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    M17x R4 - No Video No Post problems

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by niartnam, Jul 28, 2014.

  1. niartnam

    niartnam Newbie

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    So I have a M17x R4 - Out of warranty already

    Running i7-3620qm & Nvidia 675m

    The problem all started when the computer would produce a repeating incessant single repeating beep - just like this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqYnqy4YlhQ

    I ran through all trouble shooting steps I could think of:

    -Swapping ram slots from 1-2 to 3-4, trying different ram configs
    -Tried a 2nd gen core i5 sandy bridge - single repeating beep was still present
    -tried holding Fn and Fn+F7 to see if it would swap to the integrated graphics - nothing.
    -Removed the graphics card in hopes of booting to integrated gpu - nothing


    Replaced the motherboard:

    New motherboard does not beep, but does not POST to internal or external displays (vga or hdmi)

    Did identical troubleshooting steps to the new motherboard


    Ordered a new video card 675m. Installed into the original motherboard ONLY THE VERY FIRST TIME - POOF it booted up went thru POST but wouldnt boot because I didn't have an HDD connected. I shut it off plugged in HDD and reboot, the beeping resumes.

    I attempted to install the new video card into the new motherboard - same thing. No video no post nothing. The laptop powers up, fans spin for 5-6 seconds. Fans stop spinning. The laptop stays on for about another 30-45 seconds, then it reboots and repeats.


    Any help or suggestions would be appreciated! I'm currently troubleshooting with the seller of the new motherboard from a chinese electronics company through message (so slow... about 1 message per day)
     
    niartnam, Jul 28, 2014
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  2. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Hi, do you have a 3D 120hz panel? If so the internal GPU is disabled - by using a different port on the MB to the 60hz panel one. Upshot is it will never start without the dGPU.

    You have replaced everything I would have tried and now I would be looking very hard at every connector and cable for damage.

    Shame you have already spent this money, usually dell have a fixed price repair service for AW's so before investing they are worth a call to see - and of course the repair comes with a warranty (whatever is legally required in your locale) :)

    The 675m is simply a poor card and I've seen numerous failures including 3 myself :eek:. I would have bet that this was the problem but since you replaced it maybe something else got damaged in the swaps?

    If you have a 60hz model then leave the NV out and try to get it working before fitting it back in.

    Sorry not a great help - this IS a tricky one :eek:
     
    MickyD1234, Jul 29, 2014
    #2