Been given an Alienware m9700 w/ boot problem... suggestions welcome please :)

mattbill · 24 Aug 2010 at 13:02

My mate has given me his old Alienware m9700 laptop as it doesn't work. The initial problem he had with it a while ago was that the laptop fired up, but didn't display anything. I researched that and it appears to be common with Alienware's/Dell XPS laptops as they get too hot and burn out.

He put the laptop to the side and didn't touch it for a long while until I asked about it recently. We connected the mains adaptor and attempted to boot, but it doesn't turn on at all. Power is getting to it as the power lights are on. I thought the battery may just be uber empty, so I charged it for a few hours, but still no boot.

I am thinking the best place to start would be to strip the components (CMOS battery etc) out and reseat them then attempt boot. If no luck with that my guess is a potential dead mobo?

Just wondered if anyone else has had similar problems and wondered what you've done to resolve it? or any suggestions as to what could be the problem?

Thanks folks

mattbill · 24 Aug 2010 at 13:25

It has a 7900GS... I've heard putting the graphics card in the oven can sort the graphics card out and get it working again. That was my initial plan until I discovered it wasn't booting at all.

Thanks!!

mattbill · 25 Aug 2010 at 09:33

^^ Awesome thanks a lot!

I stripped the lap top completely down last night and rebuilt it all (managed to have 3 screws remaining after lol, always the way!), but still no boot.

I think the motherboard is dead. Now on the hunt for a new mobo for the m9700.

bhindi - I wonder if the motherboard from your old laptop would fit the m9700? Thanks mate!

EDIT: bhindi - motherboard from this m9700 looks like beneath. Does your one look similar? Thanks again

mattbill · 25 Aug 2010 at 16:59

Thanks dude

... ermmm its a 17inch screen.

mattbill · 26 Aug 2010 at 09:19

bhindi - no problem, thanks anyway! Does that old laptop not work at all?

Could well be the inverter... when/if I can get the motherboard sorted, I will have a look at that before cooking the card.

The graphics card is removable in the m9700 so I am able to just put that in the oven if need be. I don't think the potential motherboard issue would be resolved by this?

The laptop is probably not worth more than £500 now. If it is going to cost more than £100 to sort this out I think I will split it for parts.

Thanks for the help so far guys!