Alienware m15 R6 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P109F Regulatory Type: P109F001/P109F004 April 2021 Rev.
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. © 2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Working inside your computer.............................................................................................. 6 Before working inside your computer................................................................................................................................. 6 Safety instructions.................................................................................................................................................................
Installing the wireless card............................................................................................................................................42 Rear-I/O cover...................................................................................................................................................................43 Removing the rear I/O-cover......................................................................................................................................
Flashing the BIOS.............................................................................................................................................................. 90 Backup media and recovery options.................................................................................................................................90 WiFi power cycle........................................................................................................................................................
Working inside your computer Before working inside your computer About this task NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Steps 1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2. Shut down your computer. Click Start > Power > Shut down. NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions. 3.
NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document. Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection ESD is a major concern when you handle electronic components, especially sensitive components such as expansion cards, processors, memory DIMMs, and system boards. Very slight charges can damage circuits in ways that may not be obvious, such as intermittent problems or a shortened product life span.
● Insulator Elements – It is critical to keep ESD sensitive devices, such as plastic heat sink casings, away from internal parts that are insulators and often highly charged. ● Working Environment – Before deploying the ESD Field Service kit, assess the situation at the customer location. For example, deploying the kit for a server environment is different than for a desktop or portable environment.
Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.
Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Screw type Quantity Battery M2x3 4 Touchpad bracket M2.5x2.5 2 Touchpad M2x2 2 Keyboard-controller board M2x2 1 Rear I/O cover M2x4 2 Rear I/O cover M2.5x5 2 Power-adapter port-bracket M2x4 2 System board M2x4 9 Heat-sink assembly M2x4 6 USB board M2x4 2 Power button M2x2 3 Major components of Alienware m15 R6 The following image shows the major components of Alienware m15 R6 .
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. Heat sink 8. I/O board 9. Battery 10. Left speaker 11. Palm-rest and keyboard assembly 12. Display assembly 13. Touchpad 14. Touchpad bracket 15. Keyboard controller board 16. Right speaker 17. Rear I/O cover 18. USB board 19. Power button 20.Power-button bracket 21. Right fan 22.Memory modules 23.Wireless card 24.Wireless card bracket 25.System board 26.USB Type-C port bracket NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws (M2.5x8.5+3.5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Loosen the four captive screws (M2.5x1.7+3.3) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Loosening the four screws creates a gap, which can be used to pry and lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
4. Using your fingertips, pry open the base cover from the middle of the front edge of base cover, and then pry the left and right sides of the base cover. 5. Lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: The following steps are applicable only if you want to further remove any other component from your computer. 6. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board. 7. Turn your computer over and press the power button for 20 seconds to drain the flea power.
Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 2. Slide the notches on the top of the base cover under the rear I/O-cover, and snap the base cover into place on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Tighten the two captive screws (M2.5x8.5+3.5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Tighten the four captive screws (M2.5x1.7+3.
Battery Battery cable Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries. ● Discharge the battery completely before removing it. Disconnect the AC power adapter from the system and operate the computer solely on battery power—the battery is fully discharged when the computer no longer turns on when the power button is pressed. ● Do not crush, drop, mutilate, or penetrate the battery with foreign objects.
Steps 1. Flip the battery and remove the battery cable from the routing guides on the battery. 2. Disconnect the battery cable from the connector on the battery. 3. Lift the battery cable off the battery. Installing the battery cable Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the battery cable and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align and place the battery cable on the battery. 2. Route the battery cable through the routing guides on the battery. 3. Connect the battery cable to the connector on the battery. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working on your computer. Removing the battery Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover.
Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board (applicable only if not disconnected earlier). NOTE: After removing the battery, store the battery cable safely. The replacement battery will not be shipped with the battery cable. If you want to replace the battery cable, it has to be purchased separately. 2. Remove the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Remove the four screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the battery on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Replace the four screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Connect the battery cable to the system board.
● Ensure any screws during the servicing of this product are not lost or misplaced, to prevent accidental puncture or damage to the battery and other system components. ● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell. ● Always purchase genuine batteries from www.dell.
About this task The following image indicates the location of the battery cable and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align and place the battery cable on the battery. 2. Route the battery cable through the routing guides on the battery. 3. Connect the battery cable to the connector on the battery. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working on your computer.
