Alienware ALPHA Service Manual
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Alienware ALPHA Service Manual

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Alienware Alpha
Service Manual
Computer Model: Alienware Alpha
Regulatory Model: D07U
Regulatory Type: D07U001
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Summary of Contents for Alienware ALPHA

  • Page 1 Alienware Alpha Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware Alpha Regulatory Model: D07U Regulatory Type: D07U001...
  • Page 2 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Before Working Inside Your Computer......8 ....................8 Before You Begin ....................8 Safety Instructions ..................10 Recommended Tools After Working Inside Your Computer......11 Technical Overview..............12 ................12 Inside View Of Your Computer ................13 System-Board Components Removing the Base Cover..........14 ......................14 Procedure Replacing the Base Cover..........
  • Page 4 Replacing the Hard Drive..........23 ......................23 Procedure ....................23 Post-requisites Removing the Bottom USB Port........24 .....................24 Prerequisites ......................24 Procedure Replacing the Bottom USB Port........28 ......................28 Procedure ....................28 Post-requisites Removing the Power-Button Board......29 .....................29 Prerequisites ......................29 Procedure Replacing the Power-Button Board......33 ......................33 Procedure ....................33...
  • Page 5 Replacing the Processor Heat-Sink......39 ......................39 Procedure ....................39 Post-requisites Removing the Video-Card Fan........40 .....................40 Prerequisites ......................40 Procedure Replacing the Video-Card Fan........42 ......................42 Procedure ....................42 Post-requisites Removing the Video-Card Heat Sink......43 .....................43 Prerequisites ......................44 Procedure Replacing the Video-Card Heat Sink......45 ......................45 Procedure ....................45...
  • Page 6 Replacing the Processor..........52 ......................52 Procedure ....................53 Post-requisites Removing the Front-Panel Light Board....54 .....................54 Prerequisites ......................54 Procedure Replacing the Front-Panel Light Board..... 57 ......................57 Procedure ....................57 Post-requisites Removing the Wireless Card.......... 58 .....................58 Prerequisites ......................58 Procedure Replacing the Wireless Card...........60 ......................60 Procedure...
  • Page 7 Replacing the System Board..........69 ......................69 Procedure ....................69 Post-requisites Removing the Coin-Cell Battery........71 ...................... 71 Prerequisites ......................71 Procedure Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery........73 ......................73 Procedure ....................73 Post-requisites System Setup.................74 ......................74 Overview ..................74 Entering System Setup ..................

  • Page 8: Before Working Inside Your Computer

    Before Working Inside Your Computer CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle them by their edges and avoid touching pins and contacts. NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Before You Begin Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
  • Page 9 WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 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 power source.

  • Page 10: Recommended Tools

    CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media- card reader. Recommended Tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Philips screwdriver • Flat-head screwdriver • Plastic scribe...

  • Page 11: After Working Inside Your Computer

    After Working Inside Your Computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before working on your computer.

  • Page 12: Technical Overview

    Technical Overview 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 After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 13: System-Board Components

    System-Board Components processor socket processor-fan cable connector (CPU_FAN) clear password jumper power-button connector (CLEAR_PASSWORD) (ALIEN_HEAD) memory-module slot (DIMM2) memory-module slot (DIMM1) video-card fan cable connector front-panel light board cable (GPU_FAN) connector (LOGO) USB-port cable connector wireless-card slot (INT_USB2) clear CMOS jumper (RTCRST) video card...

  • Page 14: Removing The Base Cover

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 15 Using a plastic scribe, pry the base cover off the top cover. plastic scribe base cover...

  • Page 16: Replacing The Base Cover

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 17: Removing The Top Cover

    Removing the Top 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 18 Lift the top cover off the chassis. top cover...

  • Page 19: Replacing The Top Cover

    Replacing the Top 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 20: Removing The Hard Drive

    Removing the Hard 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 21 Lift the hard-drive assembly off the chassis. screw hard-drive assembly Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive.
  • Page 22 Lift the hard drive off the hard-drive bracket. hard-drive bracket hard drive screws (4)

  • Page 23: Replacing The Hard Drive

    Replacing the Hard 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 24: Removing The Bottom Usb Port

    Removing the Bottom USB 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 25 Push down the USB-port cable through the cable-routing hole on the chassis. USB-port cable routing hole Turn the computer over. Remove the USB-port cable from the routing guides on the chassis. Remove the screw that secures the USB-port bracket to the chassis. Lift the USB-port bracket at an angle to release the tabs on the USB-port bracket from the slots on the chassis.
  • Page 26 Lift the USB-port bracket off the chassis. screw USB-port bracket chassis USB-port cable routing guides Remove the screw that secures the USB port to the chassis.
  • Page 27 Slide and remove the USB port, along with the cable, from under the tab on the chassis. screw USB port chassis USB-port cable...

