Alienware Aurora R8 Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware Aurora R8 Regulatory Model: D23M Regulatory Type: D23M002
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. © 2018 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Before working inside your computer................................................................................9 Before you begin ................................................................................................................................................9 After working inside your computer................................................................................ 10 Safety instructions.....................................................................................
Removing the bottom cover..............................................................................................32 Prerequisites..................................................................................................................................................... 32 Procedure......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Replacing the bottom cover...............................
Replacing the processor-cooling assembly......................................................................55 Procedure.........................................................................................................................................................55 Post-requisites.................................................................................................................................................. 56 Removing the coin-cell battery......................................
Removing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly..................................................... 70 Prerequisites..................................................................................................................................................... 70 Procedure.........................................................................................................................................................70 Replacing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly........................
Replacing the top-chassis fan...........................................................................................86 Procedure.........................................................................................................................................................86 Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................87 Removing the optical drive................................
System setup................................................................................................................... 103 Boot Sequence................................................................................................................................................103 Navigation keys...............................................................................................................................................103 BIOS overview............................................
Before working inside your computer NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Before you begin 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2 Shut down your computer. Click Start → Power → Shut down. NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shutdown instructions. 3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
After working inside your computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1 Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer. 3 Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before working on your computer. 4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
Safety instructions Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and ensure your personal safety. 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels.
Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Philips screwdriver #1 • Flat-head screwdriver • Plastic scribe 12
Inside view of your computer 1 power-supply unit 2 optical-drive assembly 3 top cover 4 top-chassis fan 5 system board 6 processor fan and heat-sink assembly 7 graphics card 8 right-side cover 13
System-board components 1 top-chassis fan (TOP_FAN) 2 processor-cooling assembly pump-fan connector (PUMP_FAN) 3 processor-fan connector (CPU_FAN) 4 memory-module slot 1 (XMM1) 5 memory-module slot 2 (XMM2) 6 memory-module slot 3 (XMM3) 7 memory-module slot 4 (XMM4) 8 front-chassis fan connector (FRONT_FAN) 9 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA1) 10 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA2) 11 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA3) 12 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA4) 13 solid-state drive s
Screw list NOTE: Screw color may vary with the configuration ordered. Component Secured to Screw type Quantity 3.5-inch hard-drive cage Chassis #6-32 X 1/4'' 2 2.
Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Power-button board Top cover M3 X 4 2 Rubber foot Bottom cover M3 X 4 4 M.2 SSD card System board Standoff M2 1 M2 X 2.5 1 Optical-drive bracket Optical drive M2 X 2.5 1 WLAN bracket System board M2 X 2.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Place the computer on a clean and flat surface with the bottom cover facing up.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Place the computer on a clean and flat surface with the bottom cover facing up.
Removing the left-side cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Replacing the left-side cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the left-side cover with the slots on the chassis.
3 Replace the screw (#6-32 X 1/4" BLK) that secures the side-panel release latch to the chassis.
Removing the right-side cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Carefully pry around the edges of the right-side cover from the chassis.
3 Lift the right-side cover off the chassis.
Replacing the right-side cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Connect the lighting cable to the right-side cover.
3 Rotate the right-side cover towards the chassis until it snaps into place.
Removing the top-cover assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover.
5 Lift the top cover off the chassis from the rear. 6 Turn the top cover over, release the tabs on the top cover from the slots on the top bezel.
7 Lift the top cover from the top bezel. 8 You are left with top bezel and top cover.
Replacing the top-cover assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3 Align the tabs on the top cover with the slots on the chassis and snap the top cover into place. 4 Connect the lighting cable to the top cover. 5 Replace the two screws (#6-32 X 1/4") that secure the top cover to the chassis.
Post-requisites 1 Replace the right-side cover. 2 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the bottom cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the two 2.5-inch hard-drive cages.
4 Lift the bottom cover from the chassis. 5 Turn the computer back to the upright position.
Replacing the bottom cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Turn the computer over until the base is facing up.
Removing the 3.5-inch 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the left-side cover.
4 Lift the hard drive off the hard-drive carrier. NOTE: Note the orientation of the hard drive so that you can replace it correctly.
Replacing the 3.5-inch 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
4 Connect the data and power cables to the hard drive. Post-requisites Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the 2.5-inch 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Disconnect the data and power cables from the hard drive.
