Dell Alienware 15 User manual

Alienware 15
Service Manual
Computer Model: Alienware 15
Regulatory Model: P42F
Regulatory Type: P42F001

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 © 2015 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.
2015 - 01
Rev. A00

Contents
Before working inside your computer........................ 12
Before you begin ............................................................................................... 12
Safety instructions............................................................................................ 12
Recommended tools..........................................................................................14
After working inside your computer........................... 15
Removing the base panel................................................. 16
Procedure...........................................................................................................16
Replacing the base panel..................................................19
Procedure...........................................................................................................19
Removing the memory modules..................................20
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................20
Procedure..........................................................................................................20
Replacing the memory modules...................................22
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 22
Post-requisites..................................................................................................23
Removing the solid-state drives..................................24
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................24
Procedure..........................................................................................................24
Replacing the solid-state drives...................................26
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 26
Post-requisites..................................................................................................26

Removing the hard drive.................................................. 27
Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 27
Procedure..........................................................................................................28
Replacing the hard drive.................................................. 32
Procedure..........................................................................................................32
Post-requisites..................................................................................................32
Removing the wireless card........................................... 33
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................33
Procedure..........................................................................................................33
Replacing the wireless card............................................35
Procedure..........................................................................................................35
Post-requisites..................................................................................................35
Removing the palm rest................................................... 36
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................36
Procedure..........................................................................................................36
Replacing the palm rest....................................................43
Procedure..........................................................................................................43
Post-requisites..................................................................................................43
Removing the touch pad..................................................44
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................44
Procedure..........................................................................................................44
Replacing the touch pad.................................................. 48
Procedure..........................................................................................................48
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 48

Removing the keyboard...................................................49
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................49
Procedure..........................................................................................................49
Replacing the keyboard....................................................55
Procedure..........................................................................................................55
Post-requisites..................................................................................................55
Removing the power-button board............................ 56
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................56
Procedure..........................................................................................................56
Replacing the power-button board.............................59
Procedure..........................................................................................................59
Post-requisites..................................................................................................59
Removing the status-light board................................ 60
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................60
Procedure...........................................................................................................61
Replacing the status-light board................................. 63
Procedure..........................................................................................................63
Post-requisites..................................................................................................63
Removing the I/O board....................................................64
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................64
Procedure..........................................................................................................64
Replacing the I/O board.................................................... 66
Procedure..........................................................................................................66
Post-requisites..................................................................................................66

Removing the speakers.................................................... 67
Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 67
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 67
Replacing the speakers.................................................... 70
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 70
Post-requisites..................................................................................................70
Removing the front AlienFX LED boards....................71
Prerequisites...................................................................................................... 71
Procedure........................................................................................................... 71
Replacing the front AlienFX LED board..................... 73
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 73
Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 73
Removing the hinge covers............................................ 74
Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 74
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 74
Replacing the hinge covers.............................................76
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 76
Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 76
Removing the display assembly................................... 77
Prerequisites......................................................................................................77
Procedure...........................................................................................................77
Replacing the display assembly.................................... 81
Procedure...........................................................................................................81
Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 81

Removing the display bezel........................................... 83
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................83
Procedure..........................................................................................................83
Replacing the display bezel............................................ 87
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 87
Post-requisites..................................................................................................87
Removing the display panel........................................... 88
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................88
Procedure..........................................................................................................88
Replacing the display panel.............................................91
Procedure...........................................................................................................91
Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 91
Removing the display hinges.........................................92
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................92
Procedure..........................................................................................................92
Replacing the display hinges......................................... 94
Procedure..........................................................................................................94
Post-requisites..................................................................................................94
Removing the display back-cover............................... 95
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................95
Procedure..........................................................................................................95
Replacing the display back-cover................................98
Procedure..........................................................................................................98
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 98

