Dell Alienware Area-51 R3 Threadripper Edition User manual

Alienware Area-51 R3 Threadripper Edition
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: D03X
Regulatory Type: D03X003
November 2021
Rev. A00

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.
© 2016 - 2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other
trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents
Chapter 1: Before working inside your computer.................................................................................10
Before you begin ...............................................................................................................................................................10
Safety instructions...............................................................................................................................................................10
Recommended tools............................................................................................................................................................11
Screw list.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Chapter 2: After working inside your computer...................................................................................14
Chapter 3: Technical overview............................................................................................................... 15
Inside view of your computer.............................................................................................................................................15
Left view........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Right view...................................................................................................................................................................... 16
System-board components.................................................................................................................................................16
I/O-board components...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 4: Lifting the computer............................................................................................................ 18
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 5: Removing the stability foot................................................................................................. 19
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................19
Chapter 6: Replacing the stability foot..................................................................................................21
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................21
Chapter 7: Removing the side panels.................................................................................................... 22
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Chapter 8: Replacing the side panels.................................................................................................... 23
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 9: Removing the battery..........................................................................................................24
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Chapter 10: Replacing the battery........................................................................................................ 25
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................25
Chapter 11: Removing the battery case.................................................................................................26
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 26
3

Chapter 12: Replacing the battery case................................................................................................ 28
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Chapter 13: Removing the hard drive................................................................................................... 29
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Chapter 14: Replacing the hard drive....................................................................................................31
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................31
Post-requisites.....................................................................................................................................................................31
Chapter 15: Removing the optical drive................................................................................................32
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 16: Replacing the optical drive................................................................................................34
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Chapter 17: Removing the right AlienFX side-panel connector..........................................................35
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 18: Replacing the right AlienFX side-panel connector.......................................................... 37
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................37
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Chapter 19: Removing the left AlienFX side-panel connector............................................................ 38
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Chapter 20: Replacing the left AlienFX side-panel connector............................................................40
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................40
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................40
Chapter 21: Removing the I/O board................................................................................................... 41
Prerequisites........................................................................................................................................................................41
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................41
Chapter 22: Replacing the I/O board...................................................................................................43
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Chapter 23: Removing the drive-bay heat sensor cable...................................................................... 44
4

Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Chapter 24: Replacing the drive-bay heat sensor cable...................................................................... 46
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................46
Chapter 25: Removing the memory modules........................................................................................47
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Chapter 26: Replacing the memory modules........................................................................................48
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Chapter 27: Removing the graphics card..............................................................................................49
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 28: Replacing the graphics card..............................................................................................51
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................51
Post-requisites.....................................................................................................................................................................51
Chapter 29: Removing multiple graphics cards....................................................................................52
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Chapter 30: Replacing multiple graphics cards....................................................................................54
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................54
Chapter 31: Removing the full-length graphics cards..........................................................................55
Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................55
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................55
Chapter 32: Replacing the full-length graphics cards......................................................................... 57
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 33: Removing the wireless card.............................................................................................. 58
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Chapter 34: Replacing the wireless card.............................................................................................. 60
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................60
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................60
5

Chapter 35: Removing the coin-cell battery......................................................................................... 61
Prerequisites........................................................................................................................................................................61
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................61
Chapter 36: Replacing the coin-cell battery.........................................................................................62
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 62
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................62
Chapter 37: Removing the top fan........................................................................................................ 63
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Chapter 38: Replacing the top fan........................................................................................................ 64
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................64
Chapter 39: Removing the logo board..................................................................................................65
Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................65
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................65
Chapter 40: Replacing the logo board..................................................................................................67
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 67
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 67
Chapter 41: Removing the solid-state drive......................................................................................... 68
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Chapter 42: Replacing the solid-state drive.........................................................................................69
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 69
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................69
Chapter 43: Removing the PCI fan....................................................................................................... 70
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Chapter 44: Replacing the PCI fan........................................................................................................73
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................73
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 73
Chapter 45: Removing the front-bezel heat sensor cable....................................................................74
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Chapter 46: Replacing the front-bezel heat-sensor cable...................................................................75
6

Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 75
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 75
Chapter 47: Removing the processor liquid-cooling assembly............................................................76
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 76
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 76
Chapter 48: Replacing the processor liquid-cooling assembly............................................................79
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Chapter 49: Removing the processor....................................................................................................80
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 80
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 80
Chapter 50: Replacing the processor....................................................................................................82
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 82
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Chapter 51: Removing the power-supply unit......................................................................................84
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Chapter 52: Replacing the power-supply unit..................................................................................... 86
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 86
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Chapter 53: Removing the system board..............................................................................................88
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 88
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 88
Chapter 54: Replacing the system board..............................................................................................90
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................90
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................90
Chapter 55: Removing the handle bars.................................................................................................91
Prerequisites........................................................................................................................................................................91
Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................91
Chapter 56: Replacing the handle bars................................................................................................ 95
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................95
Post-requisites....................................................................................................................................................................95
Chapter 57: Removing the front bezel .................................................................................................96
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 96
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 96
7

