ALIENWARE® M11x 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.
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 and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel and SpeedStep are registered trademarks and Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc; Absolute is a registered trademark of Absolute Software Corporation.
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: P06T Regulatory type: P06T001/P06T002
P/N: 7XM1F Rev. A00 April 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. . . . . . |
Connect to the Internet (Optional) . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. 16. . . . . . . |
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP . |
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19 |
Left View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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20. . . . . . . |
Right View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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. 24. . . . . . |
Back View Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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.25. . . . . . |
Display Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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.26. . . . . . |
Computer Base and Keyboard Features . . . |
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.28. . . . . . |
Power Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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30. . . . . . . |
Function Keys .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. |
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CONTENTS |
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CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 |
Alienware Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36. . . . . . . . . |
Using Removable Media and Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39. . . . . . . . . |
Using the Wireless Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40. . . . . . . . . |
Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40. . . . . . . . . |
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41. . . . . . . . . |
nVidia Optimus Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43. . . . . . . . . |
Configuring theBIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45. . . . . . . . . |
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 |
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56. . . . . . . . . |
Replacing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60. . . . . . . . . |
Upgrading or Replacing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63. . . . . . . . . |
Upgrading or Replacing the Hard Drive Assembly . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66. . . . . . . . . . |
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 |
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Basic Hints and Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72. . . . . . . . . |
Backup and General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73. . . . . . . . . |
Software Diagnostic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75. . . . . . . . . |
Answers to Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78. . . . . . . . . |
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CONTENTS |
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 |
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Recovery Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . .86. . . . . . . |
Dell DataSafe Local Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . 87. . . . . . . |
CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106. . . . . . . .
CONTACTING ALIENWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109. . . . . . .
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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 mobile users.
The Alienware technicians who have crafted your machine have made certain that your highperformance mobile is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build machineswithonesingleunwaveringpurpose:BuildItAsIfItWereYourOwn.Thetechnicians 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 mobile with us, so please do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns. The entire staff shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you enjoy using your new mobile as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.
Sincerely,
Alienware Staff
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1:
SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Before Setting Up Your Laptop
Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware® M11x!
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 first 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)
Youmayalsoneedasmallflatheadand/oraPhillipsheadscrewdriverforconnectingperipheral cables to the laptop.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Product Documentation and Media
The 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 finding answers and solutions. The 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 staff 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.
•The power and other cable connectors are not jammed between the laptop and a wall – or any other object.
•Nothing obstructs airflow in front of, behind, or below the laptop.
•The laptop has enough room so that optical drives and other external storage drives can be easily accessed.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Connect the AC Adapter
WARNING: The 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 fire or equipment damage.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Press the Power Button
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Set Up Microsoft Windows
Your computer is preconfigured with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system. To set up Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are mandatory and may take some time to complete. The 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. To create a full system backup, see “Dell DataSafe Local Backup” on page 87.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING 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 for setup instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in “Setting Up Your Internet Connection” on page 18.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING 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:
1.Ensure that wireless is enabled on your computer.
2.Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
3.Click Start 
→ Control Panel.
4.In the search box, type network, and then click Network and Sharing Center→ Connect to a network.
5.Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
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CHAPTER 1: S ETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings 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.
HaveyourISPinformationready.IfyoudonothaveanISP,theConnect to the Internet wizard can help you get one.
1.Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2.Click Start 
→ Control Panel.
3.In the search box, type network, and then click Network and Sharing Center→ Set up a new connection or Network→ Connect to the Internet.
The 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.
4.Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
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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
This 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
Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it fits into the security cable slot on your computer.
2
DisplayPort connector — Connects your computer to external monitors and projectors with DisplayPort.
3
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.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
4
USB connector with USB PowerShare — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
The USB Powershare feature allows you to charge USB devices when the computer is powered on/off or in sleep state.
NOTE: CertainUSBdevicesmaynotchargewhenthecomputerispoweredofforinsleep state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device.
NOTE: The USB PowerShare is automatically shut off when only 10% of the total battery life remains.
5
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or broadband device.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
6
3-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents.
7
IEEE 1394 A connector — Connects to high-speed serial multimedia devices such as digital video cameras.
8SIM card slot — Allows you to install a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to browse the
Internet, check e-mail, and connect to a Virtual Private Network. 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
Right View Features
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3 |
1
Audio out/Headphone connectors (2) — Connect to a pair of headphones or to a powered speaker or sound system.
2
Audio in/Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for use with audio programs.
3
USB connectors (2) — Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Back View Features
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AC adapter connector — Connects to an AC adapter to power the computer and charge the battery.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Display Features
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
1Microphone — Provides high quality sound for video conferencing and voice recording.
2Camera — Built-in camera for video capture, conferencing, and chat.
3Camera activity indicator — Indicates if the camera is on or off.
4Display — Your display can vary based on selections you made when purchasing your computer. For more information about displays, see the Dell Technology Guide available on your hard drive or at support.dell.com/manuals.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Computer Base and Keyboard Features
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
1Power button — Turns the computer on or off when pressed. For more information, see “Power Button” on page 30.
2Keyboard — The backlit keyboard provides visibility in dark environments by illuminating all symbols on the keys.
3Touch pad buttons (2) — Provide leftand right-click functions like those on a mouse.
4Touch pad — Provides the functionality of a mouse to move the cursor, drag or move selected items, and left-click by tapping the surface.
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Power Button
You can program this button to perform actions like shutting down the operating system or entering the standby mode. For details on how to program this button, see Power Options in the control panel of Microsoft® Windows® operating system.
The power button is located in the center of the hinge cover. For the exact location, see
“Computer Base and Keyboard Features” on page 28.
The color of the AlienHead rim indicates the power status. The color indicating the power status can be changed through the AlienFX® software.
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