Transporting sensitive components............................8 After working inside your computer............................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components..................9 Recommended tools................................9 Screw list....................................9 Major components of Alienware m15 R6 ......................... 10 Base cover................................... 12 Removing the base cover.............................. 12 Installing the base cover..............................15 Battery....................................18 Battery cable..................................18...
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Installing the wireless card............................42 Rear-I/O cover...................................43 Removing the rear I/O-cover............................43 Installing the rear I/O-cover............................44 Touchpad.................................... 45 Removing the touchpad............................... 45 Installing the touchpad..............................47 Power-adapter port................................48 Removing the power-adapter port..........................48 Installing the power-adapter port..........................49 Display assembly................................50 Removing the display assembly...........................
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Flashing the BIOS................................90 Backup media and recovery options..........................90 WiFi power cycle................................91 Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset).........................91 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Alienware................92...
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 is shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
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 For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.
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.
Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● 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.
Rear I/O cover M2x4 Rear I/O cover M2.5x5 Power-adapter port-bracket M2x4 System board M2x4 Heat-sink assembly M2x4 USB board M2x4 Power button M2x2 Major components of Alienware m15 R6 The following image shows the major components of Alienware m15 R6 .
26.USB Type-C port bracket NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options.
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Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws (M2.5x8.5+3.5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Loosen the four captive screws (M2.5x1.7+3.3) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Loosening the four screws creates a gap, which can be used to pry and lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
4. Using your fingertips, pry open the base cover from the middle of the front edge of base cover, and then pry the left and right sides of the base cover. 5. Lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: The following steps are applicable only if you want to further remove any other component from your computer.
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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 and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.
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Steps 1. Flip the battery and remove the battery cable from the routing guides on the battery. 2. Disconnect the battery cable from the connector on the battery. 3. Lift the battery cable off the battery. Installing the battery cable Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align and place the battery cable on the battery. 2. Route the battery cable through the routing guides on the battery. 3. Connect the battery cable to the connector on the battery. Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2.
Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board (applicable only if not disconnected earlier). NOTE: After removing the battery, store the battery cable safely. The replacement battery will not be shipped with the battery cable. If you want to replace the battery cable, it has to be purchased separately. 2.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the battery on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.
About this task The following image indicates the location of the battery cable and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align and place the battery cable on the battery. 2. Route the battery cable through the routing guides on the battery. 3.
The following image indicates the location of the 2230 solid-state drive that is installed in SSD slot one and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and the system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the thermal shield to the solid-state drive and system board. 2. Lift the thermal shield off the solid-state drive. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive slot on the system board. Installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3. Place the thermal shield on the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw holes on the thermal shield with the screw holes on the solid-state drive and system board. 5.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot one. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one.
3. To install a 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2230 solid-state drive in SSD slot two. 4. To install a 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, see installing the 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two.
Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the touchpad bracket. 4. Note the speaker cable routing, and remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
4. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. I/O board Removing the I/O board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
NOTE: If the device is shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti discrete GPU controller, there are two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Remove the two screws (M2x4) and see step 5. 4.
2. Align and place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: If the device is shipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti discrete GPU controller, replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory module. 2. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up. 3. Remove the memory module from the memory-module slot. NOTE: Repeat step 1 and step 3 to remove the other memory module, if installed on your computer.
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Steps 1. Lift the system board Mylar to access the memory-module slot. 2. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot. 3. Slide the memory module firmly into the slot at an angle. 4. Press the memory module down until it clicks into place. NOTE: If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it.
Wireless card Removing the wireless card Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the wireless card and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
3. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5. Slide and remove the wireless card from the wireless-card slot. Installing the wireless card 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 wireless card and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card that is supported by your computer. Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the Antenna-cable color Silkscreen marking wireless card △ (white triangle) Main White MAIN Auxiliary Black ▲...
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2.5x5) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Disconnect the Tron light cable from the system board. 4.
Steps 1. Slide the rear I/O-cover onto the palm-rest and keyboard assembly until it snaps into place. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the rear I/O-cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the Tron light cable to the system board. 4.
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About this task The following image indicates the location of the touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 3.
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. Steps 1.
Next steps 1. Install the battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. 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. Peel the display cable from the system board and remove the display cable from the slot on the system board. 4. Lift the system board Mylar next to the left fan to access the power-adapter port. 5. Remove the two screws (M2x4) on the power-adapter port-bracket that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the system board.
4. Adhere the power-adapter port cable on the system board. 5. Align the screw holes on the power-adapter port bracket to the screw holes on the system board. 6. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the power-adapter port bracket to the system board. 7.
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Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 2. Disconnect the Alienhead LED cable from the system board. 3. Disconnect the RGB-IR camera cable from the USB board. NOTE: This step applies to devices that are shipped with a hybrid RGB-IR camera module. 4.
10. Lift the display assembly off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 11. After performing all the above steps, you are left with the display assembly. Installing the display 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 display assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
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Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the display hinges with screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the display cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Keyboard-controller board Removing the keyboard-controller board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. 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.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, adhere the keyboard-controller board into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw hole on the keyboard-controller board with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x2) that secures the keyboard-controller board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
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8. Remove the rear I/O-cover. 9. Remove the system board Mylar. About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. Display cable 2. Alienhead LED cable 3. Speaker cable 4. I/O-board cable 5. Power-adapter port cable 6.
