Alienware Area-51 Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware Area-51 R2 Regulatory Model: D03X Regulatory Type: D03X001
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. Copyright © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents Before Working Inside Your Computer...................... 10 Before You Begin .............................................................................................. 10 Safety Instructions............................................................................................ 10 Recommended Tools......................................................................................... 12 After Working Inside Your Computer..........................13 Technical Overview....................
Removing the Battery....................................................... 29 Prerequisites.....................................................................................................29 Procedure..........................................................................................................30 Replacing the Battery.........................................................31 Procedure...........................................................................................................
Removing the Right AlienFX Side-Panel Connector................................................................................ 45 Prerequisites.....................................................................................................45 Procedure..........................................................................................................45 Replacing the Right AlienFX Side-Panel Connector................................................................................ 48 Procedure....
Replacing the Drive-Bay Heat-Sensor........................ 61 Procedure...........................................................................................................61 Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 61 Removing the Memory Module(s)............................... 62 Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 62 Procedure.....................
Replacing the Full-length Graphics Cards................ 79 Procedure.......................................................................................................... 79 Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 79 Removing the PCI Fan........................................................80 Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 80 Procedure..........
Replacing the Processor Cooling Assembly........... 95 Procedure..........................................................................................................95 Post-requisites..................................................................................................96 Removing the Processor.................................................. 97 Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 97 Procedure...................
Replacing the Wireless Card.......................................... 112 Procedure......................................................................................................... 112 Post-requisites................................................................................................. 112 Removing the Logo Board.............................................. 113 Prerequisites....................................................................................................
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 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2 Shut down your computer. – Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, click or tap the power icon Shut down. – Windows 7: Click or tap Start → Shut down.
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. CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, make sure that the work surface is flat and clean.
CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the mediacard reader.
After Working Inside Your Computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before working on your computer. 3 Replace any media cards, discs, and any other part(s) that you removed before working on your computer. 4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Inside View of Your Computer To view the different components installed in your computer.
Right View 1 processor liquid-cooling assembly-fan 2 graphics card 3 system board 4 power-supply 5 AlienFX side-panel connector 6 PCI fan 7 processor liquid-cooling assembly 8 pump 9 memory fan (top fan) memory modules 15
Left View 1 optical drive (ODD) 2 I/O board (IO BRD) 3 drive-bay heat-sensor 4 2.5 inch drive bracket (HDD4/ HDD5) 5 AlienFX side-panel connector 6 rear I/O accessibility lighting batteries 7 3.5 inch drive bracket (HDD1) 8 3.5 inch drive bracket (HDD2) 9 3.
System-Board Components 1 processor liquid cooling-assembly 2 fan (LCM_FAN1) audio connector (AUDIO101) 3 PCI-Express x16 slot (SLOT1) 4 low pin count debug header (LPC1) 5 password reset jumper (PASSWORD1) 6 PCI-Express x1 slot (SLOT2) 17
7 PCI-Express x16 slot (SLOT3) 8 M.
1 rear I/O accessibility lighting battery connector (VBAT1) 2 rear I/O accessibility lighting connector (PORCH_LIGHT1) 3 left theater-lighting connector (POGO_IN_L1) 4 right theater-lighting connector (POGO_IN_R1) 5 USB connector (USB1) 6 debug connector (DEBUG1) 7 front I/O control connector (FIO_PWR1) 8 front I/O connector (USB3_FIO1) 9 main-power connector (PWR1) 10 optical drive power connector (ODD1) 11 logo board connector (LOGO1) 12 audio connector (AUDIOIO1) 19
Lifting the Computer Procedure 1 20 With both hands, hold the handle on top of the computer.
2 Lift the computer.
Removing the Stability Foot 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Tilt the computer towards the front until the base is facing up.
3 Lift the stability foot off the computer.
4 24 Tilt the computer back to the upright position.
Replacing the Stability Foot 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Tilt the computer towards the front until the base is facing up.
Removing the Side Panels 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: Make sure that you remove the security cable from the security cable slot (if applicable).
3 4 Pull and lift the right side-panel away from the chassis. 1 screw 2 security-cable slot latch 3 release panel 4 right side-panel Repeat the procedure from step 2 to step 3 on the left side-panel.
Replacing the Side Panels 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the right side-panel. See “Removing the Side Panels”.
Procedure Slide and open the battery-case door and remove the batteries from the battery-case.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Insert the batteries and close the battery-case door.
1 battery-case door 2 AA batteries (2) Post-requisites Replace the right side-panel. See “Replacing the Side Panels”.
Removing the Battery Case 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove the right side-panel. See “Removing the Side Panels”.
