Dell Aurora R6 User manual

Aurora R6
Service Manual
Computer Model: Alienware Aurora R6
Regulatory Model: D23M
Regulatory Type: D23M001

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.
Copyright © 2017 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.
2017 - 01
Rev. A00

Contents
Before working inside your computer..................... 12
Before you begin .......................................................................12
Safety instructions......................................................................12
Recommended tools.................................................................. 13
Screw list.................................................................................. 14
After working inside your computer........................ 16
Technical overview.................................................... 17
Inside view of your computer....................................................... 18
System-board components......................................................... 19
Removing the stability foot.......................................21
Procedure................................................................................. 21
Replacing the stability foot.......................................23
Procedure................................................................................. 23
Removing the left-side cover....................................24
Procedure................................................................................. 24
Replacing the left-side cover....................................26
Procedure................................................................................. 26
Removing the right-side cover................................. 28
Procedure................................................................................. 29
Replacing the right-side cover................................. 31
Procedure................................................................................. 32
3

Removing the top-cover assembly.......................... 34
Prerequisites............................................................................. 34
Procedure................................................................................. 34
Replacing the top-cover assembly.......................... 40
Procedure................................................................................. 40
Post-requisites...........................................................................40
Removing the bottom cover..................................... 41
Prerequisites............................................................................. 41
Procedure................................................................................. 42
Replacing the bottom cover..................................... 44
Procedure................................................................................. 44
Post-requisites...........................................................................44
Removing the 3.5-inch hard drive............................ 45
Prerequisites............................................................................. 45
Procedure................................................................................. 45
Replacing the 3.5-inch hard drive............................ 48
Procedure................................................................................. 48
Post-requisites...........................................................................48
Removing the 2.5-inch hard drives.......................... 49
Prerequisites............................................................................. 49
Procedure................................................................................. 49
Replacing the 2.5-inch hard drives.......................... 52
Procedure................................................................................. 52
Post-requisites...........................................................................52
4

Removing the hard-drive cage................................. 53
Procedure................................................................................. 53
Prerequisites............................................................................. 54
Replacing the hard-drive cage................................. 55
Procedure................................................................................. 55
Post-requisites...........................................................................55
Removing the power-supply unit............................. 56
Prerequisites............................................................................. 56
Procedure................................................................................. 56
Replacing the power-supply unit............................. 63
Procedure................................................................................. 63
Post-requisites...........................................................................63
Removing the processor-cooling assembly........... 64
Prerequisites............................................................................. 64
Procedure................................................................................. 65
Replacing the processor-cooling assembly........... 67
Procedure................................................................................. 67
Post-requisites...........................................................................67
Removing the coin-cell battery................................ 68
Prerequisites............................................................................. 68
Procedure................................................................................. 68
Replacing the coin-cell battery.................................70
Procedure................................................................................. 70
Post-requisites...........................................................................70
5

Removing the memory modules.............................. 71
Prerequisites............................................................................. 71
Procedure................................................................................. 71
Replacing the memory modules.............................. 73
Procedure................................................................................. 73
Post-requisites...........................................................................75
Removing the solid-state drive................................ 76
Prerequisites............................................................................. 76
Procedure................................................................................. 76
Replacing the solid-state drive.................................78
Procedure................................................................................. 78
Post-requisites...........................................................................79
Removing the graphics card.................................... 80
Prerequisites............................................................................. 80
Procedure................................................................................. 81
Replacing the graphics card.....................................83
Procedure................................................................................. 83
Post-requisites...........................................................................83
Removing the processor fan and heat-sink
assembly.................................................................... 84
Prerequisites............................................................................. 84
Procedure................................................................................. 84
6

