Alienware M15x Not turning on

[ethanwdp]

So I did some casual youtube watching, shut down via the Windows 7 menu, packed up my laptop in a safe suitcase and I was in a car for about an hour there and back. When home again I set up my laptop (metal cooling pad, official charger in, headphones and Logitek mouse) and pressed the power button. Nothing happened. I plugged in my charger again, and the alien head lit up as normal but went away in a few seconds. I hovered my ear over where the charger was plugged in and I heard a faint screech like an old TV turning on. So I unplugged everything, took out the battery, did a power drain for 30 seconds, and popped the battery back in as it was not dead when I turned the laptop off earlier. Now the alien head lit up the color that indicated that it was running on battery, but it didn't go away until I plugged in the charger and it lit up the color indicating it was plugged in and went away in a few seconds. I could still hear the screeching noise that was only prsent when the charger was plugged in. I checked the charger cable and there were no signs of damage. I checked the laptop and there were no signs of damage. I plugged the charger into several different outlets with no results. I left it unplugges overnight with no results. This happened to me before, but it turned on after I left it overnight. The system is no longer covered by warranty. My GPU, CPU, RAM, etc etc also seem to be fine.

 

[COLGeek]

Do you have access to another charger? Also, when you press the charge indicator on the battery itself, what shows (how many lights)?

 

[ethanwdp]

There aren't any buttons on the battery? It's not a charger problem either, the battery was fully charged when I turned off the laptop. There are five unlit round lights on the battery, if that helps.

 

[COLGeek]

On the battery, there is a button by the 5 power indicator lights. I have a M15x sitting right next to me. When you press it, you will see the state of the battery itself.

It could be dead and not taking a charge. Even if that is the case, the AC adapter should still enable the system to power up.

 

[ethanwdp]

Woah, I just got flashed in the eyes by that haha, didn't know it was a button. Yeah, all 5 turned bright blue and immediaey turned off when I tested it without charger, stays on slightly longer if the charger is connected

 

[COLGeek]

Battery is good then. This indicates a problem internal to the M15x itself. Could be several things (GPU, power subsystem, etc).

Are you prepared to take apart and service yourself? This can get a little complicated (service manual link below):

ftp/ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_alienware_laptops/alienware-m15x_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

 

[ethanwdp]

■ I'll try and find a screwdriver and take a look inside. Thanks for helping me find the root of the problem. No good in a 2000$ paperweight lol.