Dell Alienware 17 User manual

Alienware 17
Service Manual
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.
Updated - 2015 - 12
Rev. A01

Contents
1 Before working inside your computer........................... 11
Before you begin ........................................................11
Safety instructions...................................................... 12
Recommended tools.....................................................12
2 After working inside your tablet..................................14
3 Removing the base panel...........................................15
Procedure.................................................................15
4 Replacing the base panel...........................................18
Procedure.................................................................18
5 Removing the memory modules.................................. 19
Prerequisites............................................................. 19
Procedure.................................................................19
6 Replacing the memory modules.................................. 21
Procedure.................................................................21
Post-requisites........................................................... 22
7 Removing the solid-state drives.................................. 23
Prerequisites............................................................. 23
Procedure.................................................................23
8 Replacing the solid-state drives.................................. 25
Procedure.................................................................25
Post-requisites........................................................... 25
9 Removing the hard drive........................................... 26
Prerequisites............................................................. 26
Procedure.................................................................26
Service Manual 3

10 Replacing the hard drive......................................... 29
Procedure.................................................................29
Post-requisites........................................................... 29
11 Removing the palm rest...........................................30
Prerequisites............................................................. 30
Procedure.................................................................30
12 Replacing the palm rest...........................................37
Procedure.................................................................37
Post-requisites........................................................... 38
13 Removing the power-button board............................. 39
Prerequisites............................................................. 39
Procedure.................................................................39
14 Replacing the power-button board............................. 41
Procedure.................................................................41
Post-requisites........................................................... 41
15 Removing the status-light board................................ 42
Prerequisites............................................................. 42
Procedure.................................................................42
16 Replacing the status-light board................................ 44
Procedure.................................................................44
Post-requisites........................................................... 44
17 Removing the keyboard...........................................45
Prerequisites............................................................. 45
Procedure.................................................................45
18 Replacing the keyboard........................................... 49
Service Manual 4

Procedure.................................................................49
Post-requisites........................................................... 50
19 Removing the touch pad.......................................... 51
Prerequisites............................................................. 51
Procedure.................................................................51
20 Replacing the touch pad.......................................... 54
Procedure.................................................................54
Post-requisites........................................................... 54
21 Removing the display assembly................................. 55
Prerequisites............................................................. 55
Procedure.................................................................55
22 Replacing the display assembly................................. 59
Procedure.................................................................59
Post-requisites........................................................... 60
23 Removing the battery............................................. 61
Prerequisites............................................................. 61
Procedure.................................................................61
24 Replacing the battery............................................. 64
Procedure.................................................................64
Post-requisites........................................................... 64
25 Removing the I/O board...........................................65
Prerequisites............................................................. 65
Procedure.................................................................65
26 Replacing the I/O board...........................................67
Procedure.................................................................67
Post-requisites........................................................... 67
Service Manual 5

27 Removing the speakers........................................... 68
Prerequisites............................................................. 68
Procedure.................................................................68
28 Replacing the speakers........................................... 71
Procedure.................................................................71
Post-requisites........................................................... 71
29 Removing the front AlienFX LED boards.......................72
Prerequisites............................................................. 72
Procedure.................................................................72
30 Replacing the front AlienFX LED board........................ 74
Procedure.................................................................74
Post-requisites........................................................... 74
31 Removing the processor fan..................................... 75
Prerequisites............................................................. 75
Procedure.................................................................75
32 Replacing the processor fan..................................... 78
Procedure.................................................................78
Post-requisites........................................................... 78
33 Removing the system board......................................79
Prerequisites............................................................. 79
Procedure.................................................................79
34 Replacing the system board......................................83
Procedure.................................................................83
Post-requisites........................................................... 84
35 Removing the wireless card......................................85
Service Manual 6

