Big'Un

Here's a link to the thread that saved me. http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m18x-aw-18/1981-how-recover-bad-flash-alienware-m18x-r2.html

So the bios was the issue? Interesting. Glad you got it working.

Sent from my GT-N7000

Thanks! Yeah, somehow I managed to corrupt it. I thought for sure the board was a goner. I have to say these forums are great! Without the help, I would have dropped hundreds on a new board for sure.

Problem solved! Mr. Fox suggested a blind bios flash recovery and it worked! So happy!

Have you tried with another stick of RAM that wasn't in the laptop when this happened?

EDIT: Here's a mobo at a decent price INTEL i7 MOTHERBOARD rPGA989 GRP9C 0GRP9C for DELL ALIENWARE M18X R2-in Motherboards from Computer & Networking on Aliexpress.com

Thanks for the link, I did look at that one. I even contacted the seller just in case. And yes, I did try two other sticks besides the one that was in the laptop (the other g.skill.) No joy, unfortunately. Thinking about trying our reflow oven at work. Not sure all the plastic connectors can take it though. Appreciate your help!

Dell Alienware M17x R2 Intel Motherboard 14M8C 014M8C CN 014M8C Free Shipping OK | eBay

Thank you for the link, but I need a m18x R2 board. Sorry, should have made that more clear. If you find any reasonable, send them my way, thanks!

OK, flashed some timings that did not work to one stick of my g.skill ram. Still had a good stick so I used these instructions:

1: take off the keyboard

2: remove all ram except for a low grade working one.

3: put it in the bottom slot. (under keyboard)

4: boot to bios and set 1333

5: shut down

6: get jacked up ram ready for insertion...

7: turn on computer and wait 2 seconds and insert jacked up memory.

8: boot to windows

9: this is the trickey part...make sure you flash the right one because TB can read both memorys.

10: once flashed, shut down and turn off. turn on and boot to bios. that stick should now be showing.

As soon as I put in the incorrectly timed stick, the laptop shut down. Now when I power on the laptop with known good ram in any slot, the fans come one, keyboard lights up and the computer reboots, never completes post. With bad ram, it does not reboot or complete post. Tried resetting bios by taking out cmos battery, still no go.

Any other suggestions or a place where I can get a r2 board that doesn't cost $600?

Is it necessary to flash stock A05 before flashing modded?

OK, here is how to separate the entire lid from the laptop: How to remove the LCD in the Alienware M18x R2? | Dell US

To separate the e2e glass and get to the actual lcd, I believe you need to use a hairdryer or heat gun to soften the tape/adhesive. Then slowly, carefully pry it apart. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.