M11x won't boot up at all

It is an R1 running Windows 7, don't think I ever updated the BIOS.

I turn on the m11x, keyboard goes on, fan goes on for a few seconds and then turns off, screen does not display anything. Sounds like there are 7 sequential beeps going on. I tried moving the RAM around, didn't do anything. Also tried plugging in a VGA/HDMI cable to see if it was just the display. The battery said it needed to get replaced before this happened, but I am not sure how the battery being dead would cause this issue. Any ideas guys? I am out of warranty (pre-ordered R1 for launch)

 

disconnect batt. hold power a few seconds. reconnect.

You can try that because its quick and free. Not sure on the POST beeps but likely documented on support site.

 

sounds like your R1 is bricked, try this BIOS recovery. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/572239-m11x-r1-bios-recovery-guide.html

WARNING!!!!!
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR BRICK EXPLODES OR SOMETHING

 

If it's the CMOS battery and not the power pack, it could cause this as well. Can you even power it up with just the AC power and the battery pack removed?

 

M11X Ruined From Pin Mod - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

Or info like this:
Documentation

 

Thank you, did not work, but I appreciate the feedback.

Will try that soon thank you for the link.

EDIT: Tried it, but I don't think it is working correctly. Followed the instructions, m11x starts up as it says (loud fan) but I never hear any beeps...My flash drive usually glows orange when in use and it stays off while the m11x is on.

If I plug in just AC adapter and now battery, I get the same issue. How do I check the CMOS battery?

Thanks I will try and look into this tonight

EDIT: I did not try the pin mod so I don't think this is it. :/

Sadly still having issues, but I need to look through everything first. Thank you guys.

 

Documentation

 

Thank you!

Question though, how do I know if the CMOS battery is causing the issue, additionally where can I purchase a new one?

 

Well you said you got a message about the battery.........on your main battery, there is a button you can depress which will show the charge. You don't have to remove it to check this. It will light up a set of LEDs to indicate the charge. If your main battery is showing charge, then it's probably the CMOS battery. Radio Smack may carry one, or order a spare from Dell, but really it should be easy to first rule out the main battery.

 

When I press the button it shows 4/5 LEDs lit, but I can tell you that the battery does not hold much of a charge anymore. Is the best way to call dell and ask for the CMOS battery?

 

CMOS batt and the batt used to power the system are not related. You probably know that but wanted to throw it out.

I do not think this issue is related to battery at all. More likely a hw failure. I don't have time to check into it but what does the info about beeps say? 7=?

 

Will try that soon thank you for the link.

EDIT: Tried it, but I don't think it is working correctly. Followed the instructions, m11x starts up as it says (loud fan) but I never hear any beeps...My flash drive usually glows orange when in use and it stays off while the m11x is on.

did you make the recovery program with a computer that had a 32 bit OS?

 

I believe 7 beeps is just a general hardware failure...A search here says a few people had issues with RAM and the 7 beeps.

May have been the flash drive I was using so I will try again this weekend.

 

NO. 7 beeps means a CPU FAILURE. there's no fixing it. sorry dude. i had the same problem when i screwed up a pin mod. and if you didnt pin mod, then your cpu gave out. its rare, but it happens.

 

Can you point me to where you read that? I did a search on here and came across this :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/600493-help-m11x-wont-turn-7-beeps.html

which says that the issue was due to the RAM?

Thanks

 

The link I gave mentions pll I think

 

its the bios beeps. 7 means cpu failure. also it helps when you know a dell repair guy, too.

 

Ah, thank you, so replacement motherboard should do the trick, any chance I could modify my chassis to fit a R2 or R3 mobo?

 

im not sure about fitting in an R2 board. but yeah, time for a new mobo. 130 bucks really ISNT that bad.

 

The problem is I believe my alienwware needs another battery. So it would be over $300 to get it working again, and I still need to call to get my hinge fixed (which they are still doing beyond warranty period as far as I know). Anyone know a good place to get a new battery?

 

Let me know if you want to sell it to me. I need a junked out m11xr1 to finish my tablet mod.

 

PM sent to you!

 

Well I will soon try to breath life back into this computer, ordering parts tomorrow, should give me something to do while my wife is at work.