Prerequisites............................................................. 85
Procedure.................................................................85
36 Replacing the wireless card...................................... 87
Procedure.................................................................87
Post-requisites........................................................... 88
37 Removing the heat sink........................................... 89
Prerequisites............................................................. 89
Procedure.................................................................89
38 Replacing the heat sink........................................... 91
Procedure.................................................................91
Post-requisites........................................................... 91
39 Removing the coin-cell battery................................. 93
Prerequisites............................................................. 93
Procedure.................................................................93
40 Replacing the coin-cell battery..................................95
Procedure.................................................................95
Post-requisites........................................................... 95
41 Removing the video-card fan.................................... 96
Prerequisites............................................................. 96
Procedure.................................................................96
42 Replacing the video-card fan.................................... 98
Procedure.................................................................98
Post-requisites........................................................... 98
43 Removing the power-adapter port..............................99
Prerequisites............................................................. 99
Procedure.................................................................99
Service Manual 7

44 Replacing the power-adapter port............................ 101
Procedure............................................................... 101
Post-requisites..........................................................101
45 Removing the subwoofer........................................102
Prerequisites............................................................102
Procedure............................................................... 102
46 Replacing the subwoofer........................................104
Procedure............................................................... 104
Post-requisites..........................................................104
47 Removing the display bezel.................................... 105
Prerequisites............................................................105
Procedure............................................................... 105
48 Replacing the display bezel.................................... 110
Procedure............................................................... 110
Post-requisites..........................................................110
49 Removing the display panel.................................... 111
Prerequisites............................................................111
Procedure............................................................... 111
50 Replacing the display panel.................................... 114
Procedure............................................................... 114
Post-requisites..........................................................114
51 Removing the display hinges................................... 115
Prerequisites............................................................115
Procedure............................................................... 115
52 Replacing the display hinges................................... 118
Service Manual 8

Procedure............................................................... 118
Post-requisites..........................................................118
53 Removing the computer base.................................. 119
Prerequisites............................................................119
Procedure............................................................... 119
54 Replacing the computer base.................................. 121
Procedure............................................................... 121
Post-requisites..........................................................121
55 Removing the logo board........................................122
Prerequisites............................................................122
Procedure............................................................... 122
56 Replacing the logo board........................................125
Procedure............................................................... 125
Post-requisites..........................................................125
57 Removing the camera............................................126
Prerequisites............................................................126
Procedure............................................................... 126
58 Replacing the camera............................................128
Procedure............................................................... 128
Post-requisites..........................................................128
59 Removing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs...................129
Prerequisites............................................................129
Procedure............................................................... 129
60 Replacing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs...................132
Procedure............................................................... 132
Post-requisites..........................................................132
Service Manual 9

61 Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.............133
Prerequisites............................................................133
Procedure............................................................... 133
62 Replacing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.............136
Procedure............................................................... 136
Post-requisites..........................................................136
63 Removing the display back-cover............................. 137
Prerequisites............................................................137
Procedure............................................................... 137
64 Replacing the display back-cover............................. 140
Procedure............................................................... 140
Post-requisites..........................................................140
65 BIOS setup program.............................................. 142
Overview................................................................ 142
Entering BIOS setup program ........................................ 142
BIOS setup program options.......................................... 142
Boot sequence.......................................................... 148
Boot options........................................................148
Changing boot sequence for the current boot................ 149
Changing boot sequence for future boots..................... 149
66 Flashing the BIOS................................................. 151
67 Getting help and contacting Alienware...................... 152
Self-help resources.................................................... 152
Contacting Alienware..................................................153
Service Manual 10

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
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.
• 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.
1
Before working inside your computer 11

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.
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, 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:
Before working inside your computer 12

• Phillips screwdriver
• Plastic scribe
Before working inside your computer 13

After working inside your tablet
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 tablet.
2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before
working on your tablet.
3 Replace any media cards, discs, and any other parts that you removed before
working on your tablet.
4 Connect your tablet and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
5 Turn on your tablet.
2
After working inside your tablet 14

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
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Procedure
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 Gently release the tabs that secure the base panel to the computer base.
4 Slide and remove the base panel from the computer base.
3
Removing the base panel 15

1 computer base 2 captive screws (2)
3 base panel
5 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
Removing the base panel 16

1 battery cable
6 Turn the computer over.
7 Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to ground the system board.
Removing the base panel 17

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
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Procedure
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.
4
Replacing the base panel 18

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
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Prerequisites
• Procedure
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.
2 Slide and remove the memory module from the memory-module slot.
5
Removing the memory modules 19

1 securing clips (2) 2 memory modules (2)
3 memory-module slot
Removing the memory modules 20