  • Page 28: Replacing The Bottom Usb Port

    Replacing the Bottom USB 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 29: Removing The Power-Button Board

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 30 Remove the power-button module along with its cable through the slot on the front panel. tabs (2) routing guides tabs (2) power-button module power-button board cable...
  • Page 31 Push the tab that secures the power-button board to the power-button board bracket. power-button board cable power-button board bracket Lift and slide the power-button board to release it from the power-button board bracket.
  • Page 32 Remove the power-button board along with its cable off the power-button board bracket. power-button board cable power-button board bracket...

  • Page 33: Replacing The Power-Button Board

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 34: Removing The Processor Fan

    Removing the Processor Fan 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 35 Disconnect the processor-fan cable from the system board. processor fan processor-fan cable...

  • Page 36: Replacing The Processor Fan

    Replacing the Processor Fan 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 37: Removing The Processor Heat-Sink

    Removing the Processor Heat-Sink 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 38 Lift the processor heat sink off system board. processor heat sink captive screws (4)

  • Page 39: Replacing The Processor Heat-Sink

    Replacing the Processor Heat-Sink 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 40: Removing The Video-Card Fan

    Removing the Video-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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 41 Press the tabs and lift the video-card fan off the system board. video-card fan tabs (2) video-card fan cable...

  • Page 42: Replacing The Video-Card Fan

    Replacing the Video-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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 43: Removing The Video-Card Heat Sink

    Removing the Video-Card Heat Sink 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 44: Procedure

    Procedure NOTE: The original thermal grease can be reused if the original video card and heat sink are reinstalled together. If either the video card or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal grease provided in the kit to make sure that thermal conductivity is achieved.

  • Page 45: Replacing The Video-Card Heat Sink

    Replacing the Video-Card Heat Sink 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 46: Removing The Memory Module(S)

    Removing the Memory Module(s) 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 47 Slide and remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. memory-module slot memory module securing clips (2)

  • Page 48: Replacing The Memory Module(S)

    Replacing the Memory Module(s) 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 49: Post-Requisites

    Slide the memory module into the memory-module slot and 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. memory module notch memory-module slot Post-requisites Replace the processor fan.

  • Page 50: Removing The Processor

    Removing the Processor 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 51 Lift the processor off the processor socket. release lever processor cover processor socket processor...

  • Page 52: Replacing The Processor

    Replacing the Processor 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 53: Post-Requisites

    Pivot the release lever down and place it under the tab on the processor cover. processor socket processor processor cover release lever Post-requisites Replace the processor heat sink. Replace the processor fan. Replace the cover. Replace the base cover.

  • Page 54: Removing The Front-Panel Light Board

    Removing the Front-Panel Light 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 55 Slide the front-panel light board cable through the routing-hole on the chassis. front-panel light board cable routing hole...
  • Page 56 Press the front-panel light module tabs to release the module from the front panel. front-panel light module tabs front panel Lift the front-panel light module, along with its cable, off the front panel.

  • Page 57: Replacing The Front-Panel Light Board

    Replacing the Front-Panel Light 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 58: Removing The Wireless Card

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 59 Slide and remove the wireless card out of the wireless-card slot. protective cover screw antenna cables (2) wireless card...

  • Page 60: Replacing The Wireless Card

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 61: Removing The Antenna Modules

    Removing the Antenna 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 62: Procedure

    Procedure Slide the antenna cables through the cable-routing hole on the chassis. antenna cables (2) routing hole Turn the computer over. Remove the antenna cable from the routing guides on the power-button module and chassis. Remove the screws that secure the antenna modules to the chassis.
  • Page 63 Using a plastic scribe, pry and slide the antenna modules, and release the tabs on the antenna modules from the slots on the chassis. routing guides screws (2) antenna modules (2) antenna cable Lift the antenna modules, along with the cable, off the chassis.