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Steps 1. Peel the system board Mylar off the system board. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C port bracket to the system board. 3. Remove the USB Type-C port bracket from the system board. 4. Open the latch, and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 5.
18. Place the system-board assembly on a clean and flat surface. 19. Turn the system-board assembly over. 20.Remove the board. 21. Remove the heat-sink assembly. 22.After performing all the above steps, you are left with the system board. Installing the system board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
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NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program after you replace the system board. NOTE: Replacing the system board removes any changes you have made to the BIOS using the BIOS setup program. You must make the appropriate changes again after you replace the system board.
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Steps NOTE: Place the system board on a clean and flat surface. Replace the board. 2. Replace the heat-sink assembly. 3. Turn the system-board assembly over. 4. Align the screw holes on the system-board assembly with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
4. Install the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 5. Install the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable. 6. Install the battery. 7. Install the base cover. 8. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.
Steps 1. Disconnect the left and right fan cables from the system board. 2. Turn the system-board assembly over. 3. Remove the six screws (M2x4) that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board. 4. Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board. Installing the heat-sink assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
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CAUTION: If either the processor or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal grease that is provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved. Steps 1. Place the heat-sink assembly on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board. 3.
10. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. USB board Removing the USB board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable.
Installing the USB board 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 USB board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
Power button Removing the power button Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot two, whichever applicable.
Installing the power button 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 and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
Palm-rest and keyboard assembly Removing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 2230 solid-state drive 2280 solid-state drive in SSD slot one, whichever applicable. 4.
Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat surface. NOTE: When replacing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, the solid-state drive mounting brackets have to be transferred from the old palm-rest and keyboard assembly to the replacement palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ SLN128938.
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.
NOTE: Depending on this computer and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Table 3. System setup options—System information menu Overview Alienware m15 R6 BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the computer.
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Table 3. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview 64-Bit Technology Displays whether 64-bit technology is used. MEMORY Memory Installed Displays the total computer memory installed. Memory Available Displays the total computer memory available. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed. Memory Channel Mode Displays single or dual channel mode.
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Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu Integrated Devices Date/Time Date Sets the computer date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Changes to the date take effect immediately. Time Sets the computer time in HH/MM/SS 24-hour format. You can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour clock. Changes to the time take effect immediately. Camera Enable Camera Enables or disables the camera.
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Table 6. System setup options—Storage menu (continued) Storage Enable SMART Reporting Enables or disables Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART). Default: OFF Drive Information Displays the information of various onboard drives. Table 7. System setup options—Display menu Display Display Brightness Brightness on battery power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on battery power.
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Table 8. System setup options—Connection menu (continued) Connection HTTP(s) Boot Modes Configures HTTP(s) Boot Modes. Default: Auto Mode. HTTP(s) Boot automatically extracts Boot URL from the Dynamic Host Configuration (DHCP). NOTE: Provisioning of the Certificate is required to connect to HTTPs Boot server.
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Table 10. System setup options—Security menu Security Intel® Platform Trust Technology Intel® Platform Trust Technology On Enable or disable the Intel® Platform Trust Technology (PPT) feature in the OS. Default: ON PPI Bypass for Clear Commands Enables or disables the Trusted Platform Model (TPM) Physical Presence Interface (PPI).
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Allow Non-Admin PSID Revert Enable Allow Non-Admin PSID Revert Controls access to the Physical Security ID (PSID) revert of NVMe hard-drives from the Dell Security Manager prompt. Default: OFF Table 12. System setup options—Update,Recovery menu Update,Recovery UEFI Capsule Firmware Updates Enable UEFI Capsule Firmware Updates Enables or disables BIOS updates through UEFI capsule update packages.
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Enables or disables cloud Service OS recovery if the main OS fails to boot within the number of failures equal or greater than the value specified by Dell Auto OS Recovery Threshold, and local Service does not boot, or is not installed.
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Table 14. System setup options—Keyboard menu (continued) Keyboard Default: Lock Mode Standard Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Keyboard Backlight Timeout on AC Enables the user to define the timeout value for the keyboard backlight when an AC adapter is plugged into the system. Default: Never Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery Keyboard Backlight Timeout on Battery...
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Table 15. System setup options—Pre-boot Behavior menu (continued) Pre-boot Behavior Default: 0 seconds Table 16. System setup options—Virtualization Support menu Virtualization Intel® Virtualization Technology Enable Intel® Virtualization Technology Enables the computer to run a virtual machine monitor (VMM). (VT) Default: ON VT for Direct I/O Enable Intel®...
Table 17. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance TCC Activation Offset TCC Activation Offset Enables user to adjust CPU's Tcc offset to moderate the performance of the CPU. Default: 00 Table 18. System setup options—System Logs menu System Logs BIOS Event Log Clear BIOS Event Log Select keep or clear BIOS events.
4. Wait for one minute. 5. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 6. Install the base 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.
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NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.
You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Table 20. Diagnostic-light LED codes...
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...
5. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to drain the flea power. 6. Install the battery. 7. Install the base cover. 8. Connect the power adapter to your computer. 9. Turn on your computer. NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, see the knowledge base article SLN85632 www.dell.com/ support.
Express Service Code. To view relevant support resources for documents. your Dell computer, enter the Service Tag or Express Service Code at www.dell.com/support. For more information on how to find the Service Tag for your...