Alienware x17 R1 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P48E Regulatory Type: P48E001 June 2021 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Working inside your computer...................................................................................... 5 Before working inside your computer.............................................................................................................................5 Safety instructions..............................................................................................................................................................
Clearing CMOS settings.............................................................................................................................................76 Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords.....................................................................................76 Chapter 5: Troubleshooting......................................................................................................... 77 Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer .....
1 Working inside your computer Before working inside your computer About this task NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Steps 1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2. Shut down your computer. Click Start > Power > Shut down. NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions. 3.
CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull it by its connector or its pull tab, not the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs or thumbscrews that you must disengage before disconnecting the cable. When disconnecting cables, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending the connector pins. When connecting cables, ensure that the ports and the connectors are correctly oriented and aligned. CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-card reader.
● Wrist Strap and Bonding Wire – The wrist strap and bonding wire can be either directly connected between your wrist and bare metal on the hardware if the ESD mat is not required, or connected to the anti-static mat to protect hardware that is temporarily placed on the mat. The physical connection of the wrist strap and bonding wire between your skin, the ESD mat, and the hardware is known as bonding. Use only Field Service kits with a wrist strap, mat, and bonding wire. Never use wireless wrist straps.
After working inside your computer About this task CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. Steps 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.
2 Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0, #1 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.
Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Screw type Quantity Power-adapter port-bracket M2.5x5 2 Left fan M2x3 2 Right fan M2x3 3 Heat pipe M2x3 3 Heat pipe M2x3 3 Heat pipe M2x4 2 Display assembly M2.5x5 6 System board M2x3 5 Touchpad M1.6x2 4 Keyboard-controller board M1.6x1.7 2 Wireless-card bracket M2x3 1 System board M2x3 4 System board M2x4 1 Fan and heat-sink assembly M2x3 8 Power-button bracket M1.6x2 3 I/O board M2x3 4 Keyboard bracket M1.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
19. Headset port 20. Memory module one 21. Memory module two 22. Solid-state drive 23. Solid-state thermal-shield 24. Wireless card bracket 25. System board 26. Rear I/O-cover NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original computer configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options.
Removing and installing components 13
Removing and installing components
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x9) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Loosen the four captive screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Slide and lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: The following steps are needed only if other components are being removed from your computer. 5.
Removing and installing components
Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 2. Place and slide the base cover into place on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Tighten the four captive screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Replace the two screws (M2.5x9) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1.
About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the memory and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Using your fingertips, carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops-up. 2. Remove the memory module from the memory-module slot on the system board. NOTE: Your computer has two memory modules installed. Repeat steps 1 to 2 for the memory module installed in the second memory slot.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot on the system board. 2. Slide the memory module into the memory-module slot on the system board. 3. Press down on the memory module till the securing clips click, locking the memory module in place. NOTE: Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the second memory module being installed into your computer. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Solid-state drive Removing the M.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 thermal shield to the M.2 2230 mounting bracket. 2. Slide and lift the M.2 thermal shield off the system board. 3. Slide and lift the M.2 2230 solid-state drive off the system board. NOTE: Your computer has up to two M.2 2230 solid-state drives installed. Repeat steps 1 to 3 if another M.2 2230 solid-state drive is installed. Installing the M.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the M.2 2230 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot on the system board. 2. Slide the M.2 2230 solid-state drive into the M.2 card slot on the system board. 3. Slide the tab on the M.2 thermal shield into the M.2 card slot and align the screw hole on the thermal shield to the screw hole on the system board. 4. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 thermal shield to the 2230 mounting bracket. NOTE: Your computer can have up to two M.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 thermal shield to the system board. 2. Slide and lift the M.2 thermal shield from the M.2 card slot on the system board. 3. Slide and lift the M.2 2280 solid-state drive from the M.2 card slot on the system board. NOTE: Your computer has up to two M.2 2280 solid-state drives installed. Repeat steps 1 to 3 if another M.2 2280 solid-state drive is installed. Installing the M.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot on the system board. 2. Slide the M.2 2280 solid-state drive into the M.2 card slot on the system board. 3. Slide the tab on the M.2 thermal shield into the M.2 card slot and align the screw hole on the thermal shield to the screw hole on the system board. 4. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 2280 solid-state drive to the system board. NOTE: Your computer can have up to two M.
Battery Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries. ● Discharge the battery completely before removing it. Disconnect the AC power adapter from the system and operate the computer solely on battery power—the battery is fully discharged when the computer no longer turns on when the power button is pressed. ● Do not crush, drop, mutilate, or penetrate the battery with foreign objects.
will occur. When an RTC Reset cycle occurs, the computer turns on and off three times. An "Invalid Configuration" error message is displayed prompting you to enter the BIOS and configure the date and time. The computer starts functioning normally after setting the date and time. NOTE: Removing the battery resets the BIOS setup program's settings to default. It is recommended that you note the BIOS setup program's settings before removing the battery.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the six screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 4. Adhere the tape that secures the battery cable to the battery. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
● Always purchase genuine batteries from www.dell.com or authorized Dell partners and resellers. Removing the battery cable Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. About this task NOTE: If the battery is disconnected from system board for service, then there is a delay during boot as the computer undergoes RTC battery reset.
Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the battery. 2. Adhere the battery cable to the battery. 3. Turn the battery over. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Rear-I/O cover Removing the rear-I/O cover Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Lift the latch and disconnect the Right Tron-light cable from the system board. 3. Lift the latch and disconnect the left Tron-light cable from the system board. NOTE: To prevent damaging your computer ensure the right and left Tron-light cables have been disconnected from the system board before removing the rear I/O-cover. 4.
Steps 1. Push the rear I/O-cover into the palm-rest and keyboard assembly snapping it into place. NOTE: To avoiding damaging your computer, ensure the right and left Tron-light cables are not pinched before snapping the rear I/O-cover into place. 2. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the left Tron-light cable to the system board and close the latch. 4. Connect the right Tron-light cable to the system board and close the latch.
About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the power-adapter port and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the power-adapter port bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the power-adapter port bracket off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Steps 1. Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 2. Slide the power-adapter port at an angle into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and adhere the poweradapter port cable to the system board. 3. Adhere the tapes that secure the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 4. Place the power-adapter port bracket on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Align the screw holes on the power-adapter port bracket to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 6.
Steps 1. Using the pull tab, disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board. 2. Move the I/O-board cable off the system board and headset-port cable. 3. Using the pull tab, disconnect the headset-port cable from the system board. 4. Peel the headset-port cable off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and lift the headset port and its cable off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Place the headset port into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Adhere the headset-port cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the headset-port cable to the system board. 4. Move the I/O-board cable back into place and connect the I/O-board cable to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the rear-I/O cover. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Speakers Removing the speakers Prerequisites 1.
3. Remove the battery. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the speakers and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Remove the speaker cables from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the speakers along with their cables off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the left and right speakers on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Ensure that the alignment posts are threaded through the rubber grommets on the speaker. 2. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the speaker cable to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
Steps 1. Move the speaker cable and antenna cable off the routing guides on the left fan. 2. Peel the tape that secures the antenna cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Disconnect the left-fan cable from the system board. 4. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the right fan to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Lift the fan off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Place the fan on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the fan with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the fan to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Connect the fan cable to the system board. 5. Move the speaker cable and antenna cable over the routing guides on the left fan. 6. Adhere the tape that secures the antenna cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2.
Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the antenna cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Move the antenna cable off the routing guides on the right fan. 3. Disconnect the right-fan cable from the system board. 4. Remove the three screws (M2x3) that secure the right fan to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Lift the fan off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Place the right fan on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the right fan with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the three screws (M2x5) that secure the right fan to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Connect the right-fan cable to the system board. 5. Move the antenna cable over the routing guides on the right fan. 6. Adhere the tape that secures the antenna cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Peel the tapes that secure the power-adapter port connector to the system board. 2. Disconnect the power-adapter port from the system board. 3. Peel the power-adapter port-cable from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Peel the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the system board. 5. Move the power-adapter port cable off the system board. 6. Lift the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 7.
About this task NOTE: If either the system board or the heat pipe is replaced, use the thermal grease provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved. The following image(s) indicate the location of the heat pipe and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Place the heat pipe on the system board 2. Align the screw holes on the heat pipe to the screw holes on the system board. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the heat pipe to the system boad.
2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Display assembly Removing the display assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear-I/O cover. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the left-display hinge to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Peel the tape that secures the camera-cable connector latch to the system board. 3. Lift the latch and disconnect the camera cable from the system board. 4. Peel the tapes that secure the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 5. Move the power-adapter port cable off the display-cable connector on the system board. 6.
Removing and installing components 45
Steps 1. Place the display assembly over the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and align the screw holes on the display hinges to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the four screws (M2.5x5) that secure the display assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Route the display cable and camera cable through the routing guides on the display assembly. 4. Turn over the computer. 5. Connect the display cable to the connector on the system board and close the latch. 6.
