M18xR2 bricked ?

Hello guys, so im here to ask for some help about my m18xr2 ( i7 3630qm, 2 7970m, 32GB ram) So ill start from the begining of the problems :
1 month ago, my computer started crashing randomly ( artefacts, no bsod), and it just crashed like more and more until i couldnt even boot into windows.
So i decided to replace the 1st gpu with the 2nd one and everything worked fine until the 2nd gpu started failing too...2 weeks ago ( i tried everything on the gpus, new vbios, new drivers, they still failed). Then...i removed the gpus and started using the iGPU of the i7. Now the big pb started : i flashed the pc with the a10 unlocked bios and in the advanced settings tried to increase the igpu's dedicated memory, saved, rebooted and then... nothing, no sound, black screen. I tried everything, cmos battery removed, bios reset, even the blind flash didnt work ( the pc boots, the fan are on max, but nothing, ive been waiting for 20min).

So now, is the pc bricked ? If so, can i replace the bios chip ? Whats wrong with my gpus ? ( temps were "ok" max 80°C)

 

I wish you had posted here before you attempted the blind flash....
I too had tried to change the iGPU memory allocation size, and bricked. However, all you had to do was pull the battery and CMOS battery out, power drain for 30 seconds, and good to go again.

Now that you've attempted to blind flash, there may not be much I can do for you. Did it make any beeping noises when your were flashing? Is it making any beeping noises now? The entire flashing process takes about 10-15 minutes so if it is beyond that and didn't shut off.....you may be in deep, deep trouble.

 

Thx for your answer
Nothing, no beeps when i was flashing.
Now its only beeping when i remove all the memory, or the cpu...

Yeah i think i *****d the motherboard up, but do i have a chance to replace the bios chip ?

 

Yes, you can replace the BIOS chip or manually reprogram it with a flash tool if you have the correctly formatted file, or a manual BIOS dump from a chip on another M18xR2. I have done this a few times. You can buy a pre-programmed EEPROM on eBay and that is the easiest way to deal with it. Sometimes the legs on the chip get bent removing it and soldering on a brand new one makes it easier. They are so cheap it's not worth using the old one if you have to fart around with straightening any bent legs.

The board itself should be fine. Doing that should take care of it. You can do that without removing the motherboard, too. The BIOS chip is accessible with only the bottom cover removed. It's in the area of the DMC slot. If you don't know how and don't know anyone that can do it for you, let me know and we can work something out.

 

haha mate you and I are in the same boat. I did the same thing with the same problem. unfortunately its a replacement mainboard unless mr.fox and help us out in some way. even if you took the cmos batt out and power drain it does not fixed the issue. if i only saw your post first.

 

On the M18xR1/R2 BIOS chip is located in the opening around the DMC slot. It can be replaced (or removed and reprogrammed) without removing anything except the battery and bottom cover. If you don't have a manual programming tool, or the correctly formatted file for manual flashing, it is easier and cheaper to buy a new chip pre-programmed with the firmware.

BIOS CHIP for Alienware M15x, M18x, M18x R1, M18x R2 , M18XR1, M18XR2

I use the technique shown in this video. It is not difficult to do. I have done it several times now and every time, including the first, was successful. You will need a soldering iron with a fine pointed tip, some thin gauge high-lead solder with a low melting point, good no-clean flux, soldering wick and some fine copper wire strands. I recommend a magnifying glass or magnifier headset for this type of work so you can see clearly what you are doing and be sure there is no solder bridging the contacts, verify solid connections, etc. Working in a very brightly lit area is also helpful.

The thing to be most careful about is removing the chip. You want all of the solder melted and use the thin copper wire to separate the legs from the contact pads on the motherboard. If you are careless and "pull" the chip off instead of melting the solder and separating the legs from the contact pads you can tear the pads off of the motherboard and potentially ruin your chances of fixing the problem. So, take it slow and easy, be gentle and it should turn out fine. Again, it's not difficult to do if you have the right stuff and are prepared in advance.

I did not solder the end of the wire to anything. I just wound it around a nearby screw (under the screw head) and tightened the screw to hold the wire on one end.