Moving Alienware x51 r1 to a new case

Your_Solution

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Aug 4, 2017
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Hello all, my friend has requested that I build him a portable, LAN PC using a Alienware x51 r1 plus other parts. I have moved the CPU, mobo, RAM all to a new case and added a new GPU and PSU. As of right now, all things seem to be running fine ,but when I get to the BIOS splash screen it just freezes. I can use the keyboard to press certain buttons and get a beeping response, however when I want to boot into the BIOS setting (pressing f12/f2) nothing happens. I have tried a lot of troubleshooting issues including, taking out all my drives, resetting all my power connectors, trying iGPU(oddly doesn't work but my new GPU does), trying different RAM sticks, trying no RAM sticks(it had a constant beep so the mobo probably isn't the problem), using the jumpers to reset BIOS/CMOS, taking the CMOS battery out of the mobo to reset it, and holding the power button to drain all the electricity in the PC.

I know that the x51 r1 had a separate power board that functioned like a laptop PSU and I think that it might be causing the problem's with the BIOS. I also know that there was this power sensor header on the MOBO and I have been searching around and people say that there is some weird error if it isn't plugged in. I want to say that it has to do with the odd Alienware custom MOBO/BIOS , but I hope you guys can help.

Specs:

CPU: I really don't know because the previous owner hasn't turned it on and doesn't know much about computers. A quick search shows that the CPU might have variances, however I think it is a i5 http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln296867/alienware-x51-r1-system-specifications?lang=en

Motherboard: Mini-ITX custom motherboard with one PCIe , two RAM slots, weird CMOS battery setup, m.2 slot, and other stuff. I just gave some of the stuff on the board since there really isn't any name for the board.

RAM: This is also a weird one since it hasn't been turned on (in awhile) and previous owner has no clue. I believe it's 2 sticks of 4 GB DDR3. Again, here is the page for the variances. http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln296867/alienware-x51-r1-system-specifications?lang=en

PSU: Corsair CX 550M 550 Watt PSU Modular Power Supply

GPU: EVGA Reference Cooler GTX 1070

SSD: Sandisk 120 GB

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM

Case: Raijintek Metis Plus

Pictures:

Inside Case
Outside Case
Alienware Scraps

I somehow got that 1070 in that that small case. It was awful experience working with that case and card so I would like not to take it apart again , however if it really comes to it I will.

Thanks again all!

Edit #1: Found this youtube video that is having the same problem but with a different alien ware PC https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_1430443071&feature=iv&src_vid=8vgwtjWdXFM&v=zEulOeB-MHY





 
"I know that the x51 r1 had a separate power board that functioned like a laptop PSU and I think that it might be causing the problem's with the BIOS"

This part is especially troubling...

If they were using some sort of supplemental PSU, it's hard to imagine success without it...

You are going to need to search for tech specs/diagrams of the original configuration, and, a motherboard pinout if possible to see if it needed such a supplemental input....

(I remember some old SLI or Crossfire rigs years ago used two extrernal 150-200 watt bricks to power GPUs; bad if they are/were again used/ needed and you don't have them.
Do you have the original case to search for such entities?)
 


I've seen people do it successfully on this forum. It's not the fact that it is "special" someone has ASKED me to do it.
 


http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2399117/moving-alienware-x51-case.html#14842538
I found this thread and an answer and it seems like someone has done it with little to no DIY. Yes I do have the original case and the two different PCBs that came with it. (The Power Board, Front I/O)