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1 Rookie
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December 5th, 2025 09:53
17 R3, 8 beeps
Hello, im experiencing a problem with my laptop and would be grateful for any suggestions to fix this.
If i boot the laptop when it is cold it loads straight into windows no problem, but if i do a restart it doesnt post and i get the 8 beeps, if i continue to try and reset with the on/off button i will either continue to get the 8 beeps but occasionally i just get a black screen and no beeps. If i leave the laptop for an hour or so and come back to it, it boots into windows no problem. I initially suspected a poor ribbon connection that may have been effected by heat, so i have done a complete disassembly, which included a repaste of the cpu and gpu chips, and careful cleaning of connections.
Unfortunately this has not solved the problem.
in the power settings i have turned off the sleep and hibernate options for the power button.
Also having a small issue with the audio realtek driver needing to be reinstalled constantly.
I have read multiple posts about the dredded 8 beeps but ive not come across anyone with similar symptom to mine with it only happening after a restart.
Mateo2025
anne_droid
3 Apprentice
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1.2K Posts
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December 5th, 2025 18:45
Hi
Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test (BIST) by holding the D key during power-up to check if test images appear on screen.
Reseat the LCD cables connected to the motherboard, RAM modules, and GPU, as loose connections often cause this intermittent issue on Alienware models.
Test by booting without the discrete GPU (e.g., GTX 980M) installed to isolate if it's a 60Hz vs. 120Hz display or cable problem.
This beep code appears on older Dell notebooks, including Alienware 17 series, signaling display hardware issues like failing LCD panels or eDP cables.
GPU-related problems or BIOS settings can trigger it after driver changes or Windows updates, but Dell documentation confirms LCD failure as primary.
If reseating fails, run Dell diagnostics via F12 boot menu or SupportAssist for detailed hardware logs.