  • Page 64: Replacing The Antenna Modules

    Replacing the Antenna 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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 65: Removing The System Board

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 66: Procedure

    Procedure Disconnect the USB-port cable, front-panel light board cable, and power- button board cable from the system board. For information on the location of connectors, see “System- Board Components”. power-button board cable front-panel light board cable USB-port cable Remove the screws that secure the back panel to the chassis.
  • Page 67 Push the tab at the bottom of the back panel and remove the back panel from the chassis. screws (2) back panel Remove the screws that secure the system board to the chassis.
  • Page 68 Lift the system board at an angle and remove it from the chassis. system board screws (4)

  • Page 69: Replacing The System Board

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 70 Replace the processor. Replace the processor heat sink. Replace the processor fan. Replace the hard drive. Replace the cover. 10 Replace the base cover.

  • Page 71: Removing The Coin-Cell Battery

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.
  • Page 72 Peel off the coin-cell battery from the system board. coin-cell battery coin-cell battery cable system board...

  • Page 73: Replacing The Coin-Cell Battery

    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 After Working Inside Your Computer.

  • Page 74: System Setup

    System Setup Overview CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the system setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Before you change system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.
  • Page 75 Main BIOS Revision Displays the BIOS version number. BIOS Build Date Displays the BIOS release date. System Name Displays the system name. System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format. System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/yyy format. Service Tag Displays the service tag of your computer.

  • Page 76: Processor Configuration

    Main SATA 1 Displays the device connected to SATA Port1. Device Type Displays the type of the connected device. Device ID Displays the identification code of the device. Device Size Displays the size of the device. Advanced Processor Configuration Intel Hyper-Threading Allows you to enable or disable the Technology HyperThreading in the processor.

  • Page 77: Onboard Device Configuration

    Advanced Rear USB Ports Allows you to enable or disable the rear USB ports. Onboard Device Configuration Onboard Audio Controller Allows you to enable or disable the onboard audio controller. SATA Mode Displays the SATA mode on your computer. Onboard LAN Controller Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.
  • Page 78 Boot Boot Option #4 Displays the fourth boot device. Default: USB Floppy Device. Boot Option #5 Displays the fifth boot device. Default: Onboard NIC Device. Hard Disk Drivers Displays the boot sequence of the hard drive. Power Wake Up by Integrated LAN Allow the computer to be powered on by special LAN signals.
  • Page 79 Security Supervisor Password Displays whether the supervisor password is set. User Password Displays whether the user password is set. Set Supervisor Password Allows you to set, change, or delete the supervisor password. The supervisor password controls access to the system setup utility. NOTE: Deleting the supervisor password deletes the user password.

  • Page 80: Boot Sequence

    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. Load Defaults Allows you to load default values for all system setup options.

  • Page 81: Changing Boot Sequence For Future Boots

    Floppy — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy disk drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message. Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.

  • Page 82: Prerequisites

    Prerequisites Remove the base cover. Remove the cover. Remove the processor fan. Procedure Locate the password jumper (CLEAR_PASSWORD) on the system board. For information on the location of the CMOS jumper, see “System- Board Components”.
  • Page 83 Remove the jumper plug. jumper plug password jumper (CLEAR_PASSWORD) Replace the processor fan. Replace the cover. Replace the base cover. Turn on your computer and wait till the operating system is completely loaded. Shut down your computer. Remove the base cover.

  • Page 84: Post-Requisites

    Replace the jumper plug on the password jumper. jumper plug password jumper (CLEAR_PASSWORD) Post-requisites Replace the processor fan. Replace the cover. Replace the base cover. Clearing CMOS Settings 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.
  • Page 85 Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper (CLEAR_PASSWORD) and place it on the CMOS jumper (RTCRST). jumper plug CMOS jumper (RTCRST) password jumper (CLEAR_PASSWORD) Replace the video-card fan. Replace the processor fan. Replace the cover. Replace the base cover.

  • Page 86: Post-Requisites

    Turn on your computer. A message is displayed to confirm that the CMOS settings are reset and default BIOS setup has been loaded. Press F1 to continue and wait till the operating system is completely loaded. Shut down your computer. 10 Remove the base cover.

  • Page 87: Flashing The Bios

    Flashing the BIOS NOTE: It is recommended that you connect a keyboard and mouse to flash 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: Turn on the computer.

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