Alienware Aurora ALX User manual

ALIENWARE ALX DESKTOP MANUAL
The contents herein are subject to change without notice. ©1996-2006 Alienware
Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of this manual in any manner without the prior written
permission of Alienware Corporation is strictly prohibited.
Trademarks used in this manual: Alienware, Alienlce, the AlienHead logo, and
AlienAutopsy are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trade-marks of Microsoft Corporation. Other
trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Alienware Corporation disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Rev 3.0 APRIL 2007

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CONTENTS
Introduction, 5
Chapter 1 System Preparation and Setup, 7
When your Computer First Arrives, 8
Location and Positioning of Your Computer, 8
Getting to Know Your Computer, 9
Front I/O Ports and Features, 10
Rear Ports and Features, 11
Accessing System Drives, 13
Connecting Monitors, 14
Connecting a Digital Monitor, 14
Connecting an Analog Monitor, 15
Connecting Multiple Monitors, 15
Connecting a TV, 16
Connecting to an NVIDIA SLI Graphics Configuration, 17
Configuring an SLI Graphics Configuration with Multiple Displays, 17
Enabling Multiple Monitors with NVIDIA Based Graphics, 18
Connecting to an ATI CrossFire Graphics Configuration, 19
Configuring a CrossFire Graphics Configuration with Multiple Displays, 20
Enabling Multiple Monitors with ATI Based Graphics, 21
Connecting Speakers, 22
Integrated Audio, 22
Sound Blaster X-Fi Series, 23
Connecting Keyboards and Mice, 24
Connecting a Printer,25
Chapter 2 Using Your System, 27
Connecting USB Devices, 28
Connecting FireWire (1394) Devices, 28
Using Removable Media, 28
Optical Drives, 29
Playing a DVD, 30
Writing a CD or DVD, 31

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Using Digital Flash Media, 32
Connecting to the Internet, 32
Connecting to a Home Network, 32
Power Management, 33
Chapter 3 Installing Additional or Replacement Components, 35
Removing the Side Panel, 36
Installing Expansion Cards, 37
Installing a PCI Express x16 Video Card, 37
Installing a PCI or PCI Express Expansion Card, 39
Installing Additional or Replacement Drives, 41
Hard Disk Drives, 41
CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD±R/W Drives, 42
Installing Additional or Replacement Memory, 42
Removing a Memory Module, 43
Installing a Memory Module, 43
Chapter 4 System Recovery, 45
AlienRespawn 1.0, 46
Initiating AlienRespawn 1.0, 46
AlienRespawn 2.0, 47
Recovery Disc, 48
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting, 49
Things to Check before Troubleshooting, 50
Software Diagnostics Tools, 51
Backup and general Maintenance, 51
AlienAutopsy, 51
Answers to Common Problems, 52
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD±RW or Blu-Ray Drive, 52
System, 53
Hard Drive, 53
Internet, 54
Keyboard, 55
Memory, 56

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Monitor, 56
Mouse, 57
Power, 57
Printer, 58
Speakers, 58
Expansion Cards, 59
Game Controllers, 59
Appendix A Microsoft Critical Updates, 61
Appendix B General And Electrical Safety Precautions, 63
Appendix C Terms And Conditions Agreement, 65
Appendix D Limited Product Warranty; Disclaimer Of Warranties;
And Limitation Of Liability, 67
Appendix E Contacting Alienware, 72
Appendix F Important Information, 74

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INTRODUCTION
Dear Valued Alienware Customer,
Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the
growing number of savvy computer users who have chosen to purchase a product
recognized for its award winning combination of quality and innovation. Because
we are hardcore computer users ourselves, Alienware employees understand your
needs when it comes to your system and work tirelessly every day to exceed your
expectations.
The Alienware technicians who have crafted your machine have made certain that
your computer is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build
machines with one single unwavering purpose: Build It As If It Were Your Own.
The technicians will not rest until your new machine meets or exceeds our very
demanding criteria!
We have tested your machine extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy the
highest levels of performance. In addition to a standard burn-in period, your
system has been evaluated using real-world tools such as synthetic performance
benchmarks and 3D games. The results of all this testing has been documented
and provided for your inspection.
We invite you to share your experience with your new computer with us, so please
do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns.
The entire staff shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you
enjoy using your new computer as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.
Sincerely,
Alienware Staff

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CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM PREPARATION AND SETUP

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CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM PREPARATION AND SETUP
When Your Computer First Arrives
Before setting up your computer or components, please inspect all items for any
physical damage that may have occurred during shipment. Report any damaged
items to customer service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Shipping damage
reported after the first 5 days of receiving the shipment will not be honored.
Before setting up your computer or components, please refer to the included invoice
to verify that all items ordered are present. Report any missing components to
customer service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Anything reported missing
after the first 5 days of receiving a shipment will not be honored.
Location and Positioning of Your Computer
When positioning your computer, be sure that:
• It is placed on an surface that is both level and stable
• Power and other cable connectors are not jammed between the
computer and a wall – or any other object
• Nothing obstructs airflow in front of, behind, or below the computer
• The computer’s front door has enough room to open so that optical
and other external storage drives can be easily accessed.
Do not place the computer near or over a radiator or heating vent.
If all or parts of your computer are placed in a cabinet, ensure that
adequate ventilation is provided. Do not place the computer in a
humid location or in any area the computer may be exposed to rain or
water. Be careful not to spill liquid of any kind on or into the computer.
Your computer was designed to operate in an upright position. Never
power on or operate the system when not in an upright position.

