#AlienWare PC does not start up!

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

twilit inlet
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I bought and alienware aurora r5 on FB marketplace for 50 bucks. the guy just didnt want to deal with it and didnt have the money or patience to replace the ssd.

he claims that it could make it into the BIOS just fine but it doesnt start up at all.
all the fans (but the psu fan) ramp up when pushing the test button on the PSU.
and another thing: the fans turn on for about half a second then turn off for about 4 seconds before doing it again, that only happens when the psu is plugged in (i still cant turn the thing on)

im just wondering if someone can help me diagnose this

robust cipher
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Damn, sounds like a power delivery issue or the board's throwing a fit.

Here’s what I’d check:

CMOS reset – pull the coin battery for like 5 mins or use the jumper if available.

Try barebones boot – 1 stick of RAM, no GPU, no drives. Just board + CPU + RAM.

Check PSU rails – that fan pulsing thing usually means a short or protection mode. Got another PSU to test?

Inspect board for damage – bulged caps, burn marks, bent pins (esp. around CPU).

Alienware quirk – some models won’t boot w/o the front panel or certain sensors plugged in. Try reseating those cables.
If it keeps power-cycling like that without ever posting, my bet’s on a dead PSU or bad mobo.

twilit inlet
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So it seems to be stuck in this power cycling... whatever it might be called

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But only when the CPU power cable is plugged in

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When just the mobo power 12 pin cable is plugged in, it shows signs of life with the PSU test led turned on, and the power button gives 2 pulses of red (I didnt check but im guessing it means cpu)

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But when all necessary cables are in, it does nothing but this

heavy matrix
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It’s probably a 12VO connection to the motherboard. This is why the guy sold it if there’s a PSU problem. I believe they’re not easy to get hold of for what you need

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He probably overclocked his system and fucked the power supply and/or motherboard - as the standard for the PSU and motherboard is not good for that at all.

twilit inlet
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That leaves it to be the mobo or the cpu

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Is there any ways I can test if either works if I dont have another lga 1151 board or cpu

heavy matrix
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Or was it not 12VO?

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What CPU? And full pic of motherboard

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Flash on please. Could spot something

twilit inlet
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Im not home right now

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What's the difference of 12v and non 12v systems?

heavy matrix
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24 pin in atx + 4+4 5v. 12VO has a 12 pin. Alienware used to use proprietary 12VO/10 pin and 4 pin