Thank you. I ran ePSA and it passed, then ran it again with the thorough test and the machine rebooted during the test. This had happened before while logged in in normal mode but not in safe mode so I assumed something was wonky in software. However after further testing it now reboots randomly in both normal and safe mode and reboots are happening faster. Obviously there is something else wrong. I have opened the case and made sure the fan is clean and unobstructed, also I reapplied thermal paste to the processor, and I still have random reboots. I also reseated the ram, no help. It does seem like a thermal issue but I don't know where to go from here. I guess the machine was never operating long enough when trying to boot to the USB drive to exhibit the reboot problem to such an extent.
BUT...none of this points to why the recovery stick won't boot. Which doesn't matter now if I can't keep the thing running long enough to do diagnostics. I could start replacing parts but frankly it doesn't seem worth it.
More on this...just got an interesting email from Dell:
"I would like to apologize up front for the fact that a representative sold you that USB key. Those generic USB keys don't work on these computers because they don't recognize the embedded product key in the motherboard.
If the USB option is not listed on the boot manager (F12 menu) then the best way to get this resolved is by having you use a regular CD/DVD installation media.
We'll honor the fee you paid for to send you the disks you need, the Windows disk and the Resource DVD (contains the drivers for your computer)."
Still don't know why it is randomly rebooting but I'm going to try booting the DVD and see what happens. And while I'm at it, embedded product key in the motherboard? Seriously?
Got the disks, the Win7 disk booted just fine and installed. About halfway through installing drivers the machine started randomly rebooting again. I noticed the power supply was pretty warm, almost hot but not too hot to hold in my hand. Could it be a thermal cutout in the PS activating? It does seem heat-related, as the reboots happen more frequently the longer I use it.
Certainly the original issue has been solved. Since ePSA won't run itself out before it reboots I can't say it passed but it gets through everything then reboots during the extended memory test. Could be this is because of bad memory or it just ran long enough to trigger the reboot. At this point I am not inclined to start swapping parts and don't know what else to do.
Is the computer still booting to Windows? If so, try monitoring the CPU and GPU temperatures using HWmonitor to determine if the system is overheating. Try running an AlienAutopsy test on the memory or the Windows Memory Diagnostic from the Control Panel.
Guy who gave it to me to work on said he thinks he may have given me the wrong PSU, took a look and lo and behold it is an HP that just happens to fit. Never occurred to me to check, this is my first time working on an Alienware. I got the correct PSU and all is well. No wonder the little brick he gave me was getting so hot.
FWIW the Win7 disk worked fine but the driver disk did not have the wifi driver, got it online using another machine.
Alienware-Naomi
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 18th, 2014 21:00
Hi Joe!
Run an ePSA diagnostic to check for hardware errors. If nothing comes up, try following the installation instructions on this video.
Let me know how it goes!
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
June 18th, 2014 23:00
Not sure what is wrong with your optical drive, but prepare this on a working computer.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/700545-convert-dvd-boot-disc-usb-boot-stick.html
Use a new/different 8gb or larger USB flash drive.
tubeguy
6 Posts
0
June 19th, 2014 06:00
Thank you. I ran ePSA and it passed, then ran it again with the thorough test and the machine rebooted during the test. This had happened before while logged in in normal mode but not in safe mode so I assumed something was wonky in software. However after further testing it now reboots randomly in both normal and safe mode and reboots are happening faster. Obviously there is something else wrong. I have opened the case and made sure the fan is clean and unobstructed, also I reapplied thermal paste to the processor, and I still have random reboots. I also reseated the ram, no help. It does seem like a thermal issue but I don't know where to go from here. I guess the machine was never operating long enough when trying to boot to the USB drive to exhibit the reboot problem to such an extent.
BUT...none of this points to why the recovery stick won't boot. Which doesn't matter now if I can't keep the thing running long enough to do diagnostics. I could start replacing parts but frankly it doesn't seem worth it.
tubeguy
6 Posts
0
June 19th, 2014 17:00
More on this...just got an interesting email from Dell:
"I would like to apologize up front for the fact that a representative sold you that USB key. Those generic USB keys don't work on these computers because they don't recognize the embedded product key in the motherboard.
If the USB option is not listed on the boot manager (F12 menu) then the best way to get this resolved is by having you use a regular CD/DVD installation media.
We'll honor the fee you paid for to send you the disks you need, the Windows disk and the Resource DVD (contains the drivers for your computer)."
Still don't know why it is randomly rebooting but I'm going to try booting the DVD and see what happens. And while I'm at it, embedded product key in the motherboard? Seriously?
tubeguy
6 Posts
0
June 20th, 2014 13:00
Will do!
Alienware-Naomi
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 20th, 2014 13:00
Alright, please let us know when you get a chance to test the discs.
tubeguy
6 Posts
0
June 25th, 2014 08:00
Got the disks, the Win7 disk booted just fine and installed. About halfway through installing drivers the machine started randomly rebooting again. I noticed the power supply was pretty warm, almost hot but not too hot to hold in my hand. Could it be a thermal cutout in the PS activating? It does seem heat-related, as the reboots happen more frequently the longer I use it.
Certainly the original issue has been solved. Since ePSA won't run itself out before it reboots I can't say it passed but it gets through everything then reboots during the extended memory test. Could be this is because of bad memory or it just ran long enough to trigger the reboot. At this point I am not inclined to start swapping parts and don't know what else to do.
Alienware-Naomi
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 26th, 2014 20:00
Is the computer still booting to Windows? If so, try monitoring the CPU and GPU temperatures using HWmonitor to determine if the system is overheating. Try running an AlienAutopsy test on the memory or the Windows Memory Diagnostic from the Control Panel.
tubeguy
6 Posts
0
June 28th, 2014 16:00
Guy who gave it to me to work on said he thinks he may have given me the wrong PSU, took a look and lo and behold it is an HP that just happens to fit. Never occurred to me to check, this is my first time working on an Alienware. I got the correct PSU and all is well. No wonder the little brick he gave me was getting so hot.
FWIW the Win7 disk worked fine but the driver disk did not have the wifi driver, got it online using another machine.
Sorry for wasting everyone's time!
Alienware-Naomi
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 30th, 2014 13:00
Glad to hear the system is working, let me know if you need anything else!