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    m9700 boots, runs, normal sounds -- but a blank screen! please help!

    Discussion in 'Alienware Area-51/Aurora and Legacy Systems' started by DerangedGoose, Apr 20, 2012.

  1. DerangedGoose

    DerangedGoose Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a m9700 in good condition. When I went to boot it today, the screen was completely blank. I hear all the normal windows noises, login noise, popup noises, and the hard drive shows activity, but the screen is completely dark! I held a light over it to see if it was just the backlight but it seems like the screen is not displaying at all! Could it be the connection? Where is it connected on the motherboard? And how do I know that the screen itself is bad, or if its the inverter, or a cable? Please help!
     
    DerangedGoose, Apr 20, 2012
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  2. thehunterooo

    thehunterooo Notebook Consultant

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    If the cables check out, then you have a bad motherboard (board is not putting out video).
     
    thehunterooo, Apr 21, 2012
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  3. DerangedGoose

    DerangedGoose Notebook Enthusiast

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    If the motherboard is bad, wouldnt the bios detect it and issue an erro code beep? Is there any way to find out which parts are bad, or do I have to buy a new screen and hope that takes care of the problem?
     
    DerangedGoose, May 13, 2013
    #3
  4. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

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    Though he is trying to help, the above guy is wrong with the advice he has given you. The Alienware m9700 uses an mxm video card that can be swapped in / out easily. If it was bad you do not need a new motherboard, you can just replace the graphics card. That being said have you tried hooking up an external monitor to your laptop? If it works then you know the video card is fine. If you still get no signal you probably need a new card.

    Your laptop is also an SLI laptop so if you have two cards try taking the slave card out and seeing if you get a picture with only the master card in.
     
    protivakid, May 13, 2013
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  5. simonmpoulton

    simonmpoulton Notebook Deity

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    You may have a faulty MXM Graphics card or a faulty MXM Slot.

    You can test if the slot is faulty by removing the secondary card and then applying pressure to the top of the primary card and then turning on. If you get a picture you know the slot is going funny - in which case you need to figure out a way to keep pressure applied to the top of the card with the cover on.
     
    simonmpoulton, May 13, 2013
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  6. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    What happens if you plug in an external monitor?
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, May 16, 2013
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  7. protivakid

    protivakid Notebook Evangelist

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    I suggested the same above but he hasn't replied yet
     
    protivakid, May 16, 2013
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