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Dell Alienware 15 Service Manual

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Alienware 15

Service Manual

Computer Model: Alienware 15
Regulatory Model: P42F
Regulatory Type: P42F001

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Summary of Contents for Dell Alienware 15

  • Page 1: Service Manual

    Alienware 15 Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware 15 Regulatory Model: P42F Regulatory Type: P42F001...
  • Page 2 WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2015 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell ™...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Before working inside your computer......12 ....................12 Before you begin .................... 12 Safety instructions ..................14 Recommended tools After working inside your computer......15 Removing the base panel..........16 ......................16 Procedure Replacing the base panel..........19 ......................19 Procedure Removing the memory modules........20 .....................20 Prerequisites ......................20...
  • Page 4 Removing the hard drive..........27 ..................... 27 Prerequisites ......................28 Procedure Replacing the hard drive..........32 ......................32 Procedure ....................32 Post-requisites Removing the wireless card........... 33 .....................33 Prerequisites ......................33 Procedure Replacing the wireless card..........35 ......................35 Procedure ....................35 Post-requisites Removing the palm rest........... 36 .....................36 Prerequisites ......................36...
  • Page 5 Removing the keyboard........... 49 .....................49 Prerequisites ......................49 Procedure Replacing the keyboard............55 ......................55 Procedure ....................55 Post-requisites Removing the power-button board......56 .....................56 Prerequisites ......................56 Procedure Replacing the power-button board......59 ......................59 Procedure ....................59 Post-requisites Removing the status-light board........ 60 .....................60 Prerequisites ......................61 Procedure Replacing the status-light board.........
  • Page 6 Removing the speakers............ 67 ..................... 67 Prerequisites ......................67 Procedure Replacing the speakers............ 70 ......................70 Procedure ....................70 Post-requisites Removing the front AlienFX LED boards....71 ...................... 71 Prerequisites ......................71 Procedure Replacing the front AlienFX LED board..... 73 ......................73 Procedure ....................
  • Page 7 Removing the display bezel........... 83 .....................83 Prerequisites ......................83 Procedure Replacing the display bezel..........87 ......................87 Procedure ....................87 Post-requisites Removing the display panel........... 88 .....................88 Prerequisites ......................88 Procedure Replacing the display panel..........91 ......................91 Procedure ....................91 Post-requisites Removing the display hinges.........92 .....................92 Prerequisites ......................
  • Page 8 Removing the camera............99 .....................99 Prerequisites ......................100 Procedure Replacing the camera............102 ......................102 Procedure ....................102 Post-requisites Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.. 103 ....................103 Prerequisites ......................103 Procedure Replacing the Alienware AlienHead LED board...106 ......................106 Procedure ....................106 Post-requisites...
  • Page 9 Removing the system board......... 114 ....................114 Prerequisites ......................114 Procedure Replacing the system board..........118 ......................118 Procedure ....................119 Post-requisites Removing the heat-sink assembly......120 ....................120 Prerequisites ......................120 Procedure Replacing the heat-sink assembly......122 ......................122 Procedure ....................122 Post-requisites Removing the fans.............123 ....................
  • Page 10 Removing the coin-cell battery........129 ....................129 Prerequisites ......................129 Procedure Replacing the coin-cell battery........131 ......................131 Procedure ....................131 Post-requisites Removing the battery............132 ....................132 Prerequisites ......................132 Procedure Replacing the battery............135 ......................135 Procedure ....................135 Post-requisites Removing the computer base........136 ....................

  • Page 11: Getting Help And Contacting Alienware

    Getting help and contacting Alienware....149 ..................149 Self-help resources ..................149 Contacting Alienware...

  • Page 12: Before Working Inside Your Computer

    Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and ensure your personal safety. WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
  • Page 13 CAUTION: You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that shipped with the product or at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 14: Recommended Tools

    Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Philips screwdriver • Plastic scribe...

  • Page 15: After Working Inside Your Computer

    After working inside your computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before working on your computer.

  • Page 16: Removing The Base Panel

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Close the display and turn the computer over. Loosen the captive screws that secure the base panel to the computer base.
  • Page 17 Slide and remove the base panel from the computer base. computer base captive screws (2) base panel plastic scribe...
  • Page 18 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board. battery cable Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds to ground the system board.

