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    I need of some Advise

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Ezi0, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. Ezi0

    Ezi0 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey there everyone,

    So here is the situation. My M15x is slowly dying on me. Every time I try to boot it up it fails to POST. The POST message is Blinking Scroll and Caps while Num is solid.

    Which from this page Check for LED Behavior on Alienware M17x of M15x When a No Post Situation Is Suspected - KB Article - 367784 | Dell means its either my Video Card or my System Board (thats the same as a mother board right?)

    But could the problem also be my LCD screen having a faultly connection? I noticed in one of the rare times I was able to get it to pass POST, either eventually my Screen would freeze or go black or even rarer was that it would lose the red and blue in a few pixels for a second.

    I would just call Tech support but my warranty literally expired a month ago from today.

    So what do you guys think? Should I buy a new LCD screen, video card, or motherboard? if so where should I purchase it from. Or do you guys think I should just contact Dell/Alienware Tech support and just bite what ever bullet they charge me?
     
    Ezi0, Aug 29, 2011
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  2. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Nearly always the video card. Before you buy anything, remove the card, clean the contacts (a pencil eraser and a soft cloth) and reseat the card. You would be surprised how often that cures the problem. Failing that, try to borrow a video card from a M15x (or compatible) and see whether that restores operations to normal before making any investment. GTX 285M's tend to be hard to find and expensive ($400 at RJTech), so you might want to consider an alternative. I doubt that Dell support will offer much help after the warranty has expired, but it's certainly worth a try. Good luck. It's miserable when components start failing.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 29, 2011
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  3. Ezi0

    Ezi0 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the response Revelator. I'll try cleaning it out tonight with an eraser and a lens cloth. Is there anything I should keep in mind while cleaning it off?

    Yah, I don't plan on getting another 285 GTX, it was certainly worth the 175-200 I spent on it but if I'm gonna drop more than a hundred I might as well get an upgrade like a 460m and etc.

    I'll keep you posted.

    Edit:

    I fixed it and you were right, it was just junk on my golden teeth contacts for my VideoCard. I was surprised to see how much was stuck in there.

    Thanks again, saved me a pretty penny there, rep for you and would you like a cookie?
     
    Ezi0, Aug 30, 2011
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  4. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Great news. I'd love a cookie, thank you. :D :D
     
    The Revelator, Aug 31, 2011
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  5. dutchess63

    dutchess63 Notebook Consultant

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    open your browser did you see my cookie i just lost it
     
    dutchess63, Sep 1, 2011
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