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Getting to Know Your Computer
This section of Chapter One provides essential information about your new computer
to familiarize you with its various features and get you up and running quickly.
Front I/O Ports and Features
Power Button
Press the power button once to turn on your computer. The button will illuminate,
indicating the system is powered on. The light will flutter when there is hard disk
activity to indicate that your computer’s hard drive is busy.
Power button, Power indicator,
and Hard Disk Activity Indicator
Drive bay access
Audio Line Out port
Audio Line In port
Fire Wire (IEEE 1 394) port
USB 2.0 port
Ventilation - Do not block
USB 2.0 port

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FireWire (IEEE1394)
Connect high-speed FireWire (also known as IEEE1394) devices such as digital
camcorders and external hard disk drives.
Line In
Connect audio devices such as a stereo microphone, MP3 player, or any other audio
source using a 1/8” mini-jack.
Line Out
Connect stereo headphones or other audio device using a 1/8” mini-jack.
USB 2.0
Connect high-speed USB 2.0 devices such as digital cameras, portable flash drives,
MP3 players, and game controllers.
Chassis Ventilation
Do not obstruct airflow to the front ventilation openings. Doing so may cause your
computer to malfunction.
Audio Line Out (Headphone)
Audio Line In (Microphone)
FireWire port (IEEE1394)
USB 2.0 port
USB 2.0 port
Front I/O Ports and Features

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Rear Ports and Features
Ventilation - Do not block
Power supply switch
I - On / O - Off
Left and right panel
release latches
Power socket
Ventilation - Do not block
Rear I/O ports
DVI display port 2
DVI display port 1
S-Video port 1
DVI display port 4 (optional)
DVI display port 3 (optional)
S-Video port 2 (optional)
Ventilation - Do not block
Discrete audio I/O (optional)

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Power Supply Switch
Make sure the power supply switch is in the on position before powering on your computer.
Power Socket
Plug the power cord into the power cord socket and plug the other end into a grounded
power outlet, a grounded power strip or an (UPS) uninterruptible power supply.
Rear I/O Ports
Connect your mouse and keyboard, Ethernet cable, monitor, and speakers to the
appropriate ports; for detailed information about your computer’s rear I/O ports, refer
to the technical reference provided on your system’s Windows Desktop. Your system’s
technical reference is also available for download from your My Hive® Personal
Support Area on the Alienware website.
Visit: http://support.alienware.com/
DVI Display Port 1
Connect your primary monitor to this port. For detailed information on connecting
monitors to your computer, see Connecting Monitors in this chapter.
For detailed information on connecting monitors to your computer when using NVIDIA
SLI, see Connecting to an NVIDIA SLI Graphics Configuration in this chapter.
For detailed information on connecting monitors to your computer when using ATI
CrossFire, see Connecting to an ATI CrossFire Graphics Configuration in this chapter.
DVI Display Port 2
If you want to use two monitors, connect your secondary monitor to this port. For
detailed information on connecting monitors to your computer, see Connecting
Monitors in this chapter.
S-Video Port 1
You can connect a television with an available S-Video In port to your computer’s
S-Video output. For detailed information on connecting a TV to your computer, see
Connecting a TV in this chapter.

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DVI Display Port 3 (Optional)
If your computer is configured with two graphics cards and you would like to use more
than two monitors, connect your third monitor to this port. For detailed information on
connecting monitors to your computer, see Connecting Monitors in this chapter.
Note: This port is non-operational when NVIDIA SLI technology is enabled.
DVI Display Port 4 (Optional)
If your computer is configured with two graphics cards and you would like to use more
than three monitors, connect your fourth monitor to this port. For detailed information
on connecting monitors to your computer, see Connecting Monitors in this chapter.
Note: This port is non-operational when NVIDIA SLI technology is enabled.
S-Video Port 2 (Optional)
You can connect a television with an available S-Video In port to your computer’s
S-Video output. For detailed information on connecting a TV to your computer, see
Connecting a TV in this chapter.
Note: This port is non-operational when NVIDIA SLI technology is enabled.
Accessing System Drives
To access your computer’s external drives, pull the drive bay door open from right to
left. Push the door closed from left to right to conceal them.

