Can only power M11xR1 by end key and BIOS usb. So flashing bios everytime

Recently purchased a M11xR1 with what appeared to be a power board issue, but it turns out to be something more .

Changed the power board and it still will not power when pressed.

Again the only way to power on is : remove battery and power cord, hold down the end key with bios on usb and plug power cord.

It powers up and can be used as normal !

Any suggestions.

Thank you

 

reflash bios? as in updater thingy? sounds like bios is messed up...? unless some bizarre hardware failure... and by power board you mean motherboard? If it boots only from usb, just reinstalling OS should remedy it, unless HDD is dead...

I am not entirely sure whats wrong and whats happening exactly, does it pass bios checks? then after it won't boot from HDD? in which case it is the HDD/OS...

 

When you say won't power on do you mean -nothing- happens when you push the power button unless you do a blind-flash bios load or lights come on, fan spins, and it blackscreens like a bad bios?

What he is doing is flashing the bios from a usb drive every every time the computer turns on, so it is a reflash, every single time.

 

Thank you for response.
Its nothing got to do with OS and the hard drive is not dead.
Reply from bob_760 is on target.

 

That is right bob laptop won't power - yes nothing happens when you push the power button - its a blind flash everytime
If someone can shed a bit of light on this I't would be appreciated
Thanks

 

It sure sounds like everything runs well once BIOS is finished, but since BIOS can only be loaded from the USB I'd assume the only possible options are that the EPROM for the BIOS is bad, the BIOS has gone corrupt, or something in the middle prevents it from communicating with BIOS. I'd try updating the BIOS (probably a utility in CMOS from the flashed BIOS you're using, or just use Dell's website for the M11x R1 BIOS and install) but if that doesn't work then something about the motherboard's EPROM might need to be replaced (probably the whole motherboard).

 

Can you confirm that it's not just a faulty power button? The power button isn't used during a blind bios flash, once it's running can you power down the system using the power button?

This thread just had a similar issue
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/722465-m11x-wont-turn-all-help-please.html

 

Thank you All

Bob,
The power button board was replaced and it makes no difference.
When system is up and running, the power button does not power down the system. So reading the other thread, this was something that was not checked or coped.
Leave it with me until tomorrow and I'll look at the cable and see is this the issue.
Hope its that simple.
Thanks All

 

Stripped laptop down and checked power board and connections. The ribbon cable was perfect, fully in place.
So to recap, checked all power connections. Attempted to power on with power board exposed (alien button not in place) -No joy

Once system was flashed and brought to life - attempted to kill the power by the exposed button - No joy. So the power button is NOT doing anything.
Went into power management -> decide what happens when I push the power button, Told system to shut down. This didn't work.

The power button just stopped working all of a sudden. Thats why I replaced it. but that changed nothing. Did I get another suspect power button ?? I doubt it.

But what else could it be. I don't want this to defeat me.

All suggestions welcomed.

Thanks all

 

It has to be something in the chain of Button -> Connection from button to cable -> Cable -> Connection from cable to motherboard. Unless the motherboard is bad somehow and cannot be turned on by conventional means. I don't know what to tell you when it comes to how to start testing but the button itself must not have been the problem. Try to see if there are any solder points anywhere that it looks like you could jump to turn it on. Maybe someone knows for sure of a usable spot? I don't have nor have I ever worked internally on an R1 and I didn't look that closely at that area of the motherboard when I had my R3s apart so I don't know.

 

if you have knowledge of how to use a voltmeter, check continuity between pins on the power button... after that it gets messy with tracking down the pins on ribbon cable etc. as to check if its power board or mother board someplace...

if its not power board it is most likely the motherboard...i assume everything else works on it, the wifi light etc. as well as light around the logo? if thats the case it would most likely be motherboard, still I'd test the button just in case, as it is a lot cheaper fix... and when it goes to motherboard it could be anything from broken line, maybe bad solder point to micro controller...

considering it doesn't seem to be a problem anyone else heard of, it is a one off, so i doubt you'll find much help without an expert... and i am no expert...

all said could just be the ribbon cable, as i doubt the board comes with the ribbon cable replacement. had plenty of those fail on me. try wiping the contacts of ribbon cable with water/alcohol, just wipe then dry after. gently of course as to not damage them.

just a word of warning, just brainstorming here what comes to mind.