4 Lift the hard drive off the hard-drive carrier. NOTE: Note the orientation of the hard drive so that you can replace it correctly. Prerequisites Remove the left-side cover.
Replacing the 2.5-inch 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
4 Connect the data cable and power cable to the hard drive. Post-requisites Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the hard-drive cage WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the 3.5-inch hard drive.
Replacing the hard-drive cage WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Insert the hard-drive cage into its slot on the chassis.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover. 3 Remove the top cover.
3 Lift the power-supply unit cage while pressing and holding the graphics-card bracket. 4 Rotate the power-supply unit cage away from the chassis. 5 Press the releasing clip on the power-cable connectors and disconnect the power cables from the graphics card. 6 Disconnect the power cables from the optical drive and hard drives.
7 Disconnect the processor-power cable and system-board power cable from the system board. 8 Rotate the power-supply unit cage towards the chassis until the unit snaps into place. 9 Remove the two screws (#6-32 X 1/4") that secure the power-supply unit bracket to the power-supply unit cage. 10 Lift the power-supply unit bracket off the power-supply unit cage. 11 Remove the four screws (#6-32 X 1/4") that secure the power-supply unit to the chassis.
12 Lift the power-supply unit, along with the cables, off the chassis.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Place the power supply on the chassis.
6 Slide the power-supply unit release latches towards the unlock position. 7 Lift and rotate the power-supply unit cage away from the chassis while pressing and holding the graphics-card bracket. 8 Connect the processor-power cable and system-board power cable to the system board. 9 Connect the power cables to the hard drives and optical drive.
10 Connect the power cables to the graphics card. 11 Rotate the power-supply unit cage towards the chassis until the unit snaps into place.
12 Slide the power-supply unit cage release latches towards the locked position. Post-requisites 1 Replace the top cover. 2 Replace the right-side cover. 3 Replace the left-side cover.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover.
4 Lift the VR heat sink off the computer. 5 Disconnect the processor-cooling assembly cables from the system board. 6 In reversed order (as indicated on the processor cooler), loosen the four captive screws that secure the processor cooler to the system board. NOTE: If your are using an electric screwdriver, torque the screws at 6.9 +/-1.15 kilogram-force centimeter (6 +/-1 pound force inch). 7 54 Lift the processor-cooling assembly along with the cables off the computer.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the radiator and fan assembly into the radiator and fan cage.
6 Tighten the two captive screws that secure the VR heat sink to the system board. 7 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 8 Replace the four screws (#6-32 X 1/4") that secure the radiator and fan assembly to the chassis. Post-requisites 1 Replace the top cover. 2 Replace the right-side cover. 3 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS setup program’s settings to default.
Replacing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the memory modules WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
Replacing the memory modules WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Ensure that the securing clips are extended away from the memory-module slot.
3 Insert the memory module into the memory-module slot and press the memory module down until it snaps into position and the securing clips lock in place. NOTE: Use slots XMM1 and XMM2 if you need to use two memory modules. For more information, see Systemboard components. The following table lists the available memory configuration matrix: Table 1.
Removing the solid-state drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
Replacing the solid-state drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
3 Push the securing tab on the PCIe slot away from the graphics card, grasp the card by its top corner, and ease it 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the graphics card with the slot on the system board.
4 Slide the tab on the graphics-card bracket into the slot on the chassis and snap it into place. Post-requisites 1 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 2 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the VR 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 in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
Replacing the VR 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 in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align and place the VR heat sink on the system board.
Removing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
Replacing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
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 www.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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
Replacing the wireless card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless card, do not place any cables under it.
Removing the antennas WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover. 3 Remove the top cover.
4 Pry the antenna off the chassis.
Replacing the antennas WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Adhere the antenna to the chassis.
3 Slide the cables through the cable-routing slot on the chassis, and then route the antenna cables through the routing guides inside the chassis. Post-requisites 1 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 3 in “Replacing the wireless card”. 2 Replace the top cover. 3 Replace the right-side cover. 4 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the front-chassis 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
4 Spread apart the tabs on the front-chassis fan bracket and lift the front-chassis fan along with its cable off the bracket.
Replacing the front-chassis 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Post-requisites 1 Replace the graphics card. 2 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 3 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the top-chassis 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
6 Lift the top-chassis fan off the top-chassis fan bracket.
Replacing the top-chassis 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the holes on the top-chassis fan with the holes on the top-chassis fan bracket.
7 Connect the top-chassis fan cable to the system board. Post-requisites 1 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 2 Replace the left-side cover.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover.
