Article Number: 179529
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Description | This article will help determine why the computer is not powering on or is getting stuck at the Alienware logo screen or otherwise failing to boot all the way into the operating system or showing any video. |
All Alienware Systems | |||||||
Your computer can be non-responsive because of one of the following reasons:
If you press the power button to turn on the system and it shows no activity: no lights, no fans, etc.; then you have a No Power issue.
When this occurs it is recommended that you:
If problem persists after these steps, then it may be related to a defective power supply, AC adapter, battery or motherboard.
If after pressing the power button the computer turns on but is unable to complete the diagnostic testing sequence known as Power-On-Self-Test then you have a No POST issue.
Indications of a failed POST include:
The following tables illustrate the Beep Codes for Alienware Mobiles and Desktops and the possible root cause:
Beep Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | BIOS ROM checksum failure - Possible MB failure (Contact Alienware) |
2 | No RAM detected*. (Reseat Memory modules or test individually) |
3 | Possible motherboard failure - chipset error(Contact Alienware) |
4 | RAM read/write failure (Reseat Memory modules or test individually) |
5 | Real Time Clock failure (Reseat or Replace Coin Cell Battery) |
6 | Video card failure (Reseat Video Card or Contact Alienware) |
7 | Processor Failure (Contact Alienware) |
Beep Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | System Board, BIOS corruption or ROM error (Contact Alienware)) |
2 | No RAM detected*. (Reseat Memory modules or test individually) |
3 | System Board Chipset Failure (Contact Alienware) |
4 | Memory failure (Reseat Memory modules or test individually) |
5 | CMOS battery failure (Press FN key when turning on the computer) |
6 | Video card / chip failure (Contact Alienware) |
7 | CPU failure (Contact Alienware) |
8 | LCD failure (Contact Alienware) |
It is recommended that if the computer is not beeping and Caps/Num/Scroll locks are not flashing, to unplug all connections and remove all media communication devices (e.g. external monitors) then, reconnect one at a time and check if the computer functions.
For a laptop, press and hold the Fn key and then press the power button. This starts the pre-boot testing and will launch the Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA or PSA Error Codes) . In case you have a Desktop, at the Alienware logo screen tap the F12 key to access the Boot Menu. There use the arrow keys to highlight Diagnostics and press enter.
After the computer completes the Power-On Self-Test, it will attempt to boot the operating system. If the computer advances past the Alienware logo screen and then hangs up attempting to load the operating system, it is most likely a No Boot issue.
When this occurs it is recommended that you:
When power indicators are normal but there is no video seen on the computer's display during the startup process, this indicates a No Video issue.
For a desktop computer make sure the monitor is plugged in and has a power indicator showing that it is turned on. Also confirm that your video cable is properly connected on both ends: computer and monitor and that the correct video input source has been selected on the monitor.
For a laptop computer see if you can access the system BIOS by turning on the system and then immediately after that tapping F2. If no image is shown after this try running the Laptop Built-In Self-Test (BIST).
To run the Built-In Self-Test perform the following:
If no video is shown yet at this point it is recommended to connect the computer to an external monitor (if available) to confirm if video problem is related to the LCD panel or to the computer’s video card itself.
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05 Dec 2020
3
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