Alienware Alienware M11x User manual

ALIENWARE®M11x MOBILE MANUAL

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
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.
The contents herein are subject to change without notice.
© 2010 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Dell Inc. is
strictly prohibited.
Trademarks used in this manual: Alienware, AlienFX, and the AlienHead logo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Alienware Corporation; Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks
or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel, Pentium,
and SpeedStep are registered trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries; Blu‑ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu‑ray Disc Association; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned
by Bluetooth SIG, Inc; Absolute is a registered trademark of Absolute Software 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. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other
than its own.
Regulatory model: P06T Regulatory type: P06T001/P06T002
P/N: 7XM1F Rev. A01 September 2010

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CHAPTER 1:SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP .................................................9
Before Setting Up Your Laptop ....................................................10
Connect the AC Adapter...........................................................12
Press the Power Button ...........................................................13
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) .............................................14
Set Up Microsoft Windows ........................................................15
Create System Recovery Media (Recommended) ...................................16
Connect to the Internet (Optional).................................................18
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP ........................................21
Left View Features................................................................22
Right View Features ..............................................................26
Back View Features ...............................................................27
Display Features................................................................. 28
Computer Base and Keyboard Features ........................................... 30
Power Button ................................................................... 32
Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
CONTENTS

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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP.....................................................37
Alienware Command Center...................................................... 38
Using the Wireless Control ........................................................42
Battery Pack .....................................................................42
Power Management ............................................................. 44
nVidia Optimus Technology ...................................................... 46
Conguring the BIOS ............................................................ 48
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS...............................59
Before You Begin ................................................................ 60
Replacing the Battery Pack....................................................... 64
Upgrading or Replacing Memory...................................................67
Upgrading or Replacing the Hard Drive Assembly...................................70
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING .....................................................75
Basic Hints and Tips ..............................................................76
Backup and General Maintenance .................................................77
Software Diagnostic Tools ........................................................79
Answers to Common Problems ................................................... 83

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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY ......................................................91
AlienRespawn/DataSafe Local Backup ............................................ 92
CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................95
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ................................110
CONTACTING ALIENWARE ........................................................113

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Dear Valued Alienware Customer,
Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the growing number
of savvy high‑performance mobile users.
e Alienware technicians who have crafted your machine have made certain that your high-
performance mobile 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. e 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.
We invite you to share your experience with your new high‑performance mobile with us, so
please do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns. e
entire sta shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you enjoy using
your new mobile as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.
Sincerely,
Alienware Sta

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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1:
SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP

CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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Before Setting Up Your Laptop
Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware®M11x!
Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your new laptop. Begin by carefully
opening the box and removing all components that were shipped to you.
Before setting up your laptop or components, see the included invoice to verify that all items
ordered are present and be sure to inspect all items for any physical damage that may have
occurred during shipment. Report any missing components or damaged items to customer
service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Anything reported missing or damaged after
the rst 5 days of receiving a shipment will not be honored. Some of the most common items
to check for include:
Laptop and AC adapter with power cable•
Microsoft CD‑key located at the bottom of the laptop•
Monitor with power cable and video cable (if ordered)•
Keyboard (if ordered)•
Mouse (if ordered)•
Multimedia speakers and sub‑woofer (if ordered)•
Joystick controllers (if ordered)•
You may also need a small athead and/or a Phillips head screwdriver for connecting peripheral
cables to the laptop.