Dell Alienware Graphics Amplifier User manual

Alienware Graphics Amplifier
User’s Guide
Regulatory Model: Z01G
Regulatory Type: Z01G001

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.
Copyright ©2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and
international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell™and the Dell logo are trademarks
of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names
mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
2014 - 10
Rev. A00

Contents
Before Working Inside Your Alienware Graphics
Amplifier........................................................................................ 5
Before You Begin .............................................................................................. 5
Safety Instructions..............................................................................................5
Recommended Tools........................................................................................ 6
After Working Inside Your Alienware Graphics
Amplifier........................................................................................ 7
Views..............................................................................................8
Front View.......................................................................................................... 8
Back View...........................................................................................................9
Graphics Cable.................................................................................................10
Specifications..............................................................................11
Using the Alienware Graphics Amplifier................................13
Installing the Graphics Card............................................................................ 14
Removing the Graphics Card.......................................................................... 21
Setting Up Your Alienware Graphics Amplifier....................27
Computer is Turned On.................................................................................. 29
Disconnecting Alienware Graphics Amplifier...................... 31
Alternate Methods to Disconnect Alienware Graphics Amplifier.................. 32
Using Keyboard Shortcut...........................................................................32
Using the Undock Button on the Graphics Cable....................................32
Undock Button Settings.............................................................................33
Installing the Alienware Graphics Amplifier Software....... 34

Troubleshooting........................................................................35
Getting Help and Contacting Alienware...............................36
Self-Help Resources........................................................................................36
Contacting Alienware......................................................................................36

Before Working Inside Your
Alienware Graphics Amplifier
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle
them by their edges and avoid touching pins and contacts.
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your device
depending on the configuration you ordered.
Before You Begin
1 Disconnect your device and all attached devices from their electrical
outlets.
2 Disconnect all cables such as telephone cables, network cables and so
on, from your device.
3 Disconnect all attached peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor,
and so on, from your device.
Safety Instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to protect your device from potential
damage and ensure your personal safety.
WARNING: Before working inside your device, read the safety
information that ships with your device. For more safety best
practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/
regulatory_compliance.
WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the device
cover or panels. After you finish working inside the device, replace all
covers, panels, and screws before connecting to the power source.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the device, make sure that the work
surface is flat and clean.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle
them by their edges and avoid touching pins and contacts.
5

CAUTION: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove
the device cover and access any of the components inside the device.
See the safety instructions for complete information about safety
precautions, working inside your device, and protecting against
electrostatic discharge.
CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your device, ground
yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at
the back of the device. While you work, periodically touch an
unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could
harm internal components.
CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on
its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with
locking tabs or thumb-screws that you must disengage before
disconnecting the cable. When disconnecting cables, keep them
evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. When connecting
cables, make sure that the ports and connectors are correctly oriented
and aligned.
CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from
your device and then unplug the cable from the network device.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
• Philips screwdriver
6

After Working Inside Your
Alienware Graphics Amplifier
CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your device may
severely damage your device.
1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your
device.
2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed
before working on your device.
3 Replace any media cards, discs, and any other part(s) that you removed
before working on your device.
4 Connect your device and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
5 Turn on your device.
7

Views
This chapter lists out the features available on your Alienware Graphics
Amplifier.
Front View
1 AlienHead/Docking status light 2 Service Tag/Regulatory labels
8

Back View
1 Release latch 2 Power port
3 Power-supply diagnostic button 4 Power-supply status light
5 USB 3.0 ports (4) 6 External graphics port
7 Graphics-card slot
9

Graphics Cable
1 Release clips (2) 2 Undock button
3 Docking status light 4 Graphics cable
10