3 Push to slide the optical-drive assembly out through the front of the computer. 4 Remove the screw (M2x2.5) that secures the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. 5 Gently pull and disconnect the optical-drive bezel from the optical drive.
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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align and snap the optical-drive bezel to the optical drive.
4 Slide the optical-drive assembly through the front of the computer until the securing tab snaps into place. 5 Connect the data and power cables to the optical drive. Post-requisites 1 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 2 Replace the left-side cover.
Removing the front bezel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover.
3 Rotate and pull the front bezel away from the front of the chassis to release the tabs on the front bezel from the slots on the front panel.
Replacing the front bezel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align and insert the front bezel tabs into the front panel slots.
Removing the power-button board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover.
Replacing the power-button board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the rear trim cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the left-side cover. 2 Remove the right-side cover. 3 Remove the top cover.
Replacing the rear trim cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the system board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
10 Disconnect the front-chassis fan cable from the system board. 11 Remove the eight screws (#6-32 X 1/4") that secure the system-board assembly to the chassis. 12 Lift the system-board assembly out of 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
13 Route and connect the top panel USB cables to the system board. Post-requisites 1 Replace the processor. 2 Replace the graphics card. 3 Replace the processor fan and heat-sink assembly. 4 Replace the wireless card. 5 Replace the solid-state drive. 6 Replace the memory modules. 7 Follow the procedure from step 10 to step 11 in "Replacing the power-supply unit". 8 Replace the left-side cover. Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program 1 Turn on or restart your computer.
System setup NOTE: Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Boot Sequence Boot Sequence allows you to bypass the System Setup–defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device (for example: optical drive or hard drive).
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. • Change the system configuration information. • Set or change a user-selectable option, such as the user password, type of hard drive installed, and enabling or disabling base devices. Entering BIOS setup program 1 Turn on (or restart) your computer.
Table 4. System setup options—Advanced menu Advanced Advanced BIOS Features Intel SpeedStep Allows you to enable or disable Intel Speedstep Technology. Default: Enabled. NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load. Virtualization Allows you to enable or disable Intel Virtualization Technology feature for the processor. VT for Direct I/O Allows you to enable or disable Intel Virtualization Technology feature for the Direct I/O.
Advanced Performance Options Overclocking Feature Core Over Clocking Level Allows you enable or disable the OC level1/level2 setting and adjust the processor flex ratio and voltage in the Customization mode. Computrace Allows you to enable or disable the Computrace service using the Absolute software. Core Ratio Limit Override Allows you to set the core ratio limit. Single Core Allows you to select single core or multiple cores.
Table 7. System setup options—Exit menu Save & Exit Save Changes and Reset Allows you to exit system setup and save your changes. Discard Changes and Reset Allows you to exit system setup and load previous values for all system setup options. Restore Defaults Allows you to load default values for all system setup options. Discard Changes Allows you to exit your changes. Save Changes Allows you to save your changes.
Clearing forgotten passwords WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Locate the password jumper (P215) on the system board.
3 Click Product support, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the auto-detect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4 Click Drivers & downloads → Find it myself. 5 Select the operating system installed on your computer. 6 Scroll down the page and expand BIOS. 7 Click Download to download the latest version of the BIOS for your computer.
Troubleshooting Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostics CAUTION: Use the ePSA diagnostics to test only your computer. Using this program with other computers may cause invalid results or error messages. The ePSA diagnostics (also known as system diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware. The ePSA is embedded with the BIOS and is launched by the BIOS internally.
Table 8. Diagnostics Number of Power LED flashes Problem description 1 System board: BIOS and ROM failure 2 No memory or RAM detected 3 System board or chipset error 4 Memory or RAM failure 5 CMOS battery failure 6 Video card or chip failure 7 CPU failure 3,6 BIOS recovery image not found 3,7 BIOS recovery image found but invalid Flashing BIOS (USB key) 1 Follow the procedure from step 1 to step 7 in "Flashing the BIOS" to download the latest BIOS setup program file.
Wi-Fi power cycle If your computer is unable to access the internet due to Wi-Fi connectivity issues a Wi-Fi power cycle procedure may be performed. The following procedure provides the instructions on how to conduct a Wi-Fi power cycle: NOTE: Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) provide a modem/router combo device. 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 Turn on your computer.
Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 9. Self-help resources Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com Dell Help & Support app Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.
