The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware M14x won't start after disassmbly

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by ipocoyo, Aug 18, 2015.

  1. ipocoyo

    ipocoyo Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi guys, I just recently took apart everything in my alienware m14x to clean out my heatsink ( There was a ton of dust inside) . I am 100% certain that I did everything in this tutorial correctly:



    Now my laptop won't turn on at all. I hit the alien head and absolutely nothing happens. Any advice on what I should do? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

    Reputations:
    529
    Messages:
    3,159
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Trophy Points:
    231
    There might be a loose connection somewhere when you put back the laptop. I would start checking to see if the power button cable is hooked up properly.
     
  3. ipocoyo

    ipocoyo Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    nope its all connected properly. The power button is connected to the motherboard. I disassembled it twice now.
     
  4. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

    Reputations:
    529
    Messages:
    3,159
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Trophy Points:
    231
    According to this, if no solution works, there may be a problem with the battery, charger, or motherboard.
    You do see a light emitting from the alien head, yes?
     
  5. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

    Reputations:
    37,250
    Messages:
    39,346
    Likes Received:
    70,714
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Look around on the motherboard and see if you can find a small square power button. They are usually near the CPU or RAM slots. It is silver metal with a small round silver button in the middle. If you find one, press it and see if the laptop will power up.
     
  6. ipocoyo

    ipocoyo Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I dont see any light coming out from it
     
  7. ipocoyo

    ipocoyo Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'll try to disassemble everything again and see if it does power up. Because at the moment, its completely dead.
     
  8. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

    Reputations:
    37,250
    Messages:
    39,346
    Likes Received:
    70,714
    Trophy Points:
    931
    OK, what you are looking for looks like this example, and it may be in an area partially obscured by the chassis so look carefully in "hidden" areas.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

    Reputations:
    529
    Messages:
    3,159
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Trophy Points:
    231
    I'm looking at my m14xR2 motherboards, and I don't see that button anywhere on them. I know there is a part that connects to the motherboard (by cable) that has that button, but that would be it.
    I can recheck them again and check my m14xR1 motherboard to see if I missed it.
    EDIT: Checked my R1 motherboard, and I did not find the button on there. Maybe I'm searching wrong.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2015
  10. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

    Reputations:
    37,250
    Messages:
    39,346
    Likes Received:
    70,714
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I have seen it on the 18 and 17. Some have it and others just have a spot on the motherboard PCB where it can be found. It's really weird that they are inconsistent like that.

    Even my M18xR1/R2 motherboards have spots for one to be mounted on the PCB, but no button installed.
     
  11. ipocoyo

    ipocoyo Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I see it, but i still cant get it to turn on after pressing it.
     
  12. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

    Reputations:
    37,250
    Messages:
    39,346
    Likes Received:
    70,714
    Trophy Points:
    931
    OK, then you have something more serious going on. You should be able to power on a bare motherboard using that button. Not sure what advice to give now. You may need a motherboard.

    Where was it located on your motherboard? Close to where I suggested, or elsewhere?