Alienware P51E Service Manual
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Alienware P51E Service Manual

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Alienware m18 R1
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: P51E
Regulatory Type: P51E001
December 2022
Rev. A00

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Summary of Contents for Alienware P51E

  • Page 1 Alienware m18 R1 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P51E Regulatory Type: P51E001 December 2022 Rev. A00...
  • Page 2 Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Transporting sensitive components............................8 After working inside your computer............................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components..................10 Recommended tools................................10 Screw list..................................... 10 Major components of Alienware m18 R1........................... 12 Base cover................................... 14 Removing the base cover.............................. 14 Installing the base cover..............................16 Solid-state drive..................................18 Removing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and slot four.................
  • Page 4 Installing the power-adapter port..........................38 Touchpad....................................40 Removing the touchpad............................... 40 Installing the touchpad..............................41 Antennas..................................... 42 Removing the antennas..............................42 Installing the antennas..............................44 Display assembly................................45 Removing the display assembly............................45 Installing the display assembly............................48 Top heat-sink..................................51 Removing the top heat-sink............................51 Installing the top heat-sink............................51 Keyboard-controller board...............................
  • Page 5 SupportAssist diagnostics..............................94 Built-in self-test (BIST)..............................95 M-BIST...................................95 LCD Built-in Self Test (BIST)............................95 Recovering the operating system............................96 WiFi power cycle................................96 Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset)........................96 Backup media and recovery options..........................97 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Alienware................98...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1: Working Inside Your Computer

    Working inside your computer Before working inside your computer About this task NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Steps 1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2.

  • Page 7: Electrostatic Discharge-Esd Protection

    CAUTION: Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries in laptops. Swollen batteries should not be used and should be replaced and disposed properly. NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document. Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection ESD is a major concern when you handle electronic components, especially sensitive components such as expansion cards, processors, memory DIMMs, and system boards.

  • Page 8: Transporting Sensitive Components

    best method for doing this test. If you do not have your own wrist strap tester, check with your regional office to find out if they have one. To perform the test, plug the wrist-strap's bonding-wire into the tester while it is strapped to your wrist and push the button to test.
  • Page 9 4. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets. 5. Turn on your computer.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.
  • Page 11 Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Screw type Quantity Screw image Power-adapter port-bracket M2x3 Display-assembly hinges M2.5x5 Touchpad bracket M2x2 Touchpad M2x2 Antenna M2x3 Keyboard-controller board M2x2 Type-C bracket M2x2.5 System board M2x4 M2x3 System board M2x6 Top heat-sink M2x3 Heat-sink assembly M2x4 (captive) Audio board...

  • Page 12: Major Components Of Alienware M18 R1

    Major components of Alienware m18 R1 The following image shows the major components of Alienware m18 R1.

  • Page 14: Base Cover

    1. Rear-I/O cover 2. Base cover 3. Rubber grip 4. USB Type-C board 5. Memory modules 6. I/O board 7. Fan and heat-sink assembly 8. System board 9. Speakers 10. Touchpad slot 11. Touchpad 12. Top heat-sink 13. Antenna holder 14.

  • Page 16: Installing The Base Cover

    Steps 1. Remove the six screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws (M2.5x8) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Pry the base cover from the bottom left and continue to work on the sides to open the base cover. 4.

  • Page 18: Solid-State Drive

    Steps 1. Slide the tabs on the top of the base cover under the rear I/O-cover and snap the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Tighten the two captive screws (M2.5x8) on the base cover that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.

  • Page 19: Installing The M.2 2230 Solid-State Drive In Slot Three And Slot Four

    Installing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and slot four Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and slot four and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 20: Installing The M.2 2280 Solid-State Drive In Slot One And Slot Two

    NOTE: The M.2 card installed on M.2 slot one (SSD1) and M.2 slot two (SSD2) will depend on the configuration ordered. Supported card configurations: ● M.2 2230 solid-state drive ● M.2 2280 solid-state drive The following image(s) indicate the location of the M.2 2280 solid-state drive in slot one and two and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

  • Page 21: Procedure To Move The Screw Mount In Ssd Slot One And Two

    Steps 1. Align the notch on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot on the system board. 2. Insert the M.2 2280 solid-state drive into the M.2 card slot on the system board at an angle. 3.

