Aurora-R6, won't power on

Question

Hi Folks - I've posted here once before and you guys were great about helping me install an internal hard drive.

Went to turn on our R6 just now and nothing. The power button on the desktop does nothing. Surprised me. I checked all the power and everything looked good. If I hit the power supply button on the back of the computer it turns green and the fans start blowing so there is power to the desktop.

But there's absolutely NOTHING when I hit the Alienware button on the front. Zilch. No lights, no sounds, nothing.

I read through some forums and the only thing that I could find to help would be changing out the CMOS battery. We have a bunch of CR2032 batteries lying around and I used a new one and replaced it. Simple. Still nothing.

It's almost like there is no power to it whatsoever. Checked the connection from the power supply to the motherboard and that looks intact.

Not sure where to go from here. Of course it's a whole 3 months out of warranty. Most common issue I can find on forum research is a dead motherboard. I sure hope that's not it.

I'll call Dell Technical Support tomorrow but thought I'd throw this out there to see if anybody has any suggestions. Been around computers for 30 years and have seen all kinds of problems but can't honestly remember ever seeing nothing when pressing the power button.

Thanks for any advice!

fireberd · Answer

I would try reseating cables (unplug then plug back in). The front panel power button connector and the 24 pin power connector.

Here is the link to the R6 service manual.

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_alienware_dsk/alienware-aurora-r6-desktop_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

JOcean · Answer

Of course even if you did get a green light on the PSU test button, it is still possible that the power supply is bad. The only way to test that for sure is to install another power supply. You could also try disconnecting everything such as hard drives, DVD drives, pull the RAM so that only the motherboard has power to it and nothing else is connected. Sometimes isolating components will help pinpoint the cause.

Tesla1856 · Answer

If you have been running it without a good UPS (like APC) then it might have taken a voltage surge.

Computers die and electronics malfunction all the time. Sounds like you have just been lucky.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Alienware-Alpha-R2-was-a-costly-mistake/m-p/6153985/highlight/true#M5246

Unless you want to turn this repair into a DIY project while trying to learn "how to fix computers" ... I suggest you have a qualified local computer technician take a look at it. There is always Best Buy.

MrTommy · Answer

I really appreciate your replies and help Tesla.

It's protected by a UPS. Newish home with good electrical and lots of expensive electronics in the same room all protected by UPS (Korg Chronos, work desktops, CAD monitors, etc.).

I am very curious about the other post that popped up today from somebody with an Aurora R6 exhibiting the exact same issue at basically the exact same time. Almost like some kind of malware took effect or some timing limitation was reached. Bizarre.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@MrTommy wrote:

1. I really appreciate your replies and help Tesla.

2. It's protected by a UPS. Newish home with good electrical and lots of expensive electronics in the same room all protected by UPS (Korg Chronos, work desktops, CAD monitors, etc.).

3. I am very curious about the other post that popped up today from somebody with an Aurora R6 exhibiting the exact same issue at basically the exact same time. Almost like some kind of malware took effect or some timing limitation was reached. Bizarre.

1. Sure. I've been in your shoes before (not really will my Dells, but other machines).

2. Smart man.

3. Yeah, I linked him here earlier. I was going to ask, but I already read you got the 850w PS. That long Power-Supply thread shows the difference between HuntKey and Delta 850w PS.

MrTommy · Answer

Ugh. I just read that whole Power Supply thread. I am so mad at not having that lousy HuntKey power supply replaced the second I heard the ticking. It's been doing it since the first week of ownership and now 15 months later, and three months out of warranty, it's dead.

I'm going to talk to Dell Technical Support tomorrow and see what they can do. If this is a known problem, which it is since there are 14 pages of people complaining about it, they should have some remedy for it. I spent $3000 on this computer and it kind of **bleep** to have it dead already.

Again, the onus is on me for not asking for this to be replaced immediately. I lived with the ticking sound for 15 months and paid the price. If anybody reads this, has a new Aurora that is still in warranty and has the HuntKey 850w Power Supply - REPLACE IT NOW! Do not do what I did.

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Aurora-R6, won't power on

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