3 Remove the batteries from the battery-compartment. 1 battery-case door 2 AA batteries (2) 4 Press the releasing clips on the cable connector to disconnect the batterycase cable from the chassis. 5 Remove the screws that secure the battery compartment to the chassis.
6 Lift the battery-case off the chassis.
Replacing the Battery Case 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the battery-case with the screw holes on the chassis.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
4 5 38 Using the tab, slide and remove the hard-drive assembly from the chassis. 1 power cable 2 data cable 3 chassis 4 screw 5 hard-drive assembly Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive.
6 Slide and remove the hard drive from the hard-drive bracket. NOTE: Repeat step 2 to step 5 to remove any other hard drives installed in your computer.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Removing the Optical 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
4 5 42 Slide and lift the optical-drive assembly of the chassis. 1 screw 3 data cable and power cable 2 optical-drive assembly Remove the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive.
6 Slide and remove the optical drive from the optical-drive bracket.
Replacing the Optical 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the optical-drive bracket with the screw holes on the optical drive.
Removing the Right AlienFX Side-Panel Connector 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot.
4 46 Remove the right AlienFX side-panel connector assembly from the chassis.
5 Remove the screws that secure the right AlienFX side-panel connector to the bracket and set it aside in a secure location.
Replacing the Right AlienFX Side-Panel Connector 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Left AlienFX Side-Panel Connector 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
2 Disconnect the cable that connects the left AlienFX side-panel connector to the I/O board. 1 AlienFX side-panel connector 3 I/O board 2 left AlienFX side-panel cable 3 Turn the chassis over. 4 Remove the AlienFX side-panel cable through the routing holes. 5 Remove the screw that secures the left AlienFX side-panel connector assembly to the chassis.
6 Remove the left AlienFX side-panel connector assembly from the chassis.
7 Remove the screws that secure the AlienFX side-panel connector to the bracket and set it aside in a secure location.
Replacing the Left AlienFX Side-Panel Connector 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the I/O 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove the left and right side-panels.
2 Disconnect all cables from the connectors on the I/O board. NOTE: Note the routing of all cables as you remove them so that you can reroute them correctly after you replace the I/O board. 3 1 cables 3 I/O board 2 connector Remove the screws that secure the I/O board to the chassis.
4 Remove the I/O board out of the chassis.
Replacing the I/O 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Drive-Bay Heat-Sensor 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
3 Disconnect the drive-bay heat-sensor cable from the connector on the system board. 1 drive-bay heat-sensor connector 3 drive-bay heat-sensor cable 2 drive-bay heat-sensor cable connector 4 Turn the chassis over. 5 Remove the cable through the sensor bracket. 6 Locate the drive-bay heat-sensor. See “Left View”. 7 Press the release tab on the securing clip. 8 Pry out the drive-bay heat-sensor cable from the securing clip.
9 60 Slide the drive-bay heat-sensor cable out of the sensor bracket.
Replacing the Drive-Bay Heat-Sensor 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Reroute the drive-bay heat-sensor in the sensor bracket.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
4 Grasp the memory module near the securing clip, and then gently ease the memory module out of the memory-module slot. NOTE: Repeat step 2 to step 3 to remove any other memory modules installed in your computer.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 64 Align the notch on the bottom of the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot.
2 Insert the memory module into the memory-module connector until the memory module snaps into position and the securing clips lock in place. NOTE: If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it. 1 memory module 3 notch 2 memory-module slot Post-requisites 1 Remove both the left and right side-panels. See “Removing the Side Panels”. 2 Replace the stability foot.
Removing the Graphics 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
5 Press the releasing clips on the power-cable connectors to disconnect the power cables from the graphics card. NOTE: The location of the power supply connector varies depending on the video card installed.
6 Press and hold the securing tab on the card connector, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease the card out of the slot.
Replacing the Graphics 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the graphics card with the PCI-Express x16 card connector on the system board.
Removing the Multiple Graphics Cards 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
3 Remove the graphics bridge that connects the graphics cards. 1 graphics bridge 4 Starting with the graphics card on the PCI-Express x16 card SLOT1, press and push the screw covers covering the screws that secure the graphics card. 5 Remove the screws that secure the graphics card to the chassis.
6 Press the releasing clips on the power-cable connectors to disconnect the power cables from the graphics card. NOTE: The location of the power supply connector varies depending on the video card installed.
7 Press and hold the securing tab on the card connector, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease the card out of the card connector. 1 8 graphics card 2 releasing clips Repeat steps 2 to 5 to remove graphics card on the PCI-Express x16 card connector (SLOT3) and PCI-Express x16 card connector (SLOT5).
