Alienware Area51 m7700

[RabbieBurns]

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]

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]

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.

Edited February 26, 2009 by Butters

[RabbieBurns]

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]

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]

http://img.tomshardware.com/de/2006/06/08/3d-spiele-mit-notebooks/alienware_gpu_module_diss_big.jpg

[SYNACK]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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.

[RabbieBurns]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Joe_Hesser]

I'm about to cal the today to get some new parts so i'll ask them if they ship to the UK for you.

[Joe_Hesser]

just got off the phone with them they will mail to the UK you just have to cover shipping both ways due to you being out of the country if they haven't gotten back with you by now email ([email protected]) he's the man there quick and hooks you up fat. and they have more parts there then what you see on there page there not that quick at updateing the page per say

[RabbieBurns]

oh right. the 1.8v was engraved into the memory base holder. There was a sticker with a big long number on it. Ill post that tomorrow. Good to know they will ship to UK but not sure what you mean about both ways? If im just ordering a new graphics unit from them?

 

Still got nothing back yet so i will email that address you gave.

 

Thanks again

[Joe_Hesser]

if you where going to send it in to get fixed you have to pay shipping both ways if your going to do the work your self just be sure they send the drivers with it i ask them for them for a just in case thing they tend to forget now and then.