Service Manual? Or, how disassemble M51 -7700?

All,
This is my first post on your forum. I have join because 100,000 minds are better than one.

I own a Area-51 7700 Alienware desktop replacement. It's has a 3.4Ghz processor with a CLEVO D900T Moob. Obviously, having said this, you all ready know my demise and my question(s)...

I have had the Notebook for 2 years and have had the moob replaced by Aleinware one time all ready a year ago (they also upgraded the BIOS at that time to support higher fan speeds). Well, I fear the moob had gone again as it consistantly reboots or locks up. No, it is not a software problem as I booted up on XP (Cd boot) and it still would lock up - even in Recover Console.

I have learned my lesson about purchasing a "Desktop Replacement" computer. Desktops are Desktops and Notebooks are Notebooks and the technology still is not there to have both in one box. This thing runs so hot that I have taken to setting it on 1" X 1" wood strips to allow better ventilation. This appears to help but nevertheless I have a hardware problem and having searched the Cyperworld for the past 4 days without success I have ended up on your door step seeking answers or at least suggestions.

I would prefer to repair this myself as I fear (I am certain) next year ithis will happen again (this is the second time in 2 years) and the investment is so high that I need to get 1-2 more years out of the notebook.

1. Does a Service Manual or some instructions showing how to disassemble an Area-51 7700 even exist? Is there something close?

2. Where can I buy a CLEVO D900T motherboard?

3. Recommendation of a repair facility that repairs Alienware (most cannot get the parts). I really do not wish to send this back to Alienware. I feel their design is flawed and all I am doing is paying "top money" them to keep it alive.

I am a Communcation Engineer and think I can repair this if given the parts and some steps on how to get inside this thing. Yes, I need a little help before trying for I do not wish to make matters worse.

Regards,
Rick

Omagian,

Thanks very much. I have written RJTechs and I now wait for their reply. I quickly looked over their site but did not see any CLEVO D900T... I am fearing the worse... I really do not know what to do if i cannot get a new motherboard...$3500 machine that is useless in only 2 years. I need to give this some thought...perhaps a different MOOB will fit? Well I hope RJTechs can help...

Just looking over your photos...Whew! This will be a delicate operation...I am not sure I am the surgeon to do this job...

I also own another Alienware product (SENTIA) which I am using now. It's a great machine. It's fast and light weight...But, no more Desktop Replacements machines for me. I have decide to build a state-of-the-art machine but it will be a desktop and when I buy another notebook it will again be small, lightweight and use a processor that does not produce so much heat.

Thanks, Omagian, at least I can learn from your experience. I will hope for the best but I fear the worse - like the MOOBs are no longer available. I will let you know how it turns out just in case you need the information in the future.

Regards,
Rick

Omagian,

One last thing...how do you get the keyboard out?

Rick

Omagian and HH,

"but you must wait for confirmation by email that they have it allready"
RICK: I emailed them late last night which would have been at the end of their work day (I am in Central Asia) so I await their response. I decided not to attempt this myself...I am so far away from any city where I can get parts that any mistake or mishap would be fatal. The CLEVO D900T is $480 which is not cheap considering you can buy new top of the line ASUS and/or INTEL etc. MOBO for about $200 less - so - it is not worth the risk of trying it myself. I will pay the extra money to have it done if possible.

"...the new MOBO D900T 6.2 & the AC5 will help ALOT in the heat issue"
RICK: Should I specifically ask for rev. 6.2? And, what is ACS? Do I need to specifically ask for ACS also?

One last question, I noticed that the CLEVO D900T will accept newer nVidia 7800/7900GTX/7950GTX (have not check if RJTech carries them). Have you guys upgraded your video cards and if so where did you buy them? Did you see a improvement worth the cost? And, of course, did it significantly increase the output of heat? (That's the REAl question as I can live without extra graphics speed but I cannot live with more heat.

I cannot thank you both enough for your help. Perhaps if I can get a rev 6.2 board I can get a few more years out of this investment before it turns into toast.

So, I am sitting here biting my nails until I hear from RJ Techs....