The following image indicates the location of the 2230 solid-state drive that is installed in SSD slot one and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the solid-state drive to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the solid-state drive to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one. Procedure to move the screw mount in SSD slot two About this task This computer supports two solid-state drive form factors in SSD slot two: ● M.2 2230 ● M.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two. Speakers Removing the speakers Prerequisites 1. 2. 3. 4. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. Remove the base cover. Remove the battery. Remove the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot 2.
Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the touchpad bracket. 4. Note the speaker cable routing, and remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Lift the speakers, along with the cables, off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
4. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. I/O board Removing the I/O board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar and open the latch to disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board. 2.
NOTE: If the device is shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti discrete GPU controller, there are two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Remove the two screws (M2x4) and see step 5. 4. Loosen the captive screw (M2x2) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: If your device is shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti discrete GPU controller, skip this step and see step 5. 5.
2. Align and place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: If the device is shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti discrete GPU controller, replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. See step 5. 4. Tighten the captive screw (M2x2) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory module. 2. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up. 3. Remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. NOTE: Repeat step 1 and step 3 to remove the other memory module, if installed on your computer. Installing the memory module Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory-module slot. 2. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot. 3. Slide the memory module firmly into the slot at an angle. 4. 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. NOTE: Repeat step 1 to step 4 to install the other memory module, if available on your computer. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2.
Wireless card Removing the wireless card Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the wireless card. 2. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
3. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5. Slide and remove the wireless card from the wireless-card slot. Installing the wireless card Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card that is supported by your computer. Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the wireless card Antenna-cable color Silkscreen marking Main White MAIN △ (white triangle) Auxiliary Black AUX ▲ (black triangle) 3. Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot and insert the wireless card at an angle into the wireless-card slot. 4.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Disconnect the Tron light cable from the system board. 4. Firmly grasp the sides of your computer with both hands and push the rubber feet on the rear I/O-cover outwards with your thumbs to release the rear I/O-cover from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Steps 1. Slide the rear I/O-cover onto the palm-rest and keyboard assembly until it snaps into place. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the Tron light cable to the system board. 4. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the touchpad. 4. Remove the two (M2.5x2.5) screws that secure the touchpad bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Installing the touchpad Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align and place the touchpad into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two (M2x2) screws that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Power-adapter port Removing the power-adapter port Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear I/O-cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power-adapter port and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
3. Peel the display cable from the system board and remove the display cable from the slot on the system board. 4. Lift the system board Mylar next to the left fan to access the power-adapter port. 5. Remove the two screws (M2x4) on the power-adapter port-bracket that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the system board. 6. Lift the power-adapter port-bracket off the system board. 7. Disconnect the power-adapter port-cable from the system board. 8.
4. Adhere the power-adapter port cable on the system board. 5. Align the screw holes on the power-adapter port bracket to the screw holes on the system board. 6. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the power-adapter port bracket to the system board. 7. Replace the system board Mylar back to the edge of the left fan. 8. Route the display cable through the opening between the power-adapter port and the heat-sink assembly. 9.
Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 2. Disconnect the Alienhead LED cable from the system board. 3. Disconnect the RGB-IR camera cable from the USB board. NOTE: This step applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 4. Lift the system board Mylar and peel the tapes that secure the RGB-IR camera cable to the system board. NOTE: This step applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 5.
10. Lift the display assembly off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 11. After performing all the above steps, you are left with the display assembly. Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the display hinges with screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the display cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Route the RGB-IR camera cable through the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: This step applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 4. Replace six screws (M2.
Keyboard-controller board Removing the keyboard-controller board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. About this task The following image indicates the location of the keyboard-controller board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable from the keyboard-controller board. 2.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, adhere the keyboard-controller board into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw hole on the keyboard-controller board with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x2) that secures the keyboard-controller board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Connect the keyboard-controller board cable to the keyboard-controller board and close the latch to secure the cable. 5.
8. Remove the rear I/O-cover. 9. Remove the system board Mylar. About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Display cable Alienhead LED cable Speaker cable I/O-board cable Power-adapter port cable Touchpad cable Keyboard-controller board cable RGB-IR camera cable NOTE: This applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 9.