Replacing the Multiple Graphics Cards 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Locate the graphics (PCI-Express x16 (SLOT5)) connector on the system board.
Removing the Full-length Graphics Cards 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
4 Pull the clamp away from the bracket. 1 clamp 2 bracket 5 Press and push the screw covers covering the screws that secure the graphics card. 6 Remove the screws that secure the graphics card to the chassis.
7 Press the releasing clips on the power-cable connectors to disconnect the power cables from the graphics card. NOTE: The location of the power supply connector varies depending on the video card installed.
8 Press and hold the securing tab on the card connector, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease the card out of the card connector.
Replacing the Full-length Graphics Cards 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the graphics card with the PCI-Express x16 card connector on the system board.
Removing the PCI 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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
2 Remove the screws that secure the graphics-card bracket to the chassis.
3 Remove the screws that secure the PCI fan to the chassis. 1 4 82 PCI fan 2 screws (2) Disconnect the PCI-fan cable and front-bezel heat-sensor cable from the connector on the system board.
5 6 Pry out the PCI fan from the tabs securing it to the chassis. 1 tabs 2 PCI fan 3 PCI-fan cable 4 front-bezel heat-sensor 5 PCI-fan connector Remove the screws securing the fan shroud to the PCI fan.
7 Pry out the PCI fan from the fan shroud by lifting the fan shroud upwards.
Replacing the PCI 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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the fan shroud with the slots on the PCI fan and snap the fan shroud in place.
Removing the Front-bezel Heat-sensor 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
4 Slide the chassis heat-sensor cable out of the bracket.
Replacing the Front-bezel Heat-sensor 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Reroute the chassis heat-sensor in the bracket.
Removing the Memory 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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
5 90 Lift the memory fan out of the chassis.
Replacing the Memory 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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Processor Cooling-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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
5 Remove the screws that secure the processor liquid-cooling assembly fan to the chassis.
6 Slide and lift the processor liquid-cooling assembly out of the chassis.
Replacing the Processor Cooling 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Post-requisites 1 Replace both the left and right side-panels. See “Removing the Side Panels”. 2 Replace the stability foot.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
5 98 Open the processor cover and gently lift the processor from the processor socket.
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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
5 Press down and push the right-release lever. Place it under the tab on the processor cover. 1 processor 2 processor pin-1 connector 3 processor cover 4 left release-lever 5 right release-lever Post-requisites 1 Replace the processor liquid-cooling assembly fan. 2 Replace both the left and right side-panels. See “Replacing the Side Panels”. 3 Replace the stability foot.
Removing the Power-Supply Unit 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
3 102 Remove the screws that secure the power-supply unit to the back of the chassis.
4 Lift the power-supply cover away from the chassis. 1 5 power supply 2 power-supply cover Slide the power-supply unit out through the back of the chassis and remove it from the computer.
Replacing the Power-Supply Unit 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Procedure WARNING: The cables and ports on the back of the power supply are color-coded to indicate the different power wattage. Ensure that you plug in the cable to the correct port. Failure to do so may result in damaging the power supply and/or system components. 1 Press and hold the securing tab on the chassis and slide the power-supply unit into the chassis until it snaps into position. 1 securing tab 2 power supply unit 2 Align the notch on the power-supply cover with the tab on the chassis.
Post-requisites 1 Replace the full length graphics cards. 2 Replace the graphics card. 3 Replace both the left and right side-panels. See “Removing the Side Panels”. 4 Replace the stability foot.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default.
2 Press the battery-release lever to remove the 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 in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. See “Removing the Stability Foot”.
4 Slide and pull the wireless card away from 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot.
Removing the Logo 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the stability foot. 2 Remove both the left and right side-panels.
4 5 114 Slide the logo board out of the chassis. 1 logo board 3 screw 2 connector Remove the screws that secure the logo board to the bracket.
6 Lift the logo board out of the bracket.
Replacing the Logo 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Procedure NOTE: Note the routing of all cables as you remove them so that you can reroute them correctly after you replace the system board. For information on system board connectors, see “System-Board Components”. 1 Lay the computer on the left side. 2 Disconnect all the cables connected to the system-board assembly. 3 Remove the screws that secure the system-board assembly to the chassis.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
7 Replace the memory fan. 8 Replace the wireless card. 9 Replace both the left and right side-panels. See “Replacing the Side Panels”. 10 Replace the stability foot.
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. Use system setup to: • Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM, the size of the hard drive, and so on.