Replacing the processor fan and heat-sink
assembly.................................................................... 86
Procedure................................................................................. 86
Post-requisites...........................................................................86
Removing the processor...........................................87
Prerequisites............................................................................. 87
Procedure................................................................................. 87
Replacing the processor...........................................89
Procedure................................................................................. 89
Post-requisites...........................................................................90
Removing the wireless card..................................... 91
Prerequisites............................................................................. 91
Procedure................................................................................. 91
Replacing the wireless card..................................... 93
Procedure................................................................................. 93
Post-requisites...........................................................................94
Removing the antenna.............................................. 95
Prerequisites............................................................................. 95
Procedure................................................................................. 95
Replacing the antenna.............................................. 98
Procedure................................................................................. 98
Post-requisites...........................................................................98
Removing the front-chassis fan............................... 99
Prerequisites............................................................................. 99
Procedure................................................................................. 99
7

Replacing the front-chassis fan............................. 102
Procedure............................................................................... 102
Post-requisites.........................................................................102
Removing the top-chassis fan................................103
Prerequisites........................................................................... 103
Procedure............................................................................... 103
Replacing the top-chassis fan................................106
Procedure............................................................................... 106
Post-requisites.........................................................................106
Removing the optical drive.....................................107
Prerequisites........................................................................... 107
Procedure............................................................................... 107
Replacing the optical drive..................................... 111
Procedure................................................................................111
Post-requisites......................................................................... 111
Removing the front bezel ....................................... 112
Prerequisites............................................................................112
Procedure................................................................................112
Replacing the front bezel........................................ 115
Procedure................................................................................115
Post-requisites......................................................................... 115
Removing the power-button board........................ 116
Prerequisites............................................................................116
Procedure................................................................................116
8

Replacing the power-button board........................ 119
Procedure................................................................................119
Post-requisites......................................................................... 119
Removing the rear trim cover.................................120
Prerequisites........................................................................... 120
Procedure............................................................................... 120
Replacing the rear trim cover................................. 122
Procedure............................................................................... 122
Post-requisites.........................................................................122
Removing the system board...................................123
Prerequisites........................................................................... 123
Procedure............................................................................... 124
Replacing the system board...................................127
Procedure............................................................................... 127
Post-requisites.........................................................................127
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program....................128
BIOS setup program................................................129
BIOS overview.........................................................................129
Entering BIOS setup program....................................................129
System setup options............................................................... 129
Clearing forgotten passwords.................................................... 135
Prerequisites...................................................................... 135
Procedure.......................................................................... 135
Post-requisites....................................................................136
Clearing CMOS Settings...........................................................137
Prerequisites...................................................................... 137
Procedure.......................................................................... 137
9

Post-requisites....................................................................138
Flashing the BIOS....................................................139
Technology and components................................. 140
Audio......................................................................................140
Downloading the audio driver............................................... 140
Identifying the audio controller..............................................140
Changing the audio settings.................................................141
Graphics................................................................................. 141
Downloading the graphics driver...........................................142
Identifying the display adapter.............................................. 142
Changing the screen resolution............................................ 142
Rotating the display.............................................................143
USB........................................................................................145
Downloading the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 driver........................145
Identifying the USB drivers...................................................145
Enabling or disabling the USB in BIOS setup program............ 146
Fixing a no-boot issue caused by USB emulation................... 146
Wi-Fi.......................................................................................147
Turning on or off Wi-Fi......................................................... 147
Downloading the Wi-Fi driver............................................... 147
Identifying the Wireless drivers.............................................147
Configuring the Wi-Fi...........................................................148
Bluetooth.................................................................................148
Turning on or off Bluetooth...................................................149
Pairing the Bluetooth-enabled devices.................................. 149
Removing the Bluetooth device............................................ 150
Transferring files between devices using Bluetooth.................150
Hard drive............................................................................... 151
Identifying the hard drive......................................................151
10

