.

Now waiting I hear back about the damage sustained to the case itself as that's simply not excusable

 

Hopefully everything will be solved soon. Let us know how that goes. I'm glad it's working better now.