Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

heat gun may burn the IC.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

heat gun may burn the IC.

I could use a small soldering iron tip and put solder over all the pins to melt them all at once to remove the IC then use solder brade to clear the pads of excess solder nice and flat ready for the new IC then solder each pin, that's what I could do as I don't have access to a hot air station.

Though it depends how it is anchored, is it anchored by dedicated anchor points underneath or just anchored by the pins?

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

The IC may be healthy. Using this method, you damage the IC. and you may also damage the pads on the board. I recommend not to use it. Since the pads are almost under the IC, the soldering iron can not do it properly.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

The IC may be healthy. Using this method, you damage the IC. and you may also damage the pads on the board. I recommend not to use it. Since the pads are almost under the IC, the soldering iron can not do it properly.

Hopefully their're both healthy , I'm not sure where I'll get access to a hot air station without having to paying a high price as I can't spend too much more on it.

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

At this point, this laptop needs a few opinions and thinking to find the culprit.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

My digital multimeter has a 4 digit display, when testing the PL703, PL704, and PL705 the display shows "000.9mV", is that 900 mili volts or 900 micro volts?

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

pin 25 and 26 of PU701 have got 2.5v whereas they are assumed to have 5v.
please unplug the laptop and measure resistance between the following pairs of points:
- between pin25 of PU701 and pin8 of Q26 (one probe on pin25 of PU701 and the other probe on pin8 of Q26)
- between pin25 of PU701 and pin1 of Q26
- between pin26 of PU701 and pin1 of Q26

Then, turn the laptop on and measure voltage on the following points:
- pin1 of Q26
- pin8 of Q26

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

pin 25 and 26 of PU701 have got 2.5v whereas they are assumed to have 5v.
please unplug the laptop and measure resistance between the following pairs of points:
- between pin25 of PU701 and pin8 of Q26 (one probe on pin25 of PU701 and the other probe on pin8 of Q26)
- between pin25 of PU701 and pin1 of Q26
- between pin26 of PU701 and pin1 of Q26

Then, turn the laptop on and measure voltage on the following points:
- pin1 of Q26
- pin8 of Q26

Resistance between pin 25 and pin 26 on pin 1 seems high, is the pin layout in the picture correct?

(PU701)pin25 on (Q26)pin8 - 4.72 k ohms
(PU701)pin25 on (Q26)pin1 - 1.1 ohms
(PU701)pin26 on (Q26)pin1 - 0.4 ohms

Q26
pin8 - 5.13V
pin1 - 2.574V when not beeping, flashes between 2.574V and around 2.501V when 7 beeps are sounding

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

these measurements show the +5VS voltage rail on the board is not correct. this can be the main cause of all the problems. so you need to do more measurements on +5VS.
first measure voltage on pin4 of Q26 after turning on.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

these measurements show the +5VS voltage rail on the board is not correct. this can be the main cause of all the problems. so you need to do more measurements on +5VS.
first measure voltage on pin4 of Q26 after turning on.

Q26
pin 4 - 3.367V when not beeping, flashes between 3.367V and around 3.301V when 7 beeps are sounding

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

unfortunately, +5VS is connected to many components and tracing it takes many measurements.
to start, measure voltage on pin 1,2,6 of Q285 after turning on.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

unfortunately, +5VS is connected to many components and tracing it takes many measurements.
to start, measure voltage on pin 1,2,6 of Q285 after turning on.

Edited measurements

Q285
pin1 - 0.0mV
pin2 - 0.1mV
pin6 - 2.574V when not beeping, flashes between 2.574V and around 2.495V when 7 beeps are sounding

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

there is a resister with marking of 471 on it near Q285.
please measure voltage on pin 1 and 2 of it after turning on.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

there is a resister with marking of 471 on it near Q285.
please measure voltage on pin 1 and 2 of it after turning on.

Resister with marking of 471
pin1 - 2.574V when not beeping, flashes between 2.574V and around 2.495V when 7 beeps are sounding
pin2 - 2.574V when not beeping, flashes between 2.574V and around 2.495V when 7 beeps are sounding

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

now measure voltage on pin1 and pin8 of the following transistors after turning on:
Q41 , Q27, QC3

some of them may be not soldered from factory.
then the +5VS line needs more thinking till tomorrow.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

now measure voltage on pin1 and pin8 of the following transistors after turning on:
Q41 , Q27, QC3

some of them may be not soldered from factory.
then the +5VS line needs more thinking till tomorrow.

Q41
pin1 - 3.321V
pin8 - 3.321V

Q27
pin1 - 3.323V
pin8 - 3.323V

QC3
pin1 - 1.515V
pin8 - 1.515V

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

all are OK except +5VS.
you found the faulty voltage line so far but not the faulty component yet.
Repairing the +5VS line needs more thinking and analysis for tomorrow.

[dellxps15]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

remove solder on PJP203 or pjp204 located near 3.3 and 5 volts regulator in the lower part of mainboard (down from keyboard connector, in that extended part of mainboard)

remove joint and measure if one side has 5 volt or 3.3 volt.

as in the attached picture pjp should be one of the marked red, while the green is the 3.3 alws and 5 alws volt regulator.

[Johndill]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

remove solder on PJP203 or pjp204 located near 3.3 and 5 volts regulator in the lower part of mainboard (down from keyboard connector, in that extended part of mainboard)

remove joint and measure if one side has 5 volt or 3.3 volt.

as in the attached picture pjp should be one of the marked red, while the green is the 3.3 alws and 5 alws volt regulator.

Do I have to remove both of them to test each side as they both connect to the same point? Like this?

[caspian]

Re: Alienware M14x R2 with 7 beeps error

just measure voltage on each side separately.