Dell Alienware M15x (Early 2011) User Manual

0101/ ALIENWARE® M15x SERVICE MANUAL

010010/CHAPTER 2: BATTERY PACK Battery Pack WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.

CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM BOARD 01000100/e system board’s BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label on the bottom of the

01010101/CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM BOARD System BoardWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your compute

01020102/CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM BOARD Remove the half Mini-Card (see “Removing the Half Mini-Card” on page 13. 46).Remove the full Mini-Card (see “Removi

01030103/CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM BOARD 1 audio cable 5 consumer IR board cable connector2 optical-drive cable 6 left-speaker light cable connector3 right-s

01040104/CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM BOARD Replace the air vents (see “Replacing the Air Vents” on page 14. 43).Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keybo

CHAPTER 23: SPEAKERS 01050105/CHAPTER 23: SPEAKERSCHAPTER 23: SPEAKERS

01060106/CHAPTER 23: SPEAKERS SpeakersWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For a

01070107/CHAPTER 23: SPEAKERS 121 speakers (2) 2 speaker cablesRemoving the SpeakersFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove

CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY 01080108/CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLYCHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY

01090109/CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY Battery Latch AssemblyWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipp

011011/CHAPTER 2: BATTERY PACK 3211 battery latch 3 battery pack tabs (2)2 battery packRemoving the Battery PackFollow the instructions in “Before You

01100110/CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY 1231 battery latch assembly 3 spring2 screwRemoving the Battery Latch AssemblyFollow the instructions in “

CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP 01110111/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUPCHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP

01120112/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Entering System SetupTurn on (or restart) your laptop.1. While the laptop is booting, press <F2> immediately b

01130113/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Main MenuTotal MemoryDisplays the total memory available in your computer.Memory Bank 0Displays the memory size inst

01140114/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Advanced MenuSATA OperationAllows you to congure the operating mode of the integrated SATA hard drive contr

01150115/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Security MenuSupervisor Password IsDisplays if the supervisor password is clear or set.User Password IsDisplays if t

01160116/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Power MenuA/C Adapter RatingDisplays the AC adapter rating.A/C Adapter WarningsAllows you to choose if the computer

01170117/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP Exit MenuExit Saving ChangesAllows you to exit System Setup and save your changes to CMOS.Exit Discarding ChangesAll

01180118/CHAPTER 25: SYSTEM SETUP - If you do not have your computer’s Service Tag:Click a. Select Your Product Model in the Select Your Entry Method

CHAPTER 3: COMPARTMENT DOOR 012012/CHAPTER 3: COMPARTMENT DOORCHAPTER 3: COMPARTMENT DOOR

013013/CHAPTER 3: COMPARTMENT DOOR Compartment Door WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your c

014014/CHAPTER 3: COMPARTMENT DOOR 2311 front of the computer 3 screws (2)2 compartment doorRemoving the Compartment DoorFollow the instructions in “B

CHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVE 015015/CHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVECHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVE

016016/CHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVE Hard DriveWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For

017017/CHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVE Removing the Hard DriveFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack (see “Removing

018018/CHAPTER 4: HARD DRIVE Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive.8. 121 interposer 2 hard driveReplacing the Hard DriveFollow the instructio

CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) 019019/You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See the spec

0202/ e contents herein are subject to change without notice. © 2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.Reproduction of these materials in any manner wha

020020/CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) Memory Module(s)WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your co

021021/CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) Removing the Memory Module(s)Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack (s

022022/CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module connector(s), do not use tools to spread the memory module spring-l

023023/CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) 12343121 memory module 3 tab2 memory-module connector 4 notchCAUTION: If the memory-module door is difcult to clos

024024/CHAPTER 5: MEMORY MODULE(S) Align and insert the memory-module door tabs into the slots on the 4. computer base.Replace and tighten the two cap

CHAPTER 6: COIN-CELL BATTERY 025025/CHAPTER 6: COIN-CELL BATTERYCHAPTER 6: COIN-CELL BATTERY

026026/CHAPTER 6: COIN-CELL BATTERY Coin-Cell BatteryWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your

027027/CHAPTER 6: COIN-CELL BATTERY 121 coin-cell battery cable connector 2 coin-cell batteryRemoving the Coin-Cell BatteryFollow the instructions in

CHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVER 028028/CHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVERCHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVER

029029/CHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVER Center Control CoverWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped wit

0303/ CONTENTS CONTENTSCHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN ... 6Recommended Tools ...

