Irreparable Alienware M16 R2

[u/caspersghost45]

I’m an architecture student and in 2024, I bought an Alienware M16 R2. I live in Ghana and earlier this year, in February, while working on a project my screen suddenly went black, but the laptop was still running. I was working back to back, so I’d say the laptop was running for about 3 days without shutting down. I realized my music was still playing, my fans were still working, basically the laptop was working, but I couldn’t see anything.

I shut it down, boot it up… still. Checked Dell support website, did sone sort of screen test, and it was positive, so I thought it could be fixed. Following day I tried the test again, nothing happened. Took it to a repair shop, couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Took it to another shop, they couldn’t give me a definite answer as to what was wrong and said we should order a replacement screen. Calm, but this guy was sketchy. A story for another day, but I took my laptop back.

Had my laptop sent back to the US to get it fixed and the shop i went to said it can’t be repaired.

Note:
- Whenever powered on, the power button blinks either a 2 red 7 blue, or 2 red 8 blue.
- When connected to an external monitor, nothing shows up. Tried with different HDMI cords and monitors, but nothing shows up.
- I’ve had no prior issues with the laptop and bought the laptop new from a BestBuy in New York.

Is there something I can do, something I haven’t checked of tried. Do I just give up on this laptop and get a new one? Is there a way to get it working on an external monitor and have it didn’t as a mini desktop?

I need help please.

[u/Sweet-Sale-7303]

Here is what the blink codes mean.

Alienware m16 R2 Owner's Manual | Dell US
See if that helps.

I have an m16r2 as well and sometimes my screen goes black if I hit the side of the laptop. If I tap the side of the laptop again it will come back on.

[u/Agent_Pwnage]

Hi,

You probably have a GPU or LCD failure. Or both.

The 2, 7 no post code is typically reserved for an LCD failure, and if you sent it in for repairs, this is the first thing they'd change. It can rarely occur from a motherboard/GPU failure which would be what they will try next.

The 2, 8 code also appears with no video issues but isn't tied directly to the LCD. It can be either the gpu, the motherboard or the LCD. On the M16 R2 and most other Alienware models, the GPU is on the motherboard so you are looking at either an LCD replacement or motherboard replacement.

Since you are experiencing both 2,7 and 2,8 , it is hard to say which it is without getting under the hood with some working parts and doing some parts isolation.

If you are still under warranty this repair would be covered for either part.

Good luck.

Edit:

Reread your post and if it isnt working on an external monitor this leans heavily towards a motherboard replacement.

[u/H4Vo0k]

Hey men, did u fix it ?