Dell Alienware Aurora Owners Manual

							41CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36.
Align the notch on the bottom of the memory module with the tab on the 2. memory module connector.
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3
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3notch4memory module
CAUTION:  To  avoid  damage  to  the  memory  module,  press  the  memory module  straight  down  into  the  memory  module  connector  while  you apply equal force to each end of the memory module.
Insert the memory module into the memory module connector until the 3. memory module snaps into position.
If  you  insert  the  memory  module  correctly,  the  securing  clips  snap  into  the cutouts at each end of the memory module.
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot.
Replace the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ on 4. page 38).Connect the power cable, and all the external peripherals to the computer.5. Turn on the computer.6. 
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. 
						

							42CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Press the release tabs together and slide the hard drive out of the hard 4. drive cage.
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Removing and Replacing Hard Drive(s)
To remove the hard drive(s):
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36.
Remove the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ 2. on page 38).
Disconnect the power and data cable from the hard drive (if applicable).3. 
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							43CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
To replace a hard drive:
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36.
See the documentation that shipped with your new hard drive to verify that 2. it is configured for your computer.
Snap the new-hard drive bracket on to the new hard drive (if applicable).3. 
Slide the new hard drive into the hard drive cage until the release tabs snap 4. 
into place.
Connect the power and data cables (if applicable).5. 
Replace the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ on 6. page 38).
Reconnect the power cable, and all the external peripherals to the computer.7. 
Turn on the computer.8. 
Remove the hard drive out of the hard-drive bracket (if applicable).5. 
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							44CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Locate the expansion card on the system board (see “Inside View of Your 4. Computer“ on page 39).
Disconnect any cables connected to the card (if applicable). 5. 
Remove the screw the secures the card to the chassis.6. 
Remove the card.7. 
For a PCI Express x1 card, grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it • 
out of its connector.
For a PCI Express x16 card, press the securing tab on the card connector • as you grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease the card out of the connector.
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3connector
NOTE: If  you  are  not  replacing  a  card,  install  a  filler  bracket  in  the  empty 
Removing and Replacing Expansion Card(s)
To remove a card:
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36.
Remove the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ on 2. page 38).
Press the shroud button and rotate the shroud away from the computer .3. 
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							45CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card (if applicable).  5. For information about the card’s cable connections, see the documentation that shipped with the card.
Replace the screw that secures the card to the chassis.6. 
Push the shroud to snap it into place.7. 
Replace the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ on 8. page 38). 
Reconnect the power cable, and all the external peripherals to the computer.9. 
Turn on the computer.10. 
card-slot opening. 
To replace a card:
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36. 
Remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening (if applicable). 2. 
Align the card with the slot on the connector.3. 
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card 4. is firmly seated in the slot.
If  you  are  installing  a  PCI  Express  Card  into  the  x16  connector,  press  the securing tab and place the card in the connector.
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							46CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS  
						

							47CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING 
CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING
CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING 
						

							48CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING 
When troubleshooting your computer, remember the following safety guidelines:
Before touching any of the computer’s internal components, touch an • unpainted portion of the chassis. Doing so will safely discharge any static electricity, which could damage your computer. 
Turn off your computer and any connected peripherals. • 
Disconnect any peripherals from your computer. • 
Things to check before troubleshooting: 
Ensure that the power cable is properly connected to your computer and a • power outlet. Ensure that the power outlet is working. 
Ensure that the UPS or power strip is turned on (if applicable). • 
If your peripheral devices (e.g. keyboard, mouse, printer, and so on) are not • working, ensure that all connections are secure.
If any computer components were added or removed before the problem • began, check to see if you performed the removal and installation procedure properly.
If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact error • message prior to calling Alienware Technical Support to aid in diagnosing and resolving your issue. 
If an error occurs in a specific program, see the program’s documentation. • 
Basic Hints and Tips
The computer does not turn on: Is your computer securely plugged into a • working electrical outlet? If plugged into a power strip, ensure that the strip is working. 
Connections: Check all the cables to ensure that there are no loose • connections anywhere. 
Power Savings: Ensure that your computer is not in hibernate or standby • mode by pressing the power button for less than 4 seconds. The power status light will fade from blinking white to off while in standby mode; in hibernate mode it will be off. 
Backup and General Maintenance
Always backup your important data on a regular basis and keep copies • of your operating system and software safe. Do not forget to note the serial numbers if you are storing them outside of their original cases — for example in a CD wallet. 
Run maintenance programs as often as you can. You may schedule these • programs to run at times when you are not using your computer. You can use those provided with your operating system, or buy more powerful, dedicated programs to do so. 
Write down your passwords and keep them safe (away from your computer). • This is especially important if you choose to password-protect your computer’s BIOS and operating system. 
Document vital settings such as network, dialup, mail and Internet settings.•  
						

							49CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING 
If  the  PSA  completes  successfully,  the  following  message    appears  on  your screen.
“Do  you  want  to  run  the  remaining  memory  tests?  This  will take  about  30 minutes  or  more.  Do  you  want  to  continue? (Recommended).”
Press  to continue if you are experiencing memory issue, otherwise press  to finish PSA testing. 
When you press , the following message appears on the screen.
“Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue.”
Select 5. Exit to reboot your computer.
Software Diagnostic Tools
Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA)
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment (PSA), a series of initial tests for the system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, and so on.
To invoke PSA:
Restart the computer.1. 
When the Alienware logo appears, press  to access the 2. Boot Menu.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to  wait  until  you  see  the  Microsoft®  Windows®  desktop;  then,  shut  down your computer and try again.
Select 3. Diagnostics from the menu and press . 
During the assessment, answer any questions that appear on the screen.4. 
If a component fails the test, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the • assessment and restart the computer, press ; to continue to the next test, press ; to retest the component that failed, press .
If you receive error code(s) during the Pre-boot System Assessment, • write down the error code(s) and contact Alienware (see “CONTACTING ALIENWARE“ on page 66).  
						

							50CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING 
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next  start-up,  the  computer  boots  according  to  the  devices  specified  in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight 3. CD/DVD/CD-RW and press .
Select 4. Boot from CD-ROM from the menu that appears and press .
Select 5. Alienware Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer.
When the Alienware Diagnostics 6. Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
NOTE: Write  down  any  error  codes  and  problem  descriptions  exactly  as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the 7. Alienware Diagnostics Main Menu.
Remove your 8. Resource DVD, then close the Main Menu window to exit the Alienware Diagnostics and restart the computer.
Alienware® Diagnostics
If  you  experience  a  problem  with  your  Alienware  desktop,  run  the  Alienware Diagnostics.
NOTE: Back up all data before initiating a system recovery. 
NOTE: The Resource  DVD  contains  drivers  for  your  computer.  You  can also  download  the  latest  drivers  and  software  for  your  computer  from  support.dell.com.
Review your desktop’s configuration information, and ensure that the device that you  want  to  test  appears  in  the  system  setup  program  and  is  active.  Start  the Alienware Diagnostics from the Resource DVD. 
Starting Alienware Diagnostics From the Resource DVD
Insert the 1. Resource DVD. 
Shut down and restart the desktop.  2. When the Alienware logo appears, press  immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to  wait  until  you  see  the  Microsoft®  Windows®  desktop;  then,  shut  down your computer and try again.