Dell Alienware 17 R4 User manual
Alienware 17 R4
Service Manual
Computer Model: Alienware 17 R4
Regulatory Model: P31E
Regulatory Type: P31E001
Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make
better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to
hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.
Copyright © 2016 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and
other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be
trademarks of their respective owners.
2016 - 12
Rev. A01
Contents
Before working inside your computer.........................11
Before you begin ............................................................................11
Safety instructions............................................................................11
Recommended tools........................................................................12
Screw list........................................................................................ 13
After working inside your computer.......................... 15
Removing the base cover.............................................16
Procedure.......................................................................................16
Replacing the base cover.............................................19
Procedure.......................................................................................19
Removing the hard drive.............................................20
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 20
Procedure......................................................................................20
Replacing the hard drive............................................. 23
Procedure...................................................................................... 23
Post-requisites................................................................................23
Removing the wireless card........................................ 24
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 24
Procedure......................................................................................24
3
Replacing the wireless card........................................ 26
Procedure......................................................................................26
Post-requisites................................................................................27
Removing the solid-state drive...................................28
Prerequisites...................................................................................28
Procedure...................................................................................... 28
Replacing the solid-state drive...................................30
Procedure......................................................................................30
Post-requisites................................................................................ 31
Removing the memory modules..................................32
Prerequisites...................................................................................32
Procedure...................................................................................... 32
Replacing the memory modules..................................34
Procedure...................................................................................... 34
Post-requisites................................................................................35
Removing the rear-I/O cover.....................................36
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 36
Procedure...................................................................................... 36
Replacing the rear-I/O cover.....................................38
Procedure...................................................................................... 38
Post-requisites................................................................................38
Removing the computer base......................................39
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 39
Procedure...................................................................................... 39
4
Replacing the computer base......................................43
Procedure...................................................................................... 43
Post-requisites................................................................................43
Removing the coin-cell battery...................................44
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 44
Procedure......................................................................................44
Replacing the coin-cell battery...................................46
Procedure......................................................................................46
Post-requisites............................................................................... 46
Removing the speakers............................................... 47
Prerequisites...................................................................................47
Procedure...................................................................................... 47
Replacing the speakers............................................... 49
Procedure......................................................................................49
Post-requisites............................................................................... 49
Removing the I/O board............................................ 50
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 50
Procedure......................................................................................50
Replacing the I/O board.............................................53
Procedure...................................................................................... 53
Post-requisites................................................................................53
Removing the subwoofer............................................ 54
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 54
Procedure......................................................................................54
5
Replacing the subwoofer............................................ 56
Procedure......................................................................................56
Post-requisites............................................................................... 56
Removing the system-board assembly.......................57
Prerequisites...................................................................................57
Procedure...................................................................................... 57
Replacing the system board........................................63
Procedure...................................................................................... 63
Post-requisites............................................................................... 64
Removing the heat-sink assembly..............................65
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 65
Procedure......................................................................................65
Replacing the heat-sink assembly.............................. 68
Procedure......................................................................................68
Post-requisites................................................................................68
Removing the power-adapter port.............................70
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 70
Procedure......................................................................................70
Replacing the power-adapter port.............................72
Procedure...................................................................................... 72
Post-requisites................................................................................72
Removing the power-button board............................ 73
Prerequisites...................................................................................73
Procedure...................................................................................... 73
6
Replacing the power-button board............................75
Procedure...................................................................................... 75
Post-requisites................................................................................75
Removing the display assembly..................................76
Prerequisites...................................................................................76
Procedure...................................................................................... 76
Replacing the display assembly..................................78
Procedure...................................................................................... 78
Post-requisites................................................................................78
Removing the battery..................................................79
