Dell Alienware Aurora ALX, AURORA, ALIENWARE AURORA Service Manual

ALIENWARE® AURORA

SERVICE MANUAL

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:

Alienware

is a registered trademark of Alienware

Corporation;

Dell

and the

DELL

logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.;

Bluetooth

is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license;

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 of

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

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.

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 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 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

CONTENTS

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

CHAPTER 1: B EFORE 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

CHAPTER 1: B EFORE YOU BEGIN

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.

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

CHAPTER 1: B EFORE YOU BEGIN

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.

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.

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL

CHAPTER 2: SIDE PANEL

010

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.

011

CHAPTER 2: LEFT SIDE-PANEL

1 release panel 2 security cable slot

3 latch 4 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 automatically when the left side-panel is removed.

Replacing the Left Side-Panel

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.

CHAPTER 3: T ECHNICAL OVERVIEW

012

CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

013

CHAPTER 3: T ECHNICAL OVERVIEW

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

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

Inside View of Your Computer

014

CHAPTER 3: T ECHNICAL OVERVIEW

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

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

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

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)

8 memory-module connector (DIMM6)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

9 memory-module connector (DIMM5)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

10 main power connector (PWR1)

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)

(Aurora and Aurora ALX only)

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

connector (CHIPSET_FAN)

System Board Components

2021

2223

27 26

2 3

6 7 8

1819

015

CHAPTER 3: T ECHNICAL OVERVIEW

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

(FRONT_BEZEL)

3 active-ven t connector

(ACTIVE_VENT)

4 AlienHead connector (HEAD1)

5 front-bezel right connector

(FRONT_RIGHT)

6 front-bezel left connector

(FRONT_LEFT)

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

connector (SIDE_L)

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)

14 hard-drive LED connector

(HDD_LED2)

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)

20 vent-motor connector

(VENT_MOTOR1)

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

23 vent-motor sensor connector

(VENT_MOTOR2)

24 internal theater-lighting connector

(BAT2)

25 front-default connector

(FACTORY_DEFAULT)

26 graphics-pump connector

(GFX_PUMP)

Master I/O Board Components

13 14

678 9

10 11

2021

CHAPTER 4: S HROUDS

016

CHAPTER 5: SHROUDS

CHAPTER 4: SHROUDS

017

CHAPTER 4: S HROUDS

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.

018

CHAPTER 4: S HROUDS

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.

1 release button 2 PCI shroud

019

CHAPTER 4: S HROUDS

1 tabs (2) 2 drive-bay shroud

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

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.

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

020

CHAPTER 6: DRIVE(S)

CHAPTER 5: DRIVE(S)

021

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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.

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.

022

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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).

1 power cable 2 data cable

023

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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

1 hard-drive assembly 2 release tabs (2)

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)

024

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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.

025

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

1 power cable 2 data cable

3 securing tab 4 optical drive

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.

026

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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.

027

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

1 FlexBay USB cable 2 securing tab

3 FlexBay dock

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.

028

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

1 Media Card Reader 2 FlexBay dock

3 screws (4)

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.

029

CHAPTER 5: D RIVE(S)

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 6: PCI-EXPRESS CARD(S)

030

CHAPTER 6: PCI EXPRESS CARD(S)

CHAPTER 6: PCI-EXPRESS CARD(S)

+ 87 hidden pages

Dell Alienware Aurora ALX, AURORA, ALIENWARE AURORA Service Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual