Dell Alienware m17 R2 Service Manual
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Dell Alienware m17 R2 Service Manual

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Alienware m17 R2
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: P41E
Regulatory Type: P41E001
June 2020
Rev. A01

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Summary of Contents for Dell Alienware m17 R2

  • Page 1 Alienware m17 R2 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P41E Regulatory Type: P41E001 June 2020 Rev. A01...
  • Page 2 WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2019-2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Safety instructions..........................5 Before working inside your computer..........................5 Before you begin ................................5 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection..........................5 ESD field service kit ................................6 Transporting sensitive components............................7 After working inside your computer............................7 2 Removing and installing components....................8 Recommended tools................................
  • Page 4 Running the ePSA diagnostics............................. 66 System diagnostic lights..............................66 Flashing BIOS (USB key)..............................67 Flashing the BIOS................................67 Backup media and recovery options..........................68 WiFi power cycle................................68 Flea power release................................68 Disconnecting the ethernet cable from the RJ-45 port....................68 6 Getting help and contacting Dell....................... 70...

  • Page 5: Safety Instructions

    CAUTION: You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 6: Esd Field Service Kit

    Due to the increased density of semiconductors used in recent Dell products, the sensitivity to static damage is now higher than in previous Dell products. For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable. Two recognized types of ESD damage are catastrophic and intermittent failures.

  • Page 7: Transporting Sensitive Components

    It is recommended that all field service technicians use the traditional wired ESD grounding wrist strap and protective anti-static mat at all times when servicing Dell products. In addition, it is critical that technicians keep sensitive parts separate from all insulator parts while performing service and that they use anti-static bags for transporting sensitive components.

  • Page 8: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Philips screwdriver #1 • Flat-head screwdriver • 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.

  • Page 9: Base Cover

    Table 1. Screw list(continued) Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image Left I/O-board Palm-rest assembly M2x3 Right I/O-board M2x3 • System board connector • Right I/O-board Right I/O-board Palm-rest assembly M2x3 Fans Palm-rest assembly M2.5x5 System board Palm-rest assembly M2x3 Fan and heat-sink System board...
  • Page 11 Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest assembly. 2. Loosen the six captive screws. 3. Using a plastic scribe, pry the base cover from the bottom-left corner and continue to work on the sides to open the base cover. 4.

  • Page 12: Installing The Base Cover

    5. Disconnect the battery from the system board. 6. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to ground the computer and drain the flea power. Installing the base cover Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the base cover and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 13: M.2 Solid-State Drive

    Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 2. Slide the notches on the top of the base cover under the rear I/O-cover and snap the base cover into place on the palm-rest assembly. 3. Tighten the six captive screws on the base cover. 4.
  • Page 14 About this task NOTE: This procedure applies only to computers shipped with a M.2 2230 solid-state drive installed. NOTE: Depending on the configuration ordered your computer may have up to two M.2 cards installed. Supported card configurations per M.2 card slot: •...

  • Page 15: Installing The M.2 2230 Solid-State Drive

    If these configurations are installed After Point-of-Sale (APOS), that is, after you purchase the computer; contact Dell support to purchase a thermal shield. NOTE: Before replacing the M.2 card take note that there are two M.2 card slots present on your computer, for: •...

  • Page 16: Removing The M.2 2280 Solid-State Drive

    Steps 1. Place and align the M.2 2230 mounting bracket on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 2230 mounting bracket to the palm-rest assembly. 3. Align the notch on the M.2 2230 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot on the system board. 4.

  • Page 17: Installing The M.2 2280 Solid-State Drive

    About this task NOTE: This procedure applies only to computers shipped with a M.2 2280 solid-state drive installed. NOTE: Depending on the configuration ordered your computer may have up to two M.2 cards installed. Supported card configurations per M.2 card slot: •...

  • Page 18: Coin-Cell Battery

    If these configurations are installed After Point-of-Sale (APOS), that is, after you purchase the computer; contact Dell support to purchase a thermal shield. NOTE: Before replacing the M.2 card take note that there are two M.2 card slots present on your computer, for: •...

  • Page 19: Installing The Coin-Cell Battery

    2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the coin-cell battery and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the connector on the system board. 2.

  • Page 20: Speakers

    Steps 1. Connect the coin-cell battery to the coin-cell battery cable. 2. Adhere the coin-cell battery onto the RTC marking on the right I/O-board. 3. Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the connector on the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover.

  • Page 21: Installing The Speakers

    Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the right I/O-board. 2. Lift the right speaker off the palm-rest assembly. 3. Remove the speaker cables from the routing guides on the palm-rest assembly. 4. Lift the left speaker off the palm-rest assembly. Installing the speakers Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.

  • Page 22: Rear-I/O Cover

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the left speaker on the palm-rest 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 assembly. 3.

