m11x lights not working after hinge replacement

[buckeachicken]

I just got the Dell guy to come out and replace my hinge for the third time yesterday, this one hopefully is the new part that fixes it permanently. The guy left in a hurry before even getting the computer turned on, and since he replaced it none of the lights will turn on, not the keyboard, front grill, alienware logo, wifi status, not even the charging/battery power alien head light. I have called the guy and left a voicemail, but since it was an out of warranty fix I don't know how likely he is to get back to me. I don't mind taking it apart myself if it's just a cable, but I don't know which ones are for the lights. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

[ejohnson]

Sounds like he didnt plug in the cable on the right side under the palm rest. It is in the back to the right, plugs into the alienfx light board thats under the power button/cover.

You will have to remove the palmrest to get to it.

[buckeachicken]

On the right as in when looking at the computer normally, or upside down? I'm remembering a little tiny wire that goes into the hinge, it's maybe half a centimeter wide at the connector. Or am I thinking of the wrong thing?

[ejohnson]

Wait, the wire I was just talking about is that wire, thats for the "alienware" on the lcd. Take off your keyboard and check the flat cables under that. There should be some going into the main led board there.

[buckeachicken]

I have two cables underneath the keyboard that I see right off the bat -- a large, easily connected clear cable and a very narrow, very difficult to insert gold cable. I assume that since I can type (though at the moment the computer is in pieces), it must be that tiny difficult to connect one? I keep trying to get it seated but it won't cooperate...

[GNandGS]

please shut down and remove battery while you do this work.

[buckeachicken]

Sorry, I meant to say it in my last post, but I'm using my phone to type in the thread the computer is indeed turned off and has the battery removed!

[buckeachicken]

I have been perusing other threads on here and elsewhere, some people have said if no lights at all light up it may be a mobo problem. Mine does boot normally, but since the tech left there have been a couple times when pressing the power button just caused it to start the screen for a couple seconds then nothing. I have checked and double checked all the cables myself, and they all seem secure, but one (the one that I believe connects the strip where the power button is to what I believe to to be the mobo) seems like the metal stripes are frayed - could this be causing the sometimes lack of booting and complete lack of lights (complete as in complete)?

Edit: I have tried to take pictures, but it won't let me upload them from my phone directly.

Edit 2: got it put back together, and the keyboard lights up now! unfortunately, none of the other lights (alienware logo, alien head charging light, wifi symbol, front grills) light up still. Here are some pictures of the two other cables, one is the one ejohnson mentioned that I believe goes to the alienware logo. The other, which liked I mentioned looks frayed, is the one that I believe connects he power button board to the mobo.

http://www.anglaispod.com/storage/20120201_223435.jpg
http://www.anglaispod.com/storage/20120201_223453.jpg

[Xavier45X]

I'm actually having a similar problem with my m11x-r2. Hinge was replaced in December. Lights worked fine immediately after that, but today the computer went to sleep with all lights working, but upon waking it up, only the keyboard light works. None of the other lights are working.

My computer is still under the "To the door service" until July of this year. The monitor was replaced in december (with the hinge), The motherboard was replaced in July of last year, the hard drive was replaced in december 2010, and the first monitor was replaced in July 2010 (many dead pixels) - right after purchasing it. I am honestly livid with the quality of this product and would appreciate any input on how to fix this issue.

Thank you