m15 R3, no POST problems

Question

Hi everyone i just bought an m15 R3 and the first day worked perfectly until i started making updates with the Dell update tool, as I noticed on the list one of them was a BIOS update. So the same first day of use after finishing the updates when restarted a no POST problem came up. So I tried the Bios recovery form a USB key, after the fourth try it booted directly to windows and I did a BIOS downgrade to the one before the last version (cause the dell tool upgraded to the last version) it worked fine three days but the next day I turned the laptop on and I could never boot it up again. It has a No POST problem, the visual signals are 2 red heads - 7 blue heads, and the beeps are 3,2,1.

Please someone help me!

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @ChristianNicolas thank you for sharing update. You are right, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, and cannot be upgraded. If RAM has failed, motherboard replacement is required.

Alienware m15 R3 with rear cover removed

ChristianNicolas · Answer

I tried the F2 bios boot key, I tried the 35 seconds power button held for the BIOS reset, tried the CMOS reset with the battery unpowered, and the power button pressed for 15 seconds.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @ChristianNicolas welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

Dell Support for Alienware m15 R3 Service Manual System diagnostic lights code, 2,7 = LCD Display failure.

PSA 0321 (3-2-1) beeps = Unable to detect LCD.

Video example Dell Alienware 17R5 - No boot: 3-2-1 beep code and 2,7 led code (YouTube)

Problem: LED screen requires RAM. Press and continue to hold down D key during power on, does not give LCD Built-in Self-Test.

Fix: (1) system has had a bump, do not use system for one day to allow RAM to settle back into their slots,
Fix: (2) manually reseat RAM card(s),
Fix: (3) test for bad RAM card(s) by inserting one card and power on, then the other card and power on, then card in different slots and power on. Until either bad RAM connection and/or bad PCIe socket connection, becomes good connection,
Fix: (4) Reseat display connections.

If this does not provide Fix: click on and open Top Solutions - See All.

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from user that is not employed by Dell. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

ChristianNicolas · Answer

Hi @crimsom thank you for your time.

I tried the "Built in LCD self test" holding the D key, and the screen remains off, the alien head does kinda a blue - yellow mix until finihses with the 2-7 red -blue head with no colored bars on the screen or anything.

Same for the "Hold Fcn key" foe second method of test.

As for the fixes (1), (2) and (3) i think the RAM in this model is attached to the motherboard so it cannot be moved if i am right.

As for the fix (4) i may try it.

Alienware

m15 R3, no POST problems

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