First, rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. Wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. I know many people do such work without this, but it's a cheap and sensible precaution.
Disconnect the AC adapter. Disconnect the battery. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Remove the RAM sticks. Use a soft rubber eraser (the type used to erase pencil) to clean all the RAM contacts on both sides. Use a clean cloth to brush off any eraser residue. Moisten a microfibre cloth with 99% isopropyl alcohol and use a credit card to slip the damp cloth into each RAM slot to clean its contacts.
After everything is dry, insert one RAM stick firmly at a 30° to 45° angle, ensuring that it seats fully in the slot.
Connect the AC adapter. Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity. Remove the RAM and insert in the other slot. Connect the AC adapter. Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity. Remove the RAM and insert only the other RAM stick. Connect the AC adapter. Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity. Remove the RAM and insert in the other slot. Connect the AC adapter. Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, then either both RAM sticks are faulty (unlikely) or there is a problem with the motherboard, CPU or other fixed component.
As you can see, the process iterates to isolate whether the issue is with a single RAM stick, a single RAM slot, or something beyond that such as motherboard. If each RAM stick works without errors in one slot, but each has errors in the other slot, then that slot is bad. If one RAM stick works without errors in each slot, but the other RAM stick has errors in each slot, then one RAM stick is bad.
If you have access to another computer that uses the same type of RAM, you could try your RAM in that laptop and that laptop's RAM in your laptop. Again, this is to try to identify where the issue lies.
Unplug the ac adapter, disconnect (do not remove) the battery and hold down the power-on button for 30 sec (Hard Reset). Remove and reinstall both RAM cards and then restart Alienware M14x (R1) and re-run the diagnostics. If you still see the same error, try one RAM card at a time in each slot, re-testing until you isolate the bad RAM card (if one card tests bad in each slot, replace it with a new card) or if there is a bad RAM slot (if both cards test bad in one slot, it's the RAM slot that's bad) in that case, either the system board should be replaced or just use the good RAM slot.
Ok, the problem only occurs when i have both in. doesn’t matter what slots.
Does that mean that you did all these test variations and these are the results?:
RAM stick A works (no errors) in slot 0
RAM stick A works (no errors) in slot 1
RAM stick B works (no errors) in slot 0
RAM stick B works (no errors) in slot 1
Errors occur only with both RAM sticks inserted?
If that's the case, try swapping the RAM sticks so that each moves to the other slot. Ensure that each is fully inserted and well seated. See if that makes a difference.
Something changed, because it was after we powered it off when we were done copying needed photos and such to an external drive. I don’t know if we may have accidentally messed with a system 32 file, but i extremely doubt it.
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
1
September 28th, 2022 09:00
You need to narrow down if the issue is with one stick of RAM, one RAM slot, or something broader.
The Service Manual shows you how to access and remove the RAM, battery, etc.
https://dl.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_alienware_laptops/alienware-m14x_service%20manual_en-us.pdf
You will also find disassembly videos on-line, such as:
https://youtu.be/FlRpw7Ss1W0
https://youtu.be/pmKame4bgXk
https://youtu.be/Ux2bseE0ehw
First, rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. Wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. I know many people do such work without this, but it's a cheap and sensible precaution.
Disconnect the AC adapter.
Disconnect the battery.
Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Remove the RAM sticks.
Use a soft rubber eraser (the type used to erase pencil) to clean all the RAM contacts on both sides. Use a clean cloth to brush off any eraser residue.
Moisten a microfibre cloth with 99% isopropyl alcohol and use a credit card to slip the damp cloth into each RAM slot to clean its contacts.
After everything is dry, insert one RAM stick firmly at a 30° to 45° angle, ensuring that it seats fully in the slot.
Connect the AC adapter.
Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Remove the RAM and insert in the other slot.
Connect the AC adapter.
Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Remove the RAM and insert only the other RAM stick.
Connect the AC adapter.
Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, disconnect AC adapter, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity.
Remove the RAM and insert in the other slot.
Connect the AC adapter.
Boot the laptop and run memory diagnostics.
If the error recurs, then either both RAM sticks are faulty (unlikely) or there is a problem with the motherboard, CPU or other fixed component.
As you can see, the process iterates to isolate whether the issue is with a single RAM stick, a single RAM slot, or something beyond that such as motherboard.
If each RAM stick works without errors in one slot, but each has errors in the other slot, then that slot is bad. If one RAM stick works without errors in each slot, but the other RAM stick has errors in each slot, then one RAM stick is bad.
If you have access to another computer that uses the same type of RAM, you could try your RAM in that laptop and that laptop's RAM in your laptop. Again, this is to try to identify where the issue lies.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
1
September 28th, 2022 10:00
Hi @und3rt4l3f4n welcome to this free user to user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
RAM error code 2000-0123 SupportAssist Preboot | Dell US.
Unplug the ac adapter, disconnect (do not remove) the battery and hold down the power-on button for 30 sec (Hard Reset). Remove and reinstall both RAM cards and then restart Alienware M14x (R1) and re-run the diagnostics. If you still see the same error, try one RAM card at a time in each slot, re-testing until you isolate the bad RAM card (if one card tests bad in each slot, replace it with a new card) or if there is a bad RAM slot (if both cards test bad in one slot, it's the RAM slot that's bad) in that case, either the system board should be replaced or just use the good RAM slot.
Crucial System Advisor database Alienware M14x | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com.
und3rt4l3f4n
5 Posts
0
September 28th, 2022 18:00
How do you properly open diagnostics. I’ve opened the boot options before, but for some reason it won’t open now
und3rt4l3f4n
5 Posts
0
September 29th, 2022 04:00
Ok, the problem only occurs when i have both in. doesn’t matter what slots.
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
September 29th, 2022 06:00
Does that mean that you did all these test variations and these are the results?:
If that's the case, try swapping the RAM sticks so that each moves to the other slot. Ensure that each is fully inserted and well seated. See if that makes a difference.
und3rt4l3f4n
5 Posts
0
September 29th, 2022 06:00
A0 y
A1 y
B0 y
B1 y
A0B1 n
I’ll test A1B0 when I get home
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
September 29th, 2022 06:00
Hi @und3rt4l3f4n thank you for sharing update.
Has the Alienware M14x (R1) always had this problem or has something changed?
Please clarify the make, type and capacity of both RAM cards. Thank you.
und3rt4l3f4n
5 Posts
0
September 29th, 2022 07:00
Something changed, because it was after we powered it off when we were done copying needed photos and such to an external drive. I don’t know if we may have accidentally messed with a system 32 file, but i extremely doubt it.