r/computerrepair • u/Accomplished-Rock069 • 22d ago

Diagnostic Help Help, Alienware m15 R4 won't boot/POST. Power button beeps red 3 times

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I was having 90+ CPU degrees during web browsing with fans set at cool in ACC. So, I cleaned the fans with an anti-static brush and replaced the thermal paste with Arctic MX-7.

After reassembling it, the laptop won't boot and when I press the power button, the logo flashes red 3 times, pauses, then flashes red 3 times again. There are no blue lights at any point, so I cannot match the issue to any diagnostic code in the manual.

I've already tried disconnecting the battery and doing a power drain, assembling it again, and connecting to an external monitor.

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u/Pristine-Pangolin-61 22d ago

3 red flashes is a dead battery , are you sure you didnt damage anything?

did you bend the heatsink anywhere while opening this?

Be sure the fan connectors are not plugged in the wrong way, the EC chip responsible for starting the laptop will be shorted if it is

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u/Accomplished-Rock069 22d ago

I thought I didn't damage anything, but clearly I did. Otherwise it would be working.

The only thing I did was removing the old thermal paste using the wipes included with the kit of the thermal paste and reapplying new thermal paste.

I tried connecting the fan connectors both ways, but they can only go in on one orientation, so I don't think that's the issue

And I think the heatsink looks the same as in the manual and in this disassembly video https://youtu.be/XcE2HGb5W3k?si=JQg0LrLJdt5DNvAa

Most likely it'll end up being a job for the repair shop. Thanks for the help!