  • Page 19: Replacing The Base Panel

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Close the display and turn the computer over. Connect the battery cable to the system board.

  • Page 20: Removing The Memory Modules

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Procedure Using your fingertips, carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end...
  • Page 21 Slide and remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. securing clips (2) memory modules (2) memory-module slot...

  • Page 22: Replacing The Memory Modules

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory- module slot.

  • Page 23: Post-Requisites

    Slide the memory module firmly into the slot at an angle and press the memory module down until it clicks into place. NOTE: If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it. securing clips (2) notch memory modules (2) memory-module slot...

  • Page 24: Removing The Solid-State Drives

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive. CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the solid-state drive while the computer is in sleep or on state.
  • Page 25 Slide and remove the solid-state drive from the solid-state drive slot. screw solid-state drive slot solid-state drives (2)

  • Page 26: Replacing The Solid-State Drives

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive. Procedure Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot.

  • Page 27: Removing The Hard Drive

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive. CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the hard drive while the computer is in sleep or on state.

  • Page 28: Procedure

    Procedure Remove the keyboard-backlight cable, keyboard cable, and macro-keys cable from the routing guides on the computer base. macro-keys cable keyboard cable keyboard-backlight cable routing guides (3) hard-drive assembly computer base Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the computer base.
  • Page 29 Lift and slide the hard-drive assembly off the computer base. pull tab hard-drive cable screws (4) hard-drive assembly Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard-drive assembly.
  • Page 30 Lift the hard-drive bracket off the hard-drive assembly. hard-drive assembly hard-drive bracket screws (4)
  • Page 31 Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive. interposer hard drive...

  • Page 32: Replacing The Hard Drive

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive. Procedure Connect the interposer to the hard drive.

  • Page 33: Removing The Wireless Card

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Procedure Remove the screw that secures the wireless-card bracket to the system board.
  • Page 34 Lift and slide the wireless card out of the wireless-card slot. antenna cables (2) wireless-card bracket screw wireless card wireless-card slot tabs (2) notches (2)

  • Page 35: Replacing The Wireless Card

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless card, do not place any cables under it.

  • Page 36: Removing The Palm Rest

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 37 Lift the latches and disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable, keyboard cable, macro-keys cable, and macro-keys backlight cable from the system board. keyboard-backlight cable routing guides (3) latches (4) keyboard cable macro-keys backlight cable macro-keys cable...
  • Page 38 Remove the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base. screws (15) computer base Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Lift the computer base and rest the display on a clean and flat surface.
  • Page 39 Push the palm-rest assembly from the release hole to release it from the tabs on the computer base. palm-rest assembly computer base release hole Place the computer in an upright position. Using a plastic scribe, pry up along the edges of the palm-rest assembly.
  • Page 40 Gently lift the palm-rest assembly and remove the keyboard cable, keyboard-backlight cable, macro-keys cable, and macro-keys backlight cable from the slot on the computer base. palm-rest assembly plastic scribe 10 Carefully turn the palm-rest assembly over and disconnect the power- button board cable from the system board.
  • Page 41 Lift the palm-rest assembly off the computer base. palm-rest assembly computer base power-button board cable 12 Turn the palm-rest assembly over. 13 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 6 in "Removing the keyboard”. 14 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 4 in "Removing the power-button board”.
  • Page 42 16 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 5 in "Removing the touch pad”. palm-rest assembly...

  • Page 43: Replacing The Palm Rest

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 5 in "Replacing the touch pad”.

  • Page 44: Removing The Touch Pad

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 45 Remove the screws that secure the touch-pad bracket to the palm-rest assembly. latches (2) touch-pad cable touch-pad buttons cable screws (5) touch-pad bracket...
  • Page 46 Release the tabs that secure the touch-pad bracket to the palm-rest assembly and lift the touch-pad bracket off the palm-rest assembly. touch-pad bracket palm-rest assembly tabs (4)
  • Page 47 Lift the touch pad off the palm-rest assembly. palm-rest assembly touch pad...

  • Page 48: Replacing The Touch Pad

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Using the alignment posts on the palm-rest assembly, place the touch pad on the palm-rest assembly.

