Dell Alienware 17 R2 User manual

Alienware 17 R2
Service Manual
Computer Model: Alienware 17 R2
Regulatory Model: P43F
Regulatory Type: P43F001

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.
2014 - 12
Rev. A00

Contents
Before working inside your computer...................................12
Before you begin .............................................................................................12
Safety instructions............................................................................................12
Recommended tools....................................................................................... 13
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.........................................................................................................27
Replacing the hard drive..........................................................30
Procedure........................................................................................................ 30
Post-requisites.................................................................................................30
Removing the wireless card.....................................................31
Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 31
Procedure.........................................................................................................31
Replacing the wireless card.....................................................33
Procedure.........................................................................................................33
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 33
Removing the palm rest...........................................................34
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................34
Procedure.........................................................................................................35
Replacing the palm rest............................................................41
Procedure.........................................................................................................41
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 41
Removing the power-button board...................................... 42
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................42
Procedure........................................................................................................ 42
Replacing the power-button board...................................... 44
Procedure........................................................................................................ 44
Post-requisites.................................................................................................44

Removing the status-light board........................................... 45
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................45
Procedure........................................................................................................ 45
Replacing the status-light board............................................47
Procedure.........................................................................................................47
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 47
Removing the keyboard...........................................................48
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 48
Procedure........................................................................................................ 48
Replacing the keyboard........................................................... 52
Procedure.........................................................................................................52
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 52
Removing the touch pad..........................................................53
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................53
Procedure........................................................................................................ 54
Replacing the touch pad..........................................................56
Procedure........................................................................................................ 56
Post-requisites.................................................................................................56
Removing the display assembly..............................................57
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................57
Procedure.........................................................................................................57
Replacing the display assembly.............................................. 61
Procedure.........................................................................................................61
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 61

Removing the battery...............................................................62
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................62
Procedure........................................................................................................ 62
Replacing the battery............................................................... 65
Procedure........................................................................................................ 65
Post-requisites.................................................................................................65
Removing the I/O board.......................................................... 66
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 66
Procedure........................................................................................................ 66
Replacing the I/O board...........................................................68
Procedure........................................................................................................ 68
Post-requisites.................................................................................................68
Removing the speakers............................................................69
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 69
Procedure........................................................................................................ 69
Replacing the speakers.............................................................72
Procedure.........................................................................................................72
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 72
Removing the front AlienFX LED boards...............................73
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................73
Procedure.........................................................................................................73
Replacing the front AlienFX LED board.................................75
Procedure.........................................................................................................75
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 75

Removing the processor fan................................................... 76
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................76
Procedure.........................................................................................................76
Replacing the processor fan....................................................78
Procedure.........................................................................................................78
Post-requisites................................................................................................. 78
Removing the system board....................................................79
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................79
Procedure.........................................................................................................79
Replacing the system board....................................................83
Procedure........................................................................................................ 83
Post-requisites.................................................................................................83
Removing the heat sink........................................................... 84
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 84
Procedure........................................................................................................ 84
Replacing the heat sink............................................................86
Procedure........................................................................................................ 86
Post-requisites.................................................................................................86
Removing the coin-cell battery..............................................87
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................87
Procedure.........................................................................................................87
Replacing the coin-cell battery..............................................89
Procedure........................................................................................................ 89
Post-requisites.................................................................................................89

Removing the video-card fan................................................. 90
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 90
Procedure........................................................................................................ 90
Replacing the video-card fan..................................................92
Procedure........................................................................................................ 92
Post-requisites.................................................................................................92
Removing the power-adapter port........................................93
Prerequisites.....................................................................................................93
Procedure........................................................................................................ 93
Replacing the power-adapter port........................................ 95
Procedure........................................................................................................ 95
Post-requisites.................................................................................................95
Removing the subwoofer........................................................ 96
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 96
Procedure........................................................................................................ 96
Replacing the subwoofer.........................................................98
Procedure........................................................................................................ 98
Post-requisites.................................................................................................98
Removing the display bezel.................................................... 99
Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 99
Procedure........................................................................................................ 99
Replacing the display bezel...................................................104
Procedure...................................................................................................... 104
Post-requisites...............................................................................................104

Removing the display panel.................................................. 105
Prerequisites...................................................................................................105
Procedure...................................................................................................... 105
Replacing the display panel.................................................. 108
Procedure...................................................................................................... 108
Post-requisites...............................................................................................108
Removing the display hinges................................................ 109
Prerequisites.................................................................................................. 109
Procedure...................................................................................................... 109
Replacing the display hinges.................................................112
Procedure.......................................................................................................112
Post-requisites................................................................................................112
Removing the computer base............................................... 113
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 113
Procedure....................................................................................................... 113
Replacing the computer base............................................... 115
Procedure....................................................................................................... 115
Post-requisites................................................................................................115
Removing the logo board...................................................... 116
Prerequisites...................................................................................................116
Procedure....................................................................................................... 117
Replacing the logo board.......................................................119
Procedure.......................................................................................................119
Post-requisites............................................................................................... 119

Removing the camera............................................................ 120
Prerequisites...................................................................................................120
Procedure...................................................................................................... 120
Replacing the camera.............................................................122
Procedure.......................................................................................................122
Post-requisites............................................................................................... 122
Removing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs.........................123
Prerequisites...................................................................................................123
Procedure.......................................................................................................124
Replacing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs......................... 126
Procedure.......................................................................................................126
Post-requisites...............................................................................................126
Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.................127
Prerequisites...................................................................................................127
Procedure.......................................................................................................127
Replacing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.................130
Procedure...................................................................................................... 130
Post-requisites...............................................................................................130
Removing the display back-cover........................................131
Prerequisites................................................................................................... 131
Procedure....................................................................................................... 131
Replacing the display back-cover........................................134
Procedure.......................................................................................................134
Post-requisites............................................................................................... 134

BIOS setup program................................................................135
Overview........................................................................................................ 135
Entering BIOS setup program ...................................................................... 135
BIOS setup program options.........................................................................135
Boot sequence............................................................................................... 141
Boot options.............................................................................................141
Changing boot sequence for the current boot......................................142
Changing boot sequence for future boots.............................................142
Flashing the BIOS.................................................................... 144
Getting help and contacting Alienware..............................145
Self-help resources........................................................................................145
Contacting Alienware.................................................................................... 145

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.
12

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.
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.
Recommended tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
13

• 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 part(s) 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.
7 Press and hold the power button for 5 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 Connect the battery cable to the system board.
2 Slide the tabs on the base panel into the slots on the computer base and
snap the base panel into place.
3 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