Alienware x14 R2 Service Manual
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Alienware x14 R2 Service Manual

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Alienware x14 R2
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: P162G
Regulatory Type: P162G001
February 2023
Rev. A00

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Summary of Contents for Alienware x14 R2

  • Page 1 Alienware x14 R2 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P162G Regulatory Type: P162G001 February 2023 Rev. A00...
  • Page 2 Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Transporting sensitive components............................7 After working inside your computer............................7 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components..................8 Recommended tools................................8 Screw list....................................8 Major components of Alienware x14 R2..........................9 Disassembly and reassembly .............................. 11 Base cover..................................11 Battery....................................15 Wireless card..................................18 Rear-I/O cover................................21 Speakers..................................
  • Page 4 Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer ..............74 System-diagnostic lights..............................74 SupportAssist diagnostics..............................75 Recovering the operating system............................76 Wi-Fi power cycle................................76 Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset)........................ 76 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Alienware................78...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1: Working Inside Your Computer

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

  • Page 6: Electrostatic Discharge-Esd Protection

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

  • Page 7: Transporting Sensitive Components

    best method for doing this test. If you do not have your own wrist strap tester, check with your regional office to find out if they have one. To perform the test, plug the wrist-strap's bonding-wire into the tester while it is strapped to your wrist and push the button to test.

  • Page 8: Chapter 2: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.

  • Page 9: Major Components Of Alienware X14 R2

    M1.6x1.8 Display-cable holder M2x3 Display hinges M2.5x3.8 System board M2x4 Headset port M1.6x3 Fan and heat-sink assembly M2x3 I/O-board M2x3 Power button M1.2x1.6 Major components of Alienware x14 R2 The following image shows the major components of Alienware x14 R2.
  • Page 10 1. Rear I/O-cover 2. Base cover 3. I/O board 4. Fan and heat-sink assembly 5. USB Type-C bracket 6. System board 7. Battery 8. Palm-rest and keyboard assembly 9. Touchpad 10. Keyboard-controller board 11. Keyboard-controller board bracket 12. M.2 2230 solid-state drive 13.

  • Page 11: Disassembly And Reassembly

    14. Antenna cable 15. Speakers 16. Display-cable bracket 17. Headset port 18. Power button 19. Power-button bracket 20.M.2 2280 solid-state drive 21. M.2 2280 solid-state drive thermal shield 22.Display-cable holder NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original computer configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer.
  • Page 13 Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the four captive screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Pry the base cover from the front-left or front-right corner of the base cover and continue to pry the front side of the base cover. 4.

  • Page 15: Battery

    Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 2. Slide the tabs on the top of the base cover under the rear I/O-cover and snap the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Tighten the four captive screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 16 ● Ensure any screws during the servicing of this product are not lost or misplaced, to prevent accidental puncture or damage to the battery and other system components. ● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous.
  • Page 17 Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board (if not disconnected earlier). 2. Remove the six screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Remove the battery cable from the routing guides on the battery. 4.

  • Page 18: Wireless Card

    2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. 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(s) indicate the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 19 Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless card thermal shield to the wireless card and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: The wireless card thermal shield is applicable for computers shipped with certain configurations only. 2. Lift the wireless card thermal shield off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
  • Page 20 Steps 1. Connect the antenna cables to the wireless card. 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 △...

  • Page 21: Rear-I/O Cover

    4. Align the screw hole on the wireless-card bracket with the screw hole on the wireless card and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Replace the screw (M1.6x1.8) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the wireless card and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 22 Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M1.6x3) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Firmly grasp the sides of your computer with both hands and push it outwards to remove the rear I/O-cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 23: Speakers

    Steps 1. With the correct orientation, slide the rear I/O-cover into the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, and snap it into place. 2. Replace the two screws (M1.6x3) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1.
  • Page 24 Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Remove the speaker cables from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 25: Antennas

    NOTE: If the rubber grommets are pushed out of the speakers when removing the speakers, push them back in place before replacing the speakers. Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the left and right speakers into their slots on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2.
  • Page 26 Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the antenna cables to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the antenna cables from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Remove the four screws (M1.6x3) that secure the left and right antennas to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 27: Solid-State Drive

    Steps 1. Align and place the left and right antennas on the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the four screws (M1.6x3) that secures the left and right antennas to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Route the antenna cables onto the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 28 ● M.2 2230 solid-state drive + 2230 mounting bracket ● M.2 2280 solid-state drive The following image(s) indicate the location of the M.2 2230 solid-state drive and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the screw (M1.6x1.8) that secures the solid-state drive thermal shield to the solid-state drive and palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 29 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. Slide the solid-state drive thermal shield into the solid-state drive slot. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive thermal shield with the screw hole on the solid-state drive and palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 30 Steps 1. Remove the screw (M1.6x1.8) that secures the solid-state drive thermal shield to the solid-state drive and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Slide and lift the solid-state thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and remove the solid-state drive from the solid-state drive slot. Installing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.

