Alienware 13 R3 Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware 13 R3 Regulatory Model: P81G Regulatory Type: P81G001
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.
Contents Before working inside your computer........................ 10 Before you begin ........................................................................... 10 Safety instructions...........................................................................10 Recommended tools........................................................................ 11 Screw list........................................................................................ 12 After working inside your computer.................
Replacing the solid-state drive................................... 24 Procedure...................................................................................... 24 Post-requisites............................................................................... 25 Removing the memory modules..................................26 Prerequisites.................................................................................. 26 Procedure........................................................................
Replacing the coin-cell battery...................................39 Procedure...................................................................................... 39 Post-requisites................................................................................39 Removing the heat-sink assembly.............................. 40 Prerequisites.................................................................................. 40 Procedure........................................................................
Replacing the system board........................................55 Procedure......................................................................................55 Post-requisites............................................................................... 56 Removing the speakers............................................... 57 Prerequisites...................................................................................57 Procedure..................................................................
Replacing the keyboard.............................................. 69 Procedure......................................................................................69 Post-requisites............................................................................... 69 Removing the display assembly.................................. 71 Prerequisites................................................................................... 71 Procedure...................................................................
Replacing the camera cable........................................ 85 Procedure...................................................................................... 85 Post-requisites................................................................................85 Removing the camera..................................................86 Prerequisites.................................................................................. 86 Procedure................................................................
Replacing the display back-cover and antenna assembly.....................................................................102 Procedure.................................................................................... 102 Post-requisites..............................................................................102 BIOS overview........................................................... 103 Entering the BIOS setup program..................................................103 Timing key sequences........
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. The shut-down instruction varies depending on the operating system installed on your computer. – Windows 10: Click Start → Power → Shut down. – Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, Click the power icon – Windows 7: Click Start → Shut down. → Shut down.
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. 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.
Screw list Table 1. Screw list Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Wireless card Computer base M2x3 1 Solid-state drive Computer base M2x3 1 Rear-I/O cover Palm-rest assembly M2.5x6L 2 Computer base Palm-rest assembly M2x3 1 Computer base Palm-rest assembly M2.5x6L 11 Computer base Palm-rest assembly M2.5x6L 2 Heat-sink assembly System board M2x3 7 Touch-pad bracket Palm-rest assembly M2x3 5 System board Palm-rest assembly M2.
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Display assembly Palm-rest assembly M2.5x6L 4 Display panel Display backcover and antenna assembly M1.6x2 4 Display hinges Display backcover and antenna assembly M2.5x2.0L 8 USB Type-C port bracket System board M2.
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.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Loosen the five captive screws that secure the base cover to the computer base.
4 Using a plastic scribe, disconnect the battery cable from the system board. 5 Press and hold the power button for five seconds to ground the system board.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Connect the battery cable to the system board.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base cover.
4 Lift and slide the wireless card out of the wireless-card slot.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless card, do not place any cables under it.
5 Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the wireless card and the computer base. Post-requisites Replace the base cover.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
2 Lift and slide the solid-state drive from the solid-state drive slot.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
3 Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the solid-state drive to the computer base. Post-requisites Replace the base cover.
Removing the memory modules 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base cover.
2 Slide and remove the memory module from the memory-module slot.
Replacing the memory modules 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
2 Press the memory module down until it clicks into place. NOTE: If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it. Post-requisites Replace the base cover.
Removing the rear-I/O 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base cover. Procedure 1 Remove the two screws (M2.
3 Slide and remove the rear-I/O cover from the computer base.
Replacing the rear-I/O 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the computer base 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the solid-state drive. 3 Remove the wireless card.
3 34 Remove the two (M2.5x6L) screws that secure the computer base to the palm-rest assembly.
4 Lift the computer base from the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the computer base 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the computer base with the screw holes on the palmrest assembly.
Removing the coin-cell battery 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS setup program’s settings to default.
2 38 Gently peel off the coin-cell battery along with its cable off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the coin-cell battery 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Adhere the coin-cell battery to the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the heat-sink assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
4 Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.
Replacing the heat-sink assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the heat sink can damage the system board and processor.
Removing the battery 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
2 44 Lift the battery off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the battery 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: Ensure the keyboard and keyboard-backlit cables are not under the battery.
Removing the touch pad 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
2 Peel off the touch-pad cable from the touch-pad bracket. 3 Open the latch and disconnect the touch-pad buttons cable from the touch pad. 4 Remove the five screws (M2x3) that secure the touch-pad bracket to the palm-rest assembly.
