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Revisiting BOA (broken) alienware 17 computer
Hey I posted about this comp before but gave up and just ended up getting a different computer. The thing is it's essentially brand new (AND COST A LOT OF MONEY) and I know there could be a simple fix for it. Enjoy the mystery...
Essentially...
Brand new Alienware 17 purchased (unwisely) for mother. She didn't use it, sat in a closet. It was handed down to me a few months ago but found that it BSOD with the error code for hardware (0124) randomly and especially under any stressful circumstances (videos and games). I've done every type of reset, driver update, windows update, windows reinstall imaginable (BSOD permitting) to try and fix it. Nothing has worked.
At this point it's gotta be a hardware issue. What I need is a troubleshoot on figuring out what piece of hardware it is. I'm guessing it's something with intel because the BSOD will mention an intel folder sometimes.
I'm playing with the idea of removing either the graphics card to see if that's the issue or the memory sticks one at a time.
Let me know any strategies you can suggest
Warranty is expired
ejn63
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July 31st, 2016 18:00
The Dell diagnostics would be the place to start - F12 a few times at powerup.
ejn63
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July 31st, 2016 19:00
Blue screens occur under Windows - run the 32-bit diagnostics from the boot menu outside of Windows.
F12 a few times at powerup to get to the menu.
ViperMagma
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July 31st, 2016 19:00
Ya, usually bsod when I did it. But got it to pass completely twice. Crashed at different parts (memory might have been the most common)
ViperMagma
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July 31st, 2016 21:00
A little excited...
So, I have done this test a few times. The blue screen diagnostic I was thinking of in the previous post was for the alienware diagnostic. In the past the test always passed. In total I used the diagnostic 3 times. I should also say that the computer just had a fresh windows install so no drivers had been installed yet. In fact I hadn't even booted up my user yet.
1st diagnostic:
2nd diagnostic:
3rd diagnostic:
Thanks for the prompt replies!
ejn63
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August 1st, 2016 07:00
Is the memory installed all from the factory, or was it upgraded later?
If you have not yet done so:
Unplug the system, remove or disconnect the battery and hold the power button for 30 sec. Remove and reinstall both memory modules and re-run the diagnostic. If the same error shows up, try one module at a time until you isolate the bad module -- or the bad socket -- and then replace the corresponding part (the memory module or the system board) once you identify which is faulty.
ViperMagma
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August 1st, 2016 11:00
It is from the factory. I previously unplugged and replugged them in when I was trying to fix the issue.
Will try your steps. Do these permutations make sense? in this order?
Thanks
ejn63
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August 1st, 2016 13:00
That would be the sequence.
ViperMagma
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August 1st, 2016 14:00
Disappointing results:
Notes:
What next, any other ideas? Is this still a good indicator that the problem may be the memory?
ejn63
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August 1st, 2016 15:00
SInce it seems to be more common with both modules installed, I'd lean toward calling it a bad mainboard rather than bad memory.