Summary of Contents for Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5
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Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P109F Regulatory Type: P109F002/P109F003 August 2021 Rev. A01...
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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.
Transporting sensitive components............................8 After working inside your computer............................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components..................9 Recommended tools................................9 Screw list....................................9 Major components of Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5....................10 Base cover................................... 12 Removing the base cover.............................. 12 Installing the base cover..............................15 Battery....................................17 Lithium-ion battery precautions............................17...
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Installing the wireless card............................39 Rear-I/O cover.................................. 40 Removing the rear I/O-cover............................40 Installing the rear I/O-cover............................41 Touchpad.................................... 42 Removing the touchpad............................... 42 Installing the touchpad..............................44 Power-adapter port................................45 Removing the power-adapter port..........................45 Installing the power-adapter port..........................46 Display assembly.................................47 Removing the display assembly............................
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Chapter 5: Troubleshooting........................79 Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries..........................79 SupportAssist diagnostics..............................79 Recovering the operating system............................80 System-diagnostic lights..............................80 Backup media and recovery options..........................81 WiFi power cycle................................81 Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset).........................81 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Alienware................83...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Rear I/O cover M2.5x5 Power-adapter port-bracket M2x4 System board M2x4 Heat-sink assembly M2x4 USB board M2x4 Power button M2x2 Major components of Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 The following image shows the major components of Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5.
7. Heat sink 8. I/O board 9. Battery 10. Left speaker 11. Palm-rest and keyboard assembly 12. Display assembly 13. Touchpad 14. Touchpad bracket 15. Keyboard controller board 16. Right speaker 17. Rear I/O cover 18. USB board 19. Power button 20.Power-button bracket 21.
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Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws (M2.5x8.5+3.5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Loosen the four captive screws (M2.5x1.7+3.3) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Loosening the four screws creates a gap, which can be used to pry and lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
4. Using your fingertips, pry open the base cover from the middle of the front edge of base cover, and then pry the left and right sides of the base cover. 5. Lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: The following steps are applicable only if you want to further remove any other component from your computer.
Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 2. Slide the notches on the top of the base cover under the rear I/O-cover, and snap the base cover into place on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
● Discharge the battery completely before removing it. Disconnect the AC power adapter from the system and operate the computer solely on battery power—the battery is fully discharged when the computer no longer turns on when the power button is pressed. ●...
NOTE: After removing the battery, store the battery cable safely. The replacement battery will not be shipped with the battery cable. If you want to replace the battery cable, it has to be purchased separately. 2. Remove the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Battery cable Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries. ● Discharge the battery completely before removing it. Disconnect the AC power adapter from the system and operate the computer solely on battery power—the battery is fully discharged when the computer no longer turns on when the power button is pressed.
Steps 1. Flip the battery and remove the battery cable from the routing guides on the battery. 2. Disconnect the battery cable from the connector on the battery. 3. Lift the battery cable off the battery. Installing the battery cable Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align and place the battery cable on the battery. 2. Route the battery cable through the routing guides on the battery. 3. Connect the battery cable to the connector on the battery. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two.
Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Note the speaker cable routing, and remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
I/O board Removing the I/O board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
Steps 1. Peel back the system board Mylar. 2. Align and place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Tighten the captive screw (M2x2) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory module. 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. Remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. NOTE: Repeat step 1 and step 3 to remove the other memory module, if installed on your computer.
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Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory-module slot. 2. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot. 3. Slide the memory module firmly into the slot at an angle. 4. 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.
Wireless card Removing the wireless card Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
3. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5. Slide and remove the wireless card from the wireless-card slot. Installing the wireless card Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card that is supported by your computer. Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the Antenna-cable color Silkscreen marking wireless card △ (white triangle) Main White MAIN Auxiliary Black ▲...
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Disconnect the Tron light cable from the system board. 4.
Steps 1. Slide the rear I/O-cover onto the palm-rest and keyboard assembly until it snaps into place. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the Tron light cable to the system board. 4.
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About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 3.
Installing the touchpad Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Power-adapter port Removing the power-adapter port Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover.
3. Peel the display cable from the system board and remove the display cable from the slot on the system board. 4. Lift the system board Mylar next to the left fan to access the power-adapter port. 5. Remove the two screws (M2x4) on the power-adapter port-bracket that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the system board.
