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August 11th, 2021 00:00
m15 R1, blacked out, nothing on screen after restart
I was playing Forza Horizon 4 in my Alienware m15 R1 (warranty expired October 2021) this morning. Temps were around mid 60s in both CPU and GPU. All of a sudden the screen blacked out. After that I tried following steps:
- Force restarting by pressing & holding the power button.
- Force reset BIOS by holding down power button for 30+ seconds.
- Draining the power from the system by pressing and holding down the power button after removing the battery and reconnecting the battery afterwards and turning on the system.
- Connecting an external display via HDMI to see something appears there.
However all I get is this. Laptop turns on. Power button/LED is in its 'on battery' state color(amber) (charging state if plugged in) with no any error codes flashing. Can hear the fans working in the background. Caps lock LED comes up if pressed. And nothing is displayed on the screen. No Alienware splash screen of anything. Just Black.
Have any of you guys encountered something similar? Or any suggestions for fixes? I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks.
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Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
I don't have anything test either of those with me now. Sorry. I might have to get a Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter to test that I guess.
Plus I have only thunderbolt and Alienware graphics amplifier port only. No VGA display port.
crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Hi @Ruki_97 at last, a diagnostic error. The RAM cards and their slots tests have already been undertaken. It is very unusual for both RAM cards to have failed.
System diagnostic lights error 2 red, 3 blue = 2,3 = No memory or RAM detected.
How to diagnose and resolve common memory issues on a Dell Laptop | Dell US
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Should I plug in the CMOS as well?
A51-06
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
It’s fine but it’s kinda hard to know what does what in a laptop you know? Like HDMI and thunderbolt I’m guessing are probably linked to the integrated graphics while the DisplayPort might be nvidia? And the DisplayPort to HDMI adapter should be cheap since both are digital and need no conversion.
A51-06
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Did you put a flashlight in it? To see if the screen backlight is the issue? And have you tried connecting it to an external monitor yet?
A51-06
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Anything on other inputs maybe? DisplayPort or thunderbolt?
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Okay crimsom. Will do that.
crimsom
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Optimus technology in the display driver governs the switch between integrated and dedicated graphics. Seemingly toggle between CPU integrated graphics and GPU dedicated graphics is an option that requires to be be enabled. As the screen is not working, keyboard combination is an alternative option, if supported on this system.
Ruki_97
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33 Posts
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
I put the flashlight on. But nothing was visible. I'm afraid there's nothing on HDMI either.
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Yes @crimsom we got one. Seems that Rams are fine right?
A51-06
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Try it without cmos and use only one ram stick. Then if it boots without cmos and the screen works thats great. Also the laptop won’t turn on if no ram is in the system.
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Hey crimsom,
Can it be done in the POST, Boot stage? I searched for it. But didn't find anything promising though.
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Sad to say, the screen is still black.
Ruki_97
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Thanks for the insight ALX 2006,
I will try to do that as well. Will get back with some updates.
Worst-case, I am a bit disappointed to hear that it might be a motherboard replacement issue. I take extreme care when I work/game with this machine. Very sad to hear that.
Ruki_97
1 Rookie
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33 Posts
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August 12th, 2021 00:00
Well I followed your instructions. Didn't get anything on the screen. However the diagnostic system seems to work since it gave me the no ram warning blink. 2 red, 3 blue.
Any thoughts mate?