  • Page 31: Touchpad

    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. Slide the solid-state drive thermal shield into the solid-state drive slot. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive thermal shield with the screw hole on the solid-state drive and palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 32 Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-controller board cable from keyboard-controller board. 2. Fold up the keyboard-controller board cable. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the keyboard-controller board. 4. Remove the eight screws (M1.6x1.8) that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
  • Page 33 Steps 1. Align and place the touchpad into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Turn the computer over and open the display. Ensure that the touchpad is equally aligned along all four sides. 2. Replace the eight screws (M1.6x1.8) that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.

  • Page 34: Keyboard-Controller Board

    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(s) indicate the location of the keyboard-controller board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 35 Installing the keyboard-controller board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the keyboard-controller board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 36: Display Assembly

    Display assembly Removing the display assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear I/O-cover. About this task NOTE: The display assembly is a Hinge-Up Display (HUD) and cannot be further disassembled. The following image(s) indicate the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 37 Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M1.6x1.8) that secure the display-cable bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Lift the display-cable bracket off the display cable. 3. Disconnect the display cable from the system board. 4. Remove the four screws (M2.5x3.8) that secure the left and right display hinge to the bottom side of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 38 Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task CAUTION: Place the computer on a soft and clean surface to avoid scratching the display. The following image(s) indicate the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
  • Page 40 NOTE: Place the computer on a soft and clean surface to avoid scratching the display. Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the display assembly with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Gently slide the display cable through the plastic strip between the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and rear-I/O cover. 3.

  • Page 41: System Board

    4. Replace the four screws (M2.5x3.8) that secure the left and right display hinge to the top side of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: If the display is not fully closed, you will not be able to install the display-cable holder correctly. 5.
  • Page 42 1. Display cable 2. I/O-board cable 3. Right fan cable 4. Keyboard-controller board cable 5. Speaker cable 6. Power-button cable 7. Left fan cable 8. Headset port cable The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 44 Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M1.6x1.8) that secure the display-cable bracket to the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the display-cable bracket off the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Disconnect the display cable from the system board. 4.
  • Page 45 NOTE: Before returning the faulty system board. Adhere the processor (CPU) sticker over the processor (CPU) chip and ensure that it covers the entire surface of it. Installing the system board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task NOTE: When installing this component, please refer to the techsheet bundled with the service kit.
  • Page 47 Steps 1. Turn the system board over. 2. Align and place the right USB Type-C bracket on the system board. 3. Align the screw hole on the left USB Type-C bracket with the screw hole on the system board. 4. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the USB Type-C bracket to the system board. 5.

  • Page 48: Headset Port

    Headset port Removing the headset port Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. 4. Remove the wireless card. 5. Remove the rear I/O-cover. 6. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive M.2 2280 solid-state drive, as applicable.

  • Page 49: Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly

    About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the headset port and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align the headset port into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the headset port cable through the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
  • Page 50 7. Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 15 in Removing the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink. About this task NOTE: When installing this component, please refer to the techsheet bundled with the service kit.
  • Page 51 Installing the fan and heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task NOTE: When installing this component, please refer to the techsheet bundled with the service kit. This is only applicable for computers with the following Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) configurations that have Element 31 grease is applied to the CPU or GPU.

  • Page 52: I/O Board

    Next steps 1. Follow the procedure from step 5 to step 19 in Replacing the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink. 2.

  • Page 53: Power Button

    Installing the I/O board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
  • Page 54 3. Remove the battery. 4. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive M.2 2280 solid-state drive, as applicable. 5. Remove the wireless card. 6. Remove the rear I/O-cover. 7. Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 15 in Removing the system board.

  • Page 55: Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    Steps 1. Align and place the power button, along with its cable, into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the power-button bracket with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
  • Page 56 10. Remove the touchpad. 11. Remove the keyboard-controller board. 12. Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 15 in Removing the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink.
  • Page 57 About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps To install the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, perform the postrequisites. NOTE: When replacing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly for computers with a M.2 2230 solid-state drive installed, ensure that the M.2 2230 solid-state drive mounting bracket has been removed from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and installed on the new palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
  • Page 58 14. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.

