Aurora R6, boot problem

Question

Hi Everyone, A few days ago, I left the computer on and left the table, when I came back after a while, I saw that there was no image on the monitor and the mouse or keyboard had no effect, I turned off the computer by doing a hard reset, when it restarted, it started to restart without the alienware logo appearing, there was a cyclic restart situation. When I was doing research to overcome this situation, I came across a solution suggestion that CMOS reset can be done. I took out the CMOS battery, waited 1-2 minutes and put it back. When I restarted the computer, the leds on the Case were on, the CPU and Case fans were working, but the Monitor and RGB keyboard were not effected, so the computer would not boot. Another solution suggestion was that the RAM slots or RAM pins might be dusty and need to be cleaned. I took the RAMs out of their slots, cleaned them properly, and put them back in, following the instructions. When I restarted, I noticed that there was no effect on the monitor and keyboard, meanwhile the case leds and fans were still working. I tried again by removing the external video card from the board and plugging the monitor into the onboard video card and the result did not change. Thinking it might be a PSU failure, I installed another PSU and the result did not change. Finally, I took the motherboard out of the case, took out all the parts (including the CPU) one by one, cleaned the visible dust on it and reinstalled it, but the result did not change, but again all the fans and leds were working. My guess is that the CPU or Board may have been the problem, but if there was a problem with the CPU, it would be given as an error message with LED combinations as written in the User Manual. By the way, there is a led called HD# LED in the corner of the main board, I remember that it was lit as red normally, that led is not lit at the moment, I don't know if it reflects the current state of the PC? Also, does anyone know what this LED is for? I think I tried all the methods that came to my mind and came across in my research. I can take any suggestions. I am sharing the picture of the region I have specified as HD# LED. Power was ON when I took this picture. &#xa0; Note: Warranty expired. &#xa0; Zoom&#xa0; &#xa0; &#xa0; &#xa0;General Look &#xa0; &#xa0;

hacktor · Accepted Answer

I solved the problem by trying the method in the link below (BR3). I am currently writing this article from the computer I saved. When I solved the problem, there was 1 RAM (8gb) in the slot.

Solution: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000132453/how-to-recover-the-bios-on-a-dell-computer-or-tablet

The only problem is that only 1 of the XMM slots are working (shown at the picture as 7), RAMs are Original 2x8GB DDR4 that comes with R6. I tried the RAMs separately in this working slot, the RAMs are fine, but when I try the other slots one by one (Slot 4,5,6) or when I try the working XMM slot and other slots as dual RAM (7-4, 7-5, 7-6) PC won't boot. I guess that was exactly the starting point of the problem, the BIOS doesn't show any settings related to XMM slots.

If there is no solution for this, I will accept it as a mainboard issue and buy a new 2400mhz 16GB DDR4 and continue my journey with Aurora R6.

Working Slot

hacktor · Answer

I replaced it with a new one but the result did not change. Fans ok, Leds ok but It doesn't boot.

redxps630 · Answer

Try replace cmos battery with a new battery and clear cmos settings via motherboard jumper

redxps630 · Answer

nvm case led for now. Try clear cmos to make pc post(show dell logo video and progress bar to complete). Locate the CMOS jumper (P217) on the system board. For information on the location of the CMOS jumper, see ' System-board components'. Disconnect the system-board power cable from the system board. Remove the jumper plug from pins 217 and replace it on pins 216 (P216). Wait for 5 seconds. Remove the jumper plug from pins 216 and replace it on pins 217. Connect the system-board power cable to the system board. Figure 1. Clearing CMOS settings

hacktor · Answer

I tried this method before, but after changing the battery, I tried it again, unfortunately the situation did not change.

hacktor · Answer

When I remove the RAM, the alienware logo power led on the case blinks (2),

redxps630 · Answer

what I can say is that the reason it could not post in the first place is probably not due to dust. ironically by removing cpu to undust it runs the risk of bending socket pin. but what have been are already done. In worst case scenario can send board back to Dell depot for a diagnostic check up I think they charge $40 something for it. They may likely tell you the board needs to be replaced. At that point you can decide to upgrade or salvage the parts. Another advanced technique is to use external usb programmer to flash bios chip (assuming bad cmos) on this msi oem board but it is not for average user including me.
one thing you could check is to remove all ram and ssd, power on, does motherboard show the correct led pattern (2)?

The following table shows different light patterns and what they indicate.

Table 1. Diagnostics
1	System board: BIOS and ROM failure
2	No memory or RAM detected
3	System board or chipset error
4	Memory or RAM failure
5	CMOS battery failure
6	Video card or chip failure
7	CPU failure
3,6	BIOS recovery image not found
3,7	BIOS recovery image found but invalid

Then Install only one ram in dimm1. Test each ram individually.

Tesla1856 · Answer

My Aurora-R6 is still running fine.

Are you running the latest BIOS? If not (and it is stable enough to re-flash) I would bring it up to date as that might fix it. Also, reset BIOS to Defaults.

There are 2 memory banks total on the motherboard. Each Bank is comprised of 2-slots (the white-tabbed slots and then the black-tabbed slots are the other set).

Two exactly matching DIMMs in either Memory-Bank should be acceptable.

If you are truly down to just one DIMM slots, I would replace the motherboard as you have a major malfunction. If you don't want to replace the motherboard, I certainly WOULD NOT put any more money into it.

hacktor · Answer

When I want to replace an original brand new motherboard for Aurora r6, will I be able to supply it? Is a suitable motherboard production still going on?

Alienware Desktops

Was this post helpful?