  • Page 49: Removing The Keyboard

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 50 Note the touch-pad cable and status-light cable routings and peel off the cables from the keyboard bracket. latches (2) touch-pad cable status-light cable keyboard bracket...
  • Page 51 Remove the screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the palm-rest assembly. keyboard bracket screws (8)
  • Page 52 Lift the keyboard bracket at an angle and remove it from the tabs on the palm-rest assembly. keyboard bracket palm-rest assembly tabs (3)
  • Page 53 Remove the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly. keyboard screws (2)
  • Page 54 Lift the keyboard at an angle and remove it from the tabs on the palm-rest assembly. palm-rest assembly keyboard tabs (5)

  • Page 55: Replacing The Keyboard

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: Make sure that no cables are under the keyboard. Slide the keyboard under the tabs on the palm-rest assembly.

  • Page 56: Removing The Power-Button Board

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 57 Disconnect the power-button board cable from the power-button board. power-button board cable latches (2) touch-pad cable status-light cable Remove the screws that secure the power-button board to the palm-rest assembly.
  • Page 58 Lift the power-button board off the palm-rest assembly. palm-rest assembly power-button board screws (2)

  • Page 59: Replacing The Power-Button Board

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the power-button board with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.

  • Page 60: Removing The Status-Light Board

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.

  • Page 61: Procedure

    Procedure Lift the latch and disconnect the status-light board cable from the status- light board. latch status-light board cable status-light board Remove the screws that secure the status-light board to the palm-rest assembly.
  • Page 62 Lift the status-light board off the palm-rest assembly. screws (2) status-light board palm-rest assembly...

  • Page 63: Replacing The Status-Light Board

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the status-light board with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.

  • Page 64: Removing The I/O Board

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory module.
  • Page 65 Lift the I/O board off the computer base. screws (2) I/O board computer base latch I/O-board cable...

  • Page 66: Replacing The I/O Board

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the I/O board with the screw holes on the computer base.

  • Page 67: Removing The Speakers

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 68 Note the front AlienFX LED cable routing and peel off the cable from the battery. speaker cable tape front AlienFX LED cable speakers (2) Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the battery and computer base.
  • Page 69 Lift the speakers along with its cable off the computer base. routing guides (6) speaker cable battery computer base speakers (2)

  • Page 70: Replacing The Speakers

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Using the alignment posts, place the speakers on the computer base. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the battery and computer base.

  • Page 71: Removing The Front Alienfx Led Boards

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 72 Lift the front AlienFX LED boards of the tubes. front AlienFX LED board screws (4) cables (2) front AlienFX LED boards (2) tubes (2) computer base...

  • Page 73: Replacing The Front Alienfx Led Board

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the front AlienFX LED boards with the screw holes on the tubes.

  • Page 74: Removing The Hinge Covers

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 75 Remove the hinge covers from the computer base. display assembly screws (2) hinge covers (2) computer base...

  • Page 76: Replacing The Hinge Covers

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the hinge covers with the screw holes on the computer base and snap the hinge covers into place.

  • Page 77: Removing The Display Assembly

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 78 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. display assembly computer base screws (2) Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Carefully remove the antenna cables through the slot on the computer base.
  • Page 79 Peel off the adhesive tape, disconnect the logo-board cable from the system board, and remove it from the routing guide on the display hinges. display cable latch computer base routing guides (2) antenna cables (2) adhesive tapes (2) logo-board cable 10 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base.
  • Page 80 Lift the display assembly off the computer base. display assembly screws (4) computer base...

  • Page 81: Replacing The Display Assembly

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the computer base.
  • Page 82 Replace the wireless card. Replace the solid-state drives. Replace the memory modules. Replace the base panel.

  • Page 83: Removing The Display Bezel

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 84 Carefully lift the display bezel and turn it over. display bezel Lift the latches and disconnect the display-board cables from the logo board.
  • Page 85 Peel off the adhesive tape and disconnect the logo-board cable from the logo board. logo board display-board cables (3) adhesive tape logo-board cable...
  • Page 86 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 2 in “Removing the logo board”. display bezel...

  • Page 87: Replacing The Display Bezel

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 2 in “Replacing the logo board”.