  • Page 59: Chapter 3: Drivers And Downloads

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

  • Page 60: Chapter 4: System Setup

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

  • Page 61: System Setup Options

    System setup options NOTE: Depending on this computer and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Table 3. System setup options—System information menu Overview BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the computer.
  • Page 62 Table 3. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview Video Controller Displays the integrate graphics information of the computer. Video Memory Displays the video memory information of the computer. Wi-Fi Device Displays the Wi-Fi device installed in the computer. Native Resolution Displays the native resolution of the computer.
  • Page 63 Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu (continued) Integrated Devices Default: ON Camera Enable Camera Enables or disables the camera. By default, Enable Camera is selected. Audio Enable Audio Enables or disables all integrated audio controller. Default: ON Enable Microphone Enables or disables microphone.
  • Page 64 Table 7. System setup options—Display menu Display Display Brightness Brightness on battery power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on battery power. Default: 50 Brightness on AC power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on AC power. Default: 100 Full Screen Logo Full Screen Logo...
  • Page 65 Table 9. System setup options—Power menu (continued) Power Default: Adaptive. Battery settings are adaptively optimized based on your typical battery usage pattern. Advanced Configuration Enable Advanced Battery Charge Enables Advanced Battery Charge Configuration from the beginning of the day Configuration to a specified work period.
  • Page 66 Table 10. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security Clear Enables or disables the computer to clear the PTT owner information, and returns the PTT to the default state. Default: OFF SMM Security Mitigation SMM Security Mitigation Enables or disables additional UEFI SMM Security Mitigation protections. Default: ON NOTE: This feature may cause compatibility issues or loss of functionality with some legacy tools and applications.
  • Page 67 Table 11. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued) Passwords Special Character Enforces password restriction that the password must contain at least one special character. Default: OFF Minimum Characters Controls the minimum number of characters allowed for password. Default: 04 Password Bypass Password Bypass Bypass the System (Boot) Password and the internal hard drive password prompts during a system restart.
  • Page 68 Table 12. System setup options—Update,Recovery menu (continued) Update,Recovery BIOS Downgrade Allow BIOS Downgrade Controls flashing of the system firmware to previous revisions. Default: ON SupportAssist OS Recovery SupportAssist OS Recovery Enables or disables the boot flow for SupportAssist OS Recovery tool, in the event of certain system error.
  • Page 69 Table 14. System setup options—Keyboard menu Keyboard Fn Lock Options Fn Lock Options Enables or disables the Fn lock mode. Default: ON Lock Mode Controls operation of function keys F1-F12. Default: Lock Mode Standard Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Enables the user to define the timeout value for the keyboard backlight when an AC adapter is plugged into the system.
  • Page 70 Table 15. System setup options—Pre-boot Behavior menu (continued) Pre-boot Behavior Default: Thorough. Performs complete hardware and configuration initialization during boot. Extend BIOS POST Time Extend BIOS POST Time Configures the BIOS POST (Power-On Self-Test) load time. Default: 0 seconds Table 16. System setup options—Virtualization Support menu Virtualization Intel Virtualization Technology Enable Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)

  • Page 71: System And Setup Password

    Table 17. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance Default: ON Intel Turbo Boost Maximum Technology Intel Turbo Boost Maximum Technology 3.0 Enable or disable a processor core running a high workload will perform at a higher frequency than the marked maximum turbo frequency of the processor package.

  • Page 72: Assigning A System Setup Password

    Assigning a system setup password Prerequisites You can assign a new System or Admin Password only when the status is in Not Set. About this task To enter the system setup, press F12 immediately after a power-on or reboot. Steps 1.

  • Page 73: Clearing Bios (System Setup) And System Passwords

    Steps 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Wait for one minute. 3. Replace 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.

  • Page 74: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

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

  • Page 75: Supportassist Diagnostics

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

  • Page 76: Recovering The Operating System

    Recovering the operating system When your computer is unable to boot to the operating system even after repeated attempts, it automatically starts Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery. Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery is a standalone tool that is preinstalled in all Dell computers installed with Windows operating system.
  • Page 77 NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, search in the Knowledge Base Resource at www.dell.com/ support.

  • Page 78: Chapter 6: Getting Help And Contacting Alienware

    Getting help and contacting Alienware Self-help resources You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources: Table 21. Alienware products and online self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com...

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