  • Page 22: Memory

    3. To install a M.2 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one and slot two, see installing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot three and slot four. 4. To install a M.2 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one and slot two, see installing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one and slot two.
  • Page 23 Steps 1. Lift the Mylar to access the memory. 2. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up. 3. Slide and remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module, hold the memory module by the edges.

  • Page 24: Installing The Memory Module

    Installing the memory module Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task NOTE: Up to two memory modules may be installed into this computer. The following image(s) indicate the location of the memory module and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 25: Wireless Card

    NOTE: Repeat the steps to install any other memory module into your computer. NOTE: The securing clips return to a locked position. If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it. Next steps 1. Install the base cover.

  • Page 26: Installing The Wireless Card

    Installing the wireless card Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 27: Fan

    Removing the small fan Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the small fan and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 28: Rear-I/O Cover

    Steps 1. Place and align the screws on the system board with the screw holes on the fan. 2. Replace the three screws (M2x4) that secure the fan to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the fan cable to the system board. Next steps 1.

  • Page 29: Installing The Rear-I/O Cover

    Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Disconnect the Tron-light cable from the system board. 3. Remove the three screws (M2x3) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: To prevent damaging your computer, ensure that the Tron-light cable has been disconnected from the system board before removing the rear I/O-cover.

  • Page 30: I/O Board

    Steps 1. With the correct orientation, slide the rear I/O-cover into the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, and snap it into place. NOTE: To avoiding damaging your computer, ensure the Tron-light cable is not pinched before snapping the rear I/O-cover into place. 2.
  • Page 31 3. Remove the battery. 4. Remove the wireless card. 5. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and four. 6. Remove the M.2 2280 solid state drive M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot one and two, whichever applicable. 7.

  • Page 32: Installing The I/O Board

    5. Lift the I/O board off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the I/O board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 33: Battery

    NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink assembly. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink. 2. Install the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and four.

  • Page 34: Installing The Battery

    The following image(s) indicate the location of the battery and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the battery cable to the battery. 2. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board. NOTE: Step 1 and step 2 are applicable only if the battery cable has not been disconnected.

  • Page 35: Speakers

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the battery on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 36: Installing The Speakers

    Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the right and left speaker, along with its cable, off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the speakers Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.

  • Page 37: Power-Adapter Port

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the left and right speakers into their slots on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Ensure that the alignment posts are threaded through the rubber grommets on the speaker. 2. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.

  • Page 38: Installing The Power-Adapter Port

    Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the system board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 3. Peel the display cable off the system board and remove the display cable from the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 39 Steps 1. Slide the power-adapter port into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and adhere the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 2. Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 3. Place the power-adapter port bracket on the power-adapter port. 4.

  • Page 40: Touchpad

    Touchpad Removing the touchpad Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. 4. Remove the speakers. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 41: Installing The Touchpad

    4. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the touchpad. 5. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-controller board cable to access the touchpad screw. 6. Remove the four screws (M2x2) that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 7.

  • Page 42: Antennas

    3. Close the display and turn the computer over. 4. Replace the four screws (M2x2) that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Connect the keyboard-controller board cable the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 6.
  • Page 43 Steps 1. Turn the computer over. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the antenna holder to the display assembly. 3. Disconnect the antenna holder from the display assembly. 4. Remove the antenna cables from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 44: Installing The Antennas

    Installing the antennas Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the antennas and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 45: Display Assembly

    2. Align the screw holes on the antenna holder with the screw holes on the display assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the antenna holder to the display assembly. 4. Turn over the computer. Next steps 1. Follow the procedure from step 6 to step 25 in Installing the system board.
  • Page 46 Steps 1. Disconnect the rear I/O board cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tapes securing the rear I/O board cable to the system board. 3. Remove the I/O board cable through the routing on the fan and palm-rest and keyboard-assembly. 4.
  • Page 47 9. Peel the display cable off the system board and remove the display cable from the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 10. Remove the display cable and camera cable from the routing guides on the display assembly. 11. Remove the eight screws (M2.5x5) that secure the display assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 12.

