Related Manuals for Alienware Alienware M17x R4
Summary of Contents for Alienware Alienware M17x R4
- Page 1 Alienware M17x R4 Owner’s Manual Computer model: M17x R4 Regulatory model: P11E Regulatory type: P11E002...
- Page 2 Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. ® Trademarks used in this text: Dell™ and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Alienware ® is a registered trademark of Alienware Corporation; Bluetooth is a registered trademark ®...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Before You Begin ....Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices ..Safety Instructions ..... . . Recommended Tools . - Page 4 10 Replacing the Hard Drive(s) ..Procedure ......Postrequsites .
- Page 5 18 Replacing the Graphics-Card Assembly Procedure ......Postrequsites ......19 Removing the Processor Heat-Sink Prerequsites...
- Page 6 26 Replacing the Keyboard ... . Procedure ......Postrequsites .
- Page 7 34 Replacing the Display Assembly Procedure ......Postrequsites ......35 Removing the Status Light Board Prerequsites...
- Page 8 Postrequsites ......43 Removing the Optical Drive ..Prerequsites .
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Page 9: Before You Begin
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels. After you finish working inside the computer, replace all covers, panels, and screws before connecting to the power source. -
Page 10: Recommended Tools
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove the computer cover and access any of the components inside the computer. See the safety instructions for complete information about safety precautions, working inside your computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge. CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal... -
Page 11: After Working Inside Your Computer
After Working Inside Your Computer After you complete replacement procedures, ensure the following: • Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer • Connect any external devices, cables, cards, and any other part(s) you removed before working on your computer •... -
Page 12: Removing The Battery Pack
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the battery latch to the unlock position as shown. -
Page 13: Replacing The Battery Pack
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure... -
Page 14: Removing The Compartment Door
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. -
Page 15: Replacing The Compartment Door
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the tabs on the compartment door with the slots on the computer base and slide the compartment door into place. -
Page 16: Removing The Coin-Cell Battery
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. -
Page 17: Replacing The Coin-Cell Battery
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Hold the coin-cell battery with the positive side facing up. -
Page 18: Removing The Hard Drive(S)
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive. - Page 19 Primary hard-drive assembly captive screws (3) primary hard-drive assembly Secondary hard-drive assembly captive screws (3) secondary hard-drive assembly Removing the Hard Drive(s)
- Page 20 Remove the screws that secure the hard drive to the hard-drive bracket. Lift the hard-drive off the hard-drive bracket. Remove the interposer from the hard drive. interposer screws (4) hard drive hard-drive bracket CAUTION: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging.
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Page 21: Replacing The Hard Drive(S)
Dell or Alienware does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell. NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell or Alienware, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive. Procedure Remove the new drive from its packaging. -
Page 22: Removing The Memory Module(S)
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer supports up to four memory module connectors. - Page 23 CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory-module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory-module connector until the memory module pops up. memory-module securing clips (2) connector...
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Page 24: Replacing The Memory Module(S)
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Memory modules purchased from Dell or Alienware are covered under your computer warranty. NOTE: If you purchased a dual-core processor, your computer supports only memory module connectors DIMM 1 and DIMM 2. -
Page 25: Postrequsites
memory-module connector notch If you have replaced memory module(s) in connectors DIMM 1 and DIMM 2, go to Postrequsites. If you have replaced memory module(s) in connectors DIMM 3 and DIMM 4: Align the screw holes on the memory-module cover with the screw holes on the palm rest assembly. -
Page 26: Removing The Graphics-Card Heat Sink Fan
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The graphics-card assembly may be very hot during normal operation. -
Page 27: Procedure
Procedure Disconnect the graphics-card heat sink fan cable from the connector on the system board. Loosen the captive screws that secure the graphics-card heat sink fan to the chassis. Lift the graphics-card heat sink fan along with the cable away from the computer base. -
Page 28: Replacing The Graphics-Card Heat Sink Fan
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the graphics-card heat sink fan with the screw holes on the chassis. -
Page 29: Removing The Processor Heat-Sink Fan
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The processor heat-sink may be very hot during normal operation. -
Page 30: Procedure
Procedure Disconnect the processor heat-sink fan cable from the connector on the system board. Loosen the captive screws that secure the processor heat-sink fan to the chassis. Lift the processor heat-sink fan along with the cable away from the chassis. processor heat-sink fan cable processor heat-sink fan captive screws (3) -
