Dell Alienware Aurora-R2 User Manual

ALIENWARE® AURORA

SERVICE 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.

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Trademarks used in this manual: Corporation; a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

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.

Model: D0IM Type: D0IM001; D0IM002 Rev. A01 FEBRUARY 2010

Dell

and the

Microsoft, Windows

Alienware

DELL

logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.;

, and the

Intel

and

is a registered trademark of Alienware

Windows

SpeedStep

start button logo are either

are registered trademarks of

Bluetooth

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN.........................................6

Recommended Tools .............................................. 7

Turning O Your Computer ........................................ 7

Before Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL .......................................... 9

Removing the Left Side-Panel .....................................11

Replacing the Left Side-Panel......................................11

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW .....................................12

Inside View of Your Computer .....................................13

System Board Components....................................... 14

Master I/O Board Components ....................................15

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS .................................................16

Opening the PCI Shroud .......................................... 18

Closing the PCI Shroud ...........................................18

Removing the Drive-Bay Shroud .................................. 19

Replacing the Drive-Bay Shroud................................... 19

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S) .................................................20

Removing the Hard Drive(s) ......................................22

Replacing the Hard Drive(s).......................................24

Removing the Optical Drive(s) ....................................25

Replacing the Optical Drive(s).....................................26

Removing the Media Card Reader .................................27

Replacing the Media Card Reader .................................29

CHAPTER 6: PCI-EXPRESS CARD(S) ....................................30

Removing the PCI-Express Card(s) ................................32

Replacing the PCI-Express Card(s).................................33

CHAPTER 7: MEMORY MODULE(S)......................................35

Removing the Memory Module(s) .................................37

Replacing the Memory Module(s) .................................38

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 8: FANS.....................................................40

Removing the Hard-Drive Fan Assembly...........................42

Replacing the Hard-Drive Fan Assembly ...........................43

Removing the PCI-Fan Assembly..................................44

Replacing the PCI-Fan Assembly ..................................45

CHAPTER 9: PROCESSOR LIQUID-COOLING ASSEMBLY...................46

Removing the Processor Liquid-Cooling Assembly .................48

Replacing the Processor Liquid-Cooling Assembly .................49

CHAPTER 10: PROCESSOR .............................................50

Removing the Processor..........................................52

Replacing the Processor ..........................................53

CHAPTER 11: POWER SUPPLY ..........................................55

Removing the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Replacing the Power Supply ......................................59

CHAPTER 12: BATTERY ................................................60

Removing the Coin-Cell Battery ...................................62

Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery ...................................63

Removing the eater-Lighting Batteries .........................64

Replacing the eater-Lighting Batteries..........................65

CHAPTER 13: SYSTEM BOARD ..........................................66

Removing the System Board......................................68

Replacing the System Board ......................................69

CHAPTER 14: MASTER I/O BOARD ...................................... 70

Removing the Master I/O Board...................................72

Replacing the Master I/O Board ...................................73

CHAPTER 15: TOP LIGHTING-BOARD....................................74

Removing the Top Lighting-Board ................................76

Replacing the Top Lighting-Board.................................76

CHAPTER 16: RIGHT SIDE-PANEL(S) .....................................77

Removing the Right Side-Panel(s) ................................79

Replacing the Right Side-Panel(s).................................81

CHAPTER 17: ACTIVE-VENTING ASSEMBLY ..............................82

Removing the Active-Venting Assembly...........................84

Replacing the Active-Venting Assembly ...........................87

CHAPTER 18: FRONT BEZEL ............................................88

Removing the Front Bezel ........................................90

Replacing the Front Bezel ........................................92

CHAPTER 19: BACK BEZEL .............................................93

Removing the Back Bezel.........................................95

Replacing the Back Bezel .........................................97

CHAPTER 20: BLUETOOTH ASSEMBLY ..................................98

Removing the Bluetooth Assembly...............................100

Replacing the Bluetooth Assembly............................... 101

CHAPTER 21: TOP I/O PANEL ..........................................102

Removing the Top I/O Panel .....................................104

Replacing the Top I/O Panel......................................105

CHAPTER 22: SYSTEM SETUP .........................................106

Conguring the BIOS ............................................107

Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings .................114

APPENDIX A: CONTACTING ALIENWARE ................................117

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

is manual provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:

You have performed the steps in “Turning O Your Computer” on page • 7 and “Before Working Inside Your Computer” on page 8. You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.• A component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by • performing the removal procedure in reverse order.

CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Recommended Tools

e procedures in this document may require the following tools:

Small at-blade screwdriver• Phillips screwdriver• BIOS executable update program available at • support.dell.com

Turning O Your Computer

CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open les and exit all open programs before you turn o your computer.

Save and close all open les and exit all open programs.1. Click 2. Start → Shut Down. e computer turns o after the operating system shutdown process 3.

nishes. Ensure that the computer is turned o. If your computer did not 4.

automatically turn o when you shut down the operating system, press and hold the power button until the computer turns o.

CHAPTER 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety.

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

CAUTION: Only a certied service technician should perform repairs on

your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.

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; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.

