LA-B753P CPU error, 7 beeps. Alienware 17 R2

daxxone

Member
Power on cycles 3 times befor giving 7 beeps error.

sualaptop365.edu.vn_15or17 LA-B753P.pdf is the schematic file name I found for this board. No boardview available but chips are labeled on the board.

UA4 gets warm (audio amp, starts getting warm when beeps start, not crazy hot, just warm). As does PL503, PL502, PL501 (gets very hot, but the CPU isn't taking any of the power). 1.703v when system is on, no heat at the CPU? The CPU is BGA, so is this an issue with the BGA or am I having an issue with voltage not getting stable fast enough to start?

No signs of spill damage, no burns. System looks like it was low hours of use.

Not sure where else to check.
 

daxxone

Member
I had found instructions for BIOS recovery on an Alienware forum and it starts, but I can't seem to get a file to load. I get a flash on the USB drive and then nothing. Tried the instructions from Dell for BIOS recovery but the process doesn't work.

notebookforums has this:



I'm assuming since your online, you have access to another machine.. Lets fix yours..
We're going to do a AMI BIOS Bootblock recovery.. It requires a USB stick..
clear.png
Simple fix.

Follow these instructions to get back on your system WITHOUT a MB replacement.

1. Do a bootblock recovery to flash the proper rom.

2. If you have access to another machine, format a USB stick to FAT32.

3. Run AW15A05.EXE /writehdrfile. (Or whatever version you used BEFORE you bricked, as usually the bootblock isn't updated, but with some BIOS updates, it can be, so your more safe to use the same version you had on the machine BEFORE it bricked from improper flash.)

4. Now take this HDR file and rename it to AAP10.hdr. Put it on the root of the USB.

5. Now make a copy of this file and rename it AMIBOOT.ROM (all caps) so now there's 2 files on the USB key, AMIBOOT.ROM and AAP10.hdr. (Unconfirmed if uses old AMIBOOT.ROM or the new filename I found.. New aptio platform we haven't really played with yet, so lets use both..)

6. Now here's the fun part, you need the technical guide from dell and disconnect your MAIN battery, not the CMOS battery.. And unplug the PSU..

7. Now, insert your USB stick, hold down END key, plug PSU back in with battery removed.

8. It should turn on and after 5-10 mins, you should see USB activity.. Wait the FULL 10 mins. (Or until it shuts off on its own). Some have reported it took 2 mins when we were testing.

9. After this, try to shut it down using POWER if it didn't on its own, but it should. Then turn it back on.. You should be back on your system.

You don't need to flash again after, as this recovery will flash the complete ROM.. And don't' forget to reconnect your battery..




Now Boot block recovery does start on this system with the 'End" key. My board is AAP20 as printed on the motherboard before the model LA-B753p so I used this for BIOS file name. Tried a few other make file commands to get .hdr, ROM, BIN just to see if I could get it to start the flash process. Tried AMIBOOT also. Fans should stay on if it starts to flash, and at some point the USB should light up as it is reading the file, but it just shuts off instead. I'll play around with this a little more, maybe I can find another way to name the files. I could check for replacement chips too.
 

2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
Use external programmer, like TL866, or cheaper CH341.
Make backup of you chip first.
Search dump file from working machine, or merge your backup with official Dell update.
We see later if ME region needs to clean also.
 

daxxone

Member
I was just able to get around to placing the order for a programmer. Found a US seller for the TL866li Plus. Never used a EEPROM tool before, but I doubt it will be hard to manage. ME region is in the same chip, right? These boards have two Winbond chips, Should i do a dump of both?
 

daxxone

Member
Schematic says it should be W25Q64FVSSIQ, my board has 25Q32FVSIQ, and when I go to read it, the software says "external short or IC revers or incorrect package".

Second Winbond chip is EC. 25Q80DV, marked on the board as UE2, BIOS is UH4. There is flux left around and on both of these chips, dump of EC went fine. Do I need to replace the 25Q32FV with a 25Q64FV?
 
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2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
This board should have 8MB main BIOS.
Someone messed up with BIOS before you.

Get correct 8MB chip and try to find a dump on Internet.
If not possible, let us know and we try to build one from scratch.
 

daxxone

Member
Got the chip needed from an AW Ranger. Used BIOS ver. A00. and programmed before placing it on the board and flashed EC to match. First boot was 5 beeps (normal after BIOS rest) power on to black screen, no beeps, reboots after about 1 minute and does the same, reboot, black screen. BIOS recovery mode now runs for 1 minute with fans at full speed. I was going to grab a different bin file, but the programming tool, still gives the "external short " error with the chip on the board. (I disconnect the CMOS battery too when connecting to the chip).

CPU does get warm now and I get RAM error beeps if using the wrong type memory.

EN25Q80A-100HIP_SO8; is the UE2 chip I said was EC and also looked like it had fresh flux on it. The model on my board is 25Q80DV Winbond chip; Is this going to be an issue too?
 
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daxxone

Member
Yes. Redid the flashing again. Back to 7 beeps.

Also redid the EC chip solider after finding a loose leg.
 
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daxxone

Member
the fix was to flash Super I/O. Connection was done through keyboard connection. Still used the TL866 II to flash it, then flashed a matching EC and BIOS. Everything is working again.
 

Jameswis

Member
Sorry for jumping in here, but i do have the boardview for this board if interested. I'm also looking for which chip is the bios chip. It has 2 chips. 1 is 8m and is other is 64m...
Also, I've tried extracting the dell bios from their .exe file from the website.. Does anyone know if that works?
 

2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
Main BIOS is UH4, 8MB (64Mb) in size.
EC ROM is included in KBC.

Usually can't extract full BIOS from Dell update.
 
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