Alienware M18X User Manual
ALIENWARE® M18x
MOBILE MANUAL
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.
e contents herein are subject to change without notice.
© 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior
written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly prohibited.
Trademarks used in this manual: Alienware®, AlienFX®, and the AlienHead logo
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation; Dell™ is a
trademark of Dell Inc.; Microsoft®, Windows®, and the Windows start button
logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries; Intel® and SpeedStep® are registered
trademarks and Core™ is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries; Blu‑ray Disc™ is a trademark of the Blu‑ray Disc Association; Bluetooth®
is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either
the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims
any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Regulatory Model: P12E Regulatory Type: P12E001
P/N: P38V4 Rev. A00 February 2011
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP .................................... 7
Before Setting Up Your Laptop .......................................8
Connect the AC Adapter ..............................................9
Press the Power Button ..............................................9
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)................................10
Set Up Microsoft Windows...........................................10
Set Up WirelessHD (Optional)........................................ 11
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional) ................................... 11
Connect to the Internet (Optional) ...................................12
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP ............................ 15
Left View Features ..................................................16
Right View Features .................................................17
Back View Features..................................................18
Computer Base and Keyboard Features ............................. 20
Status Lights .......................................................21
Media Control Keys..................................................21
Power Button .......................................................22
Function Keys ......................................................23
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
Alienware Command Center .........................................26
Connecting External Displays ........................................26
Using Removable Media and Cards...................................27
Using the Optical Drive ............................................. 28
Using the Integrated Camera ....................................... 28
Using the Wireless Control.......................................... 28
Battery Pack ........................................................29
Power Management.................................................29
Free Fall Sensor .................................................... 30
Conguring the BIOS ................................................31
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ....37
Before You Begin................................................... 38
Replacing the Battery Pack ......................................... 40
Upgrading or Replacing Memory .....................................41
Upgrading or Replacing the Hard Drive(s) ........................... 43
.........................................25
CONTENTS
3
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................47
Basic Hints and Tips................................................ 48
Backup and General Maintenance................................... 48
Software Diagnostic Tools .......................................... 49
Answers to Common Problems ..................................... 50
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY ..........................................55
AlienRespawn ..................................................... 56
My Dell Downloads ................................................. 58
CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS .............................................59
APPENDIX ...............................................................67
GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS................... 68
Contacting Alienware ...............................................70
4
CONTENTS
Dear Valued Alienware Customer,
Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the
growing number of savvy high‑performance computer users.
e Alienware technicians who have crafted your computer have made certain
that your high‑performance computer is properly optimized and performs to its
fullest potential. We build computers with a single unwavering purpose: Build
It As If It Were Your Own. e technicians will not rest until your new computer
meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria!
We have tested your computer extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy
the highest levels of performance. In addition to a standard burn‑in period,
your computer has been evaluated using real‑world tools such as synthetic
performance benchmarks.
We invite you to share your experience with your new high‑performance computer
with us, so do not hesitate to either e‑mail or call Alienware with any questions
or concerns. e entire sta shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we
hope that you enjoy using your new computer as much as Alienware enjoyed
building it for you.
Sincerely,
Alienware Sta
5
6
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
7
Before Setting Up Your Laptop
Product Documentation and Media
Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware M18x!
Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your new laptop. Begin
by carefully opening the box and removing all components that were shipped to
you. Before setting up your laptop or components, be sure to inspect all items
for any physical damage that may have occurred during shipment. Be sure to
report any damaged items to customer service immediately upon receiving your
shipment. You must report shipping damage within the rst 5 days of receiving
the shipment or your damage report will not be honored.
Before setting up your laptop or components, see the included invoice to verify
that all items ordered are present. Report any missing components to customer
service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Anything reported missing after
the rst 5 days of receiving a shipment will not be honored. Some of the most
common items to check for include:
Laptop and AC adapter with power cable•
Microsoft CD‑key located at the bottom of the laptop•
Monitor with power cable and video cable (if ordered)•
Keyboard (if ordered)•
Mouse (if ordered)•
Multimedia speakers and sub‑woofer (if ordered)•
Joystick controllers (if ordered)•
You may also need a small athead and/or a Phillips head screwdriver for
connecting peripheral cables to the laptop.
e documentation that ships with your Alienware laptop is designed to provide
answers to many of the questions that may arise as you explore your new laptop’s
capabilities. You may see the documentation for technical information or general
use as needed to answer questions in the future, or aid you in nding answers and
solutions. e media included with your laptop is referenced in some sections of
the documentation and may be needed to complete certain tasks. As always, our
technical support sta is available to assist you.
Placing Your Laptop
WARNING: Do not place the laptop near or over a radiator or heating vent.
If your laptop is placed in a cabinet, ensure that adequate ventilation
is provided. Do not place the laptop in a humid location or in any area
where the laptop may be exposed to rain or water. Be careful not to spill
liquid of any kind on or into the laptop.