030030/CHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVER Removing the Center Control CoverFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the batter

031031/CHAPTER 7: CENTER CONTROL COVER Replacing the Center Control CoverFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Slide the cable

CHAPTER 8: KEYBOARD 032032/CHAPTER 8: KEYBOARDCHAPTER 8: KEYBOARD

033033/CHAPTER 8: KEYBOARD KeyboardWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For addi

034034/CHAPTER 8: KEYBOARD 1231 tabs (5) 3 screws (3)2 keyboardRemoving the KeyboardFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove

035035/CHAPTER 8: KEYBOARD Replacing the KeyboardFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Slide the keyboard cable and the keyboard

CHAPTER 9: PALM REST 036036/CHAPTER 9: PALM RESTCHAPTER 9: PALM REST

037037/CHAPTER 9: PALM REST Palm RestWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For ad

038038/CHAPTER 9: PALM REST Removing the Palm RestFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack (see “Removing t

039039/CHAPTER 9: PALM REST Turn the palm rest over and release the connector latch on the system 10. board connector. Pull on the pull-tab to discon

0404/CONTENTS CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD ... 67Removing the Graphics Card...69

CHAPTER 10: AIR VENTS 040040/CHAPTER 10: AIR VENTSCHAPTER 10: AIR VENTS

041041/CHAPTER 10: AIR VENTS Air VentsWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For a

042042/CHAPTER 10: AIR VENTS Removing the Air VentsFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack (see “Removing

043043/CHAPTER 10: AIR VENTS Replacing the Air VentsFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Replace the air vents on the computer

CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 044044/If you ordered a wireless Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed.Your comput

045045/CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) Wireless Mini-Card(s)WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped w

046046/CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 12431 system board connector 3 antenna cables (2 or 3)2 half Mini-Card 4 securing clips (2)Remove the half Mi

047047/CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 7. 35).Replace the center control cover (see “Rep

048048/CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 12341 system board connector 3 securing clips (2)2 full Mini-Card 4 antenna cableRemove the full Mini-Card fr

049049/CHAPTER 11: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) Replace the memory module(s) (see “Replacing the Memory Module(s)” on 8. page 23).Replace the hard drive (see

0505/ CONTENTSCHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD ...90Removing the Consumer IR Board...92Re

CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY 050050/CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLYCHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMB

051051/CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY Processor Fan and Heat Sink AssemblyWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the saf

052052/CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY Removing the Processor Fan and Heat Sink AssemblyFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin”

053053/CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY 3211 processor fan and heat sink assembly cable connector3 processor fan and heat sink assembl

054054/CHAPTER 12: PROCESSOR FAN AND HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY Replace the right air-vent (see “Replacing the Air Vents” on page 7. 43).Replace the center c

CHAPTER 13: PROCESSOR 055055/CHAPTER 13: PROCESSORCHAPTER 13: PROCESSOR

056056/CHAPTER 13: PROCESSOR CAUTION: To prevent intermittent contact between the ZIF-socket cam screw and the processor when removing or replacing th

057057/CHAPTER 13: PROCESSOR 12341 processor 3 ZIF socket2 pin-1 corner of processor 4 ZIF-socket cam screwRemoving the ProcessorFollow the instructio

058058/CHAPTER 13: PROCESSOR Peel the backing o the new thermal cooling pads in the kit and adhere the 4. pads to the portions of the processor fan a

CHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FAN 059059/CHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FANCHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FAN

CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN 0606/is section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless othe

060060/CHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FAN Graphics Card FanWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your

061061/CHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FAN Removing the Graphics Card FanFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack

062062/CHAPTER 14: GRAPHICS CARD FAN Replacing the Graphics Card FanFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Place the graphics car

CHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINK 063063/CHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINKCHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINK

064064/CHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINK Graphics Card Heat SinkWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipp

065065/CHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINK 121 captive screws (4) 2 graphics card heat sinkRemoving the Graphics Card Heat SinkFollow the instructions

066066/CHAPTER 15: GRAPHICS CARD HEAT SINK Replacing the Graphics Card Heat SinkFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Place the

CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD 067067/CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARDCHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD

068068/CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD Graphics CardWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your compute

069069/CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD 121 screws (2) 2 graphics cardRemoving the Graphics CardFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.

0707/CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN Turning O Your ComputerCAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open les and exit all open programs before

070070/CHAPTER 16: GRAPHICS CARD Replacing the Graphics CardFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Insert the graphics card at a

CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY 071071/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAYCHAPTER 17: DISPLAY

072072/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY DisplayWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For addit

073073/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Display AssemblyRemoving the Display AssemblyFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery

074074/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY 1231 Mini-Card antenna cables 3 display cable connector2 camera cable connectorDisconnect the antenna cables from the resp

075075/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Replacing the Display AssemblyFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Align the screw holes on the disp

076076/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Replacing the Display Hinge CoverFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Route the antenna, display, an

077077/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Display PanelRemoving the Display PanelFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the display assem

078078/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Replacing the Display PanelFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Connect the AlienHead cable to the c

079079/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY 12341 screws (2) 3 top of the AlienHead board2 tabs (2) 4 display back coverAlienHead BoardRemoving the AlienHead BoardFoll

0808/CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN Ensure that the work surface is at and clean to prevent the computer cover 1. from being scratched.Turn o your comp

080080/CHAPTER 17: DISPLAY Replacing the AlienHead BoardFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Align the AlienHead board with the

CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER 081081/CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVERCHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER

082082/CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER Magnesium CoverWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your com

083083/CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER Removing the Magnesium CoverFollow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.Remove the battery pack (se

084084/CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER 34121 ExpressCard cable 3 magnesium cover2 ExpressCard connector latch 4 screws (12)Remove the center control cover

085085/CHAPTER 18: MAGNESIUM COVER Replace the four screws that secure the magnesium cover to the computer 10. base.Replace the graphics card fan (see

CHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARD 086086/CHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARDCHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARD

087087/CHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARD Input/Output BoardWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with yo

088088/CHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARD 12431 audio cable connector latch 3 input/output board2 audio cable 4 screws (2) Removing the Input/Output Board

089089/CHAPTER 19: INPUT/OUTPUT BOARD Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 9. on page 31).Replace the memory mod

CHAPTER 2: BATTERY PACK 0909/CHAPTER 2: BATTERY PACKCHAPTER 2: BATTERY PACK

CHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD 090090/CHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARDCHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD

091091/CHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD Consumer IR BoardWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your

092092/CHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD 1231 screws (2) 3 consumer IR board connector2 consumer IR boardRemoving the Consumer IR BoardFollow the instruct

093093/CHAPTER 20: CONSUMER IR BOARD Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 9. on page 31).Replace the memory modu

CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE 094094/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVECHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE

095095/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE Optical DriveWARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your compute

096096/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE Remove the center control cover (see “Removing the Center Control Cover” 7. on page 30).Remove the keyboard (see “Rem

097097/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE Remove the ve screws that secure the optical drive to the optical-drive 16. bracket and lift the optical-drive brack

098098/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE Disconnect the optical-drive cable from the optical drive.17. 121 optical drive 2 optical-drive cable

099099/CHAPTER 21: OPTICAL DRIVE Replace the palm rest (see “Replacing the Palm Rest” on page 10. 39).Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboa