Alienware m15 R7 Service Manual

Removing the system board

About this task

NOTE: When removing this component, please refer to the techsheet bundled with the service kit. This is only applicable for computers with the following Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) configurations that have Element 31 grease is applied to the CPU.

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

The following image indicates the connectors on your system board.

1. Display cable
2. Alien head LED-cable
3. Power-adapter cable
4. Right-fan cable
5. Speaker cable
6. Touchpad cable
7. Keyboard-controller board cable
8. Left-fan cable
9. Power-button cable
10. Camera cable

The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

NOTE: Peel off and lift parts of the Mylar to access the cables connected to the system board. Remove the Mylar off the old system board to adhere onto the new system board if the system board is going to be replaced.

1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the Type-C bracket to the system board.
2. Lift the Type-C bracket off the system board.
3. Peel the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the system board.
4. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board.
5. Disconnect the Alien head LED-cable from the system board.
6. Peel the display cable off the system board and move it out of the way.
7. Lift the corner of the Mylar covering the system board.
8. Disconnect the power-adapter port-cable from the system board.
9. Peel the power-adapter port-cable from the Mylar.
10. Disconnect the right-fan cable from the system board.
11. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board.
12. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board.
13. Open the latch and disconnect the keyboard-controller board cable from the system board.
14. Disconnect the left-fan cable from the system board.
15. Open the latch and disconnect the power-button cable from the system board.
16. Disconnect the camera cable from the system board.
17. Lift the Mylar that covers the tapes that secure the camera cable to the system board.
18. Peel the tapes securing the camera cable to the system board and lift the camera cable off the system board.
    NOTE: Step 16 to step 18 are applicable only for computers shipped with an infrared camera.
19. Remove the seven screws (M2x4) that secure the system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
20. Remove the screw (M2x2) that secures the system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
21. Hold firmly on the left and right fans and lift the system-board assembly off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
22. Remove the fan and heat-sink assembly.
    NOTE: Before returning the old system board. Adhere the processor (CPU) sticker over the processor (CPU) chip surface and ensure that it is fully covered .

    

    CAUTION: Once the system board assembly has been removed from the computer, follow the instructions in the tech sheet dispatched with the replacement system board assembly.

    CAUTION: Do not use an alcohol wipe to clean the Element 31 thermal grease from the processor (CPU) chip which is surrounded by the processor (CPU) barrier sheet. The alcohol solution from the wipes will dissolve the Element 31 grease into conductive metal particles. If these conductive metal particles come into contact with the surface of the system board, it will cause the an electrical short when your computer is powered on.
23. Remove the ethernet and audio board.
24. Remove the USB board.
25. Turn the system board over.
26. After performing all the above steps, you are left with the system board.