Dell Alienware M17x Service Guide

							071071/
CHAPTER 16: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 
1
2
3
4
1system board connector3clips (2)
2WPAN/Bluetooth Mini-Card4antenna cable
Removing the Mini-Card(s)
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.
Remove the battery pack (see “Removing the Battery Pack” on page 2. 11).
Remove the palm rest (see “Removing the Palm Rest” on page 3. 42).
Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-Card.4. 
Pull back the securing clips to release the Mini-Cards.5. 
1
2
4
3
1system board connector3antenna cables (2 or 3)
2WLAN Mini-Card4clips (2) 
						

							072072/
CHAPTER 16: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 
1
2
1system board connector2WPAN/Bluetooth Mini-Card
Lift the Mini-Card at an angle and remove it from the system board 6. connector.
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.
1
2
1system board connector2WLAN Mini-Card 
						

							073073/
CHAPTER 16: WIRELESS MINI-CARD(S) 
Secure the unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.6. 
Replace the palm rest (see “Replacing the Palm Rest” on page 7. 44).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 8. 11). 
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.
Install the drivers and utilities for your computer, as required.9. 
NOTE: If you are installing a communication card from a source other than Dell or Alienware, you must install the appropriate drivers and utilities.
Replacing the Mini-Card(s)
Remove the new Mini-Card from its packaging. 1. 
CAUTION: Use firm and even pressure to slide the card into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector. 
Insert the Mini-Card at a 45-degree angle into the appropriate system board 2. connector. For example, the WLAN card connector is labeled WLAN and so on.
Press the other end of the Mini-Card down into the slot on the system board 3. until it clicks into place.
Connect the appropriate antenna cables to the Mini-Card you are installing. 4. The following table provides the antenna cable color scheme for the Mini-Card supported by your computer.
Connectors on the Mini-CardAntenna Cable Color Scheme
WLAN (2 or 3 antenna cables):
Main WLAN (white triangle)
Auxiliary WLAN (black triangle)
MIMO WLAN (gray triangle) (optional)
white
black
gray
WPAN (one antenna cable):
WPANblue 
						

							CHAPTER 17: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK 
074074/
CHAPTER 17: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK
CHAPTER 16: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK 
						

							075075/
CHAPTER 17: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK 
Processor 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty. 
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery  (see  “Removing  the  Battery  Pack”  on  page 11)  before  working inside the computer.  
						

							076076/
CHAPTER 17: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK 
2
1
1processor heat sink2captive screws (6)
Removing the Processor Heat Sink
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.
Remove the battery pack (see “Removing the Battery Pack” on page 2. 11).
Remove the center control cover (see “Removing the Center Control Cover” 3. on page 33).
Remove the keyboard (see “Removing the Keyboard” on page 4. 38).
Remove the palm rest (see “Removing the Palm Rest” on page 5. 42).
Remove the left and right brackets (see “Removing the Brackets” on 6. page 47).
Remove the magnesium cover (see “Removing the Magnesium Cover” on 7. page 50).
Loosen the six captive screws that secure the processor heat sink to the 8. system board.
Lift the processor heat sink off the system board. 9.  
						

							077077/
CHAPTER 17: PROCESSOR HEAT SINK 
Replacing the Processor Heat Sink
Peel the backing off the thermal cooling pads attached to the new processor 1. heat sink.
NOTE: If the processor heat sink is replaced, the thermal cooling pads will be  attached to the new processor heat sink. Do not reuse the old thermal cooling pads. 
Place the processor heat sink on the system board. 2. 
Tighten the six captive screws that secure the processor heat sink to the 3. system board.
Replace the magnesium cover (see “Replacing the Magnesium Cover” on 4. page 51).
Replace the left and right brackets (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page 5. 47).
Replace the palm rest (see “Replacing the Palm Rest” on page 6. 44).
Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 7. 39).
Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 8. on page 35).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 9. 11).
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. 
						

							CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD(S) 
078078/
Your  computer  may  have  a  single  graphics  or  dual  graphics  configuration.  The graphics card on the left is the primary graphics card and the graphics card on the right is the secondary graphics card.
In a single graphics configuration, your computer will only have a primary graphics card.
In  a  dual  graphics  configuration,  your  computer  will  have  a  primary  graphics card, a secondary graphics card, and a graphics cable connecting the primary and secondary graphics cards.
CHAPTER 17: GRAPHICS CARD(S)
CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD(S) 
						

							079079/
CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD(S) 
Graphics 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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. 
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty. 
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery  (see  “Removing  the  Battery  Pack”  on  page 11)  before  working inside the computer.  
						

							080080/
CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD(S) 
1
2
3
1screws (2) 3graphics card cable connector
2secondary graphics card
Removing the Graphics Card(s)
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 6.
Remove the battery pack (see “Removing the Battery Pack” on page 2. 11).
Remove the center control cover (see “Removing the Center Control Cover” 3. on page 33).
Remove the keyboard (see “Removing the Keyboard” on page 4. 38).
To remove the secondary graphics card, if applicable:5. 
Remove the right bracket (see “Removing the Brackets” on page a. 47).
Disconnect the graphics card cable from the connector on the primary b. graphics card. 
Remove the two screws that secure the secondary graphics card to the c. system board.
Lift the secondary graphics card at an angle and remove it from the d. system board connector.