17 R1, 8 Beep Error On Startup

Understanding Beep Codes on an old Dell Notebook PC, 8 Beeps = LCD Failure. 

How to Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test (BIST) on a Dell Laptop. 

Hopefully SupportAssist is installed, when splash screen appears, press and hold down the F12 key to enter boot menu. Select Diagnostics and press enter, to run ePSA test of all hardware, when finished, click on icon in bottom RH corner to view test results. 

Run a screen diagnostic - hold the D key through powerup.  Does the screen show the set of test images?

If yes, the screen is OK.  If so, then you have a different problem - most likely a GPU or mainboard issue as you've noted.

If no, then the screen is faulty.

Hi @Vanguard2510  thank you for sharing update. 

Being able to enter safe mode will provide only the basic settings and allow Check Disk to search and fix any file errors and their file interfaces on the OS(C:) drive. It may say that you do not have to run it, but click on option to run anyway. It can take about 20 minutes, please wait for it to finish. 

When windows has booted and external monitor shows the screen output, run the onboard Reliability Monitor to give timeline of events. Look for reoccurring event associated with graphic services (GPU). 

@crimsom - I am able to get into the boot menu when the computer's connected to an external display. However, once I try to access the ePSA test through Diagnostics, the external display loses connection and I get the 8 beep error.

@ejn63 - The screen diagnostic test doesn't run, as I just get the 8 beep error. But I'm curious: if it's just the screen that's the problem, how come I'm not able to access my desktop when booting with an external display connected?

I did use the Windows Recovery screen a little while my computer was connected to an external display. Restoring the computer to a 3-day old previous state did not fix the 8 beep error, but I was able to access the desktop from the external display once I booted it into safe mode. I'm not sure if this means much, but it seems notable enough to mention.

Hi @Vanguard2510  thank you for sharing update. 

Running ePSA Diagnostics gives more hardware test information than the POST's 8 beeps, so not getting this information is unfortunate. You have attempted to Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test (BIST), but the screen test did not respond. Check Disk fixed a different problem, and Reliability Monitor did not reveal problem. Having run all these tests, we must conclude that the screen has failed. 

Please go to Dell Alienware 17 R1 Replacement Notebook LCD Screens and get it to list the Dell Screen that came with your system. (Do not post your private service tag in this public forum.)  There may be a different screen that is 17 R1 compatible and to provide a screen upgrade. 

Now you make a decision if you or a colleague have the necessary skills to replace the screen, pay a local repair facility, or pay Dell to appoint their contractor, to fix this problem. There are many videos on YouTube to assist with your decision, an example is included. Remember to remove ac adapter and disconnect battery. Visit Dell's Before working inside your computer [17 R5 version Here]. 

Hey @crimsom,

Thanks for the response! I ran Check Disk first from the control panel in safe mode, and it indicated there was an issue with the hard drive. When trying to restart the computer to fix the said issue, I don't know if it was fixed because I would run into the aforementioned problem of not being able to see the screen either on the external/internal monitor. Because of this, I ran Check Disk through the command prompt from the Windows recovery screen instead and got back no errors on the drive.

The reliability monitor shows no reoccurring events that have to do with the graphics card, or anything else of note besides "Windows did not close properly" from the times where I hard to hard reboot because I couldn't see the desktop.

Unfortunately, I still cannot run the ePSA because I get the 8-beep error after I press enter on "Diagnostic."

Please let me know what you think of this, or if there's anything else I can do.

Hey @crimsom,

I understand, thank you for the help! I will begin looking at new LCD screens to fix this issue. While I wait for this part, how can I use my computer normally while connected to an external display? As previously mentioned, I'm only able to view my desktop on the external display after booting into safe mode. When booting normally, the connection to the external display cuts out after the Dell splash screen.

Please let me know when you can, thanks again.

Hi @Vanguard2510  to view desktop on the external display, get Windows to boot in normal startup, see Video. 

Do you have the 60Hz or 120Hz display? If you try booting without the GPU installed and you don't get the 8 beep error then I'm guessing you have the 60Hz.

If you had the 120hz display then I would say that the chances are that your GPU is failing but if you have the 60hz then I'd lean more towards the LCD or eDP cable as being the issue.

Hi @Vanguard2510  while looking for new LCD screen, if you or a colleague have the necessary skills, the remaining option is to manually check that original screen is still connected (screen has not failed). Try reseating the display cable and check display cable for normal wear damage. See Alienware 17 Owner’s Manual Page 97. You could wait for replacement screen to arrive, do not open package, reseat display cable, if original screen works, return replacement screen for refund. 

This video is provided because search did not find Alienware Support: 17 R1 disassembly video. Display cable is shown, having removed keyboard, at about 6:26 minutes. (Select 1080p video quality and full screen for clarity.)

The 17 R1 reassembly video is [Here].