Aurora-R5, F2 and F12 don't get me past alien head

Try a CMOS reset by removing the CR2032 backup battery.

Power off, disconnect from AC power then press the power button for 30 seconds.  Then remove the CR2032 battery for at least 10 minutes.  Reinstall battery, observing polarity, reconnect AC power and power on.

Thanks for the fast reply. Still no luck. The first time it powers up, the lights on the side flash, turn off, then turn back on. Eventually the alien power button flashes yellow, never get to the alien head screen.

After ctrl-alt-del, I do get the alien head screen + F2 / F12 options, but same thing, hangs.

One more thing, when the power is on, I try ejecting the DVD tray (but there is no DVD in there), it makes sounds but never ejects after a few seconds. Thanks again.

It still seems like BIOS related.

Dell has a BIOS recovery procedure.  Hopefully it will apply to yours and that it will fix it. 

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln300716/bios-recovery-options-on-a-dell-pc-or-tablet?lang=en

The CD drive not opening may not be related.  I had one of my drives get hung up about the same way.  There is small hole on the front and you can use a paper clip or some similar straight object to manually open the door.  After its manually opened mine it fixed it and started working properly.

This is where I am. Can't even get into the BIOS recovery tool just like them.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Alienware-Aurora-R5-BIOS-update-bricks-system/td-p/6068551

Can't find much documentation on it -- can I do anything with the ROM_RECOVERY jumpers? 

The only jumpers shown in the manual is for Password (BIOS) and CMOS.  Nothing for Rom Recovery listed.

http://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/19/alienware-aurora-r5-desktop/alienware-aurora-r5-sm/system-board-components?guid=guid-aabd527f-0d18-4940-9a17-27ead9934e7b&lang=en-us

Due to a forum limitation (problem) only you can see images posted.  All others get is a triangle.

What is the actual light flashing pattern when you power on? 

See this chart in the R5 manual:

http://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/19/alienware-aurora-r5-desktop/alienware-aurora-r5-sm/system-diagnostic-lights?guid=guid-a862de3c-1031-4adc-b3a5-c84676da1852&lang=en-us

Try procedures for Dell BIOS Recovery 2/3:

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln300716/bios-recovery-options-on-a-dell-pc-or-tablet?lang=en

And use CTRL-ESC as hotkey

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/BR2-BIOS-Recovery-2-on-a-Dell-Desktop-shipped-after-December/td-p/6074805

There's a whole special second part (you have to follow) if the BIOS Image-file is not found on the local HDD/SSD.

Thanks, I'm getting one yellow flash, then solid blue. I assume that means "BIOS is bad". Here's the image I took this morning: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1gjzjssrbj5nhln/2018-06-03%2007.22.28.jpg?dl=0

I'm looking at the document again that talks about holding Ctrl-ESC at startup -- that brings up a blank screen, otherwise if I don't hit any keys it gives me the alien head, F2/F12 option in the corner, the status bar fills and then nothing.

Just tried going through this. I get one yellow flash, then solid blue.

Created the USB stick as FAT32, etc. created the file with the right name.

When the PC restarts, I hold Ctrl-ESC and screen is still blank (when I don't hit any keys, I get alien head, F2 and F12 options, which don't do anything). The USB stick does flash a few times when starting up, after 10 minutes the USB stick's light just glows on and off (normal behavior on a PC).

The mobo has this header: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1gjzjssrbj5nhln/2018-06-03%2007.22.28.jpg?dl=0

Wondering if I can use it somehow without a burner of some type. Documentation is sparse. Thanks.

I looked at the Dell service manual and I see the header but there is nothing about that header in the service manual.

http://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/19/alienware-aurora-r5-desktop/alienware-aurora-r5-sm/system-board-components?guid=guid-aabd527f-0d18-4940-9a17-27ead9934e7b&lang=en-us

I'm wondering if the keyboard or port you have the keyboard plugged into is the problem?  Have you tried plugging the keyboard into a different port?  Plug it into a front panel port as that is usually on a different internal USB hub.

OK, I'll try another USB port on the front. I've been using one of the USB 2 ports on the back.

Speaking of ports, for boot options I can only use a Display Port connection to the monitor. HDMI never worked -- my primary monitor is HDMI so if there's a way to use HDMI that would be great.

There is nothing in the BIOS for HDMI enable/disable.  It must be a function of the video card.  If/when you get it working again, check the Video card options to see if there is something there for enabling HDMI at boot up.

An interesting thing I did find, there is an option in the BIOS to enable or disable the rear (or front) USB ports.  Something to consider if the front panel USB ports work.  Then again if the BIOS is corrupted and not resetting when the CMOS is cleared it may have both front and rear ports disabled.

I know you have cleared CMOS memory before, but try one more time.  Power off the PC and disconnect the AC power cord.  Take out the battery and leave it out for at least 1 hour.  See if this helps.

Same no matter what USB port I use. Battery out all day. Ctrl-esc does nothing.

I can get new mobo for $250 which is cheaper than out of warranty service. Seems like a waste when just one tiny eeprom on the board lost its mind.

Bummer.

I've seen posts of users replacing the BIOS chip (or trying to).  I'm an old time computer/electronics and guitar amp tech and I wouldn't attempt it.  But since the motherboard is no good the way it is, if you are up to it and can find the right BIOS chip, if it works good if not nothing is lost as the motherboard has to be replaced anyway.

Good luck on either venture.

---

@ScaryBob wrote:

OK, I'll try another USB port on the front. I've been using one of the USB 2 ports on the back.

Speaking of ports, for boot options I can only use a Display Port connection to the monitor. HDMI never worked -- my primary monitor is HDMI so if there's a way to use HDMI that would be great.

---

Should be plain USB keyboard, usually in one of the back ports.

Are you trying now with original dedicated video card?

What about with dedicated video card removed ... and using on-board Intel video?