m15 R7, doesn't turn on

Question

Alienware M15 R7 few days ago decided just to not power on, however it doesn't seem to be completely dead.

When laptop is on battery or plugged in the only key which I can turn on/off (it lights up) is the windows lock key.

Another finding that after 20-30 seconds of holding power button while charger is plugged in keyboard becomes lit in rainbow colours, fans starts for 1 second and then turns off, back of the laptop RGB colors turns on (logo and tron) and then power button also shows as charging - however after 15s power button and back of the laptop becomes inactive (but for some reason keyboard is still lit in rainbow colours?).

If I try to recreate the same scenario while only on battery - it doesn't work (I can only light on/off windows key button as mentioned before).

Anyone has ideas what can be wrong here or maybe how to fix it? I already tried holding power button for 30s - 1min multiple times (while battery is disconnected and charger not plugged in), however it didn't help.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Ciudas welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum. When laptop has no battery, it is designed to function as desktop on ac adapter (charger) power. If this laptop without battery works as desktop, then the battery should be replaced.

Ciudas · Answer

Laptop is not working either on battery or on AC adapter. Only on AC adapter there are more life signs as described in post.

At no point I can turn my laptop on and use it so to say. Also there is no red/blue power button sequence which would indicate some kind of issue.

Whateveridontcare · Answer

I have the same problem as you, Cuidas. This happens EVERY time I have to move the laptop, and I’m stuck on these forums with no answers, no official responses from Dell, nothing. Just everyone asking the same question and getting nothing but silence. I have had six MacBooks, ZERO problems. One Alienware and it’s like the thing was put together as a 6th grade science project.

apbarkdull · Answer

Did you ever get this resolved? Having the EXACT same problem only we only successfully got the RGB to do what you described once otherwise not even that.

Turngoat · Answer

Same problem here though I get no lights at all. Tried the troubleshooting steps and no luck. Got it in June so still under warranty but now I'm out a computer for who knows how long.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Turngoat​ please run command check disk. Bad sectors on your SSD can cause various problems, like data corruption. Windows has a built-in tool called CHKDSK that can help you.  Before we begin to recover data from SSD, first disable TRIM Command. TRIM wipes data from unused blocks on SSDs. It works even if the computer is idling and not doing anything. You have to ensure that your data is intact.  Type 'CMD' in the search bar Right-click on 'Command Prompt' and Run as administrator Type 'fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify' and press Enter If it returns 0, TRIM is enabled. If it returns 1, TRIM is already disabled If it returns 0, type 'fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 1' and press Enter Repeat Step 3 to find if it returns 1 Now let's start with the CHKDSK steps to recover data from SSD.  Type 'CMD' in the search bar. Right-click on 'Command Prompt' in the search results. Select 'Run as administrator' (this step is crucial as CHKDSK requires administrative privileges) Type in the prompt CHKDSK C: /f /r /x (where C: is the boot drive, /f: fix errors while scanning the hard drive, /r: fix sectors to make them readable in the file system and /x: disconnects the drive)  Allow CHKDSK to run and complete. After it completes, Restart (not Shut Down) the computer to save CHKDSK change and to find if you can access all the files and recovered data from the SSD (C:) boot drive.

SSUDURUK · Answer

@crimsom​ How could you run disk check when the laptop wouldn't even turn on?

Dazz17 · Answer

Hi, I'm facing the same problem. Everything was fine minutes ago. I placed my laptop on a laptop stand and turned off the laptop's keyboard led and the screen went black with just the led power led staying on. Then it turned off. It won't turn on again. if I hold the power button for 30 secs, the led comes on but I don't hear any fans running and it turns off again after 10 to 15 secs

redefi589 · Answer

Me too. My M15 R7 AMD w/ 4070 won't power on. Not that it matters but I only used this piece of junk about a dozen times. I had it connected to an external monitor and I closed the lid when I went to bed. Next morning its dead, no response no matter how long I hold the pwr btn. The end of the cord wasn't glowing either. I re-plugged it and the cord lite up but still nothing, disconnected the battery no help, ordered a battery from Amazon- nope. It's dead. I wonder if I can buy the dell extended warranty. Dell/Alienware have all the data on these failures I'm sure and still they don't do a thing about it.

(edited)

Ciudas · Answer

Hi,

In my case, I tried everything, RAM replacement, SSD replacement and etc., troubleshooted with Dell numerous times, nothing worked. In the end, since I still had warranty, Dell ordered on-site motherboard replacement after which everything was fine (until my laptop started stuttering few weeks after and I needed to get a new motherboard once again...).

Conclusion, Dell didn't know what happened with my initial problem and they chose to replace the motherboard. Just to note, I have this laptop only for 2 years and it already had 2 different motherboard replacements and other stuff done to it. My advice would be that if you are buying Alienware, buy warranty as well at least for 2 years.

Alienware

m15 R7, doesn't turn on

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