Alienware Area51 m7700

**RabbieBurns** · 26th February 2009, 11:06 AM

I bought one of these in 2005, and it lasted about a year and a half before the AC inlet on the motherboard shorted out and burnt the mobo.

It was out of warranty and Alienware didn't want to know, so I sourced a replacement motherboard. It now powers on, all the LEDs work, LED clock works and displays right time, but the screen wont come on. Ive tried it with a monitor too.

I'm sure if Ive connected the screen back together correctly, but I probably haven't. I dont really have much experience with laptops insides (probably shouldnt have taken it apart in the first place heh)

So Ive had a £1600 brick sitting in a drawer now for the best part of a year and a half, I figure I might see if I can get it going again.

Theres nowhere local I can take it, is there anywhere anyone would recommend that maybe specialises in Alienware's or something that could take a look at it for me that wont charge the world?

**matt40k** · 26th February 2009, 11:17 AM

I would just claim under your home contents insurance. Just over look the replacement board. I assume you dropped it and the monitor stopped working?

**Butters** · 26th February 2009, 11:20 AM

This sounds like the notorious graphics card burning out issue that has plagued Alienware for awhile.

Can I ask what graphics it has in it?

As for taking laptops apart, they screen is generally only connected by one cable and your likely not to have missed it.

As I said before its probably a fried graphics adaptor - especially if its a geforce.

**RabbieBurns** · 26th February 2009, 11:44 AM

Its definately an Nvidia. Not sure which one. I will see if i can source a spare to test that out. Thanks for the ideas.

**RabbieBurns** · 2nd March 2009, 03:26 PM

its a nvidia geforge go 6800. Ive just taken it out, no physical evidence of any damage but will try a replacement anyway.

Anyone point me in the direction of where I might get one?

**RabbieBurns** · 2nd March 2009, 03:27 PM

http://img.tomshardware.com/de/2006/...e_diss_big.jpg

**SYNACK** · 2nd March 2009, 08:19 PM

On an offtopic note that is a fantasticly clear photo of the card, what did you take it with?

Good luck with your repair, I hope it gets it up and running and that it stays that way. The one Alienware laptop that I still had tricked into working here has just blown its RAM so watch for that aswell.

**RabbieBurns** · 2nd March 2009, 08:29 PM

Thats just a photo i found via google images. Cant take any credit for it all all.

Ive still got the original ram I took out when I upgraded it so could try that too I guess.

Only thing is i would have thought I would get error beep codes if the video or ram were fecked.

**Michael** · 2nd March 2009, 08:42 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't Alienware overclock their hardware? If so, it's one way of overheating and damaging hardware if sufficient cooling isn't in place!

**RabbieBurns** · 2nd March 2009, 08:46 PM

dont think mine was overclocked. it was a p4 3.2ghz which just ran at that speed.

**Joe_Hesser** · 24th March 2009, 11:18 PM

I had the same problem I replaced my Mobo with a version 6.2 and then my Geforce Go 6800 crashed and everything worked but my screen so I got a 7800gtx through ztronics.com and now I'm back up and going with no problems and there quick at getting you the parts you need at a good price they have everything you could want for the M7700 thats there specialty.

**RabbieBurns** · 24th March 2009, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Joe_Hesser

I had the same problem I replaced my Mobo with a version 6.2 and then my Geforce Go 6800 crashed and everything worked but my screen so I got a 7800gtx through ztronics.com and now I'm back up and going with no problems and there quick at getting you the parts you need at a good price they have everything you could want for the M7700 thats there specialty.

I had no idea there were different mobo versions. Ill need to check. Thanks for the info, that site looks great, Ill email them. Hope they will ship to UK.

**Joe_Hesser** · 25th March 2009, 04:06 PM

O ya the latest is 6.2 you'll find your version on the ram slots like mine says 6.2v I had a 5.2v and that board has have enormous amount problems if you have any other Question feel free to ask chances are i've been through it by now

**RabbieBurns** · 25th March 2009, 04:25 PM

I sent them an email through their website but havent heard anything from them yet.

Hmm checking my slots, it would appear it says 1.8V ??

**Joe_Hesser** · 25th March 2009, 05:34 PM

thats the voltage it would be 5.x or 6.x for the version it may have fallen off

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