Alienware Aurora R9 Service Manual

Removing the system board

Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.
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.
NOTE: : Before disconnecting the cables from the system board, note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect the cables correctly after you replace the system board.
Remove the left-side cover.
Remove the memory modules.
Remove the solid-state drive.
Remove the wireless card.
Remove the processor liquid-cooling assembly or processor fan and heat-sink assembly, as applicable.
Remove the single-graphics card or dual-graphics card, as applicable.
Remove the processor.

The following images indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

Image: Removing the system board

Disconnect the front panel USB cables from the system board.
Disconnect the hard drive data cables from the system board.
Disconnect the front panel audio cable from the system board.
Disconnect the LED controller cable from the system board.
Disconnect the graphics-card power cable from the system board.
Disconnect the processor power cable from the system board.
Disconnect the top-chassis fan cable from the system board.
Disconnect the system-board power cable from the system board.
Disconnect the front-chassis fan cable from the system board.
Remove the antenna cables from the routing guides on the chassis.
Remove the eight screws (#6-32) that secure the system-board assembly to the chassis.
Lift the system board off the chassis.