When placing your laptop, ensure that:
It is placed on a surface that is both level and stable. •
e power and other cable connectors are not jammed between the laptop •
and a wall – or any other object.
Nothing obstructs airow in front of, behind, or below the laptop.
•
e laptop has enough room so that optical drives and other external •
storage drives can be easily accessed.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
8
Press the Power ButtonConnect the AC Adapter
WARNING: e AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide.
However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries.
Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to a
power strip or electrical outlet may cause re or equipment damage.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
9
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) Set Up Microsoft Windows
Your computer is precongured with the Microsoft Windows operating system.
To set up Windows for the rst time, follow the instructions on the screen. ese
steps are mandatory and may take some time to complete. e Windows setup
screens will take you through several procedures including accepting license
agreements, setting preferences, and setting up an Internet connection.
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing
so may render your computer unusable and you will need to reinstall the
operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that
you download and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer
available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, see
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a full system backup as soon as
you set up Microsoft Windows.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
10
Set Up WirelessHD (Optional)
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional)
e WirelessHD feature allows you to share high-denition video from your
computer display to a TV without the use of cables. To set up WirelessHD, use a
WirelessHD kit. For instructions on setting up WirelessHD, see the document that
shipped with your WirelessHD kit.
NOTE: e WirelessHD kit does not ship with your computer and must be
purchased separately.
If your computer supports the WirelessHD feature, the WiHD Application Controller
icon will be available on the Windows desktop.
NOTE: You may have to set up WirelessHD kit before you set up WirelessHD.
For more information on setting up the WirelessHD kit, see the document
that shipped with the WirelessHD kit.
To set up WirelessHD:
Turn on your computer.
1.
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your computer.2.
Double‑click the WiHD Application Controller icon 3. on the desktop.
e WirelessHD Application Controller window appears.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
4.
NOTE: e wireless display feature may not be supported on all computers.
For information about the hardware and software requirements for setting
up wireless display, see intel.com.
NOTE: e wireless display feature is available on your computer only if you
ordered an Intel Wi‑Fi WLAN card and NVIDIA graphics card with Optimus
technology or AMD Radeon graphics card at the time of purchase.
NOTE: It is recommended to use WirelessHD instead of wireless display for
graphic-intensive applications such as high-denition gaming.
e Intel wireless display feature allows you to share your computer display to a
TV without the use of cables. You must connect a wireless display adapter to your
TV before setting up wireless display.
NOTE: e wireless display adapter does not ship with your computer and
must be purchased separately.
NOTE: For information on setting up the wireless display, see the document
that shipped with the wireless display adapter.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
11
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial‑up connection, connect the telephone line to the •
optional external USB modem and to the telephone wall jack before you set
up your Internet connection.
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP •
or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in
“Setting Up Your Internet Connection” on page 13.
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see the documentation that shipped
with your router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
To set up your connection to a wireless router:
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your computer.1.
Save and close any open les, and exit any open programs.2.
Click 3. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type
4. network, and then click Network and Sharing
Center→ Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
5.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
12
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP oerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for oerings available in
your country.
If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past,
the Internet Service Provider (ISP) might have a service outage. Contact your ISP
to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the
Internet wizard can help you get one.
Save and close any open les, and exit any open programs.1.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type
3. network, and then click Network and Sharing
Center→ Set up a new connection or Network→ Connect to the Internet.
e Connect to the Internet window appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me
choose or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information
4.
provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
13
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
14
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
15
is chapter provides information about your new laptop to familiarize you with
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
its various features, and get you up and running quickly.
Left View Features
4
digital audio and video signals.
NOTE: For a monitor without built‑in speakers, only the video signal will be
read.
HDMI-output connector — Connects to a TV for both multi‑channel
1
Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to
the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it ts into the security
cable slot on your computer.
2
3
16
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or
broadband device.
VGA connector — Connects your computer to a monitor or projector.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
5
6
7
8
9
Mini-DisplayPort connector — Connects your computer to external
DisplayPort monitors and projectors.
USB 3.0 connectors (2) — Provide faster data transmission between
your computer and USB devices.
Audio-out/Headphone/S/PDIF connector — Connects to amplifiers,
speakers, or TVs for digital audio output. Can also be used to connect to a
pair of headphones, powered speakers, or sound system.
NOTE: Use the S/PDIF adapter that shipped with your computer, to connect
a TOSLINK optical cable.
Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal
for use with audio programs.
Headphone connectors (2) — Connect to a pair of headphones or to a
powered speaker or sound system.
Right View Features
1
2 3 4 5 6
4
USB 2.0 connectors (2) — Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse,
keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
1 ExpressCard slot — Provides support for additional memory, wired and
wireless communications, multimedia, and security features. e slot
supports 54 mm Express cards.