Prerequisites...................................................................................79
Procedure...................................................................................... 79
Replacing the battery.................................................. 81
Procedure.......................................................................................81
Post-requisites................................................................................ 81
Removing the touch pad............................................. 82
Prerequisites...................................................................................82
Procedure...................................................................................... 82
Replacing the touch pad............................................. 85
Procedure......................................................................................85
Post-requisites................................................................................85
Removing the keyboard..............................................86
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 86
Procedure......................................................................................86
7
Replacing the keyboard..............................................89
Procedure......................................................................................89
Post-requisites................................................................................89
Removing the palm rest.............................................. 90
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 90
Procedure.......................................................................................91
Replacing the palm rest...............................................92
Procedure......................................................................................92
Post-requisites............................................................................... 92
Removing the display bezel........................................ 93
Prerequisites.................................................................................. 93
Procedure...................................................................................... 93
Replacing the display bezel........................................ 96
Procedure......................................................................................96
Post-requisites............................................................................... 96
Removing the tobii eye-tracker module.....................97
Prerequisites...................................................................................97
Procedure...................................................................................... 97
Replacing the tobii eye-tracker module.....................99
Procedure......................................................................................99
Post-requisites............................................................................... 99
Removing the logo board..........................................100
Prerequisites................................................................................ 100
Procedure....................................................................................100
8
Replacing the logo board.......................................... 103
Procedure.................................................................................... 103
Post-requisites..............................................................................103
Removing the display panel...................................... 104
Prerequisites................................................................................ 104
Procedure.................................................................................... 104
Replacing the display panel...................................... 107
Procedure.................................................................................... 107
Post-requisites..............................................................................107
Removing the camera................................................108
Prerequisites.................................................................................108
Procedure.................................................................................... 108
Replacing the camera.................................................110
Procedure.....................................................................................110
Post-requisites.............................................................................. 110
Removing the display hinges..................................... 111
Prerequisites..................................................................................111
Procedure.....................................................................................112
Replacing the display hinges.....................................115
Procedure.....................................................................................115
Post-requisites.............................................................................. 115
Removing the display back-cover and antenna
assembly..................................................................... 117
Prerequisites..................................................................................117
Procedure..................................................................................... 118
9
Replacing the display back-cover and antenna
assembly.....................................................................120
Procedure.................................................................................... 120
Post-requisites..............................................................................120
BIOS overview........................................................... 122
Entering the BIOS setup program..................................................122
Timing key sequences....................................................................122
System Setup Options...................................................................122
Clearing forgotten passwords........................................................128
Clearing CMOS settings................................................................128
Flashing the BIOS.........................................................................129
Boot menu....................................................................................129
Boot menu enhancements............................................................. 129
Diagnostics.................................................................130
Getting help and contacting Alienware................... 132
Self-help resources....................................................................... 132
Contacting Alienware................................................................... 133
10
Before working inside your computer
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer
depending on the configuration you ordered.
Before you begin
1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2 Shut down your computer. Click Start → Power → Shut down.
NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the
documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions.
3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical
outlets.
4 Disconnect all attached network devices and peripherals, such as keyboard,
mouse, and monitor from your computer.
5 Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.
6 Close the display and turn the computer over.
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 electrical outlet.
11
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:
• Phillips screwdriver
• Plastic scribe
12
Screw list
Table 1. Screw list
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw
Base cover Palm-rest
assembly
Battery Palm-rest
assembly
Computer base Palm-rest
assembly
Computer base Palm-rest
assembly
Display
assembly
Display hinges Display back-
Display panel Display back-
Hard-drive
assembly
Palm-rest
assembly
cover and
antenna
assembly
cover and
antenna
assembly
Computer base M2.5x5 4
M2.5x13 6
M2.5x5 4
M2.5x8 14
M2.5x5 2
M2.5x5 6
M2.5x3 12
M2x3 4
image
Hard-drive
bracket
Heat-sink
assembly
Hard-drive
assembly
System board M2x3 7
M3x3 4
13
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw
I/O board Palm-rest
assembly
M2.5x5 2
image
Keyboard
bracket
Logo board Display back-
Power-adapter
port bracket
Power-button
board
Rear-I/O cover Computer base M2.5x7 2
Solid-state
drive
Subwoofer Palm-rest
System-board
assembly
Touch-pad
bracket
Palm-rest
assembly
cover and
antenna
assembly
Palm-rest
assembly
Palm-rest
assembly
Computer base M2x3 1
assembly
Palm-rest
assembly
Palm-rest
assembly
M2x3 17
M2x3 2
M2x3 1
M2x3 2
M2x2 2
M2.5x5 7
M2x3 5
Tron-light
holder
Wireless-card
bracket
14
Computer base M2x3 2
Computer base M2x3 1
After working inside your computer
CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may
severely damage your computer.