  • Page 48: Installing The Display Assembly

    Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the antennas and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
  • Page 49 3. Align the screw holes on the display assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Replace the eight screws (M2.5x5) that secure display assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Turn over the computer.
  • Page 50 6. Adhere the display cable to the system board. 7. Connect the display cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 8. Adhere the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the system board. 9.

  • Page 51: Top Heat-Sink

    Top heat-sink Removing the top heat-sink Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear-I/O cover. About this task CAUTION: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it.

  • Page 52: Keyboard-Controller Board

    Steps 1. Place the top heat-sink on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the top heat-sink to the screw holes on the system board. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x3) that secure the top heat-sink to the system board. Next steps 1.

  • Page 53: Installing The Keyboard-Controller Board

    Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard-controller board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable from the keyboard-controller board. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-controller board cable from the system board. 4.

  • Page 54: System Board

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the keyboard-controller board into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x2) that secures the keyboard-controller board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the keyboard cable to the keyboard-controller board and close the latch to secure the cable. 4.
  • Page 55 About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. Display cable 2. Alien head LED-cable 3. Power-adapter port cable 4. Right-fan cable 5. M.2 card slot for solid-state drive 1 6. M.2 card slot for solid-state drive 2 7.
  • Page 56 Steps 1. Disconnect the rear I/O board cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tapes securing the rear I/O board cable to the system board. 3. Peel the tape securing the camera cable to the system board. 4. Open the latch and disconnect the camera cable from the system board. 5.
  • Page 57 7. Disconnect the right-fan cable from the system board. 8. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 9. Disconnect the two left-fan cables from the system board. 10. Open the latch and disconnect the left I/O board cable from the system board. 11.

  • Page 58: Installing The System Board

    14. Lift the Type-C bracket off the system board. 15. Disconnect the power-adapter port-cable from the system board. 16. Peel the power-adapter port-cable from the system board. 17. Remove the three screws (M2x3) that secure the audio board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 18.
  • Page 59 1. Display cable 2. Alien head LED-cable 3. Power-adapter port cable 4. Right-fan cable 5. M.2 card slot for solid-state drive 1 6. M.2 card slot for solid-state drive 2 7. Wireless-card slot 8. Touchpad connector 9. Keyboard controller and keyboard backlight 10.
  • Page 60 Steps 1. Turn the system board over. 2. Install the heat-sink assembly. 3. Install the audio board. 4. Install the USB Type-C board. 5. Turn the system-board assembly over. 6. Using the alignment posts, place the system-board assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 7.
  • Page 61 12. Connect the speaker cable to the system board. 13. Connect the right-fan cable to the system board. 14. Connect the two left-fan cables to the system board. 15. Connect the left I/O board cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 16.
  • Page 62 21. Connect the display cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 22.Adhere the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the system board. 23.Connect the camera cable to the system board. 24.Adhere the tape securing the camera cable to the system board to secure the cable. 25.Connect the rear I/O board cable to the system board.

  • Page 63: Heat-Sink Assembly

    Heat-sink assembly Removing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear-I/O cover. 4. Remove the small fan. 5. Remove the heat-sink. 6. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and four.
  • Page 64 Steps 1. Turn over the system-board assembly. 2. In reverse sequential order (8>7>6>5>4>3>2>1), loosen the eight captive screws (M2) that secure the fan and heat-sink assembly to the system board. 3. Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.

  • Page 65: Installing The Heat-Sink Assembly

    Installing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the fan and heat-sink assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 66: Audio Board

    Steps 1. Place the heat-sink assembly on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the fan and heat-sink assembly to the screw holes on the system board. 3. In sequential order (1>2>3>4>5>6>7>8), tighten the eight screws (M2) that secure the fan and heat-sink assembly to the system board.

