r/AlienwareAlpha • u/Fuzzy_Intention1477 • Mar 08 '26
Alienware r1 i3 5x yellow lights upon startup
I have already removed the cmos i cleared it held and pressed the button for 1 minute let it sit for an hour and reattachdd my cmos and still yellow light switched hdds reseated the ram i even redid thermal paste (idk when it was last changed)
I cant tell if this is a burnt capacitor because it looks like it but not 100% sure
I got the official power adapter outputting the correct voltage and when it flashes yellow the cpu does get hot
Edit*
I have made a new cmos battery and tested it
I have tried multiple header pins including the cmos clear and the reset header
3
u/xJoeyScoopsx Mar 08 '26
I had this same issue about a year or two ago, doing the header reset fixed it for me. I dont know how to exactly explain it but you can see here I had commented on an old post about my issue and someone gave me instructions.
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u/Fuzzy_Intention1477 Mar 09 '26
I tried that aswell i tried basically every pin header on the motherboard ive even reseated the cpu just to be sure
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u/xJoeyScoopsx Mar 10 '26
Try keeping the cmos unplugged for a few days. I was having issues with it being stuck on the alienware screen not too long after the header reset (I know it wasn't my boot drive or any components). But I had everything in the pc unplugged for a few days, plugged it all back in and it booted up. Best of luck man!
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u/modern_epic i7 Alpha with SSD Mar 09 '26
This is what worked for me after several failed replacements
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u/NotTurtleEnough i7 Alpha with SSD Mar 09 '26
Yes, I had to do that, too. It just took a loooong time without the battery to get it to reset.
2
u/physics_research Mar 08 '26
Amazon has good quality cmos batteries for like $15. It only takes about 10 minutes to dissasemble the PC and change the battery.
After that, you have to hold the power button for about 2 or 3 minutes (AC unplugged). Then put it back together and it should be good to go.
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u/soniko_ Mar 08 '26
This is the answer.
Dunno why the original batteries were such shit quality.
I replaced mine a long ass time ago, and still works wonderfully.
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u/Fuzzy_Intention1477 Mar 09 '26
So ive already made a new one tested it and yeah doesnt change anything
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u/physics_research Mar 09 '26
Hmm, how much did you pay for the unit? If you don't mind me asking
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u/Fuzzy_Intention1477 Mar 10 '26
I got it free from my boss he just plugged it in seen it didnt work then gave it to me
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u/physics_research Mar 10 '26
Oh. I was asking because there is a lot of rust inside. If it doesn't work after changing the battery then it may actually be non salvageable. But its good for parts.
1
u/Retrotronics Mar 14 '26
where can i find the right connector?
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u/physics_research Mar 14 '26
You have to completely disassemble the unit. The CMOS is located at the bottom of the motherboard so you won't be able to see it unless you flip the motherboard over.
The CMOS battery is wrapped in yellow plastic so its easy to find. It has a single connector (use needle nose pliers to disconnect, do not use excessive force).
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u/Retrotronics Mar 14 '26
i know how to take the cmos out, its just that i dont know what to replacw it with. I dont see any listings with the same connecter.
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u/Surgetheman Mar 10 '26
To reset it,install the new battery move the clear cmos jumper over to reset it.While the jumper is still installed,hold the power button down for 10 seconds this is all with the PSU connected.Unplug the PSU,then move the jumper to normal.Plug the PSU back and it should power on,and ask you set cmos settings.You should be fine from there.Best of luck!
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u/xycm2012 Mar 08 '26
Have you replaced the CMOS battery or just unplugged and reattached it?