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    Major problem with M11XR2

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by KratosX7, Jun 13, 2011.

  1. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi there,

    Yesterday I was playing World of Warcraft and now when I try to boot it up I get a message something like Atheros Ethernet controller. Then it does some loading thing and says Please insert disk to continue.'

    I also notice that my M11X is making a strange noise from the bottom right corner.

    When I unplug my ethernet cable is says No ethernetcable plugged in.

    Anyone have any idea what problem I'm having and how to fix this?

    I did nothing weird on my M11X but it did install some windowsupdate after I shut it down yesterday but now I can't get into windows.

    Thanks!

    EDIT:
    After some waiting I got the screen back. Its Atheros PCIE Ethernet COntroller.
    Exiting Intel PXE ROM
    No bootable device instert boot disk and press any key.

    Thats what I get and it keeps saying the same thing. I don't even have a CD Drive in my m11x

    EDIT:
    I just run a diagnostic test and it told me No harddrive detected. Perhaps this was the reason it botted up from the network. But how the hell is this possible? Everything was working just fine yesterday and today I get the message no hard drive detected. What should I do to fix this?
     
  2. mardon

    mardon Notebook Deity

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    Sounds like your drive has indeed died. It does happen :(

    Only thing you could do is open it up remove the HDD and put it back it to check there is no loose connection.
     
  3. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    I see thanks for the reply and will I lose my warranty if I open up my M11x just to check if the hard drive is still in the right place?

    And btw the harde driver is located on the bottom left corner looking from above?
     
  4. mardon

    mardon Notebook Deity

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    Yeah if you flip the M11X over and the Nameplate is facing the correct way up the HDD is in the bottom left. You warrenty is fine as it is classed as a user replacable part along with the RAM.
     
  5. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    Alright I've got my m11x open but could you point out what exactly the HDD is and can I just click it out or do I need a screwdriver again?

    Imageshack - img0313tq.jpg

    I'm completely new at this :eek:
     
  6. mardon

    mardon Notebook Deity

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    [​IMG]

    Uploaded with ImageShack.us

    The screws you need to undo are in red. Then use the Tab to lift the HDD out.
     
  7. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    Done that. It didnt fix the problem. Damn it what a bad luck.

    I still have my 1 year warranty. If I call the tech support what will they probably tell me? I have to send it to them and they fix it?
     
  8. mardon

    mardon Notebook Deity

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    Does sound like its died then.

    I had a stick of RAM go bad and they sent me out a new one. No point sending out a repair guy when I can do it myself. If your still in the first year they will send someone out to you.
     
  9. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    Alright thanks ;) and will it be a fresh install? Cuz my recovery part was broken. Will that be fixed aswell?
     
  10. moon81111

    moon81111 Notebook Guru

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    bad luck mate with the hd failing. Its WOW i tell u ! i was playing it on my last laptop and it just froze and shut down....so i re-booted it and no OS found. had to buy a new HD :(
     
  11. KratosX7

    KratosX7 Notebook Consultant

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    haha perhaps yes but you didnt had warranty anymore? So I guess I don't have to buy a new one myself righto?

    Cuz it would be pretty bad if I have to spend money on a HDD failure which is Alienwares/Dells fault
     
  12. mardon

    mardon Notebook Deity

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    If the HDD has died everything has gone inc your recovery partition. So fresh install unfortunately.

    I reinstalled Windows 7 by creating a bootable USB drive using the origional Windows DVD and a program I called Novicorp WinToFlash.