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    Replaced dead M17x gpu fan. Now I have no sound!

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by dykast, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. dykast

    dykast Notebook Guru

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    Had to replace my secondary gpu fan that was dead. Replaced it no problem. Booted system back up, fan is working great, but now I have no sound. There are NO sound devices detected by device manager. Uninstalled drivers, reset bios, went into safe mode. Thought it was windows, so formatted and reinstalled, still no devices detected. Tried putting the A02 bios on again, still no devices found.

    Decided to load up Alienware CD with diagnostic tools. It is failing the Speaker Functionality test, I can't hear anything. I took apart the system twice to reseat the secondary graphics card to see if there was anything I could have disconnected. Nothing there. I am not sure what I did or I am doing wrong.

    Any help would be appreciated.
     
    dykast, Sep 14, 2009
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  2. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    I would bet money on a loose audio cable.

    Check plug #5.
    [​IMG]
     
    Mandrake, Sep 14, 2009
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  3. dykast

    dykast Notebook Guru

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    I can see how that is close to the the secondary gpu. But I didn't remove the magnesium cover. What I do notice as well though is that the earthing cable comes out sorta over where the second gpu is. I have been on hold with Alienware, ill see what they can do. If not, I guess I will have to look at those connectors and tear into it more.
     
    dykast, Sep 14, 2009
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  4. dykast

    dykast Notebook Guru

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    Checked all the connectors. Still not working.
     
    dykast, Sep 14, 2009
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  5. dykast

    dykast Notebook Guru

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    Fixed it...i accidentally screwed down a wire with the new fan...DOH!
     
    dykast, Sep 14, 2009
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  6. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    glad it working. Which wire was it? audio I assume?
     
    Mandrake, Sep 15, 2009
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  7. dykast

    dykast Notebook Guru

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    It was a really small brown wire that goes into the connector on the bottom side of the audio board. The only thing I wasn't doing when tearing it apart and putting it back together all those times was taking out the new fan. I think it grounded the wire because it "frayed" open the plastic covering. As soon as I got the small wire out from under the forward most screw for the fan, windows booted up and installed the audio drivers right away. This is what happens when you do things quick and don't pay attention....

    Anyway, all is good and i needed a clean OS install anyway. I will say that this machine is well designed in terms of layout. It is a engineering masterpiece.
     
    dykast, Sep 15, 2009
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