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3032
July 29th, 2018 21:00
Alienware Desktop USB devices don't receive power.
I bought a very good Alienware PC off of Ebay in mint condition, and for the few months I've used it, its been pretty flawless. But one day, out of complete nowhere, none of the USB devices connected to the desktop receive power. Now, the devices themselves are just fine, they work when connected to the laptop I'm using now. And the monitor works fine as well, though that could be because it's also plugged in to the wall as well as the PC. If info on the particular Alienware PC I have, I can post a link to the Ebay page I bought it from. This has been sort of haunting for a while now, and nowhere else I've looked had a workable solution.
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Tesla1856
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July 30th, 2018 18:00
I suggest you find a local qualified computer technician. First thing they will do is ... try to figure-out what is actually wrong with it.
Computer repair companies set their own prices. If you take it to the shop for repairs yourself, I would guess about $300-$400 (for MB replacement). If it's not actually an Area51-R2 ... it might not even be worth fixing.
Tesla1856
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July 29th, 2018 21:00
1. Right. Many times used computer stuff on EBay has an intermittent problem. I think that's sometimes why they are selling it. Of course, they pretend not to know.
2. Good troubleshooting.
3. Just the exact model-number and version of Windows will be fine.
ConnMontana
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July 29th, 2018 23:00
Windows 10. As for the model number, I believe it's Area 51 R2?
speedstep
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July 30th, 2018 05:00
It is very common for USB ports to be not working in Windows 10 is due to windows update breaking the ports by removing the driver.
If the keyboard responds to F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 F2 F12 and the mouse works with EPSA Diagnostics then this is the issue. If neither the keyboard or mouse responds with all hard drives removed then the board is damaged. Dell does not warranty defective EBAY purchases.
ConnMontana
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July 30th, 2018 07:00
The keyboard is a light up keyboard, that produces light when powered on, so I can tell it flat out is not getting any sort of power.
So basically, the computer's bricked?
Tesla1856
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July 30th, 2018 10:00
Are the USB Ports enabled in BIOS?
Is anything in error in Device Manager?
Have you tested all USB Ports (in the back and the front) with something small like a flash-drive?
ConnMontana
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July 30th, 2018 11:00
The problem with checking anything in the software is uh, without the keyboard or mouse getting power, I can't DO anything with the computer, so I can't check the device manager or anything.
I do not have anything like a flash drive, but I have tried all ports to see if any of them gave any power. Alas, nothing.
Tesla1856
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July 30th, 2018 11:00
Using a different plain (cheap) USB wired keyboard and mouse ... see if you can get into BIOS with F12 and run ePSA Diags. Try various USB ports (especially all the back ones).
What happens?
ConnMontana
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July 30th, 2018 11:00
Like I'm saying, I've tried other USB devices, a light up mic to see if it got power, a different mouse, a controller. Nothing works, no USB device gets power from the desktop despite being in perfect working order.
Tesla1856
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July 30th, 2018 16:00
If you are now unable to reach the BIOS/ePSA with an plain wired-USB keyboard, there is a 90% chance that your "perfectly working" Alienware desktop needs a new motherboard.
ConnMontana
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July 30th, 2018 18:00
I was just claiming it worked perfectly when I got it, for the few months I used it before this problem arose. Just to make sure you're aware it didn't just show up in its current state.
If it needs a new motherboard, how much would that cost to get and replace?