  • Page 88: Removing The Display Panel

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 89 Gently lift the display panel and turn it over. screws (4) display back-cover display panel Lift the latch and disconnect the display cable from the display panel.
  • Page 90 Lift the display panel off the display back-cover. display panel latch display cable display back-cover...

  • Page 91: Replacing The Display Panel

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the display cable into the display panel and press down on the latch to secure the cable.

  • Page 92: Removing The Display Hinges

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 93 Lift the display hinges off the display assembly. display hinges (2) screws (6) display back-cover...

  • Page 94: Replacing The Display Hinges

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the display back-cover.

  • Page 95: Removing The Display

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 96 Peel off the display board and camera cable from the display back-cover. display back-cover display board and camera cable routing guides (3) Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 4 in "Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board”.
  • Page 97 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 4 in "Removing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs”. display back-cover...

  • Page 98: Replacing The Display

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the display back-cover on a clean and flat surface. Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 3 in “Replacing the...

  • Page 99: Removing The Camera

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.

  • Page 100: Procedure

    Procedure Peel off the tape that secures the camera cable to the camera and disconnect the camera cable from the camera module. tape camera module camera cable display back-cover...
  • Page 101 Note the location of the camera module and pry it off the display back- cover using a plastic scribe. camera module plastic scribe display back-cover...

  • Page 102: Replacing The Camera

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Using the alignment posts, adhere the camera module to the display back- cover.

  • Page 103: Removing The Alienware Alienhead Led Board

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 104 Note the Alienware AlienHead LED cable routing and peel off the cable from the display back-cover. Alienware AlienHead LED tape cable display back-cover Note the location of the Alienware AlienHead LED board and peel off the Alienware AlienHead LED board from the display back-cover.
  • Page 105 Lift Alienware AlienHead LED board along with its cable off the display back-cover. Alienware AlienHead LED Alienware AlienHead LED cable board display back-cover...

  • Page 106: Replacing The Alienware Alienhead Led Board

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Adhere the Alienware AlienHead LED board to the display back-cover. Route the Alienware AlienHead LED cable on the display back-cover and adhere it to the display back-cover.

  • Page 107: Removing The Display-Panel Alienfx Leds

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.

  • Page 108: Procedure

    Procedure Peel off the tapes that secure the display-panel AlienFX LEDs to the display back-cover. display back-cover display-panel AlienFX LED cables (2) tapes (2) Note the routing of the display-panel AlienFX LED cables and peel off the cables from the display back-cover. Note the location of the display-panel AlienFX LEDs and peel off the LEDs from the display back-cover.
  • Page 109 Lift the display-panel AlienFX LEDs along with the cables off the display back-cover. display back-cover display-panel AlienFX LED cables (2) display-panel AlienFX LEDs...

  • Page 110: Replacing The Display-Panel Alienfx Leds

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Adhere the display-panel AlienFX LEDs to the display back-cover. Route the display-panel AlienFX LED cables on the display back-cover and adhere the cables to the display back-cover.

  • Page 111: Removing The Logo Board

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 112 Note the location of the logo board and pry the logo board off the display bezel using a plastic scribe. display bezel logo board plastic scribe...

  • Page 113: Replacing The Logo Board

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Adhere the logo board to the display bezel. Turn the display bezel over.

  • Page 114: Removing The System Board

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program after you replace the system board.
  • Page 115 Using the pull tab, disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board. pull tab hard-drive cable power-adapter port cable computer base fan cables (2) Turn the computer over. Lift the latch and disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board.
  • Page 116 Peel the tape and disconnect the front AlienFX LED cable from the system board. latch I/O-board cable speaker cable front AlienFX LED cable tape Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer base. Lift the system board at an angle and slide the ports on the system board out of the slots on the computer base.
  • Page 117 10 Lift the system board off the computer base. system board screws (6) Turn the system board over. 12 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 2 in "Removing the heat-sink assembly”. 13 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 2 in "Removing the coin-cell battery”.

  • Page 118: Replacing The System Board

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program after you replace the system board.

  • Page 119: Post-Requisites

    Turn the computer over. Post-requisites Replace the display assembly. Replace the hinge covers. Follow the procedure from step 5 to step 11 in “Replacing the palm rest”. Replace the wireless card. Replace the solid-state drives. Replace the memory modules. Replace the base panel.