  • Page 24: Installing The Rear I/O-Cover

    Steps 1. Peel and lift the Mylar covering the system board. 2. Disconnect and peel the Tron light cable from the system board and route the cable through the slot on the Mylar. NOTE: To prevent damaging your computer ensure the Tron light cable has been disconnected from the system board before removing the rear I/O-cover.

  • Page 25: Display Assembly

    Steps 1. Push the rear I/O-cover into the palm-rest assembly snapping it into place. NOTE: To avoiding damaging your computer, ensure the Tron light cable is not pinched and that the Mylar is pasted on the system board before snapping the rear I/O-cover into place. 2.
  • Page 26 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear I/O-cover. About this task NOTE: The display assembly is a Hinge-up Display (HUD) and cannot be further disassembled. If components within the display assembly need to be replaced, the entire display assembly is to be replaced. The following image indicates the location of the display assembly and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 27 Steps 1. Peel the Mylar covering the system board. 2. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless card bracket to the left I/O-board. 3. Lift the wireless card bracket off the left I/O-board. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5.

  • Page 28: Installing The Display Assembly

    13. Gently lift the display assembly from the palm-rest assembly. Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task NOTE: The display assembly is a Hinge-up Display (HUD) and cannot be further disassembled. If components within the display assembly need to be replaced, the entire display assembly is to be replaced.
  • Page 29 Steps 1. Ensure that the palm-rest assembly is placed face up with the keyboard facing you. 2. Gently place the display assembly on the palm-rest assembly and align the screw holes on the display assembly to the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly. 3.

  • Page 30: Battery

    11. Connect the antenna cables to the wireless card. The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card supported by your computer. Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the wireless card Antenna-cable color Main (white triangle) White Auxiliary (black triangle) Black...

  • Page 31: Installing The Battery

    Steps 1. Ensure that the battery cable has been disconnected from the system board. 2. Remove the eight screws (M2x4.5) that secure the battery to the palm-rest assembly. 3. Remove the battery from the palm-rest assembly. Installing the battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.

  • Page 32: Installing The Keyboard-Controller Board

    3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive. (If applicable) 4. Remove the 2280 solid-state drive. (If applicable) 5. Remove the battery. About this task The following image indicates the location of the keyboard-controller board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

  • Page 33: Left I/O-Board

    Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, adhere the keyboard-controller board into place on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Connect the keyboard-controller board-cable to the keyboard-controller board and close the connector latch. 3. Connect the keyboard cable to the keyboard-controller board and close the connector latch. 4.

  • Page 34: Installing The Left I/O-Board

    Steps 1. Peel the Mylar covering the system board. 2. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the left I/O-board. 3. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the left I/O-board. 4. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the left I/O-board cable connecting the left I/O-board and the system board. 5.
  • Page 35 Steps 1. Using the alignment post, place the left I/O-board on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the left I/O-board to the palm-rest assembly. 3. Connect the power-button assembly-cable to the left I/O-board and close the latch. 4.

  • Page 36: Right I/O-Board

    8. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the left I/O-board. 9. Adhere the Mylar over the system board and left I/O-board. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 3. Install the 2280 solid-state drive.

  • Page 37: Installing The Right I/O-Board

    Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the right I/O-board cable connecting the right I/O-board and the system board. 2. Lift the right I/O-board cable off the right I/O-board and system board. 3. Disconnect the speaker cable from the right I/O-board. 4.
  • Page 38 Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the right I/O-board in place on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the right I/O-board to the palm-rest asssembly. 3. Adhere the coin-cell battery onto the RTC marking on the right I/O-board. 4.

  • Page 39: System Board

    System board Removing the system board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 4. Remove the 2280 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 5. Remove the rear I/O-cover.

  • Page 41: Installing The System Board

    Steps 1. Peel the Mylar covering the system board. 2. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless card bracket to the left I/O-board. 3. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the left I/O-board. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5.
  • Page 42 About this task The following image indicates the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
  • Page 44 Steps 1. Install the fan and heat-sink assembly. 2. Connect the touchpad cable to the system board and close the latch. 3. Turn the system board over and place the system board on the palm-rest assembly. 4. Replace the four (M2.5x5) screws that secure the fans to the palm-rest assembly. 5.

  • Page 45: Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly

    15. Using the tab on the M.2 connector shield and the slot on the system board, align the screw hole of the M.2 connector shield with the screw hole on the system board. 16. Replace the screw (M2x4.5) that secures the M.2 connector shield to the system board. 17.
  • Page 46 Steps 1. Disconnect the left and right fan cables from the system board. 2. In the reverse sequential order (6>5>4>3>2>1) remove the six screws (M2x3) that secure the fan and heat-sink assembly to the system board. 3. Lift the fan and heat-sink assembly from the system board.

  • Page 47: Installing The Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly

    Installing the fan and heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. CAUTION: If either the processor or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal grease provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved.

