Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
64
Time Required
30 minutes - 2 hours
Sections
6
- Base Panel
- 3 steps
- Solid-State Drive (SSD)
- 13 steps
- Palm Rest
- 14 steps
- Keyboard
- 11 steps
- Power-Adapter Port
- 15 steps
- Heart-Sink Assembly
- 8 steps
Flags
2
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BackDell Alienware 13
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Introduction
What you need
Step 1
Base Panel
- Working on an electrical device while plugged in can cause injury due to electrical shock. Ensure that all external power is disconnected from the device.
- Close the device and turn the device over.
Working on an electrical device while plugged in can cause injury due to electrical shock. Ensure that all external power is disconnected from the device.
Close the device and turn the device over.
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Step 2
- Remove (2) 5 mm Phillips head screws attaching the small access panel to the base using a Phillips # 1 screwdriver.
- The (2) screws are attached to the base panel with retaining clips and won’t completely detach from the panel.
Remove (2) 5 mm Phillips head screws attaching the small access panel to the base using a Phillips # 1 screwdriver.
The (2) screws are attached to the base panel with retaining clips and won’t completely detach from the panel.
Step 3
- Remove the small access panel using a heavy duty spudger.
Remove the small access panel using a heavy duty spudger.
Step 4
Caution
- CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
- CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the solid-state drive while the computer is in sleep or on state.
CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the solid-state drive while the computer is in sleep or on state.
Step 5
Pull Tab
- Using the pull tab, pivot the solid-state drive bracket and peel off the bracket from the tabs on the computer base.
Using the pull tab, pivot the solid-state drive bracket and peel off the bracket from the tabs on the computer base.
Step 6
Disconnecting the State Drive
- Using the pull tab, disconnect the solid-state drive cable from the system board.
Using the pull tab, disconnect the solid-state drive cable from the system board.
Step 7
Remove Screws
- Remove the screws that secure the solid-state drive assembly to the computer base.
Remove the screws that secure the solid-state drive assembly to the computer base.
Step 8
Solid-State Drive Assembly Lift
- Lift the solid-state drive assembly off the computer base.
- Make sure the screws are off the solid-state assembly.
Lift the solid-state drive assembly off the computer base.
Make sure the screws are off the solid-state assembly.
Step 9
Slide and Lift
- Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state assembly.
Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state assembly.
Step 10
Replacing the Solid-State Drive
- CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
- Slide the new solid-state drive into the solid-state drive assembly.
Slide the new solid-state drive into the solid-state drive assembly.
Step 11
Replace the Screw
- Replace the screw that secures the solid-state drive assembly with the screw holes on the computer base.
Replace the screw that secures the solid-state drive assembly with the screw holes on the computer base.
Step 12
Screw Align
- Align the screw holes on the solid-state drive assembly with the screw holes on the computer base.
Align the screw holes on the solid-state drive assembly with the screw holes on the computer base.
Step 13
Screw Replacement
- Replace the screws that secure the solid-state drive assembly to the computer base.
Replace the screws that secure the solid-state drive assembly to the computer base.
Step 14
Connecting the Drive
- Connect the solid-state drive cable to the system board.
Connect the solid-state drive cable to the system board.
Step 15
Aligning Screws
- Align the screws on the solid-state drive bracket with the screw holes on the solid-state drive assembly.
Align the screws on the solid-state drive bracket with the screw holes on the solid-state drive assembly.
Step 16
Replacing Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the solid-state drive bracket to the solid-state drive assembly.
Replace the screws that secure the solid-state drive bracket to the solid-state drive assembly.
Step 17
Disconnecting the Keyboard
- WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer.
- Lift the latches and disconnect the keyboard and keyboard-backlight cables from the system board
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer.
Lift the latches and disconnect the keyboard and keyboard-backlight cables from the system board
Step 18
Removing the Screws
- Remove the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base.
Remove the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base.
Step 19
Popping out the Palm-Rest Assembly
- Lift the computer base slightly and push the release tabs on the palm-rest assembly until it pops out.
Lift the computer base slightly and push the release tabs on the palm-rest assembly until it pops out.
Step 20
Turn the Computer Over
- Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible.
Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible.
Step 21
Prying the Edges
- Using a plastic scribe, pry up along the edges of the palm-rest assembly.
Using a plastic scribe, pry up along the edges of the palm-rest assembly.
Step 22
Lifting the Palm-Rest Assembly
- Gently lift the palm-rest assembly and turn it over.
Gently lift the palm-rest assembly and turn it over.
Step 23
Disconnecting the Power-Board Cable
- Lift the connector latch and disconnect the power-button board cable from the system board.
Lift the connector latch and disconnect the power-button board cable from the system board.
Step 24
Removing Parts
- Remove the Keyboard.
- Remove the power-button board.
- Remove the status-light board.
- Remove the touchpad.
Remove the Keyboard.
Remove the power-button board.
Remove the status-light board.
Remove the touchpad.
Step 25
Replacement
- Replace the touchpad.
- Replace the status-light board.
- Replace the power-button board.
- Replace the keyboard.
Replace the touchpad.
Replace the status-light board.
Replace the power-button board.
