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    dropped m15x, black screen.... need to know how to open up laptop to fix!

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by littlemamamia, Dec 18, 2012.

  1. littlemamamia

    littlemamamia Newbie

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    Hi, im new to the forum and have a big problem. I recently moved across country and ( like an idiot) brought my 2010 m15x with me through the airport..... it dropped a few times during the trip. Now when I tun on my laptop the screen is black and the scroll and num lights are blinking ( the caps light is solid) I looked up what this means and read that there is a problem with the lcd and the possible solutions are to : 1. Reseat the LCD cable. 2. Replace the LCD panel. 3. Replace the video card. My question is how do you "reseat the lcd cable" and if that doesn't work how do you do the other suggestions? Is there a tutorial somewhere? Id like to try to fix whatever is wrong
     
    littlemamamia, Dec 18, 2012
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  2. Crazycrossing

    Crazycrossing Notebook Consultant

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    Sure I just did this yesterday, so it's either the cable got loose which I hope for your sake it is and it may very well be or the LCD might be broken and/or worst case scenario your video card and/or LCD are bot broken if it's dropped a bunch all of it could be possibility.

    Search on Google and Youtube the following...

    "M15X Teardown" and you will see a video by Alienware that shows you exactly how to get at it.
    Alienware M15x Teardown 2 of 3 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube

    Secondly search "M15X Service Manual" and you will get specific text and diagram instructions. It's not too hard but if you've never opened your computer up it might be a little intimidating.
    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M15x/en/SM/sm_en.pdf
     
    Crazycrossing, Dec 19, 2012
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  3. littlemamamia

    littlemamamia Newbie

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    I just watched the video and it shows how to take apart the lcd, but if I just want to "reseat the lcd cable" how do I know where to stop with that tutorial?
     
    littlemamamia, Dec 19, 2012
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  4. Crazycrossing

    Crazycrossing Notebook Consultant

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    You don't need to take apart the LCD or even unscrew it. You basically need to remove the center control cover (aka where your media LCDs and alienhead power button is) and the keyboard, then you should see the LCD cable. Watch Part 1 of the video and Part 2 for the relevant sections on removing the center control cover and keyboard and it should show you where the LCD cable is too, it's right under the keyboard. Unplug it and replug it back in then screw everything back together.
     
    Crazycrossing, Dec 19, 2012
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  5. littlemamamia

    littlemamamia Newbie

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    Thank you sooooooo much! I found the lcd plug and did what u said and it works now! You are the best :)
     
    littlemamamia, Dec 19, 2012
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  6. Crazycrossing

    Crazycrossing Notebook Consultant

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    No problem, glad it was only the cable that got knocked loose!
     
    Crazycrossing, Dec 19, 2012
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