Page 31: Replacing The Processor Heat-Sink Fan
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the processor heat-sink fan with the screw holes on the chassis. -
Page 32: Removing The Graphics-Card Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The graphics-card assembly may be very hot during normal operation. -
Page 33: Procedure
Procedure Remove the screws that secure the graphics-card assembly to the system board. Lift and slide the graphics-card assembly to disconnect it from the connector on the system board. graphics-card assembly screws (2) Removing the Graphics-Card Assembly... -
Page 34: Replacing The Graphics-Card Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Insert the graphics card connector at a 45-degree angle into the connector on the system board. -
Page 35: Removing The Processor Heat-Sink
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING:... -
Page 36: Procedure
Procedure In sequential order (indicated on the processor heat-sink), loosen the captive screws that secure the processor heat-sink to the system board. Lift the processor heat-sink at an angle toward the front of the computer and out of the computer base. processor heat-sink captive screws (4) Removing the Processor Heat-Sink... -
Page 37: Replacing The Processor Heat-Sink
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the processor heat-sink can damage the processor. -
Page 38: Removing The Processor Module
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites... - Page 39 Lift the processor module from the ZIF socket. ZIF socket ZIF-socket cam screw Removing the Processor Module...
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Page 40: Replacing The Processor Module
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: If a new processor module is installed, you will receive a new... -
Page 41: Removing The Center Control Cover
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 42 Gently pry the center control cover from the back of the computer and then ease the tabs on the center control cover out of the slots on the palm rest assembly. center control cover CAUTION: Be extremely careful when removing and handling the center control cover.
- Page 43 media control keys cable Removing the Center Control Cover...
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Page 44: Replacing The Center Control Cover
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Connect the media control keys cable to the connector on the system board. -
Page 45: Removing The Keyboard
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 46 screws (5) keyboard Lift the release latches on the connectors on the system board and disconnect the keyboard cable and backlit keyboard cable. Removing the Keyboard...
- Page 47 Lift the keyboard off the palm rest assembly. keyboard cable backlit keyboard cable Removing the Keyboard...
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Page 48: Replacing The Keyboard
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the keyboard cable and backlit keyboard cable into their connectors on the system board and press down on their connector latches to secure the cables. -
Page 49: Removing The Mini-Card
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. If you ordered a wireless Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed. -
Page 50: Procedure
Procedure Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-Card. Remove the screw that secures the Mini-Card to the system board. screw antenna cables (2) Mini-Card Lift the Mini-Card out of the connector on the system board. CAUTION: When the Mini-Card is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. -
Page 51: Replacing The Mini-Card
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Dell or Alienware does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for Mini-Cards from sources other than Dell or Alienware. Your computer supports one half Mini-Card slot for WLAN. NOTE: Depending on the configuration of the computer when it was sold, the Mini-Card slot may or may not have a Mini-Card installed. -
Page 52: Postrequsites
Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 11. Install the drivers and utilities for your computer, as required. NOTE: If you are installing a Mini-card from a source other than Dell or Alienware, you must install the appropriate drivers and utilities. Replacing the Mini-Card... -
Page 53: Removing The Wirelesshd Card
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. If you ordered a wirelessHD card with your computer, the card is already installed. -
Page 54: Replacing The Wirelesshd Card
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. If you ordered a wirelessHD card with your computer, the card is already installed. -
Page 55: Removing The Power Button Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. -
Page 56: Replacing The Power Button Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the slots on the power button board with the alignment posts on the chassis and secure the power button board in place. -
Page 57: Removing The Display Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 58 wirelessHD card cable display cable captive screws (2) camera cable infrared cable Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. Lift the display assembly off the computer. Removing the Display Assembly...
- Page 59 display assembly screws (6) Removing the Display Assembly...
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Page 60: Replacing The Display Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the display assembly in position and replace the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. -
Page 61: Removing The Status Light Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 62 screws (2) status light board status light board cable Removing the Status Light Board...
