I greatly appreciate the advice! Seems I am making process.
For starters, there were not previously any error codes flashing. I tried a CMOS clear, and when I tried to boot it up again the lights came on, no signals like before. But then it restarted on it's own, and I did see one flash (System board: BIOS and ROM failure), and the keyboard and mouse lights flickered. I waited a few minutes, then tried to boot it up one more time, and the keyboard/mouse lights now stay lit as if they are receiving signals from the computer. Monitor, however, still gets nothing.
Not sure if that is helpful towards getting this resolved.
Edit: I reread the system diagnostic lights page and it says the LED codes are in amber color, the one flash I saw was pink (the color we had it set to). Not sure if that means it wasn't actually an error code.
It sounds like you are experiencing a hardware-failure.
This is especially evident if you can't tap F12 on boot and get to UEFI-menu or ePSA Diagnostics. Try with only (wired) mouse, keyboard, and monitor connected.
No, a single flash without any repetition is not an error code. The error code will flash repeatedly until turned off. So flash, pause, flash, pause, etc is error code 1.
Also, as an aside, BIOS updates on this model get pushed out automatically via windows update unless you have capsule updates disabled in bios, and automatically via Dell support assist / alienware update unless you also disabled that feature in the gui.
One other thing to try is using HDMI instead of DP connection to the monitor. I know there have been some reports of DP ports somehow losing communication on certain VBIOS versions of RTX cards. Just anecdotal reports, but there seems to be something not 100% working all the time.
If you have another monitor available try another monitor.
Another thing to try is another video card, see if it boots up.
If you don't have another video card, booting without it might be a possibility. I have not tried this on an Alienware, so it might not help you out.
I tried the only keyboard (wired)/monitor plugged in, and it did not work. I am starting to suspect hardware failure. If I do come across a solution I'll update you guys.
If you have a wired keyboard available, plug it in, unplug everything else except power cord and monitor cable, and try pressing F2 key repeatedly as soon as you turn the power on.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7.1K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 12:00
Try a CMOS clear as per the service manual: R12 CMOS clear
If that does not solve it, see if there are any error codes flashing as per the service manual: R12 diagnostic lights
Dreamwaffle
3 Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 13:00
I greatly appreciate the advice! Seems I am making process.
For starters, there were not previously any error codes flashing. I tried a CMOS clear, and when I tried to boot it up again the lights came on, no signals like before. But then it restarted on it's own, and I did see one flash (System board: BIOS and ROM failure), and the keyboard and mouse lights flickered. I waited a few minutes, then tried to boot it up one more time, and the keyboard/mouse lights now stay lit as if they are receiving signals from the computer. Monitor, however, still gets nothing.
Not sure if that is helpful towards getting this resolved.
Edit: I reread the system diagnostic lights page and it says the LED codes are in amber color, the one flash I saw was pink (the color we had it set to). Not sure if that means it wasn't actually an error code.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 14:00
It sounds like you are experiencing a hardware-failure.
This is especially evident if you can't tap F12 on boot and get to UEFI-menu or ePSA Diagnostics. Try with only (wired) mouse, keyboard, and monitor connected.
r72019
6 Professor
•
5.3K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 14:00
No, a single flash without any repetition is not an error code. The error code will flash repeatedly until turned off. So flash, pause, flash, pause, etc is error code 1.
r72019
6 Professor
•
5.3K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 14:00
Also, as an aside, BIOS updates on this model get pushed out automatically via windows update unless you have capsule updates disabled in bios, and automatically via Dell support assist / alienware update unless you also disabled that feature in the gui.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7.1K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 15:00
One other thing to try is using HDMI instead of DP connection to the monitor. I know there have been some reports of DP ports somehow losing communication on certain VBIOS versions of RTX cards. Just anecdotal reports, but there seems to be something not 100% working all the time.
If you have another monitor available try another monitor.
Another thing to try is another video card, see if it boots up.
If you don't have another video card, booting without it might be a possibility. I have not tried this on an Alienware, so it might not help you out.
Dreamwaffle
3 Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 15:00
I tried the only keyboard (wired)/monitor plugged in, and it did not work. I am starting to suspect hardware failure. If I do come across a solution I'll update you guys.
I appreciate all of the responses everyone!
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7.1K Posts
0
September 4th, 2021 15:00
If you have a wired keyboard available, plug it in, unplug everything else except power cord and monitor cable, and try pressing F2 key repeatedly as soon as you turn the power on.
It should bring you to the bios menu, hopefully.