Dell Alienware M14x User Manual
ALIENWARE M14x 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.
This item incorporates copy protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property
rights of Rovi Corporation. Reverse engineering and disassembly are prohibited.
__________________
The contents herein are subject to change without notice.
© 2010 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®, Centrino®, 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: P18G Regulatory type: P18G001
Rev. A00 December 2010
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP ................................................9
Before Setting Up Your Laptop ....................................................10
Connect the AC Adapter...........................................................12
Press the Power Button ...........................................................13
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) .............................................14
Set Up Microsoft Windows ........................................................15
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional).................................................16
Connect to the Internet (Optional).................................................19
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP ........................................23
Left View Features ................................................................24
Right View Features ............................................................. 28
Back View Features .............................................................. 29
Display Features................................................................. 30
Computer Base and Keyboard Features ........................................... 32
Power Button ................................................................... 34
Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP.................................................... 39
Alienware Command Center...................................................... 40
Connecting External Displays .................................................... 40
Using the Wireless Control ....................................................... 44
Battery Pack .................................................................... 45
Power Management ............................................................. 46
nVidia Optimus Technology ...................................................... 48
Free Fall Sensor ................................................................. 50
FastAccess Facial Recognition (Optional) ......................................... 50
Conguring the BIOS .............................................................51
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS...............................65
Before You Begin ................................................................ 66
Replacing the Battery Pack........................................................70
Upgrading or Replacing Memory...................................................74
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING .....................................................79
Basic Hints and Tips ............................................................. 80
Backup and General Maintenance .................................................81
Software Diagnostic Tools ....................................................... 83
Answers to Common Problems ................................................... 85
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY ..................................................... 93
AlienRespawn ................................................................... 94
My Dell Downloads .............................................................. 98
CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................ 99
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ................................114
Contacting Alienware ............................................................117
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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 machine have made certain that your
high‑performance system is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build
machines with one single unwavering purpose: Build It As If It Were Your Own. e technicians
will not rest until your new machine meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria!
We have tested your machine extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy the highest levels
of performance. In addition to a standard burn‑in period, your system 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
please 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
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1:
SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Before Setting Up Your Laptop
Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware M14x!
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, see the included invoice to verify that all items
ordered are present and be sure to inspect all items for any physical damage that may have
occurred during shipment. Report any missing components or damaged items to customer
service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Anything reported missing or damaged 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.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Product Documentation and Media
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.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Connect 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.
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Press the Power Button
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional)
You can set up wireless display using the following optional wireless display technologies:
Intel Wireless Display — Designed for watching DVDs and streaming videos. •
WirelessHD — Designed for graphic intensive applications such as high denition •
gaming.
NOTE: Wireless display may not be supported on all computers.
Hardware Requirements
Intel Wireless Display WirelessHD
Transmitter Intel Centrino wireless WLAN
card
Receiver Push2TV adapter for Intel
Wireless Display
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SiBeam WirelessHD 60 GHz card
WirelessHD receiver kit
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Set Up WirelessHD (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 receiver kit. For
instructions on setting up WirelessHD, see the document that shipped with your WirelessHD
receiver kit.
NOTE: e WirelessHD receiver 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 receiver kit before you set up WirelessHD.
For more information on setting up the WirelessHD receiver kit, see the document that
shipped with the WirelessHD receiver 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 screen.4.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Set Up Intel Wireless Display (Optional)
NOTE: It is recommended to use WirelessHD instead of Intel Wireless display for
graphic‑intensive applications as there may be a slight delay between the user input and
on‑screen display.
To set up wireless display:
Turn on your computer.1.
Ensure that wireless is enabled. For more information, see “Using the Wireless Control“ on 2.
page 44.
NOTE: e wireless display adapter does not ship with your computer and must be
purchased separately.
Connect the wireless display adapter to the TV.3.
Turn on the TV and the wireless display adapter.4.
Select the appropriate video source for your TV, such as HDMI1, HDMI2, or S-Video.5.
Click the Intel Wireless Display icon 6. on the desktop.
e Intel Wireless Display window appears.
Select 7. Scan for available displays.
Select your wireless display adapter from the 8. Detected wireless displays list.
Enter the security code that appears on your TV.9.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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 provider for setup instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in “Setting Up
Your Internet Connection” on page 21.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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 provided by your ISP 4.
to complete the setup.
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
1 2 3 4
is chapter provides information about your new laptop to familiarize you with its various
features, and get you up and running quickly.
Left View Features
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
1
2
3
4
VGA connector — Connects your computer to a monitor or projector.
HDMI connector — Connects to a TV for both multi‑channel digital audio and
video signals.
NOTE: For a monitor without built‑in speakers, only the video signal will be read.
Mini-DisplayPort connector — Connects your computer to external DisplayPort
monitors and projectors.
USB 2.0 connector with PowerShare — Connects to 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 using 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.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
5 6 7 8
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
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Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for use with
audio programs.
NOTE: You can set up 5.1 channel speakers by using the three audio connectors available
on your computer.
Headphone connectors (2) — Connect to a pair of headphones or to a powered
speaker or sound system.
9-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view
and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents.
SIM Card Reader — Connects your computer to the Internet. To access the
Internet you must be within the network of your cellular service provider.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
1 2 3 4
Right View Features
1 Optical drive — Plays or records only standard-size (12 cm) CDs and DVDs. Ensure that
the side with print or writing is facing upward when inserting discs.
NOTE: Do not use non‑standard‑size or shape discs (including mini‑CDs and mini‑DVDs)
as you will damage the drive.
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2
3
4
USB 3.0 connectors (2) — Provide faster data transmission between your
computer and USB devices.
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or broadband device.
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.
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