Alienware Aurora R2 powering up & down in cycle until turned on

Question

Hi, i have recently run into an issue with an Aurora R2 that had fruit punch spilled on it , it was cleaned up and allowed to dry, psu worked for a little bit but was doing what is described below, and then it finally died.. So i purchased an 875W replacement/upgrade, installed it, and as soon as i plugged it in the unit powers on and begins cycling the system on and off, not booting just fans and cooling is running, then when i push the power button it turns on normally and runs fine until shutting down, and then it does the same thing. Right now the only way to power it off completely is unplug it every time, which is not an ideal solution...

The PSU is an eBay purchase and it is now the second one i have been sent because the first was DOA, he listed item as New (refurbished) and said they were all pulled from new systems, so i really dont think it was the PSU, plus it was doing teh same thing right before the original died. Which concerns me a little about just continuing to unplug the power instead of at the switch...

My thoughts are maybe the switch is shorted out somehow allowing power to flow, but at the same time i dont see how that is possible since i would think it would be stuck/shorted in the BOOT ON position..

Where else could it be "shorting" to power fans on perm. It almost seems like the relay switch for the diagnostic test is stuck/broken, but i would think that would be a problem as soon as i plug it in without being connected to the motherboard (when i first tested it).

Really need some help/suggestions without trying to tear the case down just to get to the power switch. not only that I hate to replace something that isn't broken.

shesagordie · Answer

I am moving this thread to the Alienware Owners Club Forum.  Bev.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Water spilt on a computerized (actually any type) of machine is better left to a professional. A liquid other than water is even worse.

Any component might be shorted out and holding down power supply.

Never buy used "old used up" parts from eBay. Most are bad and the sellers just pretend they don't know if they work or not.

Power supplies can be tested with Digital Power Supply Tester (ie Newegg) or in another known working machine (or on bench setup).

Power switches can be tested with MultiMeter and you can also "fake" a switch by shorting the proper pins on motherboard header.

If you have some general electronics training, and are willing to learn, Google general PC repair ... at this point, it being an Alienware is irrelevant.

lppa2006 · Answer

this is the thing i do general PC repair but this is an odd thing i haven't encountered before where the power cycles on and off but doesn't boot till i actually push the power button.. worst case scenario is its on the motherboard but most of the liquid ended up in the PSU (or so i was told)..

I know i can short the pins on the MB but i tend to avoid stuff like that when it is not my own computer even with liability waiver I wont risk it unless its an absolute necessity,

In a way it kind of is Alienware specific since the PSU being used has a diagnostics test which uses a relay and that relay is what is making it cycle on and off (i am pretty sure since every time the PSU/Fans power cycle the diagnostic LED blinks and you can here the relay opening/closing...

I do have a PSU tester but I already know it will show the PSU as good since the built in diagnostic test showed it as good and it powers on.. so i don't think PSU test will be much help... i may try it anyway to see what it does just to rule it out....

Ill test the switch too, but im trying to avoid tearing this whole thing apart to get to the switch. As i am trying to keep labor and part costs down for my friend.

The relay thing is what has me all screwed up, I have never come across a PSU with a relay until now.. In around 15 yrs i haven't seen/heard one anyway...

While I do understand the "buy everything new" concept, I also realize that not everyone can afford to spend $75-$150 just on a power supply, all because Alienware decided they had to make a power supply proprietary to make even more $$$ if it needs replaced later.. capitalism at its finest :-)

Tesla1856 · Answer

1. this is the thing i do general PC repair but this is an odd thing i haven't encountered before where the power cycles on and off but doesn't boot till i actually push the power button.. worst case scenario is its on the motherboard but most of the liquid ended up in the PSU (or so i was told)..

2. I know i can short the pins on the MB but i tend to avoid stuff like that when it is not my own computer even with liability waiver I wont risk it unless its an absolute necessity,

3. In a way it kind of is Alienware specific since the PSU being used has a diagnostics test which uses a relay and that relay is what is making it cycle on and off (i am pretty sure since every time the PSU/Fans power cycle the diagnostic LED blinks and you can here the relay opening/closing...

4. I do have a PSU tester but I already know it will show the PSU as good since the built in diagnostic test showed it as good and it powers on.. so i don't think PSU test will be much help... i may try it anyway to see what it does just to rule it out....

5. Ill test the switch too, but im trying to avoid tearing this whole thing apart to get to the switch. As i am trying to keep labor and part costs down for my friend.

The relay thing is what has me all screwed up, I have never come across a PSU with a relay until now.. In around 15 yrs i haven't seen/heard one anyway...

6. While I do understand the "buy everything new" concept, I also realize that not everyone can afford to spend $75-$150 just on a power supply, all because Alienware decided they had to make a power supply proprietary to make even more $$$ if it needs replaced later.. capitalism at its finest :-)

1. All liquid must be removed. (period). I've seen PS blow and take out MB (haven't you)?

2. That's all the switch does (they are usually SPST). Get a switch from an old PC if you want.

3. Any Power Supply with enough amps will work. An 850-900 watt Corsair isn't cheap either (and you have to swap the harness). After-market PS must fit and mount. Easier to use stock I say, but whatever you wish.

4. Then use it. That internal check light is lame. Digital PS Tester is one of my favorite tools (well, back when I did this for a living).

5. See above. Takes 5 minutes.

6. It's actually pretty nice. It's OEM famous maker and modular easy swap (without messing with harness). Multi-12v-rails is not my preferred config, but seems to work ok.

Tesla1856 · Answer

As i am trying to keep labor and part costs down for my friend.

to make even more $$$ if it needs replaced later.. capitalism at its finest :-)

That's nice of you (just like it's nice of me to help you when you make the money).

While just about anything can be fixed if you throw enough time and money at it, not everything can be fixed fast and inexpensively. It might be a goner.

Maybe they will be more careful with the fruit punch next time.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Alienware Aurora R2 powering up & down in cycle until turned on

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