Ensure that the work surface is at and clean.1. Turn o your computer (see “Turning O Your Computer” on page 2. 7).

CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, rst unplug the cable from

your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.

Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the computer.3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical 4.

outlets. Disconnect all attached devices from your computer.5. Press and eject any installed cards from the Media Card Reader.6. Press and hold the power button to ground the system board.7.

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.

NOTE: For better access to components within your computer, lay your

computer on its side.

CHAPTER 2: SIDE PANEL

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL

Left Side-Panel

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

WARNING: To guard against likelihood of electric shock, laceration by

moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, always unplug your

computer from the electrical outlet before removing the side panel(s).

WARNING: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including

computer covers, bezels, ller brackets, front-panel inserts, etc.)

removed.

CAUTION: Only a certied service technician should perform repairs on

your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL

010

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL

Removing the Left Side-Panel

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.

NOTE: Ensure that you remove the security cable from the security cable slot (if applicable).

Slide the latch to unlock the release panel.2. Lift the release panel to open the left-side panel.3. Place the left side-panel in a secure location.4.

NOTE: eater lighting (available only in Alienware Aurora ALX) turns on

Replacing the Left Side-Panel

automatically when the left side-panel is removed.

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Align the tabs on the left side-panel with the slots on the side of the 2.

computer and push the panel in place. Slide the latch to lock the release panel.3.

1 release panel 2 security cable slot

3 latch 4 left side-panel

011

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

012

Inside View of Your Computer

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

1 memory module(s) 2 graphic cards (2)

3 optical drives (3) 4 hard drives (4)

013

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

2021

2223

27 26

2 3

6 7 8

1819

System Board Components

1 processor power connector (PWR2) 2 processor socket (CPU)

3 processor fan connector (MB_CPU_FAN) 4 memory-module connector (DIMM2)

5 memory-module connector (DIMM1) 6 memory-module connector (DIMM4)

7 memory-module connector (DIMM3)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX) memory-module connector (DIMM2) (Aurora-R2)

9 memory-module connector (DIMM5)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

11 password jumper (PASSWORD) 12 serial ATA drive connectors (SATA1_2)

13 serial ATA drive connectors (SATA3_4) 14 serial ATA drive connectors (SATA5_6)

15 front panel connector (FRONT_PANEL) 16 USB connector (USB1)

17 USB connector (USB2) 18 USB connector (USB3)

19 Low pin count debug header (LPC1) 20 IEEE 1394 connector (1394)

21 PCI-Express x1 connector (SLOT4) 22 S/PDIF connector (SPDIF)

23 front audio connector (FRONT AUDIO) 24 PCI-Express x16 connector (SLOT3)

25 CMOS jumper (CLEAR_CMOS) 26 PCI-Express x1 connector (SLOT2)

27 battery socket (BAT1) 28 PCI-Express x16 connector (SLOT1)

29 eSATA connector (ESATA) 30 processor cooling assembly

(Aurora and Aurora ALX ) memory-module connector (DIMM3) (Aurora-R2)

8 memory-module connector (DIMM6)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

10 main power connector (PWR1)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

014

connector (CHIPSET_FAN)

014

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

Master I/O Board Components

1 flexbay connector (FLEXBAY) 2 drive-bay shroud battery connector

(FRONT_BEZEL)

3 active-vent connector

8 9

10 11

(ACTIVE_VENT)

5 front-bezel right connector

(FRONT_RIGHT)

7 PCI-fan connector (FAN_PCI) 8 left side-panel contact board

13 14

2021

9 power-select connector (PWR_SEL) 10 Bluetooth® connector (BLUETOOTH)

11 power-LED board connector (BLINK) 12 wireless connector (WIRELESS)

13 hard-drive LED connector

(HDD_LED1)

15 USB connector (MB_USB) 16 main-power connector (PWR1)

17 system-board lighting (MB_MIO) 18 hard-drive fan connector (FAN_HDD)

19 right side-panel connector

(SIDE_R)

21 vent sensors (VENT_SW) 22 ODD sensors (ODD_SW)

23 vent-motor sensor connector

(VENT_MOTOR2)

25 front-default connector

(FACTORY_DEFAULT)

4 AlienHead connector (HEAD1)

6 front-bezel left connector

(FRONT_LEFT)

connector (SIDE_L)

14 hard-drive LED connector

(HDD_LED2)

20 vent-motor connector

(VENT_MOTOR1)

24 internal theater-lighting connector

(BAT2)

26 graphics-pump connector

(GFX_PUMP)

015

CHAPTER 5: SHROUDS

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS

016

Shrouds

WARNING: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including

computer covers, bezels, ller brackets, front-panel inserts, etc.)

removed.

WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the side panel(s).

CAUTION: Only a certied service technician should perform repairs on

your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS

017

Opening the PCI Shroud

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Remove the left side-panel (see “Removing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 2. 11). Press the release button and rotate the PCI shroud away from the chassis.3.

Closing the PCI Shroud

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Lower the PCI shroud into the chassis until it clicks into place.2. Replace the left side-panel (see “Replacing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 3. 11). Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn 4.

them on.