  • Page 67: Installing The Audio Board

    Steps 1. Turn the system-board assembly over. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the audio board to the system-board assembly. 3. Slide and remove the audio board from the system-board assembly. Installing the audio board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the audio board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 68: Usb Type-C Board

    Steps 1. Connect the audio board to the system-board assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the audio board with the screw holes on the system-board assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the audio board to the system-board assembly. 4.

  • Page 69: Installing The Usb Type-C Board

    Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the USB Type-C I/O board cable connector from system-board assembly. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C board to the system-board assembly. 3. Lift the USB Type-C board shield from the left side. 4.
  • Page 70 Steps 1. Align the USB Type-C board with the screw holes on the system-board assembly. 2. Align the USB Type-C shield on the left side with the screw holes on the system-board assembly. 3. Replace the three screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C board to the system-board assembly. 4.

  • Page 71: Power Button

    Power button Removing the power button Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the memory module. 4. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and four. 5. Remove the M.2 2280 solid state drive M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot one and two, whichever applicable.

  • Page 72: Installing The Power Button

    Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the power-button cable from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the power-button bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Peel the tapes securing the power-button bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 73 Steps 1. Align and place the power button, along with its cable, into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Adhere the tape securing the power button on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Align the screw holes on the power-button bracket with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 74: Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    Palm-rest and keyboard assembly Removing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the memory module. 4. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive in slot three and four. 5.

  • Page 75: Installing The Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    Steps After performing the pre-requisites you are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Ensure that the solid-state drive mounts are removed from the old palm-rest and keyboard assembly before installing the new palm-rest and keyboard assembly. These solid-state drive mounts will be installed into the new palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 76 Steps Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat and clean surface and perform the post-requisites to install the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Install the solid-state drive mounts from the old palm-rest and keyboard assembly into the new palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 77: Chapter 3: Drivers And Downloads

    Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ 000123347.

  • Page 78: Chapter 4: System Setup

    System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference.

  • Page 79: System Setup Options

    System setup options NOTE: Depending on this computer and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Table 3. System setup options—System information menu Overview BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the computer.
  • Page 80 Table 3. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview DEVICES Panel Type Displays the Panel Type of the computer. Video Controller Displays the integrate graphics information of the computer. Video Memory Displays the video memory information of the computer. Wi-Fi Device Displays the Wi-Fi device installed in the computer.
  • Page 81 Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu (continued) Integrated Devices Audio Enable Audio Enables or disables all integrated audio controller. Default: ON Enable Microphone Enables or disables microphone. By default, Enable Microphone is selected. Enable Internal Speaker Enables or disables internal speaker. By default, Enable Internal Speaker is selected.
  • Page 82 Table 7. System setup options—Display menu (continued) Display Default: 50 Brightness on AC power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on AC power. Default: 100 Full Screen Logo Full Screen Logo When turned on, the full screen logo is displayed if the image matches the screen resolution.
  • Page 83 Table 9. System setup options—Power menu (continued) Power Battery 1 Charge Mode Enables the computer to run on battery during peak power usage hours. Use the below options to prevent AC power usage between certain times of each day. Default: Adaptive. Battery settings are adaptively optimized based on your typical battery usage pattern.
  • Page 84 Table 10. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security Default: OFF Clear Enables or disables the computer to clear the PTT owner information, and returns the PTT to the default state. Default: OFF SMM Security Mitigation SMM Security Mitigation Enables or disables additional UEFI SMM Security Mitigation protections. Default: OFF NOTE: This feature may cause compatibility issues or loss of functionality with some legacy tools and applications.
  • Page 85 Table 11. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued) Passwords Password Bypass Password Bypass Bypass the System (Boot) Password and the internal hard drive password prompts during a system restart. Default: Disabled Password Changes Bypass the System (Boot) Password and the internal hard drive password prompts during a system restart.
  • Page 86 Table 12. System setup options—Update,Recovery menu (continued) Update,Recovery Default: ON BIOSConnect BIOSConnect Enables or disables cloud Service OS recovery if the main OS fails to boot within the number of failures equal or greater than the value specified by Dell Auto OS Recovery Threshold, and local Service does not boot, or is not installed.
  • Page 87 Table 14. System setup options—Keyboard menu (continued) Keyboard Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery Enables the user to define the timeout value for the keyboard backlight when the system is operating only on battery power. Default: Never RGB Per Key Keyboard Language Enables the user to select the language that matches the keyboard installed on the system.
  • Page 88 Table 16. System setup options—Virtualization Support menu (continued) Virtualization Default: ON VT for Direct I/O Enable Intel® VT for Direct I/O Enables the computer to perform Virtualization Technology for Direct I/O (VT-d). VT-d is an Intel method that provides virtualization for memory map I/O. Default: ON Table 17.

