Alienware M17x 788F Troubleshooting

Your laptop takes an unusually long amount of time to boot Windows from a cold start or load applications after Windows boots up.

Startup programs automatically run when you login to Windows. Too many startup programs may cause the laptop to take a long time to load programs and apps immediately after Windows login. On Windows 10, the Task Manager can be used to disable startup programs easily.

To open the Task Manager, right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar and select Task Manager. You can also open up the Task Manager with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Esc.

With the Task Manager open, select the Startup tab and a list of startup programs will appear. To disable a startup program, right-click on the program name and select Disable. None of the startup programs are required for Windows to start up.

Updating your computer's graphics drivers may fix long boot times. There are several different ways that drivers can be updated.

If you know the manufacturer and model of your computer's graphics card, you can download the drivers directly from the manufacturer's website. An internet search of the manufacturer's name, the graphics card model, and the word "drivers" will give the correct website where you can download the graphics drivers. The stock graphics card for the Alienware M17x 788F is the Nvidia GeForce 9400M.

There is no sound from the speakers or while using headphones.

The computer’s audio may be muted entirely or audio from individual programs and apps may be muted. Check if the audio is muted by right-clicking on the speaker icon located on the right side of the taskbar and selecting Open Volume Mixer. With the Volume Mixer, you can mute, unmute, and adjust the volume of the speakers as well as individual apps.

Test audio through the computer speakers, then test it using headphones. If there is no sound only while headphones are plugged in, then the audio jack or the headphones themselves may be faulty. Plug in and test another pair of headphones. If there is still no audio from the headphones, then the audio drivers may need to be updated.

Audio that cuts in and out is often a sign of a loose audio jack, so make sure the audio jack is fully inserted in the computer.

Your laptop feels hot under normal use.

Check that the laptop vents are not blocked and airflow is not restricted. Remove objects away from the vents and remove accumulated dust from the vents. Place the laptop on a flat open surface to ensure the laptop vents are getting enough air flow.

Dust can accumulate inside the case as well. Unscrew and remove the laptop panels to access the inside of the computer. Remove dust build-up from inside the case, from the vents, and from the fans.

Your keyboard keys are stuck down and will not pop back up or are unresponsive when pressed.

Use keyboard duster to remove buildup of dust and small objects from underneath the keyboard. If the keys are still stuck or are unresponsive then you have a faulty key or keyboard.

If the keyboard keys are still stuck after cleaning then try reinserting the key. Remove the stuck key by pulling gently on the key. Clean the key and reinsert the key on the keyboard by pressing down on all sides until you hear a click. If the key is no longer stuck but is still unresponsive, then you might have a faulty keyboard.

Open the device manager on your computer. Click keyboards to see your installed keyboard. Right click on your keyboard to open the properties tab and check the status. If the keyboard is installed but is unresponsive then the keyboard is broken. If the keyboard is not installed then you will need to reinstall the keyboard driver. Once the driver is installed then the keyboard should work properly.

You have trouble charging your computer.

If you are having issues charging your computer or the battery runs low quickly, then the battery may be faulty. Signs of a bad battery are the battery does not last or work without being plugged. For a faulty battery there is no repair option, you will have to replace the battery because trying to repair the battery yourself is dangerous due to the lithium cells used in them.

To determine if your charging cord is faulty, note what happens when you charge your laptop. Go to your laptop dashboard and and check your battery percentage when the device is connected to an outlet. If it does not change in percentage, or charge for more than 5 minutes, then your charging cord is faulty and will need to be replaced.