4. Adhere the power-adapter port cable on the system board. 5. Align the screw holes on the power-adapter port bracket to the screw holes on the system board. 6. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the power-adapter port bracket to the system board. 7.
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Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 2. Disconnect the Alienhead LED cable from the system board. 3. Disconnect the RGB-IR camera cable from the USB board. NOTE: This step applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 4.
10. Lift the display assembly off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 11. After performing all the above steps, you are left with the display assembly. Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
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Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the display hinges with screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the display cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Keyboard-controller board Removing the keyboard-controller board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. About this task The following image indicates the location of the keyboard-controller board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, adhere the keyboard-controller board into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw hole on the keyboard-controller board with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x2) that secures the keyboard-controller board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
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8. Remove the rear I/O-cover. 9. Remove the system board Mylar. About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. NOTE: This is an image of the system board that supports Intel processors. The cables are also found on the system board that supports AMD processors.
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Steps 1. Peel the system board Mylar off the system board. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board. 3. Remove the USB Type-C port bracket from the system board. 4. Open the latch, and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 5.
18. Place the system-board assembly on a clean and flat surface. 19. Turn the system-board assembly over. 20.Remove the board. 21. Remove the heat-sink assembly. 22.After performing all the above steps, you are left with the system board. Installing the system board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
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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. NOTE: Replacing the system board removes any changes you have made to the BIOS using the BIOS setup program. You must make the appropriate changes again after you replace the system board.
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Steps NOTE: Place the system board on a clean and flat surface. Replace the board. 2. Replace the heat-sink assembly. 3. Turn the system-board assembly over. 4. Align the screw holes on the system-board assembly with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Steps 1. Disconnect the left and right fan cables from the system board. 2. Turn the system-board assembly over. 3. Remove the six screws (M2x4) that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board. Installing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
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CAUTION: If either the processor or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal grease that is provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved. Steps 1. Place the heat-sink assembly on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board. 3.
10. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. USB board Removing the USB board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable.
Installing the USB board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the USB board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
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 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable.
Installing the power button Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power button and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
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 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4.
Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat surface. NOTE: When replacing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, the solid-state drive mounting brackets have to be transferred from the old palm-rest and keyboard assembly to the replacement palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
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.
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.
The one-time boot menu displays the devices that you can boot from including the diagnostic option. The boot menu options are: ● Removable Drive (if available) ● STXXXX Drive (if available) NOTE: XXX denotes the SATA drive number. ● Optical Drive (if available) ●...
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Table 4. System setup options—Advance menu (continued) Advance NOTE: You cannot boot any type of USB device (floppy, hard drive, or memory key) when this option is off. Default: Enabled USB PowerShare Enables or disables USB PowerShare. Default: Enabled USB Wake Support Enables or disables the USB Wake Support.
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Table 4. System setup options—Advance menu (continued) Advance SupportAssist System Resolution Auto OS Recovery Threshold Controls the automatic boot flow for SupportAssist System Resolution Console and for the Dell operating system Recovery tool. Default: 2 SupportAssist OS Recovery Enables or disables the boot flow for the SupportAssist OS Recovery tool in the even of certain system errors.
Table 5. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security Default: Enabled Table 6. System setup options—Boot menu Boot Boot List Option Displays the boot options. Default: UEFI File Browser Add Boot Option Allows you to add the boot options. Windows Boot Manager Display boot options in Windows UEFI Boot Enables or disables UEFI boot.
About this task To enter the system setup, press F12 immediately after a power-on or reboot. Steps 1. In the System BIOS or System Setup screen, select Security and press Enter. The Security screen is displayed. 2. Select System/Admin Password and create a password in the Enter the new password field. Use the following guidelines to assign the system password: ●...
6. Install the base cover. Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.
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You can run the BIOS update file from Windows using a bootable USB drive or you can also update the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu on the computer. Most of the Dell computers built after 2012 have this capability, and you can confirm by booting your computer to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see if BIOS FLASH UPDATE is listed as a boot option for your computer.
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.
For more information, see SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check. 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.
Table 9. Diagnostic-light LED codes (continued) Diagnostic light codes Problem description System BIOS Flash incomplete 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.
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NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, see the knowledge base article 000130881 www.dell.com/ support.
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 10. Alienware products and online self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com...