1 Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your
computer.
2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before
working on your computer.
3 Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before
working on your computer.
4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
5 Turn on your computer.
15
Removing the base cover
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
Procedure
1 Remove the six screws (M2.5x13) that secure the base cover to the computer
base.
2 Loosen the captive screw that secures the base cover to the computer base.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
16
3 Using a plastic scribe, gently pry the base cover to release the tabs on the
base cover from the slots on the computer base.
4 Lift the base cover off the computer base.
17
5 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
6 Press and hold the power button for five seconds to ground the system
board.
18
Replacing the base cover
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
Procedure
1 Connect the battery cable to the system board.
2 Slide the tabs on the base cover into the slots on the computer base and snap
the base cover into place.
3 Tighten the captive screw that secures the base cover to the computer base.
4 Replace the six screws (M2.5x13) that secure the base cover to the computer
base.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
19
Removing the hard drive
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
CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard
drive.
CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the hard drive while the
computer is in sleep or on state.
Prerequisites
Remove the base cover.
Procedure
1 Using the pull-tab, disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board.
2 Remove the hard-drive cable from the routing guides on the computer base.
3 Remove the four screws (M2.5x5) that secure the hard-drive assembly to the
computer base.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
20
4 Lift the hard-drive assembly along with its cable off the computer base.
5 Remove the four screws (M3x3) that secure the hard-drive bracket to the
hard-drive assembly.
6 Lift the hard-drive bracket off the hard-drive assembly.
21
7 Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive.
22
Replacing the hard drive
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
CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard
drive.
Procedure
1 Connect the interposer to the hard drive.
2 Align the screw holes on the hard-drive bracket with the screw holes on the
hard-drive assembly.
3 Replace the four screws (M3x3) that secure the hard-drive bracket to the
hard-drive assembly.
4 Align the screw holes on the hard-drive assembly with the screw holes on the
computer base.
5 Replace the four screws (M2.5x5) that secure the hard-drive assembly to the
computer base.
6 Route the hard-drive cable through the routing guides on the computer base.
7 Connect the hard-drive cable to the system board.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Post-requisites
Replace the base cover.
23
Removing the wireless card
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
Prerequisites
Remove the base cover.
Procedure
1 Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the
computer base.
2 Slide and remove the wireless-card bracket from the wireless card.
3 Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
24
4 Slide the wireless card out of the wireless-card slot.
25
Replacing the wireless card
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
Procedure
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless card, do not place any cables
under it.
1 Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot.
2 Slide the wireless card at an angle into the wireless-card slot.
3 Connect the antenna cables to the wireless card.
The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless
card supported by your computer.
Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme
Connectors on the wireless card Antenna cable color
Auxiliary (black triangle) Black
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Main (white triangle) White
4 Slide the wireless card bracket on to the wireless card, and align the screw
hole on the wireless-card bracket with the screw hole on the wireless card and
the computer base.
26
5 Press the other end of the wireless card and replace the screw (M2x3) that
secures the wireless-card bracket to the computer base.
Post-requisites
Replace the base cover.
27
Removing the solid-state drive
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
CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling
the solid-state drive.
CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the solid-state drive while
the computer is in sleep or on state.
Prerequisites
Remove the base cover.
Procedure
1 Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the solid-state drive shield and solid-
state drive to the computer base.
2 Peel off the solid-state drive shield from the solid-state drive.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
28
NOTE: Solid-state drive shield is applicable to computers that are
shipped with 1 TB solid-state drive.
3 Slide and remove the solid-state drive from the solid-state drive slot.
29
Replacing the solid-state drive
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
CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling
the solid-state drive.
Procedure
1 Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive
slot.
2 Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot.
3 Slide and adhere the solid-state drive shield on the solid-state drive.
4 Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive and solid-state drive shield with
the screw hole on the computer base.
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
30
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