M17x r2 wont boot, new motherboard.

Hello, this is the first time I have asked for help with solving an issue, but I cannot figure out what the problem is....

My laptop is an Alienware M17x r2 with 820qm, 4870m x2.
At first, pressing the power button would yield the fans spinning for a second, then the laptop turning off.
I just swapped in a new motherboard, now I get no display, the leds turn on, but no beep codes, or lights flashing, fans are spinning.

-I have tried an i5 430m processor, but same problem.
-I have tried an external monitor
-I have tried swapping the graphics cards (in case 1 does not work), using only one graphics card in every possible combination of slots
-I have tried working ram

The interesting part is that the back-light on the screen does not turn on, it just stays black.
This would leave me to believe a new motherboard is required, but I just swapped it.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Update: Upon complete reassembly, minus a lot of screws, the error codes displayed suggest no sodimms are installed.
However, I have tried 4 different sticks, in every possible combination of slots, and nothing will get the laptop to post. I would appreciate if anybody would give some advice. I am certain the ram is fine, and fairly certain the motherboard works.

 

Can I ask what caused you to buy a new motherboard?

 

The laptop would not initially boot, the fans would spin for a few seconds, then the laptop would power off (I have tested 2 different working power supplies), no leds would turn on. I had also removed the CMOS, and battery to reset the BIOS.

 

From what i hear, either you got a bad motherboard (happened to me once) or your display has a problem.

To narrow down the issue you should strip th elaptop to bare minimum and slowly add components. once it starts misbehaving you got the faulty part.

Just a quick question, did you originally own this laptop or did you get it in this state?

 

I have a feeling your power button ribbon cable may have become loose over time and disconnected itself from the motherboard. IMHO I think both motherboards work but the ribbon is not properly connected. Please check this asap.

This image shows the power ribbon cable ( the one to the left)

 

I have tried that, it never boots, even with out a processor same occurrence. However when I do a full assembly with most screws, sodimm indicators light up. I bought the laptop with boxes of parts, it came in many ziplock bags, with other parts. It was really cheap ram and hdd are alone worth more than I paid. And I was looking for a broken r2 to keep me busy on school break.

I have tried that I was aware of the power button, as my Area 51 has one in the same spot. The power button causes the fans to spin and LEDs to go on, but laptop not to boot.

 

Th

Thanks for the suggestion, keep the ideas coming.

I will try disconnecting the display from the motherboard and using an external monitor(I have not yet disconnected the display at boot), I hope it's the display sounds cheap.

 

Another suggestion try booting with and without power supply plug plugged in.

 

Alright sounds good, I will let the battery charge for a bit, it seems to be totally dead, but charging light is displayed. It might take a couple days to charge. I have however tested my m18x power-supply, and the OEM one, which yields the same result. http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN137141/EN



UPDATE 2: Every stick of ram I test displays the ram missing error code. The ram sticks are fine, and they work in another laptop (I have tested 1066mhz, 1333mhz, and 1600mhz) 1gb - 4gb.
So I think its a faulty motherboard that was shipped (off of Alibaba), I have just requested a new motherboard/refund from the seller, but this will take a while. I will continue to update in order to bump my thread, and to help others who manage to find a broken m17x for cheap.

Lessons learned so far: Avoid Alibaba, it is better to pay 10% more on Ebay to buy from an American seller, or even Chinese seller (Ebay is much harsher with seller ratings).

 

Don't forget that it wont boot if you haven't got the battery and the keyboard plugged in.

 

Yeah I had probs with my M17xr2 today as well. Did a 3dmark11 benchmark and on the last test cpu it crashed and rebooted and I knew cpu was overheating.
So I disassemble and reseat cpu cooler and paste only to find now the power button ribbon and the clip which the ribbon cable inserts into is broken and it was like this from the beginning albeit they had this hot glue on top of it to make sure it wouldn't come off but it was getting loose and eventually it failed today.

Anyway ordered new ribbon and power button board (the one with two hinges) and should be here in next few weeks.
Till then I wait for parts to arrive.

 

Edit: I found the problem, the board with the card reader was preventing the system from posting, and giving the ram missing error, I have removed the ribbon wire connection. Laptop now boots fine!!!!! Just missing the card reader and 1 USB

 

That is excellent news.
Can you post a photo of this ribbon/card reader location?
Could possibly help others in the future

 

Afaik, it's right next to the fan connection for the slave GPU.
Yeah sometimes the oddest things can happen, that's why i said complete dissasembly and add components till it gives error code ... i think i've even posted the order for adding components somewhere previously, if you search the forums you will find it