Alienware M15X Processor Fan And Heat Sink Assembly Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          15 - 30 minutes

Sections

Battery Pack
5 steps
Memory Modules
8 steps
Hard-Drive
10 steps
Processor Fan and Heat Sink Assembly
7 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Turn the Computer

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
Turn the computer over.

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.

Turn the computer over.

1024

Step 2

              Sliding the Battery

Slide the battery latch to the unlock position as shown.

Slide the battery latch to the unlock position as shown.

Step 3

              Removing the Battery Pack

After the Battery Pack pops up, remove the Battery Pack.

After the Battery Pack pops up, remove the Battery Pack.

Step 4

              Aligning the Battery Pack Tabs

Align the battery pack tabs with the slots in the battery bay.

Align the battery pack tabs with the slots in the battery bay.

Step 5

              Pushing the Battery Pack

Push the NEW battery pack into the battery bay until the battery pack clicks into place.

Push the NEW battery pack into the battery bay until the battery pack clicks into place.

Step 6

              Loosen the Screws

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
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).
Loosen the two captive screws that secure the memory-module door to the computer base.

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).

Loosen the two captive screws that secure the memory-module door to the computer base.

Step 7

              Lifting the Memory Module Door

Slide the memory-module door to release the tabs and lift the memory-module door out of the computer base.

Slide the memory-module door to release the tabs and lift the memory-module door out of the computer base.

Step 8

              Popping up the Memory Module

CAUTION: If you need to remove memory modules from both connectors, remove the memory module in the upper connector before you remove the module in the lower connector.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module connector(s), do not use tools to spread the memory module spring-locks.
Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the spring-locks on the memory-module connector until the memory module pops up.

CAUTION: If you need to remove memory modules from both connectors, remove the memory module in the upper connector before you remove the module in the lower connector.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module connector(s), do not use tools to spread the memory module spring-locks.

Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the spring-locks on the memory-module connector until the memory module pops up.

Step 9

              Remove the Memory Module

Remove the memory module.

Remove the memory module.

Step 10

              Align the Notch

Align the notch on the NEW memory module with the tab on the memory-module connector.

Align the notch on the NEW memory module with the tab on the memory-module connector.

Step 11

              Insert the Module

Insert the module into the memory-module connector at a 45-degree angle, and press the memory module down until it clicks into place. If you do not hear the click, remove the module and reinstall it.

Insert the module into the memory-module connector at a 45-degree angle, and press the memory module down until it clicks into place. If you do not hear the click, remove the module and reinstall it.

Step 12

              Align and Insert the Memory Module Tabs

CAUTION: If the memory-module door is difficult to close, remove the memory module and reinstall it. Forcing the memory-module door to close may damage your computer.
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot.
Align and insert the memory-module door tabs into the slots on the computer base.

CAUTION: If the memory-module door is difficult to close, remove the memory module and reinstall it. Forcing the memory-module door to close may damage your computer.

NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot.

Align and insert the memory-module door tabs into the slots on the computer base.

Step 13

              Replacing and Tightening the Screws

Replace and tighten the two captive screws that secure the memory-module door to the computer base.

Replace and tighten the two captive screws that secure the memory-module door to the computer base.

Step 14

              Loosen the Screws

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.
Loosen the four captive screws that secure the hard-drive assembly.

WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.

Loosen the four captive screws that secure the hard-drive assembly.

Step 15

              Lifting the Hard-Drive Assembly

Using the pull-tab, lift the hard-drive assembly out of the hard-drive bay.

Using the pull-tab, lift the hard-drive assembly out of the hard-drive bay.

Step 16

              Remove the Screws

Remove the four screws that secure the hard drive to the hard-drive bracket.

Remove the four screws that secure the hard drive to the hard-drive bracket.

Step 17

              Lifting the Hard Drive

Lift the hard drive out of the hard-drive bracket.

Lift the hard drive out of the hard-drive bracket.

Step 18

              Disconnect the Interposer

Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive.

Disconnect the interposer from the hard drive.

Step 19

              Connecting the Interposer

Connect the interposer to the NEW hard drive.

Connect the interposer to the NEW hard drive.

Step 20

              Placing the Hard-Drive in the Bracket

Place the hard drive in the hard-drive bracket.

Place the hard drive in the hard-drive bracket.

Step 21

              Replace the Four Screws

Replace the four screws that secure the hard drive to the hard-drive bracket.

Replace the four screws that secure the hard drive to the hard-drive bracket.

Step 22

              Placing the Hard-Drive Assembly

Place the hard-drive assembly in the hard-drive bay.

Place the hard-drive assembly in the hard-drive bay.

Step 23

              Aligning and Tightening the Screws

Align and tighten the four captive screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the hard-drive bay.

Align and tighten the four captive screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the hard-drive bay.

Step 24

              Disconnecting the Fan and Heat Sink Assembly

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
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).
Disconnect the processor fan and heat sink assembly cable from the system board connector.

Disconnect the processor fan and heat sink assembly cable from the system board connector.

Step 25

              Loosen the Screws

In sequential order (indicated on the processor fan and heat sink assembly), loosen the four captive screws that secure the processor fan and heat sink assembly to the system board.

In sequential order (indicated on the processor fan and heat sink assembly), loosen the four captive screws that secure the processor fan and heat sink assembly to the system board.

Step 26

              Lifting the Processor Fan and Heat-Sink Assembly

Lift the processor fan and heat sink assembly off the system board.

Lift the processor fan and heat sink assembly off the system board.

Step 27

              Peeling off the Backing

Peel the backing off the thermal cooling pads attached to the NEW processor fan and heat sink assembly.
NOTE: If the processor fan and heat sink assembly is replaced, the thermal cooling pads will be attached to the new processor fan and heat sink assembly. Do not reuse the old thermal cooling pads.

Peel the backing off the thermal cooling pads attached to the NEW processor fan and heat sink assembly.

NOTE: If the processor fan and heat sink assembly is replaced, the thermal cooling pads will be attached to the new processor fan and heat sink assembly. Do not reuse the old thermal cooling pads.

Step 28

              Align the Four Captive Screws

Align the four captive screws on the processor heat sink with the screw holes on the system board and tighten the screws in sequential order (indicated on the processor fan and heat sink assembly).

Align the four captive screws on the processor heat sink with the screw holes on the system board and tighten the screws in sequential order (indicated on the processor fan and heat sink assembly).

Step 29

              Tighten the Screw

Tighten the screw that secures the processor fan and heat sink assembly to the computer base.

Tighten the screw that secures the processor fan and heat sink assembly to the computer base.

Step 30

              Connect the Processor Fan and Heat Sink Assembly

Connect the processor fan and heat sink assembly cable to the system board connector.

Connect the processor fan and heat sink assembly cable to the system board connector.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Terrence15

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