M17xR4, motherboard replaced, ongoing issues

Question

I have had this M17xR4 for quite a few years (September 2012). I got it back in college, and after about a year and a month of using it, it shorted out. The computer technician I took it to (it was out of warranty by a month) told me the GPU was fried and part of the motherboard was not working. I replaced the GPU at that time, and the computer screen did not show anything, and gave 7 beeps. I took out the CMOS battery and held the power button like I have seen some people recommend, and it started up again, but I could only get external monitors to work with it, so I ended up using it as a hybrid since.

A few months ago, it started giving me 7 beeps and nothing was showing up again, so I set it aside and used my desktop exclusively. Parts-People finally had the motherboard for it on sale, so I ordered it, and replaced it, but it is still giving me the same error most of the time. Every now and then when I turned it on, it seemed to work just fine, the new motherboard fixed the screen, but it will only stay on for a few minutes before the screen goes black, not off, usually, so I would have to restart it until it came back on, I have no idea what to do now, I just don't want this to become an expensive way to feel depressed about my choices.

The keyboard does work, except the 4, 5, and 6 keys on the num pad, LED lights work as well

I tried to check diagnostics in the boot menu, but it will not stay on long enough to allow me to read it

I tried to run the startup repair when it asked, but it could not finish, although it did stay on for almost a half hour that time

I checked the thermal paste and added a bit more because it didn't look like much, nothing changed

I swapped the ram sticks around, nothing changed

I have tried with it plugged in, with and without battery, and just running on battery

Thank you for any help you can give

mattyb3 · Accepted Answer

That's probably what happened. It has to have something to do with how the GPU interacts with the CPU but the good news is that a GPU is easy to replace and it's a good chance to make a decent upgrade. Hopefully the MXM slot hasn't been damaged.

Since you would have the 60Hz display you can upgrade to a 980M. If you had the 120Hz display then you could actually get a GTX 1060 or 1070. You can still upgrade to one of these cards but you'd have to upgrade your LCD as well so it would be an expensive process.

A 980M is still a very capable card for 1080p gaming at 60Hz. Maybe not at Ultra settings but decent for Medium to High.

mattyb3 · Answer

A 7 beep code is a CPU error but in most cases it ends up being the motherboard. It could actually be an issue with the CPU on your machine and it's slowly dying or overheating. If your machine has the 60Hz LCD then it could also be a reason for the black screen as the machine will use the CPU graphics for low level tasks.

Unfortunately the only way to test for sure is to try another CPU. You should be able to pick up a 3630QM reasonably cheaply if you want to try it out. Also check that the CPU fan is spinning up. It would usually run all the time at low revs to keep the CPU cool. If the fan has failed then the CPU will heat up quickly and the machine will shut down. Also check that the fan is plugged in properly. I have forgotten to plug it in before and felt like an idiot when I realised why it was shutting down after a few minutes.

Sometimes the diagnostic won't always pic up an error until the part is actually dead and if it's completely dead then the machine won't work anyway.

Peppercooper1 · Answer

Thanks for the reply,

I was wondering if the CPU was shot, but wasn't sure because it ran a few times, but I was unaware of the LCD display using the CPU. I was wondering if it was overheating, so I checked the fans, and they seem to be running, and I know the thermal paste probably was fine, I tried to replace it, it did not look like much was there, but this is the first time I have had to work with the paste. I found a replacement CPU for it at 130 USD, I would like to not have to spend the money, so I wanted to make sure that was the issue, and not something odd. Are there any key points I should check to make sure it is not overheating? I have never had a CPU die on me, so I have no clue what the symptoms are. I knew the 7 beep code was either the motherboard or CPU, at least from what I have found, and the motherboard is a refurbished one from parts-people, so I do not think the motherboard is at fault.

mattyb3 · Answer

Also, since it shuts down quickly it can be harder to use a temp monitor but if you can get CPU Temp to install in time then give it a go. Then open it up as soon as Windows starts and see what happens before it shuts down. The other way is to have the bottom cover off and use your hand to see how hot it is. If it's scorching and the fan is working then there's an issue with it.

mattyb3 · Answer

$130 seems a little steep. They sell here in Australia around the $100AUD mark which is about $65-70USD. There is actually one on ebay here for $50AUD.

Here's one in the US

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Core-i7-3630QM-2-4GHz-Quad-Core-Laptop-CPU-SR0UX-Socket-G2-CPU989/233578982668?epid=1628310718&hash=item3662646d0c:g:bHAAAOSwHNhesIiH

It's hard to know for sure what the issue is until you try a few options. I like to rebuild these old machines so I usually have spares laying around that I can use to test.

Peppercooper1 · Answer

I will check out the fan after work, I am just a bit weary about buying a cheap and used CPU

mattyb3 · Answer

If you buy from a ebay seller with 99%+ positive feedback then you should be good. It's your money though so do what you feel comfortable with. Hopefully it's something simple.

Peppercooper1 · Answer

After looking at the page for them, it looked like they were trustworthy, so I ordered it, it should be here next week, I will update then

mattyb3 · Answer

Good luck. It's not often that a CPU will fail but it does happen. I bought a faulty 17 R1 a little while ago with a 7 beep error and it was a faulty 4900MQ.

Peppercooper1 · Answer

I installed the CPU to no avail, exact same problem, nothing changed

mattyb3 · Answer

Unfortunately it sounds like the motherboard again, unless the new CPU is faulty again which would be highly unlikely. Just check all the pins on the CPU just to make sure one wasn't bent during installation.

You could try an NVRAM reset but I doubt it will work.

Remove the charger, battery, RAM (there may be some under the keyboard), and CMOS battery. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds and then put it all back together. You will probably get a 5 beep error but this will go away the second time you restart. If you get a 7 beep code again then you're in trouble.

mattyb3 · Answer

You could also try removing the motherboard again and reinstalling it, just to make sure you have plugged everything in properly. It can just be a ribbon cable that's not quite straight that can cause an issue.

Peppercooper1 · Answer

Thanks, I will try what you said, and if nothing works, I will try to contact parts-people about the motherboard being faulty

Peppercooper1 · Answer

The bluetooth chip seems to be missing, but other than that, I cannot find anything else

Peppercooper1 · Answer

I tried the NVRAM reset you mentioned, and it still gave the 7 beep code, thanks for all the help so far

Alienware

M17xR4, motherboard replaced, ongoing issues

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