Steps 1. Peel the system board Mylar off the system board. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board. 3. Remove the USB Type-C port bracket from the system board. 4. Open the latch, and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 5. Disconnect the Alienhead LED cable from the system board. 6. Peel the display cable from the system board. 7. Disconnect the power-adapter port cable from the system board. 8.
18. Place the system-board assembly on a clean and flat surface. 19. Turn the system-board assembly over. 20.Remove the USB board. 21. Remove the heat-sink assembly. 22.After performing all the above steps, you are left with the system board. Installing the system board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program after you replace the system board. NOTE: Replacing the system board removes any changes you have made to the BIOS using the BIOS setup program. You must make the appropriate changes again after you replace the system board. About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Steps 1. NOTE: Place the system board on a clean and flat surface. Replace the USB board. 2. Replace the heat-sink assembly. 3. Turn the system-board assembly over. 4. Align the screw holes on the system-board assembly with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Route the power-button board cable under the USB board. 6. Replace the eight screws (M2x4) that secure the system-board assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 7.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Install the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. Install the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable. Install the battery. Install the base cover. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Heat-sink assembly Removing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.
Steps 1. Disconnect the left and right fan cables from the system board. 2. Turn the system-board assembly over. 3. Remove the six screws (M2x4) that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board. Installing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
CAUTION: If either the processor or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal grease that is provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved. Steps 1. Place the heat-sink assembly on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board. 3. Replace the six screws (M2x4) that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Turn the system board over, and connect the left and right fan cables. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
10. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. USB board Removing the USB board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable. 5. Remove the I/O board. 6. Remove the memory module. 7. Remove the wireless card. 8. Remove the battery.
Installing the USB board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the USB board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the USB board with the screw holes on the system board. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the USB board to the system board. Next steps 1.
Power button Removing the power button Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable. 5. Remove the I/O board. 6. Remove the memory module. 7. Remove the wireless card. 8. Remove the display assembly. 9. Remove the battery. 10.
Installing the power button Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power button and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Place the power button on the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the power-button bracket with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Palm-rest and keyboard assembly Removing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive or 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable. 5. Remove the I/O board. 6. Remove the memory module. 7. Remove the wireless card. 8. Remove the display assembly. 9.
Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat surface. NOTE: When replacing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, the solid-state drive mounting brackets have to be transferred from the old palm-rest and keyboard assembly to the replacement palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the power button. 2.
Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ SLN128938.
System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference. Use the BIOS Setup program for the following purposes: ● Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM and the size of the hard drive.
The one-time boot menu displays the devices that you can boot from including the diagnostic option. The boot menu options are: ● Removable Drive (if available) ● STXXXX Drive (if available) NOTE: XXX denotes the SATA drive number. ● Optical Drive (if available) ● SATA Hard Drive (if available) ● Diagnostics The boot sequence screen also displays the option to access the System Setup screen.
Table 3. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview 64-Bit Technology Displays whether 64-bit technology is used. MEMORY Memory Installed Displays the total computer memory installed. Memory Available Displays the total computer memory available. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed. Memory Channel Mode Displays single or dual channel mode. Memory Technology Displays the technology that is used for the memory. DIMM A Size Displays the memory configuration of DIMM A.
Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu Integrated Devices Date/Time Date Sets the computer date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Changes to the date take effect immediately. Time Sets the computer time in HH/MM/SS 24-hour format. You can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour clock. Changes to the time take effect immediately. Camera Enable Camera Enables or disables the camera. By default, Enable Camera is selected. Audio Enable Audio Enables or disables all integrated audio controller.
Table 6. System setup options—Storage menu (continued) Storage Enable SMART Reporting Enables or disables Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART). Default: OFF Drive Information Displays the information of various onboard drives. Table 7. System setup options—Display menu Display Display Brightness Brightness on battery power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on battery power.
Table 8. System setup options—Connection menu (continued) Connection HTTP(s) Boot Modes Configures HTTP(s) Boot Modes. Default: Auto Mode. HTTP(s) Boot automatically extracts Boot URL from the Dynamic Host Configuration (DHCP). NOTE: Provisioning of the Certificate is required to connect to HTTPs Boot server. Table 9. System setup options—Power menu Power Battery 1 Charge Mode Battery 1 Charge Mode Enables the computer to run on battery during peak power usage hours.
