trouble shooting my M17

So the story goes; I spilled a drink on my keyboard the other nite. As fast as I could, I turned everything off and took it apart. I dried up all the liquid as best I could and let it sit for about 24hours before starting it up. I have no video now, so I am trying to figure out if it is my MB or graphics card. When I start up off of the battery I get two beeps, but I don't get those when starting with it plugged in. When I take the two sticks of RAM out the lights at the top left blink - I would imagine that means NO RAM. From that I am assuming my MB is working. I took the video card out trying to force the onboard video to work, but that didn't do anything either. If I start it up and just let it run for a bit the little light by the camera lens comes on, and the alien head blinks when I tap keys etc. So, I am leaning towards a new video card and am hoping that everything else (MB RAM) is OK..

any suggestions?

thanks

 

I'd assume the motherboard is in between the drink spill and the video card, so liquid would have to get past the motherboard to hit the video card.

You are probably right.

Drink spillage sucks.

 

I did the 'caps lock' key check, and the light on the keyboard comes on when I hit the cap's lock button. If I remember correctly, that also indicates that the motherboard is OK. I wish I could force the onboard graphics, but I can't. I also wish I had a spare 260m video card, but I don't..

thanks for the reply

 

The M17s have RAM slots on the bottom and under the keyboard. Does yours? If so are they all populated? Which ram did you remove?

Honestly though, if your machine was on when the drink hit it, you've likely shorted out something important. The motherboard sits directly under the keyboard. 2 beeps or flashing lights is in no way a great indication of a working board. Do you still have warranty on your machine?

Have you tried reseating the video cable from the monitor, it'll be a ribbon with a wide connector. Also, remove anything that isnt expressly needed to boot, like the wireless card.

 

Yes, I took the RAM out of the bottom. I didnt see any slots under the keyboard. I will try reseating the video cable from the monitor. It seems to boot all the way, but I just don't have any video. And, my warranty is long gone. I have a friend that works at Dell, so I am trying to get him to find me a 260m card to try.

thanks for the tip

 

If your machine has ram under the keyboard it will be under an additional cover under the keyboard, a metal slot cover of sorts. If you can pull up the maintenance manual on the Alienware website it should show you exactly where it is.

 

when I take the two sticks out from under the computer and start it - it blinks like it is supposed to when it has no RAM..I just reset the cable with no luck. I will check for that other RAM under the keyboard.

 

, sorry to hear that man, your thread reminds me i have to go get a keyboard protector. best of luck though!

 

Or keep liquids and electronics separate.

 

Just a thought...remove keyboard and (both) discrete card(s) then look for and clean up any residual liquid or residue especially on the mobo and connectors. Reassemble and restart WITHOUT discrete cards installed. That should force the system to use the integrated graphic chip. Be sure to cross fingers and hold your mouth just right when doing this! If you are lucky it will start up and you have only a discrete graphics prob. Unfortunately from the symptoms you describe it sounds like you fried the mobo. Sorry. They are available on ebay though. But try cleaning and reseat EVERYTHING first though....drink spills get everywhere. Good luck!

 

let it dry out for a looong time.. make sure everything is dry. then try starting it

 

well, it actually came back on tonite..barely..it was really faint and only half the screen...then it faded away...that was good news tho. I just need to make sure it is the video card..

 

i got the windows chimes this morning - the chimes it makes when coming out of hibernation..Now, I just need the video to stop fading long enough for me to look through some things.