Alienware® M14x Service Manual Before You Begin Base Cover Battery Pack Optical Drive Hard Drive Memory Module(s) Center-Control Cover Keyboard Palm-Rest Assembly Wireless Mini-Card(s) Power-Button Board Status-Light Board Speakers Subwoofer Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Coin-Cell Battery Display Assembly Mini-Card Board System Board Thermal Fan Thermal Cooling Assembly Processor Module System Setup Flashing the BIOS Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important inform
Back to Contents Page Battery Pack Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Battery Pack Replacing the Battery Pack WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Alienware® M14x Service Manual Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Contacting Alienware This manual provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: l You have performed the steps in Turning Off Your Computer and Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer). CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device. 3. Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the computer. 4. Press and eject any installed cards from the 9-in--1 Media Card Reader. 5. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets. 6. Disconnect all attached devices from your computer.
Back to Contents Page System Setup Alienware® M14x Service Manual Configuring the System Setup Configuring the System Setup The System Setup options allow you to: l Change the system configuration information after you add, change or remove any hardware in your laptop. l Set or change a user-selectable option. l View the installed amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed.
Advanced Menu Intel SpeedStep Allows you to enable or disable the Intel SpeedStep technology. Disabling this feature may improve performance, but will greatly reduce battery life. Virtualization Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Virtualization technology. USB Emulation Allows you to enable or disable the USB emulation feature. This feature defines how the BIOS, in the absence of a USB-aware operating system, handles USB devices. USB emulation is always enabled during POST.
l l Once: The new bus clock frequency is applied once until the next reboot. Permanently: The new bus clock frequency is applied permanently after the next reboot. Memory Overclocking Memory Override Support Allows you to enable or disable the memory override option support. l l Memory Voltage Disabled: The memory override support is disabled. Enabled: Displays additional memory override support options. Allows you to increase memory voltage. Memory Frequency Allows you to set memory frequency.
Back to Contents Page Base Cover Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Base Cover Replacing the Base Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Back to Contents Page Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Bluetooth Card Replacing the Bluetooth Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin 2. Align the screw hole on the Bluetooth card with the screw hole on the system board. 3. Replace the screw that secures the Bluetooth card to the computer base. 4. Connect the Bluetooth-card cable to the connector on the system board. 5. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 6. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 7. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 8.
Back to Contents Page Coin-Cell Battery Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Coin-Cell Battery Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
5. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 6. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 7. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 8. Replace the base cover (see Replacing the Base Cover). CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.
Back to Contents Page Display Assembly Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Display Assembly Replacing the Display Assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
13. Gently slide the Mini-Card antenna cables out through the slot on the computer base. 14. Lift the display assembly off the computer. 1 display assembly 2 screws (4) 3 display cable 4 touch-screen board cable Replacing the Display Assembly 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Slide the antenna cables in through the slot on the computer base. 3. Place the display assembly in position and replace the four screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. 4.
Back to Contents Page Thermal Fan Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Thermal Fan Replacing the Thermal Fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer.
6. Follow the instructions from step 5 to step 20 in Replacing the System Board. CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.
Back to Contents Page Flashing the BIOS Alienware® M14x Service Manual 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Go to support.dell.com/support/downloads. 3. Locate the BIOS update file for your computer: NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located on a label at the bottom of the computer. If you have your computer's Service Tag: a. Click Enter a Service Tag. b. Enter your computer's Service Tag in the Enter a service tag: field, click Go, and proceed to step 4.
Back to Contents Page Hard Drive Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Hard Drive Replacing the Hard Drive WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive. WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3 pull-tab 4 hard-drive assembly 8. Remove the four screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive. 9. Lift the hard-drive bracket away from the hard drive. 1 pull tab 3 hard-drive bracket 2 screws (4) CAUTION: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging (see "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions that shipped with your computer). Replacing the Hard Drive 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.
Back to Contents Page Thermal Cooling Assembly Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Thermal Cooling Assembly Replacing the Heat Sink WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: If you remove the heat sink from the computer when the heat sink is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the heat sink.
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Back to Contents Page Center-Control Cover Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Center-Control Cover Replacing the Center-Control Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 center-control cover Replacing the Center-Control Cover 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the tabs on the center-control cover with the slots on the palm rest assembly. 3. Gently press around the edges of the center control cover till it snaps in place. 4. Close the display and turn the computer over. 5. Replace the three screws that secure the center-control cover to the computer base. 6. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 7.
Back to Contents Page Mini-Card Board Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Mini-Card Board Replacing the Mini-Card Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3. Replace the three screws that secure the mini-card board to the computer base. 4. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 5. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 6. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 7. Replace the Mini-Card(s) (see Replacing the Mini-Card(s)). 8. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 9. Replace the base cover (see Replacing the Base Cover).