Chapter 58: Replacing the front bezel..................................................................................................98
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Chapter 59: Removing the optical-drive eject-button board..............................................................99
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................................... 99
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................................... 99
Chapter 60: Replacing the optical-drive eject-button board.............................................................101
Procedure..........................................................................................................................................................................101
Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................................101
Chapter 61: Removing the rear bezel..................................................................................................102
Prerequisites..................................................................................................................................................................... 102
Procedure......................................................................................................................................................................... 102
Chapter 62: Replacing the rear bezel................................................................................................. 106
Procedure......................................................................................................................................................................... 106
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................. 106
Chapter 63: Removing the base panel................................................................................................ 107
Prerequisites......................................................................................................................................................................107
Procedure..........................................................................................................................................................................107
Chapter 64: Replacing the base panel.................................................................................................110
Procedure..........................................................................................................................................................................110
Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................................110
Chapter 65: Removing the top tron-lighting cable............................................................................. 111
Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................111
Procedure...........................................................................................................................................................................111
Chapter 66: Replacing the top tron-lighting cable.............................................................................113
Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Post-requisites................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Chapter 67: Removing the bottom tron-lighting cable...................................................................... 114
Prerequisites...................................................................................................................................................................... 114
Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................................... 114
Chapter 68: Replacing the bottom tron-lighting cable...................................................................... 116
Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................................... 116
Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................................116
Chapter 69: Removing the antenna cables..........................................................................................117
8

Prerequisites...................................................................................................................................................................... 117
Procedure.......................................................................................................................................................................... 117
Chapter 70: Replacing the antenna cables......................................................................................... 120
Procedure......................................................................................................................................................................... 120
Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................................. 120
Chapter 71: Downloading drivers........................................................................................................121
Downloading the audio driver......................................................................................................................................... 121
Downloading the graphics driver.....................................................................................................................................121
Downloading the USB 3.0 driver.....................................................................................................................................121
Downloading the Wi-Fi driver.........................................................................................................................................122
Downloading the chipset driver...................................................................................................................................... 122
Downloading the network driver.....................................................................................................................................122
Chapter 72: BIOS setup program........................................................................................................123
Boot Sequence..................................................................................................................................................................123
Navigation keys................................................................................................................................................................ 123
BIOS overview.................................................................................................................................................................. 123
Entering BIOS setup program..........................................................................................................................................124
System setup options........................................................................................................................................................124
System and setup password..............................................................................................................................................127
Assigning a system password and setup password.................................................................................................... 128
Deleting or changing an existing system and/or setup password............................................................................128
Clearing Forgotten Passwords....................................................................................................................................128
Clearing CMOS Settings............................................................................................................................................ 129
Chapter 73: Troubleshooting...............................................................................................................130
Flashing the BIOS.............................................................................................................................................................130
Flashing BIOS (USB key)................................................................................................................................................. 130
Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostics......................................................................................... 130
Running the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check........................................................................... 131
Diagnostics........................................................................................................................................................................ 131
Wi-Fi power cycle.............................................................................................................................................................131
Chapter 74: Getting help and contacting Alienware......................................................................... 132
9

Before working inside your computer
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered.
Topics:
•Before you begin
•Safety instructions
•Recommended tools
•Screw list
Before you begin
1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2. Shut down your computer. Click Start > Power > Shut down.
NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down
instructions.
3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
4. Disconnect all attached network devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, and monitor from your computer.
5. Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.
6. After the computer is unplugged, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to ground the system board.
Safety instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and ensure your personal safety.
NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety best
practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
NOTE: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels. After you finish working inside the
computer, replace all covers, panels, and screws before connecting to the electrical outlet.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, ensure that the work surface is flat and clean.
CAUTION: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its
edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins.
CAUTION: You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance
team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions
that shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by
periodically touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. 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, ensure
that the ports and connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-card reader.
10

Recommended tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
●Philips screwdriver #1
●Philips screwdriver #2
●Torx #20 (T20) screwdriver
●Allen screw 2.5 mm
●Flat-head screwdriver
●Plastic scribe
Screw list
The following table provides the list of screws that are used for securing different components.
Table 1. Screw list
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image
Stability foot Computer #6-32x6 2
Security-cable slot latch Computer M2x3 1
Battery-case door Battery case M2x5.7 1
Battery case Chassis #6-32x5.2 2
Hard-drive assembly Chassis #6-32x6 1
Hard drive Hard-drive bracket #6-32x3.6 4
Optical-drive assembly Chassis #6-32x6 1
Optical-drive bracket Optical drive M2x3 2
Right AlienFX side-panel
connector assembly
Chassis #6-32x6 2
Right AlienFX side-panel
connector
Bracket #6-32x6 1
Left AlienFX side-panel
connector assembly
Chassis #6-32x6 2
11

