This video shows how to remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive mounting bracket on the Alienware m15/17 R4. This allows a M.2 2280 solid-state drive to be installed. This only applies to M.2 2230 solid-state drives installed in M.2 slot one or slot two. Before you begin, power off the system and disconnect all the attached peripherals, remove any micro-SD card installed in the micro-SD card slot on your computer.
Ensure that you always use ESD protection when working inside the system. To begin, loosen the six captive screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Then, remove the two M2.5 by 9 screws that secure the base cover to the assembly.
Using a plastic scribe, pry the base cover from the bottom left, and then continue to work on the sides to open the base cover. Lift the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Disconnect the battery-cable connector from the system board. Turn the computer over and open the display. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to ground the computer and drain the flea power. After draining the flea power, close the display, and turn the computer over.
Note that the steps that follow are only applicable to M.2 2230 solid-state drives installed in either M.2 slot 1 or 2. To remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive installed in slot 1 or 2, remove the screw that secures the thermal shield to the mounting bracket. Slide and lift the thermal shield off the system board. Slide and lift the solid-state drive from the card slot on the system board.
To remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive mounting bracket in slot 1 or 2, Remove the screw that secures the solid-state drive mounting bracket to the palm-rest assembly. Lift the solid-state drive mounting bracket from slot 1 or 2. You can now install a M.2 2280 solid-state drive in M.2 slot 1 or 2. align the notches on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive with the tabs on the M.2 card slot on the system board. Slide the M.2 2280 solid-state drive into the M.2 card slot on the system board.
Place and slide the M.2 2280 thermal shield on the system board, aligning the tab on the M.2 2280 thermal shield to the slot on the system board. Replace the screw that secures the M.2 2280 thermal shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Re-connect the battery-cable connector to the system board. Re-install the base cover by aligning and placing the base cover on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly press the edges and sides of the base cover until it snaps into place. Tighten the six captive screws and replace the two remaining screws that secure the base cover to the computer. You have removed the M.2 2230 solid-state drive mounting bracket on the Alienware m15/17 R4.