Dell Alienware M17x Service Guide

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CHAPTER 21: SYSTEM BOARD 
2
1
3
4
5
1consumer IR cable connector on system board4screws (5)
2consumer IR cable connector on consumer IR board5system board
3left speaker light cable connector
Remove the input/output board (see “Removing the Input/Output Board” on 13. page 62).
Remove the optical drive (see “Removing the Optical Drive” on page 14. 66).
Remove the Mini-Card(s) (see “Removing the Mini-Card(s)” on page 15. 71).
Remove the processor heat sink (see “Removing the Processor Heat Sink” on 16. page 76).
Remove the graphics card(s) (see “Removing the Graphics Card(s)” on 17. page 80).
Disconnect the graphics card fan(s) cable from the system board connector 18. (see “Removing the Graphics Card Fan(s)” on page 84).
Remove the graphics card blank, if applicable (see “Removing the Graphics 19. Card Blank” on page 88).
Remove the five screws that secure the system board to the computer base.20. 
Disconnect the consumer IR cable from the connectors on the system board 21. and consumer IR board.
Disconnect the left speaker light cable from the system board connector.22. 
Lift the system board at an angle and remove it from the computer base. 23.  
						

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CHAPTER 21: SYSTEM BOARD 
Replace the palm rest (see “Replacing the Palm Rest” on page 16. 44).
Replace the memory module(s) (see “Replacing the Memory Module(s)” on 17. page 29).
Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the system board connector (see 18. “Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery” on page 25).
Connect the processor thermal fan cable to the system board connector 19. (see “Replacing the Processor Thermal Fan” on page 22).
Replace the hard drive(s) (see “Replacing the Hard Drive(s)” on page 20. 19).
Replace the compartment door (see “Replacing the Compartment Door” on 21. page 14).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 22. 11). 
CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that  no  stray  screws  remain  inside  the  computer.  Failure  to  do  so  may result in damage to the computer.
Turn on the computer.23. 
NOTE: After  you  have  replaced  the  system  board,  enter  the  computer Service Tag into the BIOS of the replacement system board.
Insert the BIOS upgrade CD that accompanied the replacement system 24. board into the appropriate drive. Follow the instructions that appear on the 
screen.
Replacing the System Board
Insert the system board at an angle into the computer base. 1. 
Connect the consumer IR cable to the connectors on the system board and 2. the consumer IR board.
Connect the left speaker light cable to the system board connector.3. 
Replace the five screws that secure the system board to the computer base.4. 
Replace the graphics card blank, if applicable (see “Replacing the Graphics 5. Card Blank” on page 88).
Connect the graphics card fan(s) cable to the system board connector (see 6. “Replacing the Graphics Card Fan(s)” on page 85).
Replace the graphics card(s) (see “Replacing the Graphics Card(s)” on 7. page 81).
Replace the processor heat sink (see “Replacing the Processor Heat Sink” on 8. page 77).
Replace the Mini-Card(s) (see “Replacing the Mini-Card(s)” on page 9. 73).
Replace the optical drive (see “Replacing the Optical Drive” on page 10. 68).
Replace the input/output board (see “Replacing the Input/Output Board” on 11. page 64).
Replace the magnesium cover (see “Replacing the Magnesium Cover” on 12. page 51).
Replace the left and right brackets (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page 13. 47).
Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 14. 39).
Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 15. on page 35). 
						

							CHAPTER 22: SPEAKERS 
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CHAPTER 21: SPEAKERS
CHAPTER 22: SPEAKERS 
						

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CHAPTER 22: SPEAKERS 
Speakers
WARNING:  Before  working  inside  your  computer,  read  the  safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices  information,  see  the  Regulatory  Compliance  Homepage  at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty. 
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery  (see  “Removing  the  Battery  Pack”  on  page 11)  before  working inside the computer.  
						

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CHAPTER 22: SPEAKERS 
1
2
1speakers (2)2speaker cables
Removing the Speakers
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.
Remove the system board (see “Removing the System Board” on page 2. 90).
Remove the speaker cables from the routing guides.3. 
Lift the speakers off the computer base. 4. 
Replacing the Speakers
Place the speakers on the computer base. 1. 
Route the speaker cables into the routing guides.2. 
Replace the system board (see “Replacing the System Board” on page 3. 92).
CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that  no  stray  screws  remain  inside  the  computer.  Failure  to  do  so  may result in damage to the computer. 
						

							CHAPTER 23: CONSUMER IR BOARD 
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CHAPTER 22: CONSUMER IR BOARD
CHAPTER 23: CONSUMER IR BOARD 
						

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CHAPTER 23: CONSUMER IR BOARD 
Consumer IR Board
WARNING:  Before  working  inside  your  computer,  read  the  safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices  information,  see  the  Regulatory  Compliance  Homepage  at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty. 
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery  (see  “Removing  the  Battery  Pack”  on  page 11)  before  working inside the computer.  
						

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CHAPTER 23: CONSUMER IR BOARD 
1
2
1screws (2)2consumer IR board
Removing the Consumer IR Board
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.
Remove the system board (see “Removing the System Board” on page 2. 90).
Remove the speakers (see “Removing the Speakers” on page 3. 95).
Remove the two screws that secure the consumer IR board to the computer 4. base.
Lift the consumer IR board off the computer base. 5. 
Replacing the Consumer IR Board
Place the consumer IR board on the computer base. 1. 
Replace the two screws that secure the consumer IR board to the computer 2. base.
Replace the speakers (see “Replacing the Speakers” on page 3. 95).
Replace the system board (see “Replacing the System Board” on page 4. 92).
CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that  no  stray  screws  remain  inside  the  computer.  Failure  to  do  so  may result in damage to the computer. 
						

							CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY 
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CHAPTER 23: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY
CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY 
						

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CHAPTER 24: BATTERY LATCH ASSEMBLY 
Battery Latch Assembly
WARNING:  Before  working  inside  your  computer,  read  the  safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices  information,  see  the  Regulatory  Compliance  Homepage  at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty. 
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery  (see  “Removing  the  Battery  Pack”  on  page 11)  before  working inside the computer.