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS

1 release button 2 PCI shroud

018

Removing the Drive-Bay Shroud

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Remove the left side-panel (see “Removing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 2. 11). Open the PCI shroud (see “Opening the PCI Shroud” on page 3. 18). Press the tabs and slide the drive-bay shroud towards the back of the 4.

chassis. Disconnect the drive-bay shroud battery cable from the connector on the 5.

master I/O board.

Replacing the Drive-Bay Shroud

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Connect the drive-bay shroud battery cable to the connector on the master 2.

I/O board. Align the drive-bay shroud with the slots on the chassis.3. Slide the drive-bay shroud toward the front of the chassis until it clicks into 4.

place. Close the PCI shroud (see “Closing the PCI Shroud” on page 5. 18). Replace the left side-panel (see “Replacing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 6. 11). Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn 7.

them on.

1 tabs (2) 2 drive-bay shroud

019

CHAPTER 6: DRIVE(S)

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

020

Drive(s)

WARNING: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including

computer covers, bezels, ller brackets, front-panel inserts, etc.)

removed.

WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the side panel(s).

WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.

CAUTION: Only a certied service technician should perform repairs on

your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

CAUTION: To prevent data loss, turn o your computer (see “Turning O Your Computer” on page 7) before removing the hard drive. Do not

remove the hard drive while the computer is on or in Sleep state.

CAUTION: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling

the hard drive.

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).

NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard

drives from sources other than Dell or Alienware.

NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell or Alienware, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive.

021

Removing the Hard Drive(s)

CAUTION: If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want

to keep, back up your les before you begin this procedure.

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Remove the left side-panel (see “Removing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 2. 11). Disconnect the power and data cables from the hard-drive assembly 3.

(if applicable).

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

1 power cable 2 data cable

022

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

Press the release tabs and slide the hard-drive assembly out of the hard- 4. drive cage.

Remove the hard drive out of the hard-drive bracket by releasing the tabs 5. and lifting the hard drive out of the bracket (if applicable).

1 hard drive 2 tabs (4)

1 hard-drive assembly 2 release tabs (2)

023

Replacing the Hard Drive(s)

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. See the documentation that shipped with your new hard drive and ensure 2.

that the jumper positioning is correct. Snap the hard-drive bracket on to the new hard drive (if applicable).3. Slide the hard-drive assembly into the hard-drive cage until the release tabs 4.

snap into place. Connect the power and data cables to the hard-drive assembly 5.

(if applicable). Replace the left side-panel (see “Replacing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 6. 11). Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn 7.

them on.

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

024

Removing the Optical Drive(s)

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Press the AlienHead on the front of your computer to lower the drive panel.2. Remove the left side-panel (see “Removing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 3. 11). Open the PCI shroud (see “Opening the PCI Shroud” on page 4. 18). Disconnect the power and data cables from the optical drive (if applicable).5. Lift the securing tab and slide the optical drive out through the front of the 6.

computer.

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

1 power cable 2 data cable

3 securing tab 4 optical drive

025

Replacing the Optical Drive(s)

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Remove the new optical drive from its packaging. Save the original 2.

packaging for storing or shipping the optical drive. Remove the optical-drive bay ller (if applicable).3. Lift the securing tab and slide the optical drive through the front of the 4.

computer until the securing tab snaps into place. Connect the power and data cables to the optical drive (if applicable).5. Close the PCI shroud (see “Closing the PCI Shroud” on page 6. 18). Replace the left side-panel (see “Replacing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 7. 11). Lift the drive panel towards the top of your computer.8. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn 9.

them on.

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

026

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

Removing the Media Card Reader

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Press the AlienHead on the front of your computer to lower the drive panel.2. Remove the left side-panel (see “Removing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 3. 11). Open the PCI shroud (see “Opening the PCI Shroud” on page 4. 18). Disconnect the FlexBay USB cable from the connector on the master I/O 5.

board. Lift the securing tab and slide the FlexBay dock out through the front of the 6.

computer.

1 FlexBay USB cable 2 securing tab

3 FlexBay dock

027

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

Remove the four screws that secure the Media Card Reader to the FlexBay 7. dock.

Slide the Media Card Reader out of the FlexBay dock.8.

1 Media Card Reader 2 FlexBay dock

3 screws (4)

028

Replacing the Media Card Reader

Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6. Remove the new Media Card Reader from its packaging. Save the original 2.

packaging for storing or shipping the Media Card Reader. Slide the Media Card Reader into the FlexBay dock.3. Replace the four screws that secure the Media Card Reader to the FlexBay 4.

dock. Lift the securing tab and slide the FlexBay dock through the front of the 5.

computer until the securing tab snaps into place. Connect the FlexBay USB cable to the connector on the master I/O board.6. Close the PCI shroud (see “Closing the PCI Shroud” on page 7. 18). Replace the left side-panel (see “Replacing the Left Side-Panel“ on page 8. 11). Lift the drive panel towards the top of your computer.9. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn 10.

them on.

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

029

CHAPTER 6: PCI EXPRESS CARD(S)

CHAPTER 6: PCI-EXPRESS CARD(S)

030

+ 87 hidden pages