Rick

Omagian, HH and Hulioni,

Again thanks for your help... I did here from RJTechs and they asked me to perform the following test which I post for future reference and knowledge because it makes a lot of sense and not sure why i did not think of it. However, my Laptop has refused to boot up at all this morning (it would boot last night) and it appears the thing is haunted and trying to cause me as much pain as possible . I check my revison of MoBo and it is a 5.5... I await word from RJTechs...BTW the D900K is a valid option and one I would not have thought of on my own. Thanks!

RJTech suggestion to see if it's a MoBo problem:
"Go to BIOS setup and make sure your front clock display is enabled, then
reboot it and go to the BIOS setup screen and stay there for one hour and
see if it will lock up or not. If It is not locked up in the BIOS setup
screen, then the motherboard should be fine."

Rick

...just realized that the "FRONT CLOCK" display is "off"... it was always "on." This is a definite bad sign... I have not touch the BIOS in any way, shape or form - ever!

In fact, I think even when the unit was turned off the front clock was on. Can one of you confirm this? I cannot remember...

Rick

Omagian,

"AC5 = Arctic Silver 5 = Hightech CPU Heatsink Grease..."
RICK: OK. Got it. It's a high qualiity thermal grease. I will probably have to order it as doubtful I can find it here but that is okay - anything to make it run cooler. Just keep those ideas coming, Omagian as I need all the help I can get. I really would like to see my Area-51 last another year or more after it is repaired.

"yes i got the 7900GTX 512M from RJtech ...& actually the 7900 runs cooler than my old 6800"
RICK: Then that is 2 good reasons to upgrade 1. Faster and 2. Cooler.

"when the unit was turned off the front clock was on. "
RICK: OK. Thanks. I could not remember...

"what exactly happens to your lappy when you try to boot? does the screen charge ? power lid go ON ?...when my MOBO was fried it was like a DEAD COW nothing happened at all "
RICK: LAst time I had a "dead cow" also I had a smoking dead cow! But, this time:
1. Power LED changes from Amber to Green
2. Alienware "Blue Eyes" (power lid) comes on.
3. You hear the unit looking at the DVD/CD drives
4. You get the 3 ultility Green LEDs flash on for about a second and then they shut off
5. and the Hard Drive LED goes "solid" green (not fliicker like it is loading)
6. There is nothing on the monitor at all it does not even flicker
7. The fans will come on ~ 30 seconds later

Geez! I just tried booting it and it tried to boot up and I hit F2 for BIOS and it locked up before it even got to the BIOS window...trying again and it will not boot up...getting the same as above...maybe the controller is bad...

Waiting on reply from RJTechs as they are on a different clock...if they will repair my machine then I will also get the 7950GTX512 from them...as you justified the expense perfectly

Rick

That's

I just got word from RJTech...No Joy.

"Currently, we can not take this model for repair since the video card andmotherboard is on back order and no confirmed ETA so far. So even we let yousend it in, there is no parts to replace or test. I suggest you to try Clevo service center at (909)5982263 or email them atsupport@goldenstarusa.com first."

I will now try this CLEVO service center as they suggested and will also send Alienware an email asking if they can repair out of warranty 7700s.

Rick

Violator0722,

I understand and FEEL your pain about Alienware...this is second time my MoBo screwed up...

"will cost $99 dollars for shipping and $80 an hour for a minimum of 2 hours. Grand total of $259 just to look at my laptop. "
RICK: plus if it is the MoBo it will cost probably another $400 or more... this is the last time for me. I am going to strip it for parts should this Laptop burn up again...I cannot justify doing this every dam year...it's not only the money but the time and effort involved.

Like I said, a desktop is a destop and a laptop is a laptop and they do not have the technology to have both in one lightweight box. I am going to build a super-fast desktop for games, something I can fix myself...or I can at least get the darn parts for it.

I will try this CLEVO place and post the results here. Keep in touch.

Regards,
Rick

Omagian,

I think you are right. This had to ive them a bit of a black eye. They are a good company and as far as I know this was the only bad product they ever produced. Like I said ralier, I bought a second computer from them, a Sentia. I like it a lot. No problems and I can see it lasting for years...

Omagian, do you know anything about this CLEVO service center 'GOLDEN STAR COMPUTER'?

Rick