15 R4, no display

Question

Hi, Here's the problem I have with the Laptop: When I boot my Alienware Laptop I see the post display information with the Alienware logo, then I see the Windows (or Linux when I install Linux) boot logo but as soon as one of the OS is done booting I get a black screen. Windows or Linux is up and running in the background as I can do key commands and hear the according beeps and sounds. I can also do a clean shutdown with hot keys and hear the shutdown chime but no display. If I boot in the Bios I have a display.If I boot in Windows or Linux I get the post boot display with logos, information..etc But once in any OS, Black screen.If I boot in Windows Safe mode I have a display. I suspect when the Laptop boots, it's using the integrated Intel GPU to display the post, Bios..etc. But as soon as an OS boots up and uses the Geforce GPU, it goes black. My next step would of been to replace the GPU thermal paste but it's a total shot in the dark. Any help \ hints appreciated.Thanks

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @Kreegrr thank you for sharing update.

The CPU and GPU are permanently soldered onto the motherboard and the Dell fix is to replace the motherboard. Dell Alienware 15 R4 Motherboards | Dell Alienware 15 R4 Laptop Parts (parts-people.com). However, there is the $100 Dell Laptop Repair | Dell Repair | Laptop Repair | Notebook Service Center (parts-people.com).

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Kreegrr welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum. Thank you for a good opening post.

Connecting laptop HDMI cable to external TV or monitor might have reproduced laptop screen image. Repasting processors would not fix this problem. Understanding Beep Codes on a Dell Laptop Computer | Dell US. Alienware 15 R4 Diagnostic Light Codes | Dell US.

When in safe mode, only the core operating system is being used and the screen works. This indicates that there is an application that interferes with the full operating system. Hopefully the Alienware 15 R4's events are reporting this conflict. Please run windows Reliability Monitor and wait for event timeline to be created. Look for red critical event, open event to reveal root cause and Microsoft error code. How to use Windows Reliability Monitor to identify software issues | Dell US.

Kreegrr · Answer

Hi Crimson,

So the Light code link helped, on power on I get a "3,2 PCI, video card/chip failure". The fans were also going full blast on boot.

Think the video card is toast? Are those things replaceable or I'm out of luck?

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Kreegrr thank you for sharing update.

Opening post says: When in safe mode (only the core operating system is being used) the screen works. This indicates that there is an application that is in conflict within the full operating system. Before rejecting motherboard, is it possible to swap in OS (C:) boot drive without all the additional applications. If normal function restored, its the additional application software that is creating this issue.

Kreegrr · Answer

Hi Crimson,

Thanks for the suggestion,

I installed Linux from scratch to rule out Windows, full hard drive format and clean install. Same thing as Windows, I get the Linux post boot but as soon as I get into the OS, the screen goes blank. Seems like when it switches from integrated graphics to NVidia GPU, any OS, it fails.

Alienware

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