  • Page 48: Touchpad

    Next steps 1. Install the system board. 2. Install the battery. 3. Install the rear I/O-cover. 4. Install the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 5. Install the 2280 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 6. Install the base cover. 7. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.

  • Page 49: Installing The Touchpad

    6. Lift the touchpad cable from the palm-rest assembly. 7. Remove the four (M2x2.5) screws that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest assembly. 8. Lift the touchpad off the palm-rest assembly. Installing the touchpad Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 50: Power-Adapter Port

    7. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Power-adapter port Removing the power-adapter port Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 4.

  • Page 51: Installing The Power-Adapter Port

    Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the power-adapter port bracket to the palm-rest assembly. 2. Lift the power-adapter port bracket off the palm-rest assembly. 3. Lift the power-adapter port along with its cable off the palm-rest assembly. Installing the power-adapter port Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.

  • Page 52: Power-Button Assembly

    Next steps 1. Install the system board. 2. Install the battery. 3. Install the rear I/O-cover. 4. Install the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 5. Install the 2280 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 6. Install the base cover. 7. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.

  • Page 53: Installing The Power-Button Assembly

    Installing the power-button assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power-button assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 54: Keyboard

    Keyboard Removing the keyboard Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 4. Remove the 2280 solid-state drive. (if applicable) 5. Remove the rear I/O-cover.

  • Page 55: Installing The Keyboard

    Steps 1. Remove the two (M2x1.9) screws that secure the keyboard-backlight cable to the keyboard-controller board. 2. Disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable from the keyboard-controller board. 3. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard-controller board. 4. Remove the 14 (M1.2x2.1) screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the keyboard. 5.

  • Page 56: Palmrest

    Steps 1. Place the keyboard on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Replace the 39 (M1.2x1.6) screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly. 3. Place the keyboard bracket on the keyboard. 4. Replace the 14 (M1.2x2.1) screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the keyboard. 5.

  • Page 57: Installing The Palm Rest

    Installing the palm rest Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. Steps To install the palm rest perform the post-requisites.
  • Page 58 Next steps 1. Install the keyboard. 2. Install the power-button assembly. 3. Install the power-adapter port. 4. Install the touchpad. 5. Install the system board. 6. Install the right I/O-board. 7. Install the left I/O-board. 8. Install the keyboard-controller board. 9.

  • Page 59: Device Drivers

    Device drivers Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility In the Device Manager, check if the chipset driver is installed. Install the Intel chipset updates from www.dell.com/support. Video drivers In the Device Manager, check if the video driver is installed. Install the video driver update from www.dell.com/support.

  • Page 60: System Setup

    1. Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2. During POST, when the DELL logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear, and then press F2 immediately. NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard is initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it, and then press F2.

  • Page 61: System Setup Options

    NOTE: XXX denotes the SATA drive number. • Optical Drive (if available) • 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 listed in this section may or may not appear. Table 5.
  • Page 62 Table 6. System setup options—Advanced menu(continued) Advanced aware operating system, handles USB devices. USB emulation is always enabled during POST. Default: Enabled NOTE: You cannot boot any type of USB device (floppy, hard drive, or memory key) when this option is off. USB Powershare Enables you to charge USB devices when the computer is turned off or in standby mode.
  • Page 63 Table 6. System setup options—Advanced menu(continued) Advanced Auto OS Recovery Threshold Control the automatic boot flow for SupportAssist System Resolution Console and for Dell OS Recovery tool. Default: 2 SupportAssist OS Recovery Enable or disable SupportAssist OS recovery. Default: Enabled...

  • Page 64: Clearing Cmos Settings

    5. Replace the back cover. Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell.
  • Page 65 NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.

  • Page 66: Troubleshooting

    Running the ePSA diagnostics Steps 1. Turn on your computer. 2. As the computer boots, press the F12 key as the Dell logo appears. 3. On the boot menu screen, select the Diagnostics option. 4. Click the arrow at the bottom left corner.

  • Page 67: Flashing Bios (Usb Key)

    4. Connect the bootable USB drive to the computer that needs the BIOS update. 5. Restart the computer and press F12 when the Dell logo is displayed on the screen. 6. Boot to the USB drive from the One Time Boot Menu.

  • Page 68: Backup Media And Recovery Options

    Backup media and recovery options It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. Dell proposes multiple options for recovering Windows operating system on your Dell PC. For more information. see...
  • Page 69 Steps 1. Press down on the securing clip that secures the ethernet cable to the RJ-45 port on your computer. 2. With the securing clip held down, pull on the ethernet cable and lift the cable upwards at an angle to release the ethernet cable from the RJ-45 port on your computer.

  • Page 70: Getting Help And Contacting Dell

    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 11. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter.

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Alienware p41e

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