Dell Alienware M17x Service Guide

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CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD(S) 
Replacing the Graphics Card(s)
To replace the primary graphics card:1. 
Insert the primary graphics card at a 45-degree angle into the system a. board connector.
Replace the two screws that secure the primary graphics card to the b. system board.
Replace the left bracket (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page c. 47).
To replace the secondary graphics card, if applicable:2. 
Insert the secondary graphics card at a 45-degree angle into the system a. board connector.
Replace the two screws that secure the secondary graphics card to the b. system board.
Connect the graphics cable to the connector on the primary graphics c. card.
Replace the right bracket (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page d. 47).
Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 3. 39).
Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 4. on page 35).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 5. 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.
To remove the primary graphics card:6. 
Remove the left bracket (see “Removing the Brackets” on page a. 47).
Remove the two screws that secure the primary graphics card to the b. system board.
Lift the primary graphics card at an angle and remove it from the c. system board connector. 
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1primary graphics card2screws (2) 
						

							CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S) 
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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.  The  primary  graphics  card  will  have  a primary graphics card fan and the secondary graphics card will have a secondary graphics card fan.
CHAPTER 18: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S)
CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S) 
						

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CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S) 
Graphics Card Fan(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.  
						

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CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S) 
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1primary graphics card fan3primary graphics card fan cable
2captive screws (3)
Removing the Graphics Card Fan(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).
Remove the left bracket (see “Removing the Brackets” on page 5. 47).
Remove the primary graphics card (see “Removing the Graphics Card(s)” on 6. page 80).
Remove the right bracket, if applicable (see “Removing the Brackets” on 7. page 47). 
NOTE: If  your  computer  has  two  graphics  cards,  then  your  computer  will have two graphics card fans.
Remove the secondary graphics card, if applicable (see “Removing the 8. Graphics Card(s)” on page 80).
Loosen the three captive screws that secure the graphics card fan to the 9. computer base.
Disconnect the graphics card fan cable from the system board connector
.10. 
Lift the graphics card fan off the computer base. 11.  
						

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CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD FAN(S) 
Replacing the Graphics Card Fan(s)
Place the graphics card fan in the computer base. 1. 
Tighten the three captive screws that secure the graphics card fan to the 2. computer base.
Connect the graphics card fan cable to the system board connector.3. 
Replace the primary graphics card (see “Replacing the Graphics Card(s)” on 4. page 81).
Replace the left bracket (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page 5. 47).
Replace the secondary graphics card, if applicable (see “Replacing the 6. Graphics Card(s)” on page 81).
Replace the right bracket, if applicable (see “Replacing the Brackets” on 7. page 47).
Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 8. 39).
Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 9. on page 35).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 10. 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 20: GRAPHICS CARD BLANK 
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If  your  computer  has  a  dual  graphics  configuration,  the  secondary  graphics card  is  already  installed  on  the  right  side  of  the  computer  base  (to  remove  and replace  the  graphics  card  see  the  instructions  in  “Graphics  Card(s)  on  page 78” and “Graphics Card Fan(s) on page 82).
If you do not have a secondary graphics card, your computer will have a graphics card blank instead.
CHAPTER 19: GRAPHICS CARD BLANK
CHAPTER 20: GRAPHICS CARD BLANK 
						

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CHAPTER 20: GRAPHICS CARD BLANK 
Graphics Card Blank
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.  
						

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CHAPTER 20: GRAPHICS CARD BLANK 
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1graphics card blank2captive screws (3) 
Removing the Graphics Card Blank
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 right bracket (see “Removing the Brackets” on page 5. 47).
Loosen the three captive screws that secure the graphics card blank to the 6. computer base.
Lift the graphics card blank off the computer base. 7. 
Replacing the Graphics Card Blank
Place the graphics card blank in the computer base. 1. 
Tighten the three captive screws that secure the graphics card blank to the 2. computer base.
Replace the right bracket (see “Replacing the Brackets” on page 3. 47).
Replace the keyboard (see “Replacing the Keyboard” on page 4. 39).
Replace the center control cover (see “Replacing the Center Control Cover” 5. on page 35).
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 6. 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 21: SYSTEM BOARD 
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The system board’s BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label on the bottom of the computer. The replacement kit for the system board includes a CD that provides a utility for transferring the Service Tag to the replacement system board.
CHAPTER 20: SYSTEM BOARD
CHAPTER 21: SYSTEM BOARD 
						

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CHAPTER 21: SYSTEM BOARD 
Removing the System Board
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 compartment door (see “Removing the Compartment Door” on 3. page 14).
Remove the hard drive(s) (see “Removing the Hard Drive(s)” on page 4. 17).
Disconnect the processor thermal fan cable from the system board 5. connector (see “Removing the Processor Thermal Fan” on page 22).
Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board connector (see 6. “Removing the Coin-Cell Battery on page 25).
Remove the memory module(s) (see “Removing the Memory Module(s)” on 7. page 28).
Remove the palm rest (see “Removing the Palm Rest” on page 8. 42).
Remove the center control cover (see “Removing the Center Control Cover” 9. on page 33).
Remove the keyboard (see “Removing the Keyboard” on page 10. 38).
Remove the left and right brackets (see “Removing the Brackets” on 11. page 47).
Remove the magnesium cover (see “Removing the Magnesium Cover” on 12. page 50).
System 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. 
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. 
CAUTION:  Handle  components  and  cards  by  their  edges,  and  avoid touching pins and contacts.