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11954
September 9th, 2013 13:00
X51 doesn't boot, BIOS A12
Hi, my X51 with GTX660 (bought last Sept) with BIOS A12, and latest Nvidia driver suddenly died. I came back after a short break and found that the machine (as usual) had gone to sleep. However, this time the mouse didn't get it to wake up as it usually did, pressing the power button (the white light on it is on) didn't do anything either. I unplugged the machine after a bit plugged power back, The white light on the power button turns on and there was whirling sound, and the DVD drive makes a sound, and in 3 seconds it powers down. (White light on the power button is still on.) Pressing the power button doesn't do anything.
Help? I'm panicking a bit because I have a demo at IDF (Intel Developer Forum) tomorrow and depends on this machine. I don't even have a copy of the latest code elsewhere. Any ideas appreciated!
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Alienware-Dani
133 Posts
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September 9th, 2013 13:00
Hi GreatArtist, check out this video, it has the necessary troubleshooting to diagnose the problem you have. Please keep me updated on anything that happens.
GreatArtist
51 Posts
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September 9th, 2013 14:00
Dan L.... and this time power drain didn't seem to help! (I also held the power button down for 20 seconds as the video indicated.) Help please?
Alienware-Dani
133 Posts
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September 9th, 2013 14:00
In that case we need to determine what the problem is exactly. First of all we need to open the case and take the GPU out and test the system without it. If that doesn't help then we need to put the GPU back in and test the computer with 1 memory stick at the time. Last thing if those steps don't work is to clear the CMOS battery by taking it out of the computer and waiting 30 seconds before putting it back in. You can use this article for the computer dis-assembly.
GreatArtist
51 Posts
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September 9th, 2013 14:00
Dani L., thanks. I unplugged everything and waited for quite a while, and when I plugged it back in. It booted. But then, thinking that the A12 gave me this very scary behavior, I thought A13 might be better. So I installed A13. However, with A13, the machine only powers on but does not boot. It powers on with the usual ooomph and the side lights are yellow, but there are no further activities. There's no video output from either the nvidia or Intel HDMI: no bios display or the alien head, just no signal.
I know I should have waited until this thing limps through tomorrow's demo... too late. Any idea? I just need to get through tomorrow's demos.
GreatArtist
51 Posts
0
September 9th, 2013 22:00
Was on the phone with a rep for the longest time. He had me open the case, take out the gfx card, unplug the battery cable to erase CMOS, etc. But in the end, nothing worked. The motherboard is deemed not working and a service visit was ordered. But, that doesn't help with tomorrow. I had to tell my Intel contact that we won't be able to demo tomorrow at IDF. I won't even begin to describe the embarrassment and disappointment.
Alienware-Dani
133 Posts
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September 10th, 2013 15:00
I apologize for the inconvenience but at least the PC repair is going to happen soon. Please let me know how everything works out.