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    M11x r1 problems with HDD or Motherboard?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012.

  1. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, I got a m11x R1. U7300 4 Gb of ram in it. My laptop suddenly didn't work, it can boot, after it pass the bios it saids I have no hard drive tell me to check for cable connections. Than I open my bottom panel took out my hard drive then plug it back in. Then my 11x boots, as soon I get to windows screen windows hangs, I can click on stuff than it never opens, it comes up with blue screen saying hard drive failure. Then I try to turn it on again it said no cable connection again. So I decide to plug it into my m17x R4. The drive work perfectly fine. Could the m11x problem cause by the motherboard? Should I replace it with a new one?

    Question 2: how do I dissemble my LCD back cover, so I can custom paint it. Thank you.
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012
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  2. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    Could be the port as you say the drive works fine in the M17x R4, try to run PSA diagnostics tool to check if it's a hard drive error.
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Oct 30, 2012
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  3. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    On the 17 or 11?
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012
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  4. HavocATX

    HavocATX Notebook Guru

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    Are you able to try another drive in your 11?

    If so, make sure you have a complete backup or at least a restore point and don't try a drive that is running in RAID 0.

    Closely inspect the contacts of the drive Interposer on the 11.
     
    HavocATX, Oct 30, 2012
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  5. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    If possible do as Havoc says, if not you could run the PSA in your M11x.
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Oct 30, 2012
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  6. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes I didn't raid the drive, and yes I tried another hard drive it didn't work
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012
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  7. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok this is my PSA result 1.jpg
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012
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  8. HavocATX

    HavocATX Notebook Guru

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    Call tech support. Looks like you need a service call.

    My guess is a motherboard. Wouldn't hurt that they send a HDD also to be safe. If you have any minor issues now's the time to bring them up to tech support.
     
    HavocATX, Oct 30, 2012
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  9. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Got no more warranty..
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 30, 2012
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  10. HavocATX

    HavocATX Notebook Guru

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    Bummer.

    I doubt it is BIOS settings, but you can check that.

    Google that error code thoroughly. You might find something other than a motherboard or a HDD interposer. However, if your HDD from the M17x had the exact same problem when you installed it in the M11x, then it probably is.

    If it is any consolation, the cost of a motherboard on Ebay is not all that much more than a warranty extension. And the one I saw on Ebay for 350 might be an upgrade compared to your old one.

    Also, it wouldn't hurt to see what Dell charges for an out of warranty repair.
     
    HavocATX, Oct 31, 2012
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  11. kevinxu8

    kevinxu8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Maybe I will just replace it myself
     
    kevinxu8, Oct 31, 2012
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  12. HavocATX

    HavocATX Notebook Guru

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    Again, make sure you checked that INTERPOSER (as shown in the M11x Mobile Manual available for download) and its motherboard contacts closely and maybe even change it out regardless what it looks like. You can use a pencil eraser to polish the contacts you can clean. Use a magnifying glass to inspect each and every tiny pin. You might get lucky.
     
    HavocATX, Oct 31, 2012
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  13. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    r1 doesnt have a interposer
     
    ejohnson, Oct 31, 2012
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  14. HavocATX

    HavocATX Notebook Guru

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    Bummer. That was the only cheap part I could think of. Guess it's an R3 thing.
     
    HavocATX, Oct 31, 2012
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  15. SA Spurs1

    SA Spurs1 Notebook Consultant

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    2000-0151 ePSA: Hard Drive (d): S/N (s) - incorrect status: (x) - (s) User Error
    Re-run the test
    Check cables and connections
    Reflash latest BIOS.

    Do you have the latest Bios installed.
     
    SA Spurs1, Nov 15, 2012
    #15