Main System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/yyyy format. System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format. BIOS Information BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Build Date Displays the BIOS release date. Product Information Product Name Displays the product name. Default: Alienware Area-51 R2. Set Service Tag Allows you to enter the service tag of your computer. Asset Tag Displays the asset tag of your computer.
Main CPU Speed Displays the CPU speed. Cache L2 Displays the processor L2 cache size. Cache L3 Displays the processor L3 cache size. Device Information SATA Port1 Displays the SATA 1 drive installed in the computer. SATA Port2 Displays the SATA 2 drive installed in the computer. SATA Port3 Displays the SATA 3 drive installed in the computer. SATA Port4 Displays the SATA 4 drive installed in the computer. SATA Port5 Displays the SATA 5 drive installed in the computer.
Advanced Intel(R) SpeedStep Technology Allows you to enable or disable Intel (R) Speedstep Technology. Default: Enabled. NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load. CPU C states Allows you to enable or disable CPU C states. Default: Enabled. Active Processor Cores Allows you to enable the number of cores in each processor. Options: one to five cores.
Advanced Deep Sleep Control Allows you to define the controls when Deep Sleep is enabled. Default: Enabled in S5 Only. Chipset Spread Spectrum Enabling this option could reduce the EMI. Default: Enabled. CPU Base Clock (MHz) Base clock for CPU. Default: 100.00. Adjust CPU Base Clock Strap Allows you to adjust the CPU Base Clock Strap. Default: Auto. Ring Ratio Allows you to change the Ring Ratio mode. Default: Auto. DRAM Frequency Allows you to adjust the DRAM frequency. Default: Auto.
Chipset Command Rate Displays the Command Rate (editable in Manual Mode). tCL Displays the Column Address Strobe Latency (editable in Manual Mode). tRCD Displays timing of RAS to CAS delay (editable in Manual Mode). tRP Displays timing of RAS Precharge (editable in Manual Mode). tRAS Displays timing of Row Address Strobe (editable in Manual Mode). tRFC Displays timing of Refresh to Archive/Refresh cycle time (editable in Manual Mode).
Chipset Turbo Mode If enabled, allows processor to run at faster frequencies than marked. Default: Enabled. Long duration power limit Allows you to change the long duration power limit. Default: 140. Long duration maintained Allows you to change the long duration time limit. Default: 12. Short duration power limit Allows you to change the short duration power limit. Default: 160. 1–Core Ratio Limit Allows you to change the ratio limit of the processor’s first core. Default: 0.
Chipset Mailbox Configuration 128 Allows you to change the mailbox configuration. SVID Communication Allows you to change the Serial Voltage Identification support. Default: Auto. VCCIN Voltage Allows you to change the Eventual CPU Input Voltage support. Default: Auto. CPU Core/Ring Voltage Mode Allows you to change the CPU Core/Ring Voltage Mode. Default: Auto. CPU Core Voltage Allows you to change the CPU Core Voltage. Default: Auto.
Chipset Load Level 1 OC Settings Allows you to select OC Level Profile 1. Load Level 2 OC Settings Allows you to select OC Level Profile 2 Security Supervisor Password Displays the supervisor password. User Password Displays the user password. 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.
Boot 1st Boot Allows you to enable or disable the 1st boot device. Default: Hard Disk. 2nd Boot Allows you to enable or disable the 2nd boot device. Default: USB Hard Disk. 3rd Boot Allows you to enable or disable the 3rd boot device. Default: CD/DVD. 4th Boot Allows you to enable or disable the 4th boot device. Default: Floppy. 5th Boot Allows you to enable or disable the 5th boot device. Default: Network. Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities Sets the hard drive boot priority.
NOTE: The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting. 1 Lay the chassis on the left side. 2 Remove the stability foot 3 Remove both the left and right side-panel. See "Removing the Side Panels”. 4 Locate the password reset jumper (PASSWORD1) on the system board. See "System Board Components”. 5 Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and fix it on pins 1 and 2. 6 Wait for approximately five seconds to clear the password setting.
4 Locate the CMOS jumper (CLEAR_CMOS1) on the system board. See “System-Board Components”. 5 Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and fix it on pins 1 and 2. 6 Wait for approximately five seconds to clear the CMOS setting. 7 Remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 and replace it on pins 2 and 3. 1 pin 1 2 pin 2 3 pin 3 4 jumper plug 8 Replace the left side-panel. See "Replacing the Side Panels”. 9 Replace the stability foot.
8 Click Download File to download the latest version of the BIOS for your computer. 9 On the next page, select Single-file download and click Continue. 10 Save the file and once the download is complete, navigate to the folder where you saved the BIOS update file. 11 Double-click the BIOS update file icon and follow the instructions on the screen.
