Dell Alienware, Manual

Page 1: ...01 01 ALIENWARE DESKTOP MANUAL ...

Page 2: ...Core is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U S and other countries Blu ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu ray Disc Association Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc and is used by Dell Inc under license Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual see either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products Dell Inc disclaims any proprietary interest in ...

Page 3: ... 19 Connecting Printers 21 Connecting USB Devices 22 Connecting IEEE 1394 FireWire Devices 22 CHAPTER 4 USING YOUR DESKTOP 23 Alienware Command Center 24 Working With RAID 24 Optimizing Performance 27 Configuring the BIOS 28 CHAPTER 5 INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 35 Before You Begin 36 Opening and Closing the Side Panel 38 Inside View of Your Computer 39 Removing and Replacing M...

Page 4: ...assword Protection 61 AlienRespawn v2 0 Disc 62 Dell DataSafe Local Backup 62 CHAPTER 8 BASIC SPECIFICATIONS 64 APPENDIX A GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 68 APPENDIX B CONTACTING ALIENWARE 70 APPENDIX C IMPORTANT INFORMATION 71 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 Graphics Cards 71 ...

Page 5: ...omputer meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria We have tested your computer extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy the highest levels of performance In addition to a standard burn in period your computer has been evaluated using real world tools such as synthetic performance benchmarks We invite you to share your experience with your new high performance computer with us so do not hes...

Page 6: ...CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP 06 06 CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP ...

Page 7: ... The power and other cable connectors are not jammed between the desktop and a wall or any other object Nothing obstructs airflow in front of behind or below the desktop The desktop has enough room so that optical drives and other external storage drives can be easily accessed Before Setting Up Your Desktop Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware Area 51 Read all safety and setup instruc...

Page 8: ...ay using the connector available on the graphics card on your computer NOTE A DVI HDMI or DisplayPort connector may be available on the graphics card you purchased You can purchase the DVI to VGA adapter HDMI to DVI adapter and additional HDMI or DVI cables on the Dell website at www dell com Use the appropriate cable based on the connectors available on your computer and display NOTE When connect...

Page 9: ...09 09 CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Connect the Network Cable Optional Connect the Keyboard and Mouse ...

Page 10: ... the power button on the top of the computer Connect the Power Cable WARNING The power connectors and power strips vary among countries Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage ...

Page 11: ...ring Center Connect to a network Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup 4 Set Up Microsoft Windows CAUTION Do not interrupt the operating system s setup process Doing so may render your desktop unusable Your computer is preconfigured with the operating system settings that you selected while ordering your computer To configure the remaining settings follow the instructions on ...

Page 12: ... Internet Service Provider ISP might have a service outage Contact your ISP to check the service status or try connecting again later Have your ISP information ready If you do not have an ISP the Connect to the Internet wizard can help you get one Windows Vista NOTE The following instructions are applicable to the Windows default view so they may not apply if you set your computer to the Windows c...

Page 13: ...OW YOUR DESKTOP This chapter provides information about your new desktop to familiarize you with its various features and to get you up and running quickly CHAPTER 2 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 2 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP ...

Page 14: ...ter is in standby mode 2 Optical drive Plays or records CDs DVDs and Blu ray discs 3 Optical drive bays 2 Supports additional optical drive s optional 4 Alienhead Area 51 Standard Press the Alienhead and then manually lower or close the drive panel Area 51 ALX Press the Alienhead to lower or close the drive panel using the motorized door When the computer is turned off push the drive panel down to...

Page 15: ...he appropriate connectors For more information see Back Panel Connectors on page 16 3 Expansion card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI express cards 4 Power connector Connects to the power cable 5 Latch Closes or opens the security lock slot and locks or unlocks the release panel Slide the latch to the left to access the security lock slot and to lock the release panel For info...

Page 16: ...ices such as external hard drives or optical drives 5 Audio connectors Connects to speakers microphone and headphones NOTE For information on audio connectors see Connecting External Speakers on page 20 6 Network connectors 2 Connects your computer to a network or broadband device 7 IEEE 1394 connector Connects to high speed serial multimedia devices such as digital video cameras 8 Coaxial S PDIF ...

Page 17: ...ccessing the Top Panel Connectors Press the top panel downwards to access the top panel connectors 1 1 Top panel Back Light Button Press the back light button to turn on the light to view the back panel connectors This light automatically turns off after a few seconds ...

Page 18: ...e devices such as external hard drives or optical drives 3 IEEE 1394 Connects to high speed serial multimedia devices such as digital video cameras 4 Headphone connector Connects to headphones NOTE To connect to a powered speaker or sound system use the audio out connector or one of the S PDIF connectors on the back of your computer 5 Microphone connector Connects to a microphone for voice or audi...

Page 19: ...R 3 CONNECTING DEVICES This chapter provides information about connecting optional devices to your desktop to enhance your audio video and digital experience CHAPTER 3 CONNECTING DEVICES CHAPTER 3 CONNECTING DEVICES ...

Page 20: ...On computers with a sound card use the connector on the card 1 2 3 5 6 4 1 Side L R surround connector Connects to side L R surround speakers 2 Rear L R surround connector Connects to rear L R surround speakers 3 Center subwoofer connector Connects to a center speaker or subwoofer 4 Line in connector Connects to recording or playback devices such as a microphone cassette player CD player or VCR 5 ...

Page 21: ...e CD that is included with the printer Connect the printer s USB cable to an available USB connector on your 1 desktop Connect the printer s power cable to a grounded three prong power strip 2 uninterruptible power supply or electrical outlet Turn on the printer and Microsoft Windows automatically detects and 3 installs the appropriate driver Two types of audio connectors 1 2 1 Stereo jack Your he...

