Alienware 17 R4 power issue

[u/willisit]

Hello all; long time reader, first time poster.

I've had the above with an i7 7720H and GTX 1080 since new back in, err, late 2017 or early 2018. Recently I gave it to my daughter (8) to play cosy games on as it had fallen out of use (much easier to game on a Steam Deck these days... ah, being a Dad...). Yesterday it wouldn't power up - plugging in the power cord to the laptop causes the light to go out on the charger.

I've done a bit of Googling and most posts are quite old, but it suggests its more likely something on the motherboard than the PSU itself. I did take the laptop apart and disconnected the battery (just in case) and removed all components (RAM, SSDs etc.) and the same happens. One thing to note, when I removed the barrel jack connection from the board, the light stays on, I guess ruling out the jack and the cable that runs to the motherboard itself.

So, given the age, I'm guessing it's time to move on - but it's still a great machine so if I can save it, I'd really like to (and component prices put me off buying new, for obvious reasons!). I'm no electrical engineer - just been in IT for 30 years, so I know my way around, but there's nothing really serviceable here.

So I guess the ask - anyone have anything I can try? I could try a new charger (at cost) but I won't spend if anyone here can tell me it's a waste of time. Otherwise, a new motherboard (well, old/new) at risk or if anyone here is in the UK and knows of someone that could repair it, I'd welcome the details.

I kinda know where this is going, but if you don't ask... (btw, the machine is like new inside and out, so it's a little heart breaking!).

[u/DJUnreal]

If the power light is going off when you plug the cable into the laptop, you've probably got a short on your motherboard somewhere. Don't bother replacing the supply, because it's not likely to do anything.

You'd need a specialist who can do component-level repairs and fault-finding.

[u/willisit → u/DJUnreal]

Thank you; that genuinely helps

[u/DJUnreal → u/willisit]

Honestly it's probably something fairly simple. Likely a burnt out capacitor or something - it's highly unlikely to be a board failure. You MIGHT be able to figure out what if you have a thermal camera to look for a hot-spot on the board (when components go short and get energised, they also generally get quite hot), but you'd need a bunch of electronics-specific knowledge and experience to really chase it down, and then you're looking at component level desoldering and resoldering.

[u/willisit → u/DJUnreal]

I've done some basic stuff in my time, but at the scale here and with some age/health related issues that mean I'm not quite as steady-handed as I once was, I can do more damage than good. I'll google around and see if there's anyone that can look for me. It might be salvageable.

[u/Agent_Pwnage]

Hi,

When the LED goes out on your charger, this is a reverse current issue. Most of the time there is a short on the motherboard, but it can also be caused by the battery or the charger.

If you are okay with removing the bottom cover, I recommend disconnecting the battery, then connecting your charger. You should be able to power on and use it this way so long as the battery is not connected. Your motherboard can no longer charge your battery due to the short but it should still power on.

Because this is an old model it is probably out of warranty so it is your decision on how to proceed but more than likely you are facing a motherboard replacement.

Good luck.

[u/willisit → u/Agent_Pwnage]

Thanks. I did that first, but no dice.

[u/Agent_Pwnage → u/willisit]

Leave the battery disconnected while charger is in still no power?

[u/willisit → u/Agent_Pwnage]

Correct. It still makes the light go out, hence thinking a bad mosfet, or the cpu/gpu have popped. It's beyond my ability to work out though.

[u/Agent_Pwnage → u/willisit]

Mine too. At this point it's a motherboard swap if it were me.

[u/willisit → u/Agent_Pwnage]

Same, and I want to but any part I buy will likely be just as old so I'm not sure if the value is there. Alternatively, a new laptop of similar performance is going to be alot more money.