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Page 63: Replacing The Status Light Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the slots on the status light board with the alignment posts on the palm rest assembly and secure the status light board in place. -
Page 64: Removing The Palm Rest Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove any installed card or blank from the 9-in-1 Media Card Reader. -
Page 65: Procedure
Remove the power button board. See "Removing the Power Button Board" on page 55. Remove the display assembly. See "Removing the Display Assembly" on page 57. Remove the status light board. See "Removing the Status Light Board" on page 61. Procedure Disconnect the touch pad cable, LVDS cable, and Media Card Reader cable from the connectors on the system board. -
Page 66: Replacing The Palm Rest Assembly
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the palm rest assembly with the screw holes on the computer base. -
Page 67: Removing The Bluetooth Card
"Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer, it is already installed. - Page 68 Bluetooth-card cable Bluetooth card screw Removing the Bluetooth Card...
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Page 69: Replacing The Bluetooth Card
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw hole on the Bluetooth card with the screw hole on the system board. -
Page 70: Removing The Speakers
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 71 speakers (2) screws (4) speakers cable Removing the Speakers...
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Page 72: Replacing The Speakers
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the speakers with the screw holes on the computer base. -
Page 73: Removing The Optical Drive
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequsites Remove the battery pack. - Page 74 optical-drive cable screws (2) optical drive Remove the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. optical drive optical-drive bracket screws (5) Removing the Optical Drive...
- Page 75 Disconnect the interposer from the optical drive. interposer Removing the Optical Drive...
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Page 76: Replacing The Optical Drive
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Connect the interposer to the optical drive. -
Page 77: Removing The System Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Handle components by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts. -
Page 78: Procedure
Remove the palm rest assembly. See "Removing the Palm Rest Assembly" on page 64. Remove the Bluetooth card. See "Removing the Bluetooth Card" on page 67. Remove the speakers. See "Removing the Speakers" on page 70. Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 3 in "Removing the Optical Drive" on page 73. -
Page 79: Replacing The System Board
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 9. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Handle components by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts. -
Page 80: Entering The Service Tag In The Bios
Replace the graphics-card heat sink fan. See "Replacing the Graphics-Card Heat Sink Fan" on page 28. Replace the coin-cell battery. See "Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery" on page 17. Replace the hard drive(s). See "Replacing the Hard Drive(s)" on page 21. Replace the compartment door. -
Page 81: System Setup
System Setup Configuring the System Setup The System Setup options allow you to: • Change the system configuration information after you add, change or remove any hardware in your laptop. • Set or change a user-selectable option. • View the installed amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed. Before you use System Setup, it is recommended that you write down the current System Setup information for future reference. -
Page 82: System Setup Options
System Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed. Main Menu Displays the system time. System Time (hh:mm:ss) Displays the system date. System Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Displays the model number of your Alienware... - Page 83 Allows you to enable or disable the Intel SpeedStep Intel SpeedStep technology. Disabling this feature may improve performance, but will greatly reduce battery life. Allows you to enable or disable the Virtualization Intel Virtualization technology. Allows you to enable or disable the USB Emulation USB emulation feature.
- Page 84 Allows you to enable or disable the High Definition Audio internal high definition audio device. • Disabled: The internal audio device is disabled and is not visible to the operating system. • Enabled: The internal audio device is enabled. Allows you to enable or disable the SD Card Reader internal SD card reader.
- Page 85 Advanced Menu—Performance Options Allows you to enable or disable the Overclocking Feature global overclocking feature. • Disabled: The overclocking feature is disabled. • Enabled: Displays additional overclocking options. Allows you to override CPU turbo mode Override Turbo settings settings. Allows you to set the turbo mode Long Duration PWR Limit power limit 1 value in watts.
- Page 86 Wireless Menu Allows you to enable or disable the Bluetooth internal Bluetooth device. • Disabled: The internal Bluetooth device is disabled and is not visible to the operating system. • Enabled: The internal Bluetooth device is enabled. Allows you to enable or disable the Wireless Network internal wireless device.
- Page 87 Boot Menu Use the up- or down- arrow keys to change the boot device priority. You can choose from: • Hard Drive • USB Storage • CD/DVD/BD • Removal Devices • Network Exit Menu Allows you to exit System Setup and Exit Saving Changes save your changes to CMOS.
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Page 88: Flashing The Bios
• Choose from My Products and Services List • Choose from a list of all Dell products Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen. A list of results appears on the screen. Click BIOS. Click Download File to download the latest BIOS file.