5 48 Using a plastic scribe, lift the touch-pad bracket off the palm-rest assembly.
6 Lift the touch pad off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the touch pad 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: Ensure the keyboard and keyboard-backlit cables are not under the touch pad.
Removing the system board 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Procedure CAUTION: Place the computer on a clean, flat surface. 1 Turn the computer over. 2 Disconnect the logo-board cable from the system board. 3 Using the pull-tab, disconnect the power-button board cable from the system board. 4 Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 5 Turn the computer over. 6 Remove the screw (M2.5x6L) that secures the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board and lift the USB Type-C port bracket off the system board.
11 Open the latch and disconnect the touch-pad cable from the system board. 12 Remove the screw (M2.5x6L) that secures the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board and lift the USB Type-C port bracket off the system board. 13 Remove the two screws (M2.5x6L) that secure the system board to the palmrest assembly.
14 Lift the system board off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the system board 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
10 Turn the computer over. 11 Slide the display cable into the connector on the system board and close the latch to secure the cable. 12 Connect the power-button board cable to the system board. 13 Connect the logo-board cable to the system board. Post-requisites 1 Replace the heat-sink assembly. 2 Replace the battery. 3 Replace the coin-cell battery. 4 Replace the computer base. 5 Replace the rear-I/O cover. 6 Replace the memory modules. 7 Replace the solid-state drive.
Removing the speakers 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
5 58 Lift the right speaker off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the speakers 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Using the alignment posts, place the right speaker on the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the power-adapter port 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the memory modules.
3 Remove the cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the power-adapter port 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the power-adapter port into the slot on the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the power-button board 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the memory modules.
3 64 Peel the power-button board cable from the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the power-button board 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Using the alignment posts, place the power-button board on the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the keyboard 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
3 Lift the keyboard bracket off the palm-rest assembly.
4 68 Lift the keyboard at an angle and remove it from the tabs on the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the keyboard 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damaging the keyboard, do not place any cables under it.
11 Replace the wireless card. 12 Replace the base cover.
Removing the display assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
3 Remove the display cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest assembly. CAUTION: Place the computer on a clean, flat surface. 4 Turn the computer over. 5 Remove the four screws (M2.5x6L) that secure the display assembly to the palm-rest assembly. 6 Lift the display assembly off the palm-rest assembly.
7 Remove the cables from the routing holes on the palm-rest assembly. 8 Place the display assembly on a clean, flat surface.
Replacing the display assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Route the cables through the routing holes on the palm-rest assembly.
9 Replace the wireless card. 10 Replace the base cover.
Removing the palm rest 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. 2 Remove the wireless card. 3 Remove the solid-state drive.
Replacing the palm rest 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the palm rest on a flat surface. Post-requisites 1 Replace the power-button board.
Removing the display bezel 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a nontouch screen display.
2 Carefully lift the display bezel and turn it over. 3 Open the latch and disconnect the alien head logo-board cable from the logo board. 4 Peel off the tape that secures the logo-board cable to the logo board and disconnect the logo-board cable from the logo board.
5 Lift the display bezel off the display assembly.
Replacing the display bezel 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Place the display assembly on a clean and flat surface.
Removing the camera cable 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a nontouch screen display.
2 84 Note the camera cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides on the display back-cover and antenna assembly.
Replacing the camera cable 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the camera 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a nontouch screen display.
3 Lift the camera module from the display back-cover and antenna assembly. 4 Follow the procedure in step 2 in Removing the display back-cover and antenna assembly to remove the camera cable.
Replacing the camera 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Using the alignment posts, adhere the camera module to the display backcover and antenna assembly.
Removing the display panel 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a nontouch screen display.
2 Gently lift the display panel and turn it over. 3 Peel the tape that secures the display cable to the display panel. 4 Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the display panel.
5 Lift the display panel off the display back-cover.
Replacing the display panel 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
11 Replace the solid-state drive. 12 Replace the wireless card. 13 Replace the base cover.
Removing the display hinges 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a nontouch screen display.
2 Remove the hinge caps off the hinges. 3 Remove the display cable from the routing guide on the display back-cover and antenna assembly. 4 Remove the logo-board cable from the routing guide on the display backcover and antenna assembly.
5 Remove the antenna cables from the routing guide on the display back-cover and antenna assembly. 6 Remove the eight screws (M2.5x2.0L) that secure the hinges to the display back-cover and antenna assembly.
