Time to buy a new one if you ask me

Try searching ebay for replacement boards there's tons.
Make sure the seller offers DOA warranty/returns.

Perform these basic troubleshooting steps.

1) Run ePSA and document any error and validation codes.
Shutdown the computer
Press and hold the Fn key while turning on the system
When the diagnostic screen comes up you can release the Fn Key. The diagnostics will begin automatically.

2) Re seat the SSD into the motherboard. Sometimes it could be a loose connection.

3) Test with a known good SSD.

Why Alienware/Dell Malaysia slow to introduce the RTX GPU notebooks? US store already have them on sale

Giving away my current Alienware 15 GTX1060, to my cousin as going away to Uni present.

Question for fellow Alienware owners would you
a) wait for Alienware with RTX2060 or
b) go for similarly priced and spec GTX1080 laptop

Ray tracing is not high on my must have and got Graphics Amp so future RTX GPU upgrades is possible.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Feb 19 2019, 05:03 PM

Yup the Illegear Selenite is very temping, wonder if I should give them a try.

https://store.illegear.com/slim-and-powerfu...r-selenite.html

Pssst Alienware M17 with RTX2060 just landed.

https://www.dell.com/en-my/shop/cty/alienwa...=configurations



edit the most expensive config is RM16999.00

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Feb 26 2019, 03:10 PM

Alienware M15 with RTX has landed.

Pricing diff is RM400 between GTX1060 & RTX2060 models.

Link to page https://www.dell.com/en-my/shop/laptops-and...5-laptop?~ck=bt



This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 8 2019, 04:51 PM

I used to have something similar M14xR2.

Yeah simple enough to swap out for SATA SSD.

Link to service manual on how to go about replacing the HDD:-
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-prod...guide_en-us.pdf

Try running the self test diagnostics and share what it says.

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2. Shut down and restart the laptop. When the Alienware logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until
you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
3. Select Diagnostics from the menu and press <Enter>.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Also how many times did it beep, can google the beep codes.

Alienware M15 I ordered arrived recently.
Sharing some quick unbox pictures.





Nebula RED colour really pops
love this colour, reminiscent of Alienware M15X 2 generations ago.



First impressions holding is WOW! Alienware M15 is lighter, more compact compared with Alienware 15 R4.

Laptop lid and keyboard area covered in soft touch materials, the bottom cover is all metal with metallic ping when flicked.





Power brick it's the same 180 watt unit as earlier model.
The wall lead that came with M15 unit is unexpectedly short.

Side by side comparison 15 R4 lead, double length of M15.



This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 21 2019, 01:24 PM

Alienware M15 keyboard is fair tho nothing spectacular.
Comparing Alienware M15 against HP Elitebook both feels very similar to type with.

For gaming M15's okay in a pinch tho I'd opt for regular keyboard.
Ran some quick typing test, results below. Mostly conclude my typing sucks

Alienware M15


HP Elitebook 840 G5 (chicklet keyboard no numpad)


Razer Cynosa

Give this a try, unusual problem I've had with M14x.
The laptop battery died and the notebook refused to boot.
After I disconnected/removed internal battery, worked normally so maybe give that a try.

Beeps non-stop, motherboard possibly gonna die.
Last resort maybe try flashing the BIOS to newer version. Hopefully it's just BIOS software fault.

Usually beeps followed by a pause and repeats the sequence until the computer shuts down.
Count how many times it beeps and check against table below:-



This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 25 2019, 11:38 AM

Yup that's right.

Managed to unplug the battery from mobo?
While you're at it check the ram is properly seated.

Windows Explorer shortcut, the "Alt" key is pressed.

Hit "Esc" button to dismiss it. Maybe accidentally press or "Esc" key stuck.

Highly tempted but undecided
Got everything like conformal coating, conductonaut in my Lazada shopping cart.
Small mistake and magic smoke comes out

My observation AW15 R4 requires a lot of disassembly before reaching heat sink.

Take a look at service manual, for idea how much components have to come off here.

Removing bottom cover, you can see the heat-sink assembly buried deep.


AW M15 much more serviceable, heat-sink easier to get at IMHO.


This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 27 2019, 11:48 AM

Think you got most of the basic stuff needed.

Yup found the same conformal coating RM46 on lazada.
Tho some recommended using nail varnish as substitute.

Might want to add foam barriers to catch any LM balls escaping from under the heatsink.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/fo...e-guide.817207/

Good luck with LM your laptop.

This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 27 2019, 01:12 PM

Sometimes coating is applied too thin and not uniform, so there's gaps.
Coating usually done in several layers and allowed to cure.


On separate note #DBrand skins finally arrived.
Nice packaging and the textured skins are awesome





This post has been edited by aaronpang: Mar 28 2019, 11:15 AM