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How to remove the motherboard on the Alienware X51?

Article ID : 536376Date Published : 2012-04-03Journal ID : 6c097e3d-2380-4e6f-a46f-2c3efe478dfa
How to remove the motherboard on the Alienware X51?
Article Summary:

The following article will show you how to remove the motherboard (Also known as system board or main board) on the Alienware X51 system in case of replacement, upgrade or for troubleshooting purposes.

Note: Please bookmark this article as restarts of the computer are recommended during the process to help resolve issues.

Table of Contents:

 

1. Safety precautions

2. Disassembly

 

1. Safety precautions

 

-        Turn off the system and any attached peripherals.

-        Disconnect the system and any attached peripherals from AC power.

-        Disconnect any peripherals from the unit.

-        Disconnect any telephone or telecommunications lines from the system.

-        Use a wrist grounding strap and mat when working inside any computer system to avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.

-        After removing any system component, carefully place the removed component on an anti-static mat.

-        Wear shoes with non-conductive rubber soles to help reduce the chance of being shocked or seriously injured in an electrical accident.

 

2. Disassembly

 

1.       Remove the left side cover.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the left side cover go to the following link:

 

2.      Remove the video card cage assembly

a.      For instructions on how to remove the video card cage assembly go to the following link:

 

3.      Remove the processor heatsink and fan.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the processor heatsink and fan go to the following link:

 

4.     Remove the optical drive.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the optical drive go to the following link:

 

5.      Remove the processor.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the processor go to the following link:

 

6.     Remove the memory.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the memory go to the following link:

 

7.      Remove the wireless card.

a.      For instructions on how to remove the wireless card go to the following link:

 

 

8.     Locate the System Board.

 

 

9.     Disconnect the Power, SATA, Power Board, Front I/O and PCI Fan cables from the System Board. Take note of the routing so you can replace the cables.

 

 

10.  Disconnect the CPU Power cable and the Front I/O board USB cable from the System Board.

  

 

11.   Remove the 4 screws securing the System Board to the System Chassis.

 

 

12.  Slide the System Board to the right to free the rear ports from the back panel and lift the System Board away from the System Chassis

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your inquiry,
The Alienware Support Team

 


Quick Tips content is self-published by the Dell Support Professionals who resolve issues daily.   In order to achieve a speedy publication, Quick Tips may represent only partial solutions or work-arounds that are still in development or pending further proof of successfully resolving an issue.  As such Quick Tips have not been reviewed, validated or approved by Dell and should be used with appropriate caution. Dell shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profit or loss of revenue, which customers may incur by following any procedure or advice set out in the Quick Tips.

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