Removing the camera....................................................... 99
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................99
Procedure........................................................................................................100
Replacing the camera...................................................... 102
Procedure........................................................................................................ 102
Post-requisites................................................................................................102
Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.. 103
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 103
Procedure........................................................................................................ 103
Replacing the Alienware AlienHead LED board...106
Procedure........................................................................................................ 106
Post-requisites................................................................................................106
Removing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs............ 107
Prerequisites....................................................................................................107
Procedure........................................................................................................ 108
Replacing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs............. 110
Procedure......................................................................................................... 110
Post-requisites.................................................................................................110
Removing the logo board.................................................111
Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 111
Procedure.......................................................................................................... 111
Replacing the logo board................................................ 113
Procedure......................................................................................................... 113
Post-requisites.................................................................................................113

Removing the system board......................................... 114
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 114
Procedure......................................................................................................... 114
Replacing the system board..........................................118
Procedure......................................................................................................... 118
Post-requisites.................................................................................................119
Removing the heat-sink assembly............................120
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 120
Procedure........................................................................................................ 120
Replacing the heat-sink assembly............................ 122
Procedure.........................................................................................................122
Post-requisites................................................................................................ 122
Removing the fans.............................................................123
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 123
Procedure........................................................................................................ 123
Replacing the fans............................................................. 125
Procedure........................................................................................................ 125
Post-requisites................................................................................................ 125
Removing the power-adapter port............................126
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 126
Procedure........................................................................................................ 126
Replacing the power-adapter port............................ 128
Procedure........................................................................................................ 128
Post-requisites................................................................................................ 128

Removing the coin-cell battery...................................129
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 129
Procedure........................................................................................................ 129
Replacing the coin-cell battery.................................... 131
Procedure......................................................................................................... 131
Post-requisites.................................................................................................131
Removing the battery......................................................132
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 132
Procedure........................................................................................................ 132
Replacing the battery...................................................... 135
Procedure........................................................................................................ 135
Post-requisites................................................................................................ 135
Removing the computer base..................................... 136
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 136
Procedure........................................................................................................ 136
Replacing the computer base......................................138
Procedure........................................................................................................ 138
Post-requisites................................................................................................138
BIOS setup program..........................................................139
Overview..........................................................................................................139
Entering BIOS setup program......................................................................... 139
BIOS setup program options.....................................................................139
Boot sequence.................................................................................................145
Boot options.............................................................................................. 145
Changing boot sequence for the current boot......................................... 146
Changing boot sequence for future boots................................................146
Flashing the BIOS............................................................... 148

Getting help and contacting Alienware.................. 149
Self-help resources..........................................................................................149
Contacting Alienware......................................................................................149

Before working inside your
computer
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 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 8.1: On the Start screen, click or tap the power icon →
Shut down.
– Windows 7: Click or tap Start → 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.
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 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 power source.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, 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.
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
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, make
sure that the ports and connectors are correctly oriented
and aligned.
CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the
cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from
the network device.
CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-
card reader.
13

Recommended tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
• Philips screwdriver
• Plastic scribe
14

After working inside your
computer
CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your
computer may severely damage your computer.
1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your
computer.
2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before
working on your computer.
3 Replace any media cards, discs, and 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.
15

Removing the base panel
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
dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Procedure
1 Close the display and turn the computer over.
2 Loosen the captive screws that secure the base panel to the computer
base.
3 Using a plastic scribe, gently release the tabs that secure the base panel to
the computer base.
16

4 Slide and remove the base panel from the computer base.
1 computer base 2 captive screws (2)
3 base panel 4 plastic scribe
17

5 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
1 battery cable
6 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible.
7 Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds to ground the system
board.
18

Replacing the base panel
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
dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Procedure
1 Close the display and turn the computer over.
2 Connect the battery cable to the system board.
3 Slide the tabs on the base panel into the slots on the computer base and
snap the base panel into place.
4 Tighten the captive screws that secure the base panel to the computer
base.
19

Removing the memory
modules
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
dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Prerequisites
Remove the base panel.
Procedure
1 Using your fingertips, carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end
of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up.
20