  • Page 89: System And Setup Password

    Table 18. System setup options—System Logs menu System Logs BIOS Event Log Clear BIOS Event Log Select keep or clear BIOS events. Default: Keep Log Thermal Event Log Clear Thermal Event Log Select keep or clear Thermal events. Default: Keep Log Power Event Log Clear Power Event Log Select keep or clear Power events.

  • Page 90: Deleting Or Changing An Existing System Setup Password

    4. Press Esc and save the changes as prompted by the pop-up message. 5. Press Y to save the changes. The computer restarts. Deleting or changing an existing system setup password Prerequisites Ensure that the Password Status is Unlocked (in the System Setup) before attempting to delete or change the existing System and/or Setup password.

  • Page 91: Updating The Bios

    Updating the BIOS Updating the BIOS in Windows Steps 1. Go to www.dell.com/support. 2. Click Product support. In the Search support box, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Search. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the SupportAssist feature to automatically identify your computer. You can also use the product ID or manually browse for your computer model.
  • Page 92 ● AC power adapter that is connected to the computer ● Functional computer battery to flash the BIOS Perform the following steps to perform the BIOS update flash process from the F12 menu: CAUTION: Do not turn off the computer during the BIOS update process. The computer may not boot if you turn off your computer.

  • Page 93: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries Like most laptops, Dell laptops use lithium-ion batteries. One type of lithium-ion battery is the lithium-ion polymer battery. Lithium- ion polymer batteries have increased in popularity in recent years and have become standard in the electronics industry due to customer preferences for a slim form factor (especially with newer ultra-thin laptops) and long battery life.

  • Page 94: Supportassist Diagnostics

    Off: ● Power adapter is connected, and the battery is fully charged. ● Computer is running on battery, and the battery has more than 5% charge. ● Computer is in sleep state, hibernation, or turned off. The power and battery-status light may also blink red or blue according to pre-defined "beep codes" indicating various failures. For example, the power and battery-status light blinks red two times followed by a pause, and then blinks blue three times followed by a pause.

  • Page 95: Built-In Self-Test (Bist)

    Built-in self-test (BIST) M-BIST M-BIST (Built In Self-Test) is the system board's built-in self-test diagnostics tool that improves the diagnostics accuracy of system board embedded controller (EC) failures. NOTE: M-BIST can be manually initiated before POST (Power On Self Test). How to run M-BIST NOTE: M-BIST must be initiated on the system from a power-off state either connected to AC power or with battery only.

  • Page 96: Recovering The Operating System

    Recovering the operating system When your computer is unable to boot to the operating system even after repeated attempts, it automatically starts Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery. Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery is a standalone tool that is preinstalled in all Dell computers installed with Windows operating system.

  • Page 97: Backup Media And Recovery Options

    NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, search in the Knowledge Base Resource at www.dell.com/ support. Backup media and recovery options It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. Dell proposes multiple options for recovering Windows operating system on your Dell PC.

  • Page 98: Chapter 6: Getting Help And Contacting Alienware

    Getting help and contacting Alienware Self-help resources You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources: Table 22. Alienware products and online self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com...

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M18 r1

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