Table 1. Screw list (continued)
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image
Left AlienFX side-panel
connector
Bracket #6-32x6 1
I/O board Chassis #6-32x6 5
Graphics card (multiple,
full-length)
Chassis #6-32x6 2
Graphics-card bracket Chassis #6-32x6 4
Wireless card Chassis M2x3 1
Top fan Chassis #6-32x6 1
Logo board Chassis #6-32x6 1
Logo board Bracket #6-32x6 6
Solid-state drive System board M2x2.5 1
PCI fan Chassis M3x5.25 2
Fan shroud PCI fan M5x10 4
Processor liquid-cooling
assembly
Chassis #6-32x6 4
Power-supply unit Chassis #6-32x6 4
System-board Chassis #6-32x6 9
Rear-handle bar Chassis #6-32x6.5 14
12

Table 1. Screw list (continued)
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image
Front-handle bar Chassis #6-32x6.5 14
Bottom-handle bar Chassis #6-32x6.5 14
Front bezel Chassis #6-32x6 4
Front bezel Chassis 6-32x5.2 3
Optical-drive eject-
button board
Chassis #6-32x6 2
Rear bezel Chassis #6-32x6 4
Rear bezel Chassis M3x5 2
Base panel Chassis #6-32x6 4
Base panel Chassis #6-32x6 5
Antennas Chassis #6-32x6 6
13

After working inside your computer
CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer.
1. Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer.
2. Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer.
3. Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before working on your computer.
4. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
5. Turn on your computer.
14

Technical overview
NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps
in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your
computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
•Inside view of your computer
•System-board components
•I/O-board components
Inside view of your computer
To view the different components installed in your computer. See “Left view” and “Right view”.
Left view
1. processor liquid-cooling assembly-fan 2. graphics card
3. system board 4. power-supply unit
5. AlienFX side-panel connector 6. PCI fan
7. processor liquid-cooling assembly pump 8. memory modules
9. top fan
15

Right view
1. optical drive (ODD) 2. I/O board (IO BRD)
3. drive-bay heat-sensor 4. 2.5-inch drive bracket (HDD4/HDD5)
5. AlienFX side-panel connector 6. rear I/O accessibility lighting batteries
7. 3.5-inch drive bracket (HDD1) 8. 3.5-inch drive bracket (HDD2)
9. 3.5-inch drive bracket (HDD3)
System-board components
1. processor-power connector (CPU PWR1) 2. processor liquid-cooling assembly pump-fan connector
(PUMP_FAN1)
3. processor liquid cooling-assembly fan (LCM_FAN1) 4. audio connector (FP_AUDIO1)
5. PCI-Express slot (SLOT1) 6. CMOS reset jumper (CMOS_CLR)
7. coin-cell battery socket (BAT1) 8. PCI-Express slot (SLOT3)
9. PCI-Express slot (SLOT4) 10. WLAN connector (M2_WLAN1)
11. PCI-Express slot (SLOT5) 12. PCI-Express slot (SLOT6)
13. solid-state drive slot (M2_SSD1) 14. PCI-Express slot (SLOT7)
15. low pin count debug header (LPC1) 16. LED Power Switch (PANEL1)
17. USB connector (USB1) 18. chassis heat-sensor connector (SENSOR2)
19. drive-bay heat-sensor connector (SENSOR1) 20.PCI-Express power connector (PCIE_PWR1)
16

21. PCI-Express fan 1 connector (PCI_FAN1) 22.password reset jumper (PW_CLR)
23. SATA drive connector (HDD _SATA_3_4) 24.SATA drive connector (HDD_SATA_1_2)
25.USB connector (USB3_MB2) 26.USB connector (USB3_MB1)
27. SATA drive connector (SATA6) 28.SATA drive connector (SATA5)
29.Advanced Technology xTended (ATX) power connector (ATX
PWR1)
30.processor liquid-cooling assembly fan connector (MID_FAN1)
31. top fan connector (TOP_FAN1) 32. memory-module slot (DIMM2)
33. memory-module slot (DIMM1) 34.processor socket (CPU1)
35.memory-module slot (DIMM3) 36.memory-module slot (DIMM4)
I/O-board components
NOTE: The location of the connectors may vary based on the selections you made at the time of purchase.
1. rear I/O accessibility lighting battery connector (VBAT1) 2. rear I/O accessibility lighting connector (PORCH_LIGHT1)
3. left theater-lighting connector (POGO_IN_L1) 4. right theater-lighting connector (POGO_IN_R1)
5. USB connector (USB1) 6. debug connector (DEBUG1)
7. front I/O control connector (FIO_PWR1) 8. front I/O connector (USB3_FIO1)
9. main-power connector (PWR1) 10. optical drive power connector (ODD1)
11. logo board connector (LOGO1) 12. audio connector (AUDIOIO1)
17

Lifting the computer
Topics:
•Procedure
Procedure
1. With both hands, hold the handle on top of the computer.
2. Lift the computer.
a. handle
b. computer
18

Removing the stability foot
NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps
in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your
computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
•Procedure
Procedure
1. Tilt the computer towards the front until the base is facing up.
2. Remove the two screws (#6-32x6) that secure the stability foot to the computer.
3. Lift the stability foot off the computer.
a. stability foot
19

b. screws (2)
c. computer
4. Tilt the computer back to the upright position.
20