Alienware Area51 fails to startup

Question

Hi forumers,

I have recently purchased an Alienware Area 51 non-ALX system with i7 990x, Dual Nvidia GTX580 and 6gb RAM with the 1.2kW chassis.

The problem I am having is that I am unable to start my system up today. I have received it 4 days ago when I got DHL to ship the system from a US address to Singapore and it was working perfectly until today. I pressed the power button and nothing apparent happened, no lights; the active venting did not flar up; my monitor could not detect a source.

Since the system could not be turned on at all, I deduced the problem to lie with the power supply. Hence I swithced the plugs on the wall supply and even switched the cable for an older one that I use to power my previous desktop. Both cables were able to power the Area 51 for the first 4 days when I tried them. Now, I could still run them on my current desktop with which I am posting this thread, proving that the cables are not the issue.

I did noticed that the light from which the ethernet cable was connected to the Area 51 lit up whenever I supplied power to it. But when I press the power button, I hear a 1-time click (as if something has been tripped) for the first time. Subsequent times that I press the button, there was no response. The click is heard everytime I switch the plug's position on the wall or when I cut power supply off for 10minutes and then flicking the switch on the wall again.

In addition, whenever power was supplied, electrical currents seem to be running through the metallic part of the chassis between the front and the hard drive bays. I have actually reaffirmed this during my experiment on the plug swapping by touching them and feeling electricity run through my arm.

Has anyone encountered this problem and is able to provide me with an immediate solution?

Any suggestion at all will be much appreciated.

I have actually written an e-mail to Dell support, but the reply will not come in at least 2 days because of the weekends. My warranty still runs for another 357days though...

Melvin612 · Answer

New update, I believe the fuse on the PSU has been busted. Any idea?

Tesla1856 · Answer

Call Dell on phone for support.

Try another wall plug in different part of house or office. That PC is going to need a lot of power to even start-up.

Or it might have been damaged in shipment or something came un-plugged inside. Dell will talk you through re-seating everything and checking connectors.

If it's not a simple fix, I would return it for refund.

Melvin612 · Answer

Alright thanks for the advice.

Though returning it won't be so simple for my case. I purchased this system from the US store and got it shipped all the way to Singapore. Its close to 750USD on top of what I'm paying Dell for the system for shipping across the world and tax.

I will call Dell today.

Tesla1856 · Answer

And now we get more info and the situation becomes clearer ...

That's a long way to travel with no shipping damage. You might concider a claim with the shipping company. Also, a lot more chance of something coming lose inside.

What kind of power do you have in Singapore? In USA we use 120v @ 60Hz. I'm pretty sure the AW machines will connect almost anywhere in the world (with the proper special power cord) and the power supply adjusts itself automatically. However, there have been several posts on this forum over the years about people having power related trouble with new machines ... and often, they are in a foreign country.

A UPS unit (like a nice APC made for your country) should provide the proper power (voltage, amps, sine-wave) even if the power in your building is less than optimal. You could also just take it somewhere else for a test.

Melvin612 · Answer

My conclusion is probably right, my PSU is fried. In Singapore, we use 230v @ 50Hz...

I have contacted Dell and they will send a technician down to take a look at the issue.

I'll keep the post updated and thanks for clarification and advice Tesla =D

TheAncientOne24 · Answer

I have try using these file but they will not work or will not work well in Windows 8.1

do you have these files that will or something better. Sorry this off topic but I need HELP!

ALIENWARE_ALIENFX-MEDIA-PLUG_A01_R236006

ANATEL_WIRELESS_CARD_DRIVER_DOWNLOAD_DOWNLOADER

App_DT_AWCC_W7_X04_Setup_TD4C0_ZPE

DELL_CUSTOM-DESKTOP-THEMES_A-02-ALI_R276886

DELL_DATASAFE-LOCAL-2-0_A00_R260476

DellSystemDetectLauncher

R288898

R290807

Silicon-Integrated-Systems_S_A02_R235001

Tesla1856 · Answer

Some of those files you listed are not important.

If it has the original Dell/Alienware Area51-R1 motherboard, your files are here:

Product support for Alienware Area 51

I suggest a format and clean-install or Windows-10/64bit instead. Only install old drivers if a device is error-ed in Device Manager after initial Win-10 First Time Setup.

See my Featured Content and Bookmarks.

There are the general steps:

TheAncientOne24 · Answer

I do not have the original software I bought it use for $400.00 with

(2) 1 gig hard drives (1) 1 gig hard drive and (1) 4 gig hard drive

and 20 gig of memory + Monitor + Keyboard

Buy no software

Was that a good deal ??

Tesla1856 · Answer

If you are satisfied, it was a good deal. Even better if you can make it work.

I would suggest a SSD as bootable C: when you get a chance. Windows will boot and run generally faster and snappier.

If it has the original Alienware Area51-R1 motherboard, there is a Windows-7 license. There might even be a CoA sticker on it. If there is, you can use that to install Windows-10 and it will Activate legit.

TheAncientOne24 · Answer

SSD you might as well be talking Ancient Greek to I do not understand what you mean can you put that in regular English

Tesla1856 · Answer

SSD = Solid State Drive   There is this website called Google. It's a pretty nice search engine. Click link below.   Google  Wikipedia is nice also.

TheAncientOne24 · Answer

I do not know if it had a SSD I have never been inside and it did not come with any manuals

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Alienware Area51 fails to startup

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