Identifying the hard drive in BIOS setup program....................152
Chipset................................................................................... 152
Downloading the chipset driver.............................................152
Identifying the chipset..........................................................152
Memory.................................................................................. 153
Checking the system memory in Windows.............................154
Checking the system memory in BIOS setup program............ 154
Testing memory using ePSA................................................ 154
Processors.............................................................................. 154
Identifying the processors in Windows...................................155
Checking the processor usage in the task manager................155
Operating System.................................................................... 156
Service Tag location................................................................. 156
Device driver........................................................................... 156
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility................................ 157
Video drivers...................................................................... 158
Intel Serial IO driver............................................................ 158
Intel Trusted Execution Engine Interface................................159
Intel Wireless-AC 8260 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers................160
BIOS overview.........................................................................161
Boot menu......................................................................... 161
Boot menu enhancements................................................... 161
Timing key sequences.........................................................161
System diagnostic lights........................................ 163
Getting help and contacting Alienware................. 164
Self-help resources.................................................................. 164
Contacting Alienware................................................................164
11

Before working inside your
computer
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer
depending on the configuration you ordered.
Before you begin
1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2 Shut down your computer.
Windows 10: Click or tap 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 cables such as telephone cables, network cables, and so on,
from your computer.
5 Disconnect all attached devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse,
monitor, and so on, from your computer.
6 Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.
7 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.
WARNING: 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.
12

WARNING: 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: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle
them by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts.
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 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.
Recommended tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
• Philips screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Plastic scribe
13

Screw list
The following table provides the list of screws that are used for securing different
components to Alienware Aurora R5.
Table 1. Screw list
Component Secured to Screw type Quantit
y
Screw
image
3.5-inch hard-drive cage Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 2
2.5-inch hard-drive cage Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 4
Power-supply unit hinge Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 6
#6-32 X 1/4''
BLK
3
Power-supply unit Power-
supply unit
hinge
#6-32 X 1/4'' 4
Power-supply unit bracket #6-32 X 1/4'' 2
Optical-drive assembly Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 2
System board Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 8
Top cover Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 2
Top I/O assembly Chassis #6-32 X 1/4''
BLK
4
14

Component Secured to Screw type Quantit
y
Screw
image
Processor-cooling assembly
bracket
Chassis #6-32 X 1/4''
BLK
2
Processor-cooling assembly
radiator
Processor-
cooling
assembly
bracket
#6-32 X 1/4''
BLK
4
Top-chassis fan assembly Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 1
Top-chassis fan bracket Chassis #6-32 X 1/4''
BLK
1
Antenna assembly Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 2
Power-button board Top cover M3 X 4 2
Rubber foot Bottom
cover
M3 X 4 4
M.2 SSD card System
board
Standoff M2 1
M2 X 2.5 1
Optical-drive bracket Optical drive M2 X 2.5 1
WLAN bracket System
board
M2 X 2.5 1
15

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.
16

Technical overview
WARNING: 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.
17

Inside view of your computer
1 power-supply unit 2 optical-drive assembly
3 top cover 4 top-chassis fan
5 system board 6 processor fan and heat-sink
assembly
7 graphics card 8 right-side cover
18

System-board components
1 top-chassis fan (TOP_FAN) 2 processor-cooling assembly
pump-fan connector
(PUMP_FAN)
3 processor-fan connector
(CPU_FAN)
4 memory-module slot 1 (XMM1)
5 memory-module slot 2 (XMM2) 6 memory-module slot 3 (XMM3)
7 memory-module slot 4 (XMM4) 8 front-chassis fan connector
(FRONT_FAN)
19

9 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector
(SATA1)
10 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector
(SATA2)
11 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector
(SATA3)
12 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector
(SATA4)
13 solid-state drive slot (M.2 SSD) 14 CMOS reset jumper (CMOS
JUMPER)
15 Password reset jumper
(PASSWORD JUMPER)
16 PCI-Express x16 mechanical/x8
electrical slot (SLOT4)
17 LED controller connector
(LED_CONTROLLER)
18 PCI-Express x4 slot (SLOT3)
19 PCI-Express x4 slot (SLOT2) 20 PCI-Express x16 mechanical/x8
electrical slot (SLOT1)
21 graphics-card power connector
(GPU_POWER)
22 wireless-card slot (M.2 WIFI)
23 processor socket (CPU1)
20