Alienware X51 R2 totally shuts down when playing ANY game

Nickelbee

Reputable
Mar 5, 2015
4
0
4,510
Firstly, ty ahead of time for any help you can offer.

I am pasting screenshots of my specs from Directx Diagnotic tool:

System: http://gyazo.com/09551bb4617647714648e4b9fb0bb74a Display: http://gyazo.com/aef6f3f885c019c1884768d8269feb5a

Problems: 1. My computer is fine, until I go to play ANY game that involves graphics, then it shuts down, without any warning whatsoever. Just shuts off, as if I pressed the power button. 2. When it does this, I press the power button to turn it back on, but it will not turn back on unless i physically take the computers power cord out of the outlet, then plug it back in. After I do that, and press the power button, it will turn back on. ( I have tried to plug it into different outlets, in a surge protector, in a wall outlet, even ran an extension cord so I could try outlets in different rooms. It changes nothing).

Things done to solve:

I have the top warranty from Dell, and I called them. Here has what's been done so far:

They had me take the cover off the computer to see if any wires were loose, they were not.
They connected to my computer remotely to see if it is overheating, it is not.
They updated the Bios, uninstalled and reinstalled graphics drivers, no luck.
The only thing that had any effect is when they tested the graphics card. As soon as it started testing it, the computer shut down immediately.
They then sent a Dell tech out to install a new graphics card, and a new power card? ( I think that's what it was called). The tech then had me try to play a game. It did nothing to fix it. He said he's never seen anything like this and called them to tell them they need to address this more.
I called Alienware after he left. They ran more tests, and again, everything was fine until again, even now after the new graphics card was installed, they ran the graphics test again, and the same thing happened; as soon as it started the test, the computer shut off.
I live in a rented townhome. For shits and giggles, I asked Alienware, and they said the outlets need 330 watts of power. I had maintenance come to my place and test the outlets in my townhome. They tested them, and said the outlets are getting way more power than that.
The actual ac/dc adapter is fine. There is a light on the cord which should be blue in color if there is no issues with it, and mine is lit blue.

The thing that has me "worried" here, is that Alienware themselves say they are baffled about this issue, and also the tech that came out, both said they've never seen this before.

They are now sending a tech out with a new motherboard, literally because they don't know what else to do or to replace.

I installed no new software recently. Have made no changes to my computer except for a NVIDIA graphics driver update about 3 weeks ago. It was running fine after that, and Dell already looked at the drivers and reinstalled the card after that anyway.

I'm at my wits end here with this. Any possible ideas on what could be going on here? Could this be an actual motherboard issue? I don't know much about computer tech stuff at all, and could really use some advice. Thanks so much again for any ideas you can offer.
 


Thanks for the reply, Rob :) They tell me the power supply is fine also, but they are also sending a new one out with the motherboard just in case.

 


Yeah I still bet its the psu, despite what they say. Cutting out when a big load is drawn is fairly common symptom of dieing psu.
 
Well, here's the update! It's being shipped back to me now so I don't have it in my hands yet but Alienware sent me an email telling me what was fixed:

" Dear Nicole,

We are following up on your Depot repair ########.

We are glad to inform you that your computer has been repaired successfully and is being returned under tracking number: ########.

The repair facilities replaced the following components: Processor, fan processor , Memory, Ac Adapter and Power Cord.

Here is the Service Request number for your reported issue: #######.

Please reply to this email to let us know about any additional assistance you may require.

Thank you for choosing Alienware Support. "

With everything else they replaced, I basically just got a brand new computer. I'm crossing my fingers it's fixed lol. With all I went through with them, I still have doubts haha! Thank you for all your help!