Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
24
Time Required
25 minutes
Sections
8
- Base Cover
- 2 steps
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- 4 steps
- RAM
- 2 steps
- Wi-Fi card
- 4 steps
- Solid State Drive
- 2 steps
- Fan Shroud
- 3 steps
- Plastic Cover
- 5 steps
- Battery
- 2 steps
Flags
1
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Introduction
Note: This procedure may differ from other Alienware 17” laptop models. Check to make sure your laptop is the correct model before continuing.
What you need
Step 1
Base Cover
- Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to remove the six M2.5x13 screws (2.4 mm) on the back of the laptop.
- Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to loosen the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm).
- The M2x3 screw (1.9 mm) does not come out completely.
Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to remove the six M2.5x13 screws (2.4 mm) on the back of the laptop.
Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to loosen the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm).
The M2x3 screw (1.9 mm) does not come out completely.
1024
Step 2
- Pull the base cover up to remove it.
- If you are having trouble, insert a plastic opening tool into the divots along the laptop’s edges to loosen.
- Removing the cover may require some force.
Pull the base cover up to remove it.
If you are having trouble, insert a plastic opening tool into the divots along the laptop’s edges to loosen.
Removing the cover may require some force.
Step 3
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- Disconnect the battery connector cable, located on the right side of the laptop, above the hard disk drive.
- Once you have removed the cable, wait 5-10 minutes to allow the laptop to power down.
- Failure to remove the battery connector cable properly may damage other parts of the laptop.
Disconnect the battery connector cable, located on the right side of the laptop, above the hard disk drive.
Once you have removed the cable, wait 5-10 minutes to allow the laptop to power down.
Failure to remove the battery connector cable properly may damage other parts of the laptop.
Step 4
- Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to remove the four M2.5x5 screws (2.4 mm) on the hard disk drive.
Use a PH1 screwdriver bit to remove the four M2.5x5 screws (2.4 mm) on the hard disk drive.
Step 5
- Gently lift the HDD cable to disconnect it from the laptop.
Gently lift the HDD cable to disconnect it from the laptop.
Step 6
- Pull the hard drive up to remove.
Pull the hard drive up to remove.
Step 7
RAM
- Move the metal sidings outward to release the RAM card.
Move the metal sidings outward to release the RAM card.
Step 8
- Slide the RAM card out towards yourself to remove it.
- Repeat the same step for the RAM card above.
- Slide the RAM card out carefully to avoid damaging it.
Slide the RAM card out towards yourself to remove it.
Repeat the same step for the RAM card above.
Slide the RAM card out carefully to avoid damaging it.
Step 9
Wi-Fi card
- Locate the WI-FI card.
Locate the WI-FI card.
Step 10
- Peel back plastic cover of wi-fi card.
- Use a PH1 screwdriver bit and remove the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm)
Peel back plastic cover of wi-fi card.
Use a PH1 screwdriver bit and remove the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm)
Step 11
- Gently undo the clips attached to the wi-fi card.
- If the clip is not gently removed it is possible that the entire base will be torn off the wi-fi card. You will need to purchase a new wi-fi card if this occurs.
Gently undo the clips attached to the wi-fi card.
If the clip is not gently removed it is possible that the entire base will be torn off the wi-fi card. You will need to purchase a new wi-fi card if this occurs.
Step 12
- Locate the cables that connect the wi-fi card.
- Gently pull upwards to remove cables and slide the wi-fi card out from its slot.
Locate the cables that connect the wi-fi card.
Gently pull upwards to remove cables and slide the wi-fi card out from its slot.
Step 13
Solid State Drive
- Remove the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm) using a PH1 screwdriver bit
Remove the one M2x3 screw (1.9 mm) using a PH1 screwdriver bit
Step 14
- Slide the solid state drive towards yourself to prevent damage to the card.
Slide the solid state drive towards yourself to prevent damage to the card.
Step 15
Fan Shroud
- Remove the two M2.5x7 screws (2.44 mm) located on the rear panel using a PH1 screwdriver bit.
Remove the two M2.5x7 screws (2.44 mm) located on the rear panel using a PH1 screwdriver bit.
Step 16
- Insert the plastic opening tool under the fan shroud to slowly lift it up.
- Repeat process on the middle and opposite side.
Insert the plastic opening tool under the fan shroud to slowly lift it up.
Repeat process on the middle and opposite side.
Step 17
- Firmly lift the plastic opening tool and pull the fan shroud towards you.
- This will take a large amount of force and will not come out easily the first time.
- Careful not to tear out the piece causing damage to the fan shroud
Firmly lift the plastic opening tool and pull the fan shroud towards you.
This will take a large amount of force and will not come out easily the first time.
Careful not to tear out the piece causing damage to the fan shroud
Step 18
Plastic Cover
- Unscrew the two M2x3 screws (1.9 mm) at the top right and top left of the laptop that hold the tron lights in place.
Unscrew the two M2x3 screws (1.9 mm) at the top right and top left of the laptop that hold the tron lights in place.
Step 19
- Follow the wiring to unplug the tron lights.
Follow the wiring to unplug the tron lights.
Step 20
- Remove the fourteen M2.5XL8’ screws (2.4 mm) located in the plastic cover using the PH1 screwdriver.
Remove the fourteen M2.5XL8’ screws (2.4 mm) located in the plastic cover using the PH1 screwdriver.
Step 21
- Use the plastic opening tool to gently lift the sides of the cover.
Use the plastic opening tool to gently lift the sides of the cover.
Step 22
- Slowly lift up the plastic cover.
Slowly lift up the plastic cover.
Step 23
Battery
- Unscrew the four M2.5 screws (2.4 mm) with a PH1 screwdriver bit.
Unscrew the four M2.5 screws (2.4 mm) with a PH1 screwdriver bit.
Step 24
- Lift the battery up to remove it.
Lift the battery up to remove it.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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23 other people completed this guide.
Author
with 8 other contributors
Hector Mendez III
Member since: 09/11/2017
1,216 Reputation
8 Guides authored
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Team
CSU Fullerton, Team S2-G4, Bruce Fall 2017
Member of CSU Fullerton, Team S2-G4, Bruce Fall 2017
CSUF-BRUCE-F17S2G4
4 Members
9 Guides authored
alex.afnet - Apr 17, 2019
Reply
Very good guide, just one error, step 11 comes first then step 10. You can’t lift the card before remove the screw.
Glenn Bell - May 26, 2021
Reply
Great guide, no issues at all!
Michelle - Sep 19, 2021
Reply
First time I’ve cracked opened up a computer in decades. This step by step guide gave me the confidence I needed! Thank you so much. It took me longer, about two hours with stopping to label screws and things but everything is up and running again. I’m so happy!
John Wohlwend - Nov 28, 2021
Reply
I would not recommend disconnecting the wifi card. the connectors are tiny. if you screw up, best case you need a new wifi card, worst case you are going to need to replace the antenna, and that isn’t fun.
Yannick Docq - Apr 3, 2022
Reply
After the battery replacement? do we need to do anything else for calibration so that the Alienware knows that it is a fresh battery and battery cycle … as i have heard that you need to repeat 3X the process of discharging and charging for calibration. or can we just plug and play? I am getting a new battery for mine soon. Thanks =)
