I have one stray thought- when Alienware delivered the system, the side door you open to access the innards has never been connected by cables- there's some type of metal contact at the bottom that apparently operates the fan when the door is closed. I just realized sitting here that they have some cables connecting to that side door now. I didn't notice when I took it in earlier if they plugged it in and powered it up BEFORE removing the door or not, but they DID have the door off- meaning those connections removed.
I'm wondering (and can't test until I get home) if that connection is the problem- drawing too much power, etc. Like I said, it was never connected before via Alienware so I don't see why it would need to be connected now. Think this is my best lead at the moment.
(I won't get to check until 9-10 tonight though. Ah, the suspense.)
I just want my darn system up and running for Guild Wars 2 Tuesday! Hehehe.
USA, it's an Area 51 Premiere 7500, the UPS is a 1500va GeekSquad (here: reviews.cnet.com/.../4505-3055_7-32143457.html) Though as I said, it won't power up plugged directly into any outlet at our house ignoring the UPS, but it works at the repair shop just fine!
Same power cord, same power supply (1 KILOWATT OEM ATX PSU);
The *exact* same plug and UPS I've been using for 3 1/2 years with the system- no change to anything power related... can't be related to the upgrades- it works flawlessly at the repair shop.
Just won't power up in any outlet we've tried throughout the house (again, ignoring the UPS). Don't get how that's possible, since it's the SAME power supply!
Sounds like a pre-Dell Alienware ... Legacy system. Only answering because this is a challenging problem.
Not just testing with UPS ... ya, I got it. UPS is obviously a clone of a real UPS ... maybe a CyberPower or old model APC. Get the manual. Use it to measure AC house power (polarity, voltage and cycles). Or use voltmeter.
I expect either ...
1. House voltage it boarder-line out-of-spec
2. Power supply is failing. House power is got good enough to start it up.
3. Some other strange problem with existing machine hardware (maybe new MB).
When you power it up at house ... be sure nothing else is connected that (wasn't at repair shop) or might be holding it down.
USA residential AC power comes to house at 240 ac. That gets split to 2 legs of 120v. Be sure to try the other leg. Use long grounded (outside rated) extension cord if needed.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
August 25th, 2012 12:00
What country are you in?
Exact machine model?
Exact UPS make and model.
Are you using the same power cord?
Druidblue
6 Posts
0
August 25th, 2012 13:00
Thanks, I can check into those things.
I have one stray thought- when Alienware delivered the system, the side door you open to access the innards has never been connected by cables- there's some type of metal contact at the bottom that apparently operates the fan when the door is closed. I just realized sitting here that they have some cables connecting to that side door now. I didn't notice when I took it in earlier if they plugged it in and powered it up BEFORE removing the door or not, but they DID have the door off- meaning those connections removed.
I'm wondering (and can't test until I get home) if that connection is the problem- drawing too much power, etc. Like I said, it was never connected before via Alienware so I don't see why it would need to be connected now. Think this is my best lead at the moment.
(I won't get to check until 9-10 tonight though. Ah, the suspense.)
I just want my darn system up and running for Guild Wars 2 Tuesday! Hehehe.
Anyways, thanks for the input!
Druidblue
6 Posts
0
August 25th, 2012 13:00
USA, it's an Area 51 Premiere 7500, the UPS is a 1500va GeekSquad (here: reviews.cnet.com/.../4505-3055_7-32143457.html) Though as I said, it won't power up plugged directly into any outlet at our house ignoring the UPS, but it works at the repair shop just fine!
Same power cord, same power supply (1 KILOWATT OEM ATX PSU);
The *exact* same plug and UPS I've been using for 3 1/2 years with the system- no change to anything power related... can't be related to the upgrades- it works flawlessly at the repair shop.
Just won't power up in any outlet we've tried throughout the house (again, ignoring the UPS). Don't get how that's possible, since it's the SAME power supply!
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
August 25th, 2012 13:00
Sounds like a pre-Dell Alienware ... Legacy system. Only answering because this is a challenging problem.
Not just testing with UPS ... ya, I got it. UPS is obviously a clone of a real UPS ... maybe a CyberPower or old model APC. Get the manual. Use it to measure AC house power (polarity, voltage and cycles). Or use voltmeter.
I expect either ...
1. House voltage it boarder-line out-of-spec
2. Power supply is failing. House power is got good enough to start it up.
3. Some other strange problem with existing machine hardware (maybe new MB).
When you power it up at house ... be sure nothing else is connected that (wasn't at repair shop) or might be holding it down.
USA residential AC power comes to house at 240 ac. That gets split to 2 legs of 120v. Be sure to try the other leg. Use long grounded (outside rated) extension cord if needed.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
August 25th, 2012 14:00
Yes, could be something like this...
So, either the tested config is slightly different between the 2 buildings or the power is a little different ... that's my guess from way over here.