Back to Contents Page Keyboard Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Keyboard Replacing the Keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 keyboard cable 2 backlit keyboard cable Replacing the Keyboard 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Slide the keyboard cable and backlit keyboard cable into the connectors on the system board and press down on the connector latches to secure the cables. 3. Slide the tabs on the keyboard into the slots on the palm-rest assembly and lower the keyboard into place. 4. Gently press around the edges of the keyboard to secure the keyboard under the tab on the palm-rest assembly. 5.
Back to Contents Page Status-Light Board Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Status-Light Board Replacing the Status-Light Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 status-light board 2 screw Replacing the Status-Light Board 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the slot on the status-light board with the alignment post on the palm rest assembly. 3. Replace the screw that secures the status-light board to the palm-rest assembly. 4. Route the status-light board cable through the routing guides on the palm- rest assembly. 5. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 6.
Back to Contents Page Memory Module(s) Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Memory Module(s) Replacing the Memory Module(s) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 memory-module connector 3 memory module 7. 2 securing clips (2) Remove the memory module from the memory-module connector. Replacing the Memory Module(s) 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. NOTE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the lower connector before you install a memory module in the upper connector. 2. Align the notch in the memory module with the tab in the memory- module connector. 3.
As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information. To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer: Click Start ® Control Panel® System and Security® System.
Back to Contents Page Wireless Mini-Card(s) Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Mini-Card(s) Replacing the Mini-Card(s) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: When the Mini-Card is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. For more information, see "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety information that shipped with your computer. Replacing the Mini-Card(s) 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Remove the new Mini-Card from its packaging. CAUTION: Use firm and even pressure to slide the card into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector.
Back to Contents Page Optical Drive Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Optical Drive Replacing the Optical Drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer.
1 screws (2) 3 optical-drive cable 2 optical-drive cable connector 10. Remove the four screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. 11. Using the pull-tab, lift the optical-drive bracket off the optical drive. 1 screws (4) 3 pull tab 2 optical-drive bracket Replacing the Optical Drive 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the screw holes on the optical-drive bracket with the screw holes on the optical drive. 3.
CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.
Back to Contents Page Palm-Rest Assembly Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
12. Lift the palm-rest assembly off the computer base. 1 touch-pad cable connector 2 speakers cable 3 stauts-light board cable 4 screws (2) 5 palm-rest assembly 6 power-button board cable connector Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the palm-rest assembly on the computer base and gently snap the palm-rest assembly into place. 3. Replace the two screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base. 4.
Back to Contents Page Processor Module Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Processor Module Replacing the Processor Module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer.
Replacing the Processor Module NOTE: If a new processor module is installed, you will receive a new thermal cooling assembly, which will include an affixed thermal pad, or you will receive a new thermal pad along with documentation to illustrate proper installation. 1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the pin-1 corner of the processor module with the pin-1 corner of the ZIF socket.
Back to Contents Page Power-Button Board Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Power-Button Board Replacing the Power-Button Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
4. Replace the two screws that secure the power-button board to the palm- rest assembly. 5. Adhere the power-button board cable to the palm-rest assembly. 6. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 7. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 8. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 9. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 10. Replace the base cover (see Replacing the Base Cover).
Back to Contents Page Speakers Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Speakers Replacing the Speakers WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin. 2. Align the screw holes on the speakers with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly and route the speakers cable through the routing guides. 3. Replace the four screws that secure the speakers to the palm-rest assembly. 4. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 5. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 6. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 7.
Back to Contents Page Subwoofer Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the Subwoofer Replacing the Subwoofer WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3. Route the subwoofer cable through the routing guides. 4. Connect the subwoofer cable to the connector on the system board. 5. Replace the palm-rest assembly (see Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly). 6. Replace the keyboard (see Replacing the Keyboard). 7. Replace the center-control cover (see Replacing the Center-Control Cover). 8. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 9. Replace the base cover (see Replacing the Base Cover).
Back to Contents Page System Board Alienware® M14x Service Manual Removing the System Board Replacing the System Board Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 system board 2 screws (5) 3 subwoofer cable connector 4 coin-cell battery cable connector 5 hard-drive cable connector 6 Bluetooth card cable connector 7 touch-screen board cable connector 8 display-cable connector 17. Turn the system board over. 18. Remove the thermal fan (see Removing the Thermal Fan). 19. Remove the thermal cooling assembly (see Removing the Thermal Cooling Assembly). 20. Remove the processor module (see Removing the Processor Module). Replacing the System Board 1.
14. Replace the memory module(s) (see Replacing the Memory Module(s)). 15. Follow the instructions from step 5 to step 7 in Replacing the Hard Drive. 16. Follow the instructions from step 7 to step 9 in Replacing the Optical Drive. 17. Replace the Mini-Card(s) (see Replacing the Mini-Card(s)). 18. Replace the battery pack (see Replacing the Battery Pack). 19. Replace the base cover (see Replacing the Base Cover). 20. Replace any cards or blank that you removed from the 9-in-1 Media Card reader.
Back to Contents Page Alienware® M14x Service Manual NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.