Alienware 17 R3 not booting

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Gamebot145

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I recently got a new Alienware and I've used it for just over a week.

Here comes the problem. One day I switched it off and went away. I came back later and pressed the button to switch it on and nothing happened.

This carried on for 2 days. I eventually took it to get checked out by some tech people I knew and when I got there the laptop switched on normally.

I thought it was fixed so I took it home and carried on as usual.

Then 3 days after that incident it happened again and now I can't turn my laptop on.

What could be the problem?
 
Gamebot145 said:
I recently got a new Alienware and I've used it for just over a week.

Here comes the problem. One day I switched it off and went away. I came back later and pressed the button to switch it on and nothing happened.

This carried on for 2 days. I eventually took it to get checked out by some tech people I knew and when I got there the laptop switched on normally.

I thought it was fixed so I took it home and carried on as usual.

Then 3 days after that incident it happened again and now I can't turn my laptop on.

What could be the problem?
Click to expand...

R3 is quite a old laptop did you buy it 2nd hand?

Could be motherboard or power supply unit.
 
Gamebot145 said:
It's the 2015 edition. It's brand new.
Click to expand...

If it's brand new, why not take it back and ask for a replacement? That would cost at least R30k + no? (assuming i7 6th gen, Nvidia 900 series, 16gig+ ram and HDD etc)

From Wikipedia

17 Inch

M17x (Discontinued) - Introduced in 2009, it is the first laptop released by Alienware after the company was bought by Dell. The name and some of the design is based on the Alienware 17 inch laptop, the Alienware M17.
M17x-R2 (Discontinued) - 2010 Revision of the M17x, adding support for Intel i5 and i7 processors, dual MXM 3.0B graphic cards.
M17x-R3 (Discontinued) - 2011 Revision of the M17x, changes from aluminium chassis to a simplified plastic design, 3D Ready through a 120 Hz screen. Removes Dual-GPU capability.
M17x-R4 (Discontinued) - 2012 Revision of the M17x, updated with Intel Ivybridge Processors and Nvidia GeForce 600 Series or the AMD Radeon HD 7970M.
Alienware 17 (Discontinued) - 2013 refresh of the M17x, updated with Intel Haswell Processors and Nvidia GeForce 700 Series GPUs or the AMD R9 M290X with new facelift and body design. Marketed as "Alienware 17" but listed in some countries and order details as "M17XR5 Ranger". Updated with Nvidia GeForce 800 Series in 2014
Alienware 17 R2 - 2015 revision of the Alienware 17, updated with Nvidia GeForce 900 Series. Features FHD matte display or FHD touch display. A port on the rear for Graphics Amplifier. This model introduced BGA mounted CPU and GPU, removing the ability to replace the CPU or GPU without changing the entire motherboard.
Alienware 17 R3 - 2015 refresh of the Alienware 17, Windows 10 available. Features FHD overclocking display. Ultra HD IGZO Display also available, as well as a Nvidia GeForce 900 Series with 4GB GDDR5.
Click to expand...
 
Jase said:
If it's brand new, why not take it back and ask for a replacement? That would cost at least R30k + no? (assuming i7 6th gen, Nvidia 900 series, 16gig+ ram and HDD etc)

From Wikipedia
Click to expand...

The problem is I bought it off EBay and if I return it then it's another 4+ weeks until I get another one back. Assuming they do have another one like mine. I have work that I need to do on that laptop.
 
The thing is I know I can always take it back.

I want to know if it is some small issue that I could fix myself.

For example I've heard that a loose ram stick could cause the computer not to boot. Could this be the case?

Also I haven't moved the laptop from my desk since it was working and the next day when it stopped. So would anything be able to move/change inside the laptop even if I didn't move it?
 
Gamebot145 said:
The problem is I bought it off EBay and if I return it then it's another 4+ weeks until I get another one back. Assuming they do have another one like mine. I have work that I need to do on that laptop.
Click to expand...

Um, I really have no helpful answer to that. Sorry. :erm:
 
Gamebot145 said:
The thing is I know I can always take it back.

I want to know if it is some small issue that I could fix myself.

For example I've heard that a loose ram stick could cause the computer not to boot. Could this be the case?

Also I haven't moved the laptop from my desk since it was working and the next day when it stopped. So would anything be able to move/change inside the laptop even if I didn't move it?
Click to expand...

worth a shot, heat expansion and that jazz...

give it a shot, maybe its something silly, but call Dell support so long so you dont fry something.....
and if its really something wrong they might be able to help you.

I assume you swapped ownership of the laptop from US to SA? so that the support is still valid?
 
eg2505 said:
worth a shot, heat expansion and that jazz...

give it a shot, maybe its something silly, but call Dell support so long so you dont fry something.....
and if its really something wrong they might be able to help you.

I assume you swapped ownership of the laptop from US to SA? so that the support is still valid?
Click to expand...

I did apply for a warranty transfer but according to Dell that would take about 3 weeks to be processed.
 
Gamebot145 said:
Well what can I do. I couldn't get an Alienware any other affordable way.
Click to expand...

Not accusing you of anything and I understand. I just cannot think of an answer. Have you tried opening her up, removing and reseating the ram and perhaps looking around for a loose wire? But take into account your warranty most likely will be void if you do go poking around inside.
 
Jase said:
Not accusing you of anything and I understand. I just cannot think of an answer. Have you tried opening her up, removing and reseating the ram and perhaps looking around for a loose wire? But take into account your warranty most likely will be void if you do go poking around inside.
Click to expand...

I took it to a friend who works with computers for a living and he is currently taking a look at it. I will update this forum when I get it back.

Hopefully it's something stupid.

I really love this computer,
When it works that is.
 
I'm assuming you have it always plugged in and charging while not using it and that you shutdown your system/windows when not using it?
 
Last edited:
Purply said:
I'm assuming you have it always plugged in and charging while not using it and that you shutdown your system/windows when not using it?
Click to expand...

It's not always charging when I'm not using it. And the last time I used it I actually just closed the lid effectively putting the laptop into sleep mode.
 
Gamebot145 said:
It's not always charging when I'm not using it. And the last time I used it I actually just closed the lid effectively putting the laptop into sleep mode.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, and when you took it to your friend/technician I'm assuming he plugged it in before testing it?

Only asking coz you might find that the battery is flat as "sleep mode" doesn't always work as intended.
 
Jase said:
Not accusing you of anything and I understand. I just cannot think of an answer. Have you tried opening her up, removing and reseating the ram and perhaps looking around for a loose wire? But take into account your warranty most likely will be void if you do go poking around inside.
Click to expand...

never worked with dell, its not like apple,

they WANT you to fix your own computer.......

should be something stupid, at least you got a transfer as thats half the battle right there...
 
Purply said:
Ah ok, and when you took it to your friend/technician I'm assuming he plugged it in before testing it?

Only asking coz you might find that the battery is flat as "sleep mode" doesn't always work as intended.
Click to expand...

I have charged it after it stopped switching on. It is most definitely not the battery. I wish it was something that simple though.
 
Gamebot145 said:
I have charged it after it stopped switching on. It is most definitely not the battery. I wish it was something that simple though.
Click to expand...
Silly question,
What happens if you remove your battery, and plug your laptop into the wall, and turn it on?
IE turn it on without the battery, only AC power?
Do you have any other adapters?
 
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