Replace the keyboard.
Step 26
Connecting the Power-Button Board Cable
- Connect the power-button board cable to the system board.
Connect the power-button board cable to the system board.
Step 27
Aligning the Palm-Rest Assembly.
- Align the palm-rest assembly on the computer base and snap it into place.
Align the palm-rest assembly on the computer base and snap it into place.
Step 28
Closing the Display and Turning Over the PC
- Close the display and turn the computer over.
Close the display and turn the computer over.
Step 29
Replacing Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base.
Replace the screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base.
Step 30
Connect the Keyboard Cable
- Connect the keyboard cable and the keyboard-backlight cable to the system board.
Connect the keyboard cable and the keyboard-backlight cable to the system board.
Step 31
Disconnecting the Touchpad Cable
- WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before Working Inside Your Computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer.
- Lift the connector latches and disconnect the touchpad cable and the status-light cable from the power-button board.
Lift the connector latches and disconnect the touchpad cable and the status-light cable from the power-button board.
Step 32
Peeling the Cables
- Peel the touchpad cable and status-light cable off the keyboard bracket.
Peel the touchpad cable and status-light cable off the keyboard bracket.
Step 33
Removing the Keyboard Bracket
- Lift the keyboard bracket off the palm-rest assembly.
Lift the keyboard bracket off the palm-rest assembly.
Step 34
Remove the Screws
- Remove the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly.
Remove the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly.
Step 35
Lifting the Keyboard
- Slide and lift the keyboard, along with the cables, off the palm-rest assembly.
Slide and lift the keyboard, along with the cables, off the palm-rest assembly.
Step 36
Aligning the Screw Holes
- Align the screw holes on the NEW keyboard with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
Align the screw holes on the NEW keyboard with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
Step 37
Replacing Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly.
Replace the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly.
Step 38
Align the Screw Holes
- Align the screw holes on the keyboard bracket with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
Align the screw holes on the keyboard bracket with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly.
Step 39
Replace the Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the palm-rest assembly.
Replace the screws that secure the keyboard bracket to the palm-rest assembly.
Step 40
Adhering the Cables
- Adhere the touchpad cable and status-light cable to the keyboard bracket.
Adhere the touchpad cable and status-light cable to the keyboard bracket.
Step 41
Sliding the Cables
- Slide the touchpad cable and the status-light cable into their respective connectors on the power-button board and press down the latches to secure the cables.
Slide the touchpad cable and the status-light cable into their respective connectors on the power-button board and press down the latches to secure the cables.
Step 42
Remove the Screw
- Remove the screw that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the power-adapter port.
Remove the screw that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the power-adapter port.
Step 43
Lift the Power-Adapter
- Lift the power-adapter port bracket off the power-adapter port.
Lift the power-adapter port bracket off the power-adapter port.
Step 44
Release the Power-Adapter Port
- Release the power-adapter port from the computer base.
Release the power-adapter port from the computer base.
Step 45
Disconnect the Speaker Cable
- Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board.
Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board.
Step 46
Remove the Screws
- Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
Step 47
Slide and Lift the System-Board Assembly
- Slide and lift the system-board assembly.
Slide and lift the system-board assembly.
Step 48
Turn the System-Board Assembly OVer
- Turn the system-board assembly over.
Turn the system-board assembly over.
Step 49
Disconnect the Power-Adapter Port Cable
- Disconnect the power-adapter port cable and remove the power-adapter port from the system board.
Disconnect the power-adapter port cable and remove the power-adapter port from the system board.
Step 50
Connect the Power-Adapter Port Cable
- Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board.
Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board.
Step 51
Turn over the System Board
- Turn the system board over.
Turn the system board over.
Step 52
Replace the Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
Replace the screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
Step 53
Connect the Speaker Cable
- Connect the speaker cable to the connector on the system board.
Connect the speaker cable to the connector on the system board.
Step 54
Align the Power-Adapter Port
- Align the power-adapter port to the computer base.
Align the power-adapter port to the computer base.
Step 55
Align the Screw Hole
- Align the screw hole on the power-adapter port bracket with the screw hole on the power-adapter port.
Align the screw hole on the power-adapter port bracket with the screw hole on the power-adapter port.
Step 56
Replace the Screw
- Replace the screw that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the power-adapter port.
Replace the screw that secures the power-adapter port bracket to the power-adapter port.
Step 57
Disconnect the Fan Cables
- Disconnect the fan cables from the connectors on the system board.
Disconnect the fan cables from the connectors on the system board.
Step 58
Turn the System Board Over
Step 59
Remove the Screws
- Remove the screws that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board.
Remove the screws that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board.
Step 60
Lift the Heat-Sink Assembly
- Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.
Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.
Step 61
Align the Screw Holes
- Align the screw holes on the NEW heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board.
Align the screw holes on the NEW heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board.
Step 62
Replace the Screws
- Replace the screws that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board.
Replace the screws that secure the heat-sink assembly to the system board.
Step 63
Turn the System Board OVer
Step 64
Connect the Fan Cables
- Connect the fan cables to the connectors on the system board.
Connect the fan cables to the connectors on the system board.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Terrence15
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