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    M17x r1 occasionally won't get to POST

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Slammin, Mar 11, 2010.

  1. Slammin

    Slammin Notebook Consultant

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    OK so it's been happening for a long time but more often lately.

    I'll power up or restart and the fans kick off as normal, the keyboard lights up and then nada, nicht, nuthin blank screen. I have to hard shut down.

    Win7/64, A03, beta GPU drivers and all new/current drivers.

    Anyone else? Any ideas other than a clean install?
     
    Slammin, Mar 11, 2010
    #1
  2. GadgetBoi

    GadgetBoi Notebook Evangelist

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    I started seeing the same thing after the switch to ATI cards, I have it noted in this thread:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457261&page=3&highlight=gadgetboi

    Currently my system is at the repair depot for this and other problems.

    BTW, last time I did a clean install it took 3 attempts because the system failed to post during the install process.

    Another thing to try is when it fails to post, reboot go into (F12) diagnostics and run it. Mine kicked back an error related to a video cable.
     
    GadgetBoi, Mar 12, 2010
    #2
  3. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Is your CPU OC'ed?
    Try reflashing the BIOS.
     
    Aikimox, Mar 12, 2010
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  4. wB`

    wB` Notebook Consultant

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    this has happened to me during installs of video cards and the rgb lcd for that matter on my r1. i would unplug the cmos battery (which is located on the underside of the notebook next to the hard drives.) Keep it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. Then plug it back in. Your computer should boot right up. Just make sure you adjust the time and date in the bios! Good luck
     
    wB`, Mar 12, 2010
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  5. Slammin

    Slammin Notebook Consultant

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    Cheers for the ideas, diagnostics errored the DVD drive but then I removed the disk and it passed.

    I'm thinking that a clean install won't resolve it as it doesn't even get to POST.

    Strange thing too is that the system hybrid graphics was disabled in BIOS without any user input. This systems getting weird!
     
    Slammin, Mar 12, 2010
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  6. wB`

    wB` Notebook Consultant

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    i would just call tech support and get a new mobo
     
    wB`, Mar 12, 2010
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  7. ONE_J

    ONE_J Notebook Consultant

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    I had the same exact problem for over a month. very annoying thing. I'd have to hard-shut down the laptop or press ctr+alt+del becasue it wouldn't get to post.

    finally one day I simply reflashed the A03 BIOS via DOS and the issue has ever since disappeared.

    if you are able to get the laptop to boot, try reflashing the A03 BIOS with a pen drive or USB flash drive via DOS.

    also, while displaying the alienware logo try hitting the F12 button several times, this will eventually allow you to choose from which drive to boot up to, then choose the removable USB and flash the BIOS.

    hope this helps with your situation
    thanks,
     
    ONE_J, Mar 12, 2010
    #7