Seems like some pretty knowledgeable people here dealing with electronics.
I am having a problem with an Alienware m9700 notebook which hasn't worked in about a year and I want to start a project to resurrect it. Obviously I have another notebook to use, this is a project I WANT to do and am looking for anyone who might be able to help direct me on steps I can take to diagnose and fix the problem.
The problem started with a bad AC adapter. The tip was loose on the DC jack which must have led to a problem. Essentially it was overheating and then it shut off and has never come back on since.
The AC adapter has been replaced and the replacement tested for correct voltage with a multimeter.
I also tested with a new fully charged battery without the AC adapter and get the same result with either.
Basically when I attempt to turn on the notebook, the power light comes on, I hear the heatsink and fans try to engage, but then everything shuts off and nothing. The motherboard does not attempt to boot.
When watching the fans when the power button is pushed, they jerk slightly and then everything shuts off.
Although there is no response with the motherboard, the power button remains a solid (orange) color.
I read somewhere else that if the motherboard doesn't respond and the fans jerk slightly and then there is no attempt to boot, that the problem is most likely a VRM or motherboard short.
It seems to be likely that I may have a VRM (voltage regulator module) problem or bad capacitors caused from using a bad connection between the AC adapter and the DC jack.
How would I go about testing whether the VRM is working or not with a multimeter? Not sure how I can test it if the motherboard keeps shutting the power down (obviously if there was power to the heatsink fan I could test it there), but there isn't any power going to anything other than the power button it seems.
Or better yet, how can I test the power button to see if that may be the problem?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
As far as my electronic experience.. I worked soldering components to motherboards for a company for a couple of years, so Im not really afraid to do that. I am however unsure how to troubleshoot with a multimeter and need some help in that direction.
I am having a problem with an Alienware m9700 notebook which hasn't worked in about a year and I want to start a project to resurrect it. Obviously I have another notebook to use, this is a project I WANT to do and am looking for anyone who might be able to help direct me on steps I can take to diagnose and fix the problem.
The problem started with a bad AC adapter. The tip was loose on the DC jack which must have led to a problem. Essentially it was overheating and then it shut off and has never come back on since.
The AC adapter has been replaced and the replacement tested for correct voltage with a multimeter.
I also tested with a new fully charged battery without the AC adapter and get the same result with either.
Basically when I attempt to turn on the notebook, the power light comes on, I hear the heatsink and fans try to engage, but then everything shuts off and nothing. The motherboard does not attempt to boot.
When watching the fans when the power button is pushed, they jerk slightly and then everything shuts off.
Although there is no response with the motherboard, the power button remains a solid (orange) color.
I read somewhere else that if the motherboard doesn't respond and the fans jerk slightly and then there is no attempt to boot, that the problem is most likely a VRM or motherboard short.
It seems to be likely that I may have a VRM (voltage regulator module) problem or bad capacitors caused from using a bad connection between the AC adapter and the DC jack.
How would I go about testing whether the VRM is working or not with a multimeter? Not sure how I can test it if the motherboard keeps shutting the power down (obviously if there was power to the heatsink fan I could test it there), but there isn't any power going to anything other than the power button it seems.
Or better yet, how can I test the power button to see if that may be the problem?
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
As far as my electronic experience.. I worked soldering components to motherboards for a company for a couple of years, so Im not really afraid to do that. I am however unsure how to troubleshoot with a multimeter and need some help in that direction.
Comment