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m17 R4, black screen (and external), worth buying a new display?
Alienware m17 R4
Hi! I’ve had this laptop since 2021, and a few months ago, I encountered a black screen issue. Here are the symptoms:
- Black screen (no backlight) on the internal display
- No video output through DisplayPort, USB-C, or HDMI
- The system sometimes boots to Windows randomly and stays on with the error lights
- The system beeps 3-2-1 and shows 2 red lights and 7 blue lights (Display failure - SBIOS message)
Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
- Opened the laptop and checked all the cables (they seemed fine)
- Tried all key combinations to boot (without success)
- Changed the display flex cable (with the same part number)
At this point, I have two options, but I'm not sure if they will work:
- Buy a new 40-pin display to see if the laptop boots with it
- Take it to a specialist in motherboard repairs to check the motherboard
I'm not sure if a new display will solve the issue. I’m concerned that the GPU might be dead, but it's strange that Windows sometimes boots and sometimes doesn't. I also tried connecting an Ethernet cable, and while the laptop registers on the network, I can’t access it.
I also read somewhere that if the motherboard doesn't detect an internal display, it might not provide an external signal either. Is that true?
My question is: Is it worth buying a new display just to check if that’s the problem, or is it likely a GPU failure? If I confirm that the display is good, I can inform the repair technicians that the display is working.
ejn63
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August 3rd, 2024 21:16
It is true that the power up self test will usually halt if an internal display is not correctly detected. Try running a screen diagnostic -- hold the D key through powerup. You should see a series of self-test screens. Check with a bright flashlight in case the screen is showing them but the backlight is out.
iorellana
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August 3rd, 2024 22:59
@ejn63 Thanks, I'll try that, I already tried the D key but I didn't recognize if the laptop is making any checkup, is there any flash or light in the power up button that indicate that I'm entering that mode? I'll get back with that test
ejn63
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August 3rd, 2024 23:08
You can try removing the discrete GPU to see if there are any signs of life using just the Intel GPU that's part of the mainboard. If there are it may just be a bad GPU -- if not, it's more likely the mainboard (at least) is bad.
iorellana
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August 4th, 2024 05:04
@ejn63 i need to check if i can remove the GPU from my model, of if it is integrated, i don't think i can but i'm not sure, here is the manual
https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/alienware-m17-r4-laptop_service-manual_en-us.pdf
ejn63
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August 4th, 2024 10:56
You are correct -- the GPU is soldered to the mainboard, so it's not removeable. It looks increasingly likely you'll need a mainboard replacement for the system.