Table 10. System setup options—Security menu Security Intel® Platform Trust Technology Intel® Platform Trust Technology On Enable or disable the Intel® Platform Trust Technology (PPT) feature in the OS. Default: ON PPI Bypass for Clear Commands Enables or disables the Trusted Platform Model (TPM) Physical Presence Interface (PPI). When enabled, the OS will skip BIOS Physical Presence Interface (PPI) user prompts when issuing the Clear command.
Table 11. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued) Passwords Default: OFF Special Character Enforces password restriction that the password must contain at least one special character. Default: OFF Minimum Characters Controls the minimum number of characters allowed for password. Default: 04 Password Bypass Password Bypass Bypass the System (Boot) Password and the internal hard drive password prompts during a system restart.
Table 12. System setup options—Update,Recovery menu (continued) Update,Recovery the event of EC corruption, ME corruption, or a hardware issue. The recovery image must exist on an unencrypted partition on the drive. BIOS Downgrade Allow BIOS Downgrade Controls flashing of the system firmware to previous revisions. Default: ON SupportAssist OS Recovery Enables or disables the boot flow for SupportAssist OS Recovery tool, in the event of certain system error.
Table 14. System setup options—Keyboard menu (continued) Keyboard Default: Lock Mode Standard Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Enables the user to define the timeout value for the keyboard backlight when an AC adapter is plugged into the system. Default: Never Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery Enables the user to define the timeout value for the keyboard backlight when the system is operating only on battery power.
Table 15. System setup options—Pre-boot Behavior menu (continued) Pre-boot Behavior Default: 0 seconds Table 16. System setup options—Virtualization Support menu Virtualization Intel® Virtualization Technology Enable Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT) Enables the computer to run a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Default: ON VT for Direct I/O Enable Intel® VT for Direct I/O Enables the computer to perform Virtualization Technology for Direct I/O (VT-d).
Table 17. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance TCC Activation Offset TCC Activation Offset Enables user to adjust CPU's Tcc offset to moderate the performance of the CPU. Default: 00 Table 18. System setup options—System Logs menu System Logs BIOS Event Log Clear BIOS Event Log Select keep or clear BIOS events. Default: Keep Log Thermal Event Log Clear Thermal Event Log Select keep or clear Thermal events.
Use the following guidelines to assign the system password: ● A password can have up to 32 characters. ● The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9. ● Only lower case letters are valid, upper case letters are not allowed. ● Only the following special characters are allowed: space, (”), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`). 3. Type the system password that you entered earlier in the Confirm new password field and click OK. 4. Press Esc and a message prompts you to save the changes. 5.
NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.
Troubleshooting System-diagnostic lights Power and battery-status light The power and battery status light indicates the power and battery status of the computer. These are the power states: Solid white:Power adapter is connected and the battery has more than 5% charge. Amber:Computer is running on battery and the battery has less than 5% charge. Off: ● Power adapter is connected, and the battery is fully charged. ● Computer is running on battery, and the battery has more than 5% charge.
Table 20. Diagnostic-light LED codes (continued) Diagnostic light codes Problem description 3,4 Recovery image found but invalid 3,5 Power-rail failure 3,6 System BIOS Flash incomplete 3,7 Management Engine (ME) error Flashing BIOS (USB key) Steps 1. Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 7 in "Flashing the BIOS" to download the latest BIOS setup program file. 2. Create a bootable USB drive. For more information see the knowledge base article 000145519 at www.dell.com/support. 3.
WiFi power cycle About this task If your computer is unable to access the internet due to WiFi connectivity issues a WiFi power cycle procedure may be performed. The following procedure provides the instructions on how to conduct a WiFi power cycle: NOTE: Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) provide a modem/router combo device. Steps 1. Turn off your computer. 2. Turn off the modem. 3. Turn off the wireless router. 4. Wait for 30 seconds. 5. Turn on the wireless router. 6. Turn on the modem. 7.
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 21. Alienware products and online self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com My Dell app Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. Online help for operating system www.dell.
