Alienware repair guestimate?

Question

Best place for unique parts. My laptop was working until i replaced the keyboard. Hope major damage was not done? 2016 - 17 R4. After board replace, on button lit up for 1/2 second, then button sort of "sparked" then all went black. Cheap quess cheap hope is to replace the button unit? But a more dificult problem I am having is finding a little ribbon cable "lock" or what ever it is called. Any enlightenment would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks, Maka

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @Matt Ee welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.

For OEM parts try Dell Alienware Laptop Notebook Replacement Parts | Parts-People.com.

Dell Alienware 17 R4 Laptop Replacement Parts | Parts-People.com.

They also offer refurbished parts. Try requesting if exchange or repair is an option.

Dell Alienware 17 R4 Power Buttons | Dell Alienware 17 R4 Laptop Parts (parts-people.com).

Replacing ribbon cable socket with locking feature is usually fixed by finding 17 R4 on eBay being sold for parts only. Looking for similar motherboard for parts only is also an option.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @Matt Ee note your other Alienware 17 R4 thread at Best place to get unususal parts - Dell Community

Matt Ee · Accepted Answer

Sorry I thought when I posted my Express service code to log it it would be incorporated with 'things'.  I have a (2016) m17 R4 laptop w/ 4K monitor.  The (TP) 'lock' for the ribbon cable above is what I need, the other one 'vanished'.  In the mean time I am replacing pretty much all parts except motherboard, and am going to give it another go before I (might send it to Alienware/dell for diagnostic and repair cost estimate.  Thanks for your help.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @Matt Ee thank you for sharing motherboard question.

Replace with same motherboard is optimum repair, Dell Alienware 17 R4 Motherboards | Dell Alienware 17 R4 Laptop Parts (parts-people.com).

Usually the HDMI cable will connect laptop to TV or external monitor.

However the Alienware 17 R4 is old, it is usually prudent to get new modern laptop or desktop at discounted purchase price.

Matt Ee · Accepted Answer

I'm just going to dabble with my old one on the side in hopes I can get it working as a back up, I think it's hopefully just a bad ribbon connection.  It has worked flawlessly untill I tried putting in a new keyboard.  Thanks to all of you.

Matt Ee · Answer

Hi all, has anyone sent there old unit to alienware/dell for repair?  I replaced battery, screen, memory, all was good.  When i put in new key boart, start button sparked on then off?  Ia jut afraid of getting a $ 1,000 repair bill, (if motherboard got fried that might be possable).  Any experiences you can share, it looks like its about $40 for them to check it out, just afraid of loosing data?  Thanks !!!

JOcean · Answer

A phone call to Dell tech support may help with your question. Also you did not post the exact model of your laptop so even trying to Google search the price of the MB is not possible.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

Welcome to the Dell Community @Matt Ee

I hate it when this happens!!!

Is it a slide out or a flip up lock down???

I sent an asortmint to a member in the UK for the same problem!!!

But shipping costs has gone up since then!!!

What is your country of origin???

Best regards,

U2

JOcean · Answer

Good Catch @crimsom . I did not realize that @Matt Ee had posted in a prior thread.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @JOcean have requested moderator intervene and consolidate these two same topic threads into single thread.

Matt Ee · Answer

Thanks crimson, I was not even thinking about looking into refurbished motherboards if that in the end is the problem!  Yet another option.  I hope not they are a bit expensive!

Matt Ee · Answer

Thanks for the reply!  It's the 'TP' clip/lock for the ribbon cable in the above picture.

Matt Ee · Answer

Sorry, I thought it was two separate questions.  Dell repair estimate and the other where to get the TP clip in the above photo.  Sorry I will try better to mix everything into one post.

U2CAMEB4ME · Answer

@Matt Ee  Where are you located??? Regards, U2

Matt Ee · Answer

Im am stationed on the island of st croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the forseeable future.

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Alienware repair guestimate?

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