X51 R2 possible hardware issues

Question

Screen blinked then freezes to whatever the most common colour on the screen is after running a videogame and audio buzzes. Turn it off manually then turn it back on. Shows Alienware loading screen, (able to go into BIOS etc. Blue Windows 8/8.1/10 troubleshooting screen) then it will go to a blank screen. Sometimes it will say 'Reseat the Hard Drive'. Reinstalling the OS, or installing a new OS works until running a videogame then it repeats the same issues. ePSA Diagnostics show no problems with hardwareGeek Squad could not figure it out after about 2 weeks of them having it. They ran diagnostics that showed no hardware issues, and installed a new OS. It obviously did not fix the problem so without me even asking they said to go somewhere else and not waste your time with them then gave me my money back. And by that I mean literally not paraphrasing 'Don't waste your time'. Alienware phone support could not figure it out. And suggested replacing the hard drive but the agent was unsure if that would work. Unit is out of warranty by a year. 2 years of having the machine. Has not been dropped or mishandled and have not had issues with it in the past. I would ideally like to send it in to dell for repairs if possible but I can not find out how to do that. Dell tech support is open tomorrow so I decided to come on here and ask and get some advice.Any help is appreciated

Carbon Based Lifeform · Answer

if you are still able to Boot then download HD Tune and check your HDDs for Errors.

do you have another GPU at Home for Testing? if not maybe borrow one. it could be the GPU crashing. VRAM Defect comes to Mind for Example.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Unfortunately, ePSA is not 'all telling' because it really doesn't push machine that hard, but it's a first step that must pass. See my Featured Content for Alienware Desktop TS. Make machine as simple as possible and verify it works like that to help isolate the problem. Like  says, spare GPU or remove it and use on-board HDMI.

89fordprobee · Answer

my thoughts would&#xa0; be to try another video card as stated .. even a cheap one&#xa0; that fits for testing purposes, if you can install windows then after you do something it crashes seems to me like either driver issue or video card goes kaput .I just had my X51 R3 take a dump,&#xa0; wouldn't &#xa0; even power up ,&#xa0; the 970 GTX burnt up after just over a year, but I purchased 4 year warranty so I'm safe ...other way is to go to&#xa0; bios, make sure the onboard video&#xa0; is enabled then boot up using that one and try.. &#xa0; on the R3 the onboard is disabled by default&#xa0; which kinda sucks but&#xa0; this is why I said to check R2 might&#xa0; be similar..&#xa0;

Alaric_I · Answer

I can boot only into BIOS or the blue troubleshooting screen. I can not get into Windows.

That said I am no expert in terminology or the names of parts but I will recommend that to my brother-in-law who is.

I only have a glacier speed laptop at home.

Thanks!

Carbon Based Lifeform · Answer

oops, sorry. that is my Flaw. i post some short Names and assume that everyone can follow.

HD Tunes is a Tool which checks your Storage Drives for Errors. you would need a running Windows to be able to use it.

GPU stands for Graphics Processor Unit and is just another Name for Video or Graphics Card. it's responsible for the Video Output. we all think it might be broken and you should try out something else.

Alaric_I · Answer

Thank you for the advice I think I will bring it in to an private repair shop and mention this. Having bad luck though. Fingers crossed!

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