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x17 R1 coin battery
Hi all
Tearing my hair out a bit here! My x17 R1 will not boot, and is flashing 3 red 1 blue on the power button, meaning the coin battery has failed. This would explain all the issues Ive been having for the last 2 days, but only just noticed the error code. I have gone as deep as fomrating the SSD and trying to reinstall windows, as it seemed something had corrupted the install ( failed after a windows update). Now i find this simple problem!
Issue is, I can't find the coin battery - usually a cr2032 or similar. the error code is in the manual, but no mention I can find of how to replace it...
Any help appreciated. Just hope I can reinstall windows and get it all back up and running!
Dan
tinkererdan
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November 26th, 2023 02:50
Update - problem solved. Turns out the NVMe drivers dont exist in windows install despite it being the most recent version.
Downloaded IRST drivers from Dell - after a bit of trial nd error found the correct one in the package - iaStorAfs.inf if anyone interested.
Then hit a windows install error - could't install on the primary partition. Found an excellent guide to overcome this using cmd prompt and Diskpart commands. this is the vid if anyone needs it https://youtu.be/o4ilMAAk1Q8?si=HTitgFGz5kua1Q5y
now all back up and running fine!
Thanks @crimsom and @Chino de Oro for trying to help! turns out the original error was just a red herring!
(edited)
Chino de Oro
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November 25th, 2023 07:16
According to the system specifications, coin cell battery is not supported. Meaning it does not have one.
Charge your lithium battery pack and do not let it drains below 1%.
tinkererdan
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November 25th, 2023 07:49
@Chino de Oro - odd that the error code in the manual specifically says "coin-cell battery failure". The main battery is fully charged, no faults as per Dell diagnostics run at power on via F12.
Not sure why there would be an error code for a non-existent battery. CMOS has now started returning a failed checksum on power up, but only some times. This can definately be from the CMOS battery dying. Has happened to me on desktops in the past. Just stumped on this one
crimsom
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November 25th, 2023 08:40
Hi @tinkererdan welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum. The Alienware x17 R1 (6/15/2021) is designed without a Real Time Clock (RTC) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) coin-cell battery. After a service incident where the computer battery is disconnected, when the battery is fully discharged, or when the computer is reassembled and turned on, an RTC reset cycle will occur. When an RTC Reset cycle occurs, the computer turns on and off three times. An "Invalid Configuration" error message is displayed prompting you to enter the BIOS and configure the date and time. The computer starts functioning normally after setting the date and time. Alienware x17 R1 Service Manual | Dell US.
(edited)
Chino de Oro
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November 25th, 2023 08:42
Can only show you what the system specs said. Certain errors can be falsely detected. You can reset the system and run a diagnostics scan. If it has not been done already, clear NVRAM by pressing and holding power button for around 30 seconds or until you see the light blinks then let go of it. System should restart several times, an indication of RTC reset.
Making adjustment to correct system times and hardware settings prior to Windows reinstallation.
tinkererdan
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November 25th, 2023 23:36
OK, thanks for that info. Not sure why Dell put an error code that doesn;t actually point to anything real but so be it!
I have cleared the NVRAM as you suggetsed, There was no cycling on and off, but the power buton flashed red 4 times ( i think) when i released it after 30sec hold.
now when I boot "normally" there is a boot media failure which is sort of understandable as there is only a formated primary partition on the SSD1 drive with a few preexisting partitions in place, no OS. I have a brand new 1TB SSD in bay 2. When booting from USB windows installation media, no drives are seen. I have tried to load drivers, but not sure I have the correct one and it fails. My only option is to shutdown, or go into the repair menu.
If I go into the boot menu and select diagnostics, both a quick scan and a thorough scan return no errors, all working normally.
Any ideas on how I can get windows to see me SSD and allow a clean install??