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December 12th, 2013 19:00
Alienware M14X R2, Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
My son got this laptop last Christmas and today we can't get it to start up properly. It turns on - shows the starting windows screen for a long time and then says windows failed to start -- recommends startup repair which we clicked but then it goes through the whole thing and says it can't repair the computer automatically. We clicked send information about the problem and then finish.
I dont kniw know what else to do to get this back in working order.
Please advise urgently. My son is not pleased. Thank you.
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Cass-Ole
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December 12th, 2013 23:00
Alienware M14x R2: Troubleshooting Articles (try section 5)
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=597605&dgc=SM&cid=266889&lid=4880771
You can try Win7 startup repair for a different/earlier system restore point if you prefer
You can try to hit F8 - see if you can't boot into safe mode - then system restore if you prefer
Perhaps check bios to make sure ahci is still enabled - (Onboard sata host controller needs to be "on" if you have a sata hard drive)
If you have an earlier system image on dvd, external hard drive etc, now's the time to think about loading it. This is general advice, someone else will probably come along later with more complete advice, ok?
rachelfran
31 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 09:00
Thanks
I tried start up repair numerous times but it says it cannot repair this computer automatically - problem details say autofailover and norootcause
I've gone into advanced repair options and tried system restore but it says no restore points have been created and when I click
system protection to create one it says your computer is running in a limited diagnostic state blah blah blah but won't let me do it anyway
i tried to to boot into safe mode but it says windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause
I tried the fixmbr in the troubleshooting articles but nothing happened -- it said again that windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause
oh and now my windows disc is in the machine --.i don't know how to eject it
please urgently help
I'm not an IT person but can follow simple straight forward instructions
rachelfran
31 Posts
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December 13th, 2013 11:00
well - i called tech support and we had to restore internally - which ultimately wasn't what i wanted but he didn't go through files with me over the phone to see what it might have been -- so we're wiped clean but at least up and running.
Cass-Ole
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1.8K Posts
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December 13th, 2013 12:00
CD help:
M14 Owner's Manual (adobe pdf manual)
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_alienware_laptops/alienware-m14x-r2_owner%27s%20manual_EN-US.pdf
TroubleShooting Section 12
"Power Cycle your computer
Sometimes static electricity can cause optical drives can’t read discs or not ejecting them, because of this reason, we recommend you to perform a "Power Drained" which is:
a. Turn Off your computer.
b. Unplug your computer power cord from the wall outlet. If you have a laptop, flip it over, remove the battery.
c. Hold your computer power button without any power source for 1 minute (This action will flush any static electricity).
d. Reinstall yoiur battery. Plug back your computer power cord.
e. Turn On your computer.
f. Test the Optical Drive again."
*** You can use the search box here, to go back through older posts/threads for advice. Somewhere in an old thread, the advice you need has already been given. It takes time to find it though. Youtube is another good source. The Alienware utube channel has help videos. Bing/google as well for tips. If you're under warranty, try calling Tech Support today. If your user files are precious, I would not be so quick to reinstall Windows clean. If all of your typical internet help is getting you no where,.I would consider taking the laptop to a learned friend or co-worker, or take it to a local pc technician.There are forums on Microsoft.com you can read over, regarding no boot with Win7.Definately try the Microsoft forums:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7?auth=1
*** Last advice I can give you:
* Hit F8 on power up, try "Last known good configuration" - (which was part of the "At the Lab" utube instruction video).
* Repair Windows w/Sys Restore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0VIPG_Uyc8