Alienware 13 Service Manual Computer Model: Alienware 13 Regulatory Model: P56G Regulatory Type: P56G001
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents Before working inside your computer................................................................................8 Before you begin ................................................................................................................................................8 Safety instructions................................................................................................................................................8 Recommended tools.........................................
Replacing the palm rest.................................................................................................... 27 Procedure......................................................................................................................................................... 27 Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................27 Removing the touch pad...............................
Removing the power-adapter port.................................................................................. 43 Prerequisites..................................................................................................................................................... 43 Procedure.........................................................................................................................................................43 Replacing the power-adapter port...............................
Replacing the battery....................................................................................................... 57 Procedure......................................................................................................................................................... 57 Post-requisites...................................................................................................................................................57 Removing the speakers...............................
Removing the display hinges............................................................................................ 71 Prerequisites...................................................................................................................................................... 71 Procedure..........................................................................................................................................................71 Replacing the display hinges...........................
Before working inside your computer CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle them by their edges and avoid touching pins and contacts. NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Before you begin 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2 Shut down your computer. – Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, click or tap the power icon → Shut down. – Windows 7: Click or tap Start → Shut down .
Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Philips screwdriver • Plastic scribe 9
After working inside your computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before working on your computer. 3 Replace any media cards, discs, and any other part(s) that you removed before working on your computer. 4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
Removing the base panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Close the display and turn the computer over.
4 Disconnect the battery cable from the battery-cable connector. 1 battery cable 2 battery-cable connector 5 Turn the computer over. 6 Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to ground the system board.
Replacing the base panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Connect the battery cable to the battery-cable connector.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base panel.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
4 Remove the screws that secure the solid-state drive assembly to the computer base. 1 pull tab 2 solid-state drive cable 3 solid-state drive assembly 4 screws (2) 5 Lift the solid-state drive assembly off the computer base. 6 Remove the screw that secures the solid-state drive to the solid-state drive assembly. 7 Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive assembly.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Removing the hard drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
5 20 Lift the hard drive off the hard-drive bracket.
6 Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive.
Replacing the hard drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Removing the palm rest WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
2 Remove the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base. 1 3 screws (14) 2 computer base Lift the computer base slightly and push the release tabs on the palm-rest assembly until it pops out. 1 release tabs 4 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. 5 Using a plastic scribe, pry up along the edges of the palm-rest assembly.
6 Gently lift the palm-rest assembly and turn it over. 1 palm-rest assembly 7 Lift the connector latch and disconnect the power-button board cable from the system board. 8 Lift the palm-rest assembly off the computer base. 9 1 palm-rest assembly 3 power-button board cable 2 connector latch Remove the keyboard. 10 Remove the power-button board. 11 Remove the status-light board.
12 Remove the touchpad.
Replacing the palm rest WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Replace the touchpad. 2 Replace the status-light board. 3 Replace the power-button board.
Removing the touch pad WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
Replacing the touch pad WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the touchpad with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
3 Remove the screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the palm-rest assembly. 1 keyboard bracket 2 screws (12) 4 Lift the keyboard bracket off the palm-rest assembly. 5 Remove the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly. 6 Slide and lift the keyboard, along with the cables, off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the keyboard with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
2 Remove the screw that secures the power-button board to the palm-rest assembly. 1 3 34 power-button board Lift the power-button board off the palm-rest assembly.
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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the status-light board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
2 Remove the screw that secures the status-light board to the palm-rest assembly. 1 3 screw 2 status-light board Lift the status-light board off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the status-light board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the display assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
7 Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 1 adhesive tape 2 screw 3 wireless-card bracket 4 antenna cables 8 Turn the computer over and open the display. 9 Peel off the adhesive tapes that secure the antenna cables to the system board. NOTE: Make note of the cable routing before removing any cable from its routing guide. 10 Remove the antenna cables from the routing guides on the display hinges. 11 Lift the connector latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board.
13 Disconnect the logo-board cable from the system board and remove it from the routing guides on the display hinges. 1 display cable 2 connector latch 3 adhesive tapes (2) 4 antenna cables (2) 5 connector 6 logo-board cable 14 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. 1 display assembly 3 display hinges (2) 2 screws (4) 15 Lift the display assembly off the computer base.
Replacing the display assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the computer base.
Removing the power-adapter port WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
5 Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer base. 1 system board 2 screws (3) 6 Slide and lift the system-board assembly. 7 Turn the system-board assembly over. 8 Disconnect the power-adapter port cable and remove the power-adapter port from the system board.
Replacing the power-adapter port WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 2 Turn the system board over.
Removing the 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
Procedure 1 Disconnect the fan cables from the connectors on the system board. 1 2 connectors (2) 2 fan cables(2) Turn the system board over.
3 Remove the screws that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board. 1 4 48 heat-sink assembly Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.
Replacing the 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the heat sink can cause damage to the system board and processor.
Removing the wireless card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
Replacing the wireless card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the wireless card into the wireless-card slot on the system board.
Removing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default.
Replacing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Adhere the coin-cell battery to the system board.
Removing the system board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Replacing the system board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Removing the battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
Replacing the battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the computer base.
Removing the speakers WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
Replacing the speakers WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Using the alignment posts on the computer base, place the speakers on the computer base.
Removing the computer base WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base panel.
Replacing the computer base WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the computer base on a flat surface. Post-requisites 1 Replace the speakers.
Removing the display 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
4 1 Disconnect the logo-board cable from the logo board.
Replacing the display 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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: This chapter is applicable only if you have purchased a laptop with non-touchscreen display.
Removing the display panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3 66 Lift the connector latch and disconnect the display cable from the display panel.
Replacing the display panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: This chapter is applicable only if you have purchased a laptop with non-touchscreen display.
Removing the camera WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: This chapter is applicable only if you have purchased a laptop with non-touchscreen display.
3 Using a plastic scribe, pry the camera module off the display back-cover.
Replacing the camera WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: This chapter is applicable only if you have purchased a laptop with non-touchscreen display.
Removing the display hinges WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Replacing the display hinges WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: This chapter is applicable only if you have purchased a laptop with non-touchscreen display.
Removing the display back-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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
2 Note the display cable routing and peel the camera cable off the display back-cover.
Replacing the display back-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 dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
BIOS setup program Overview 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 BIOS setup program to: • Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM, the size of the hard drive, and so on.
Main Second HDD Displays the type of secondary hard-drive installed. AC Adapter Type Displays the type of AC adapter connected to your computer. System Memory Displays the system memory. Extended Memory Displays the extended memory. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed. Advanced Intel(R) SpeedStep Technology Allows you to enable or disable Intel (R) Speedstep Technology. NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load.
Advanced USB debug Allows you to enable or disable this port for Windows debugging. Default: Disabled Advanced-Performance options with Alienware Graphics Amplifier Overclocking Feature Allows you to enable or disable global overclocking feature. Default: Disabled Security Unlock Setup Status Displays if the setup status is unlocked. Admin Password Status Displays if the administrator password is clear or set. Default: Not set System password Status Displays if the system password is clear or set.
Boot options Floppy — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy disk drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message. Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message. CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the optical drive. If no disc is in the drive, or if the disc is not bootable, the computer generates an error message.
Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on the computer. 2 Go to dell.com/support. 3 If you have your computer's Service Tag, type your computer's Service Tag and click Submit. If you do not have your computer's Service Tag, click Detect My Product to allow automatic detection of the Service Tag.
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: Self-Help Information Self-Help Options Accessing Windows Help Windows 8.1—Open the Search charm, type Help and Support in the search box and press Enter. Windows 7—Click Start → Help and Support. Information about Alienware products and services See alienware.com.