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Connecting Monitors
In addition to CRT and LCD displays, your system also supports the use of multiple
monitors. It can also be output to a TV with an available S-Video input.
To connect multiple monitors, a DVI-to-VGA adapter may be necessary. For more
information on multiple monitors, see Connecting Multiple Monitors in this chapter.
Connecting a Digital Monitor
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Connect one end of the monitor’s signal cable to the video card’s DVI
connector located on the back of your computer.
3. Connect the other end of the signal cable to the monitor’s DVI
connector located at the back of the monitor.
4. Secure the connections by tightening the two fasteners at each end of
the signal cable.
5. Connect one end of the power cord to the monitor’s power connector
located at the back of the monitor.
6. Connect the other end of the power cord to a grounded three-prong
power strip or wall outlet.
7. Turn on your computer.
DVI Connector DVI Connector

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Connecting an Analog Monitor
An analog monitor can be connected to your computer the same way a digital monitor
can be connected; however, you will need a DVI-to-VGA adapter in order to adapt your
computer’s DVI display port to an analog connection.
Connecting Multiple Monitors
Up to two monitors can be connected in a single graphics card configuration, and up
to four monitors can be connected in a dual graphics card configuration.
To connect multiple monitors to you computer, follow the steps for Connecting a
Digital Monitor or Connecting an Analog Monitor above. A DVI-to-VGA adapter may be
necessary, depending on the type of displays you wish to connect.
DVI Connector DVI Connector
VGA to DVI
Adapter
VGA from
Monitor

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Connecting a TV
A TV with an available S-Video input can be connected using an S-Video cable. These
cables can be purchased at home electronics retailers.
For more information about your TV’s available video inputs, refer to the television’s
manual.
To connect a TV to your computer:
1. Connect one end of the S-Video cable to your computer’s S-Video port
and connect the other end to your TV’s S-Video input.
2. Turn on your television.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Set your computer’s display resolution to 800 x 600 in the Display
Settings control panel:
Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Adjust screen resolution
5. Select your television as your computer’s primary or secondary
display device in your computer’s Display Settings control panel.
6. Click the icon for display 2 in the Display window.
7. Select either Use this device as the primary monitor or Extend my
Windows Desktop onto this monitor.
8. Click the Apply button to apply your changes and the OK button to
exit the Display Settings control panel.

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Connecting to an NVIDIA® SLI™ Graphics Configuration
SLI-enabled graphics provides hardware support for one DVI-I monitor or one VGA
monitor using a DVI-to-VGA adapter.
The following shows how to connect your display to an SLI graphics configuration:
Configuring an SLI Graphics Configuration with Multiple Displays
Multiple monitor support is only available in an SLI configuration when SLI is disabled
in the NVIDIA driver control panel. When SLI is enabled, all other display devices
connected to other DVI or S-Video connections become inactive.
An SLI graphics configuration can support up to four displays when SLI is not enabled.
The illustration below shows possible display connections:
DVI Connector DVI Connector
DVI Connector DVI Connector
DVI Display Port 2 DVI Display Port 1
DVI Display Port 4 DVI Display Port 3
S-Video Port 1
S-Video Port 2
DVI to VGA Adapter
DVI to VGA Adapter

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Enabling Multiple Monitors with NVIDIA Based Graphics
Use the nView Display Settings control panel to enable multiple monitors.
Accessing nView Display Settings from the Windows Control Panel
From the Windows® task bar:
1. Click the Start button (Windows® logo)
2. Click Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display
In the Display Settings Control Panel:
1. Click the Settings tab and then click the Advanced button.
2. Click the GeForce tab and then click nView Display Settings in the options menu.
3. Select the desired display mode from the nView Display Mode menu
and then click the Apply button.
Accessing nView Display Settings from the Windows desktop
From the Windows desktop:
1. Right-click the desktop.
2. Point to NVIDIA Display and click X Display, where X is the name of your
primary display.
3. Click nView Display Settings in the options menu.
4. Select the desired display mode from the nView Display Mode menu and
then click the Apply button.
Accessing nView Display Settings from the Windows System Tray
From the Windows system tray:
1. Click the NVIDIA logo.
3. Point to NVIDIA Display and click X Display, where X is the name of your
primary display.
4. Click nView Display Settings in the options menu.
5. Select the desired display mode from the nView Display Mode menu
and then click the Apply button.
Disable SLI in the NVIDIA Display control panel before
enabling multiple displays.

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Connecting to an ATI CrossFire™ Graphics Configuration
CrossFire-enabled graphics provides hardware support for one DVI-I monitor or one
VGA monitor using a DVI-to-VGA adapter.
The following shows how to connect your display to a CrossFire graphics configuration:
DVI Connector DVI Connector
DVI Connector DVI Connector

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Configuring a CrossFire Graphics Configuration with Multiple Displays
Display support is only available through the CrossFire™ Interconnect cable when
CrossFire™ is active. This arrangement ensures the highest possible performance.
When CrossFire is active other display devices connected to the other DVI or VGA
connections on the Master and Slave graphics cards are rendered inactive.
A CrossFire graphics configuration can support up to four displays when CrossFire™
is not enabled and when the Master card is not connected to the Slave graphics card.
The illustration below shows possible display connections to a CrossFire graphics
configuration:
Note: While a two-display connection is shown, a three-display connection is
possible by connecting an additional display to the unused DVI connection on the
Slave graphics card.
DVI Display Port 2 DVI Display Port 1
DVI Display Port 4 DVI Display Port 3
S-Video Port 1
S-Video Port 2
DVI to VGA Adapter
DVI to VGA Adapter