  • Page 120: Removing The Heat-Sink Assembly

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it.
  • Page 121 Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board. heat-sink assembly system board captive screws (8)

  • Page 122: Replacing The Heat-Sink Assembly

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the heat sink can cause damage to the system board and processor. Procedure Align the screw holes on the heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board.

  • Page 123: Removing The Fans

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory module.
  • Page 124 Lift the processor fan and video-card fan off the computer base. processor fan computer base video-card fan screws (4)

  • Page 125: Replacing The Fans

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the processor fan and video-card fan with the screw holes on the computer base.

  • Page 126: Removing The Power-Adapter Port

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 127 Lift the power-adapter port along with its cable off the computer base. routing guide power-adapter port bracket screws (2) power-adapter port power-adapter port cable...

  • Page 128: Replacing The Power-Adapter Port

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the power-adapter port into the slot on the computer base. Align the screw holes on the power-adapter port bracket with the screw holes on the power-adapter port.

  • Page 129: Removing The Coin-Cell Battery

    After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default. It is recommended that you note the BIOS settings before removing the coin-cell battery.
  • Page 130 Using a plastic scribe, gently pry out the coin-cell battery from the system board. system board coin-cell battery coin-cell battery cable...

  • Page 131: Replacing The Coin-Cell Battery

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Adhere the coin-cell battery to the system board. Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the system board.

  • Page 132: Removing The Battery

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 133 Note the front AlienFX LED cable routing and peel off the cable from the battery. speaker cable routing guides (3) battery front AlienFX LED cable Remove the screws that secure the battery to the computer base.
  • Page 134 Lift the battery off the computer base. screws (2) battery computer base...

  • Page 135: Replacing The Battery

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the computer base.

  • Page 136: Removing The Computer Base

    Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel. Remove the memory modules.
  • Page 137 computer base...

  • Page 138: Replacing The Computer Base

    After working inside your computer, follow the instructions After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the computer base on a flat surface. Post-requisites Replace the power-adapter port.

  • Page 139: Bios Setup Program

    BIOS setup program Overview 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 140 Main System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format. System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/ yyyy format. BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version. Product Name Displays the model number of your computer. Service Tag Displays the service tag of your computer.
  • Page 141 Main System Memory Displays the system memory. Extended Memory Displays the extended memory. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed. Advanced Allows you to disable or enable Intel (R) Intel(R) SpeedStep (TM) SpeedStep Technology. Default: Enabled NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load.
  • Page 142 Advanced Default: Enabled Allows you to enable USB devices to USB Wake Support wake the computer from standby or to disable the USB wake support feature. Default: Disabled NOTE: If USB PowerShare is enabled, a device connected to the USB PowerShare connector may not wake the computer.
  • Page 143 Advanced-Performance options with Alienware Graphics Amplifier Allows you to enable or disable global Overclocking Feature overclocking feature. Default: Disabled NOTE: The following features are available only when the Overclocking Feature is enabled. Allows you to enable or disable non- Non-Turbo Flex Support turbo flex support.
  • Page 144 Advanced-Performance options with Alienware Graphics Amplifier Allows you to enable or disable the Memory Override Support memory override option support. Default: Disabled Security Displays if the setup status is Unlock Setup Status unlocked. Default: Unblocked. Displays if the administrator password Admin Password Status is clear or set.

  • Page 145: Boot Sequence

    Security HDD password Allows you to set, change, or delete the hard-drives password. Allows you to permit or deny system Password Change password or HDD password changes. Default: Permitted Exit Save Changes and Reset Allows you to exit BIOS setup program and save your changes.

  • Page 146: Changing Boot Sequence For The Current Boot

    Floppy (Diskette Drive) — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy disk drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message. Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
  • Page 147 Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot menu option and press Enter to access the menu. NOTE: Note your current boot sequence in case you want to restore Navigate to Set Boot Priority to configure the boot priority. Use the arrow keys to highlight the boot priority and press Enter to display the different devices.

  • Page 148: Flashing The Bios

    You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: Turn on the computer. Go to dell.com/support. Click Product Support, enter the Service Tag of your laptop and click Submit.

  • Page 149: Contacting Alienware

    NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. NOTE: If you are in the United States, call 1-800-ALIENWARE for help on...

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