7 Lift the hinges from the display back-cover and antenna assembly.
Replacing the display hinges 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
9 Replace the rear-I/O cover. 10 Replace the memory modules. 11 Replace the solid-state drive. 12 Replace the wireless card. 13 Replace the base cover.
Removing the display back-cover and antenna assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Procedure After performing the steps in prerequisites we are left with the display back-cover and antenna assembly .
Replacing the display back-cover and antenna assembly 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
BIOS overview The BIOS manages data flow between the computer's operating system and attached devices such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer. Entering the BIOS setup program 1 Turn on or restart your computer. 2 Press F2 when the Dell logo is displayed on the screen to enter the BIOS setup program. You can change the user-definable settings in BIOS setup program. Timing key sequences The keyboard is not the first device initialized by the BIOS setup program.
Table 3. Main tab Main 104 System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format. System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/ yyyy format. BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version. Product Name Displays the model number of your computer. Service Tag Displays the service tag of your computer. Asset Tag Displays the asset tag of your computer. CPU Type Displays the processor type. CPU Speed Displays the processor speed. CPU ID Displays the processor identification code.
Main M.2 PCIe SSD-1 Displays the type of primary SSD installed. M.2 PCIe SSD-2 Displays the type of secondary SSD installed. M.2 PCIe SSD-3 Displays the type of third SSD installed. Table 4. Advanced tab Advanced Intel(R) SpeedStep Technology Allows you to enable or disable Intel (R) Speedstep Technology. NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load.
Advanced NOTE: You cannot boot any type of USB device (floppy, hard drive, or memory key) when this option is off. Default: Enabled USB PowerShare Allows you to charge USB devices when the computer is turned off or in standby mode. Default: Enabled USB Wake Support Allows you to enable USB devices to wake the computer from standby or to disable the USB wake support feature. NOTE: If USB PowerShare is enabled, a device connected to the USB PowerShare connector may not wake the computer.
Advanced Touchpad Backlight Allows you to configure the touchpad backlight option. Battery Health Displays the battery health.
Security controls access to the system setup utility. System Password Allows you to set the system password. The system password controls access to the computer at boot. HDD password Allows you to set, change or delete the hard-disk drive password. Password Change Allows you to permit or deny system password or HDD password changes. Default: Permitted Computrace Enable or disable the BIOS module interface of the optional Computrace Service from Absolute Software.
Boot Boot Option #2 Displays the available second boot option. Boot Option #3 Displays the available third boot option. Table 7. Exit tab Exit Save Changes and Reset Allows you to exit system setup and save your changes. Discard Changes and Reset Allows you to exit system setup and load previous values for all system setup options. Restore Defaults Allows you to restore default values for all system setup options. Discard Changes Allows you to load previous values for all system setup options.
9 Replace the coin-cell battery. 10 Replace the battery. 11 Replace the computer base. 12 Replace the rear I/O cover 13 Replace the solid-state drive. 14 Replace the wireless card. 15 Replace the base cover. Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on your computer. 2 Go to www.dell.com/support. 3 Click Product support, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit.
Boot menu enhancements The boot menu enhancements are as follows: • Easier access — Press F12 to access the boot selection menu. • User prompting — The user is prompted to use the keystroke on the BIOS screen. • Diagnostics options — The boot menu includes the ePSA diagnostic options.
Diagnostics Power and battery-status light: Indicates the power and battery-charge status. Solid amber – Computer is running on battery and the battery has less than 10 percent charge. User-defined color (AC mode) – Power adapter is connected and the battery is fully charged. User-defined color (Battery mode) – Computer is running on battery and the battery has more than 10 percent charge. User-defined color (Breath) – Computer is in sleep state. Off – Computer is in hibernation, or turned off.
Light Pattern Problem description 3,4 Recovery image found but invalid Camera status light: Indicates whether the camera is in use. • Solid white – Camera is in use. • Off – Camera is not in use. Caps Lock status light: Indicates whether Caps Lock is enabled or disabled. • Solid white – Caps Lock enabled. • Off – Caps Lock disabled. Network port light: Indicates network connectivity. • Off – No network connection. • Solid green – 10 Mbps connection. • Solid orange – 100 Mbps connection.
Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on your computer. 2 Go to www.dell.com/support. 3 Click Product support, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the auto-detect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4 Click Drivers & downloads → Find it myself. 5 Select the operating system installed on your computer.
Getting help and contacting Alienware Self-help resources You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources: Table 9. Alienware products and online self-help resources Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com Dell Help & Support app Get started app Get started app Accessing help Online help for operating system In Windows search, type Help and Support, and press Enter. www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.
NOTE: Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your country. NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