NOTE: e ExpressCard slot is designed only for ExpressCards. e slot does
NOT support PC Cards.
2 Optical drive — Plays or records only standard-size (12 cm) CDs, DVDs, and
Blu‑ray Discs (optional). Ensure that the side with print or writing is facing
upward when inserting discs. For more information, see “Using the Optical
Drive“ on page 28.
3
to view and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents.
9-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way
5
6
eSATA/USB combo connector with USB PowerShare — Connects to
eSATA compatible storage devices (such as external hard drives or optical
drives) or USB devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external drive,
or MP3 player).
e USB Powershare feature allows you to charge USB devices when the
computer is powered on/o or in sleep state.
NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is powered
o or in sleep state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the
device.
NOTE: You can enable or disable the option of charging the USB devices when
the computer is powered o or in sleep mode through the BIOS settings.
NOTE: If you turn o your computer while charging a USB device, the device
stops charging. To continue charging, disconnect the USB device and
connect it again.
NOTE: e USB PowerShare is automatically shut o when only 10% of the
total battery life remains.
HDMI-input connector — Connects to the HDMI‑output connector on
your video device such as a DVD player, camcorder, or gaming device.
NOTE: e HDMI-input connector works only when the computer is on.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
17
Back View Features
1
1
18
AC adapter connector — Connects to the AC adapter to power the
computer and charge the battery.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Display Features
5
132
4
1 Left digital-array microphone — Combines with the right digital‑array
microphone to provide high quality sound for video chatting and voice
recording.
2 Camera activity indicator — Indicates if the camera is on or o. A solid
white light indicates camera activity.
3 Camera
— Built‑in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat.
4 Right digital-array microphone — Combines with the left digital‑array
microphone to provide high quality sound for video chatting and voice
recording.
5 Display — Your display can vary based on selections you made when
purchasing your computer.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
19
Computer Base and Keyboard Features
6
7
54
1
2
3
1 Status lights (3) — Indicate if the Caps Lock, Number Lock, or Scroll Lock
lights are turned on or o.
2 Macro keys — You can assign keystrokes, predened functions, macros,
or shortcuts for your games using the TactX Macro Key Controls option
available in the Alienware Command Center. For more information, see
“Alienware Command Center” on page 26.
3 Backlit keyboard — Illuminates to provide visibility in low lit or dark
environments. You can customize the colors and eects of the backlight
using the AlienFX software available in the Alienware Command Center.
For more information on customizing the backlight, see “Alienware
Command Center” on page 26.
4 Touch pad — Provides the functionality of a mouse to move the cursor,
drag or move selected items, and left‑click by tapping the surface.
5 Touch pad buttons (2) — Provide left- and right-click functions like those
on a mouse.
6 Media control keys (9) — Press the keys to perform the associated action.
For more information, see “Media Control Keys” on page 21.
7 Power button — Turns the computer on or o when pressed. For more
information, see “Power Button” on page 22.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
20
Status Lights
Media Control Keys
e three status lights are located at the top-left side of the keyboard. For the
exact location, see “Computer Base and Keyboard Features” on page 20.
Caps Lock Light
Turns on when the keyboard is in Caps Lock mode. In this mode, all
characters you type are in uppercase.
Number Lock Light
Turns on when the keyboard is in Num Lock mode. In this mode, the
embedded numeric keypads can be used.
Scroll Lock Light
Turns on when the scroll lock option is on.
e media control keys are located at the top-right side of the keyboard. For
the exact location, see “Computer Base and Keyboard Features” on page 20. To
activate, press the desired keys. e keys will illuminate temporarily to conrm
your selection.
Decrease volume Fast Forward or Play next
track
Increase volume Eject
Mute the sound Wireless Control - Switch
wireless communications
on/o
Rewind or Play previous track (for more information, see
“Using the Wireless Control”
on page 28)
Play or Pause Alienware Command Center
(for more information, see
“Alienware Command Center”
on page 26)
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
21
Power Button
You can program this button to perform actions like shutting down the operating
system or entering the standby mode. For details on how to program this button,
see Power Options in the control panel of Microsoft Windows operating system.
e power button is located in the center of the hinge cover. For the exact location,
see “Computer Base and Keyboard Features” on page 20.
e color of the AlienHead rim indicates the power status. e color indicating
the power status can be changed using the AlienFX software.
On AC adapter:
Blue or custom AC‑color e battery is fully charged.
Blue or custom AC‑color fading
into amber or custom battery‑
color
Blue or custom AC‑color fading
into black
On battery:
Amber or custom battery‑color e battery is fully charged.
Amber or custom battery‑color
fading into black
Blinking Amber or custom
battery‑color
For more details on standby and hibernate mode, see Power Options in the
control panel of your Microsoft Windows operating system.
e computer is turned o or
on and the battery is charging.
e computer is in standby
mode.
e computer is in standby
mode.
e battery charge is low.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
22
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