3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Touchpad Removing the touchpad Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the battery. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard-controller board. 2. Peel and move the keyboard cable off the touchpad.
4. Lift the keyboard-controller board cable off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Lift the latches and disconnect the touchpad cable from the keyboard-controller board and the touchpad. 6. Disconnect the touchpad-light cable from the touchpad assembly. 7. Remove the four screws (M1.6x2) that secure the touchpad assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 8. At an angle, slide and lift the touchpad assembly from the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
3. Close the display and place the computer in the position shown. 4. Replace the four screws (M1.6x2) that secure the touchpad assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Connect the touchpad-light cable to the touchpad assembly and close the latch. 6. Place the touchpad cable on the touchpad, connect the cable to the keyboard-controller board and touchpad and close the latches. 7.
Steps 1. Lift the latches and disconnect the keyboard-controller board cable from the system board and keyboard-controller board. 2. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable from the keyboard-controller board. 3. Lift the latches and disconnect the touchpad-light cable from the keyboard-controller board and touchpad assembly. 4. Lift the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the keyboard controller board. 5. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the system board. 6.
Steps 1. Place the keyboard-controller board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and align the screw holes on the keyboardcontroller board to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M1.6x1.7) that secures the keyboard-controller board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the keyboard cable to the system board and close the latch. 4. Connect the touchpad cable to the keyboard controller board and close the latch 5.
8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Remove Remove Remove Remove Remove the the the the the power-adapter port. headset port. left fan. right fan. heat pipe. About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Removing and installing components 53
Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the camera-cable connector latch to the system board. 2. Lift the latch and disconnect the camera cable from the system board. 3. Move the camera cable off the system board. 4. Disconnect the left-fan cable from the system board. 5. Using the pull tab, disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board. 6. Move the I/O-board cable off the system board. 7. Using the pull tab, disconnect the headset-port cable from the system board. 8.
About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Camera cable Display cable Left Tron-light cable Power-button cable Right fan cable Battery cable Keyboard-controller board cable Speaker cable Left fan cable Headset port cable I/O-board cable Power button cable Right Tron-light cable The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Removing and installing components
Steps 1. Turn the system-board assembly over. 2. Install the fan and heat-sink assembly. 3. Using the two alignment posts shown in the image, place the system-board assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: When placing the system-board assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly ensure that the power button cable is placed on top of the system board. Overlooking the power-button cable connection to the system board will result in no-power failure after service. 4.
13. Move the headset-port cable over the system board. 14. Connect the headset-port cable to the system board. 15. Move the I/O-board cable over the system board. 16. Connect the I/O-board cable to the system board. 17. Connect the left-fan cable to the system board. 18. Move the camera cable over the system board. 19. Connect the camera cable to the system board and close the latch. 20. Adhere the tape that secures the camera-cable connector latch to the system board. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Steps 1. Turn the system-board assembly over. 2. Disconnect the left and right heat-sink assembly fan cables from the system board. 3. In reverse sequential order (8>7>6>5>4>3>2>1) loosen the eight captive screws (M2x3) that secure the fan and heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Lift the fan and heat-sink assembly from the system board.
Steps 1. Place the fan and heat-sink assembly on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the fan and heat-sink assembly to the screw holes on the system board. 3. In sequential order (1>2>3>4>5>6>7>8) tighten the eight captive screws (M2x3) that secure the fan and heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Connect the left and right heat-sink assembly fan cables to the system board. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Install the system board. Install the heat pipe. Install the left fan.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Remove the rear-I/O cover. Remove the power-adapter port. Remove the headset port. Remove the left fan. Remove the right fan. Remove the heat pipe. Remove the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink, memory and solid-state drives. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the power button into its slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Place the power-button bracket over the power button and align the screw holes on the power-button bracket to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-button with optional fingerprint reader to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Install the system board. Install the heat pipe.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Remove the headset port. Remove the left fan. Remove the right fan. Remove the heat pipe. Remove the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink, memory and solid-state drives. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink.
Steps 1. Place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and align the screw holes on the I/O board to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the four screws (M2x3) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Install the system board. Install the heat pipe. Install the left fan. Install the right fan. Install the headset port. Install the power-adapter port. Install the rear-I/O cover.
9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Remove the left fan. Remove the right fan. Remove the heat pipe. Remove the display assembly. Remove the touchpad. Remove the keyboard-controller board. Remove the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed and installed along with the heat sink, memory and solid-state drives. This simplifies the removal and installation procedure and avoids breaking the thermal bond between the system board and heat sink. 16. Remove the power button. 17. Remove the I/O board.
2. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard. 3. Move the keyboard cable off the keyboard. 4. Peel the tapes that secure the antenna cables to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Move the antenna cables off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 6. Remove the 30 screws (M1.2x2) that secure the keyboard bracket to the keyboard. 7. Lift the keyboard bracket off the keyboard.
Steps 1. Place the keyboard-bracket on the keyboard. 2. Align the screw holes on the keyboard bracket with the screw holes on the keyboard. 3. Replace the 30 screws (M1.2x2) that secure the keyboard bracket to the keyboard. 4. Move the antenna cables over the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Adhere the tapes that secure the antenna cables to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 6. Move the keyboard cable over the keyboard. 7. Connect the keyboard cable to the keyboard and close the latch. 8.
17. Remove the I/O board. 18. Remove the keyboard bracket. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps After performing the pre-requisites you are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
Steps Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat and clean surface and perform the post-requisites to install the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Install the keyboard bracket. Install the I/O board. Install the power button. Install the fan and heat-sink assembly. Install the system board. Install the touchpad. Install the display assembly. Install the heat pipe. Install the left fan. Install the right fan.
3 Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ 000123347.
4 System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference. Use the BIOS Setup program for the following purposes: ● Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM and the size of the hard drive.
● SATA Hard Drive (if available) ● Diagnostics The boot sequence screen also displays the option to access the System Setup screen. System setup options NOTE: Depending on your computer and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not appear. Table 3. System setup options—Main menu Main System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format. System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/yyyy format. BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version.
Table 4. System setup options—Advance menu (continued) Advance Default: Enabled USB Wake Support Enables or disables the USB Wake Support. Default: Enabled SATA Operation Allows you to configure the operating mode of the integrated SATA hard drive controller. Default: AHCI Adapter Warnings Allows you to choose if the computer should display warning messages when you use AC adapters that are not supported by your computer.
Table 4. System setup options—Advance menu (continued) Advance SupportAssist OS Recovery Enables or disables the boot flow for the SupportAssist OS Recovery tool in the even of certain system errors. Default: Disabled Table 5. System setup options—Security menu Security Admin Password Displays if the administrator password is clear or set. System Password Displays if the system password is clear or set. Default: Not Set Admin Password Allows you to set the administrator password.
Table 6. System setup options—Boot menu (continued) Boot Default: UEFI File Browser Add Boot Option Allows you to add the boot options. Windows Boot Manager Display boot options in Windows UEFI Boot Enables or disables UEFI boot. Default: Disabled Table 7. System setup options—Exit menu Exit Exit Saving Changes Allows you to exit system setup and save your changes. Save Change Without Exit Allows you to save your changes without exiting the BIOS setup.
2. Select System/Admin Password and create a password in the Enter the new password field. Use the following guidelines to assign the system password: ● A password can have up to 32 characters. ● The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9. ● Only lower case letters are valid, upper case letters are not allowed. ● Only the following special characters are allowed: space, (”), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`). 3.
5 Troubleshooting Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer Your Dell computer is uniquely identified by a Service Tag or Express Service Code. To view relevant support resources for your Dell computer, we recommend entering the Service Tag or Express Service Code at www.dell.com/support. For more information on how to find the Service Tag for your computer, see Locate the Service Tag for your Dell Laptop.
Table 9. Diagnostic-light LED codes (continued) Diagnostic light codes (Red, Blue) Problem description 3,2 PCI, video card/chip failure 3,3 Recovery image not found 3,4 Recovery image found but invalid 3,5 Power-rail failure 3,6 System BIOS Flash incomplete 3,7 Management Engine (ME) error SupportAssist diagnostics About this task The SupportAssist diagnostics (previously known as ePSA diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware.
7. Type the BIOS setup program filename and press Enter. The BIOS Update Utility appears. 8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the BIOS update. Updating the BIOS in Windows Steps 1. Go to www.dell.com/support. 2. Click Product support. In the Search support box, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Search. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the SupportAssist feature to automatically identify your computer.
Steps 1. Turn off your computer. 2. Disconnect the power adapter from your computer. 3. Remove the base cover. 4. Remove the battery. 5. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to drain the flea power. 6. Install the battery. 7. Install the base cover. 8. Connect the power adapter to your computer. 9. Turn on your computer. NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, see the knowledge base article 000130881 at www.dell.com/support.
6 Getting help and contacting Alienware Self-help resources You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources: Table 10. Alienware products and online self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Alienware products and services www.alienware.com My Dell app Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter. Online help for operating system www.dell.