Page 22: ...indows will detect the device and attempt to install the appropriate driver automatically In some cases Windows may require a driver This driver is located on the software CD that is included with the device If your keyboard or mouse has a USB connector connect it to an available USB connector on the desktop Connecting IEEE 1394 FireWire Devices Connect the IEEE 1394 device into the IEEE 1394 conn...

Page 23: ...023 023 CHAPTER 4 USING YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 4 USING YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 4 USING YOUR DESKTOP ...

Page 24: ...nce and data integrity NOTE RAID requires multiple hard drives The number of hard drives required varies depending on the RAID configuration Alienware Command Center The Alienware Command Center gives you access to Alienware s exclusive software and is a continuously upgradable control panel As Alienware releases new programs they download directly into the Command Center allowing you to build a l...

Page 25: ... hard drives combine to provide 4 GB of hard drive space on which to store data NOTE In a RAID 0 configuration the size of the configuration is equal to the size of the smallest drive multiplied by the number of drives in the configuration RAID Level 1 RAID level 1 uses data mirroring to enhance data integrity When data is written to the primary drive the data is also duplicated or mirrored on the...

Page 26: ... parity information across three or more drives It provides data striping at the byte level and also stripe error correction information rotating parity array This results in excellent performance and good fault tolerance If a drive failure occurs subsequent read and write operations are directed to the other surviving drives A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the survivin...

Page 27: ...ty Optimizing Performance Your computer has been configured to operate optimally across a wide range of applications Depending on the configuration you purchased the computer may have been overclocked at the factory to achieve maximum performance in resource intensive applications including gaming and multimedia development CAUTION Technical support verifies the full functionality of the computer ...

Page 28: ... desktop is booting press F2 immediately before the operating 2 system logo appears to access the BIOS Setup Utility NOTE If an error occurs during POST Power On Self Test press F2 when the prompt appears to enter the BIOS Setup Utility NOTE If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then shut down your desktop and try ag...

Page 29: ...ce Tag Allows you to input the service tag Service Tag Displays the service tag of the computer Asset Tag Displays the asset tag of the computer System Information Memory Installed Displays the amount of memory installed in your computer Memory Available Displays the amount of memory available in your computer Memory Technology Displays the type of memory technology used Memory Speed Displays the ...

Page 30: ...r computer IDE Master Displays the IDE master drive integrated in your computer IDE Slave Displays the IDE slave drive integrated in your computer Wait For F1 If Error If enabled the computer displays errors detected during POST Press F1 to continue Advanced BIOS Features Bootup Num Lock Select power on state for num lock ACPI APIC support Include ACPI APIC table pointer to RSDT pointer list Optio...

Page 31: ...ler Onboard IEEE1394 Controller Allows you to enable or disable the onboard IEEE1394 controller Integrated Devices LAN1 BCM5784 Device Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN1 controller LAN1 Option ROM Allows you to enable or disable the network controller s boot option LAN2 BCM5784 Device Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN2 controller LAN2 Option ROM Allows you to enable or ...

Page 32: ...quency Voltage Control CPU Core Non Turbo Ratio Displays the ratio between the processor core clock and the FSB frequency Advance DRAM Configuration Allows you to access the Advance DRAM Configuration submenu Overclock Configuration Allows you to access the Overclock Configuration submenu Overvoltage Configuration Allows you to access the Overvoltage Configuration submenu Load Level 1 OC Setting A...

Page 33: ...y editable in Manual Mode tRRD Displays RAS to RAS delay editable in Manual Mode Advance DRAM Configuration Submenu tRTP Displays Read to Precharge Command Delay editable in Manual Mode 1T 2T Timing Displays the Command Rate editable in Manual Mode Overclock Configuration Submenu Adjust CPU BClk MHz Allows you to adjust BClk of processor Spread Spectrum Enable Disable Spread Spectrum Modulation Ad...

Page 34: ... Adjust the DDR3 Memory Voltage IOH Voltage Adjust the IOH Voltage QPI and Uncore Voltage Adjust QPI and Uncore Voltage BIOS Security Features Change Supervisor Password Allows you to set or change the supervisor password Change User Password Allows you to set or change the user password You cannot use the user password to make change to the BIOS settings Exit Exit Options Provides options to Save...

Page 35: ...ou can purchase components for your desktop at www dell com or www alienware com NOTE See the Service Manual at support dell com manuals for installation instructions of all serviceable components Parts purchased from Dell and Alienware ship with specific replacement instructions CHAPTER 5 INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS CHAPTER 5 INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ...

Page 36: ...laced or if purchased separately installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order Turning Off Your Desktop CAUTION To avoid losing data save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your desktop Save and close all open files and exit all open programs 1 Click 2 Start Shut Down The desktop turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes En...

Page 37: ...Y INFORMATION that shipped with your computer For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www dell com regulatory_compliance CAUTION Handle components and cards with care Do not touch the components or contacts on a card Hold a card by its edges Hold a component such as a processor by its edges not by its pins CAUTION Only a certified service technici...

Page 38: ...ed security cable is removed before attempting to lift the release panel Lift the release panel to open the side panel 2 NOTE Theater lighting turns on automatically when the side panel is removed Theater lighting is powered by internal batteries NOTE To open the side panel on the right side lift the release panel on the right side To close the side panel push the side panel against the side of th...

Page 39: ...039 039 CHAPTER 5 INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS Inside View of Your Computer 1 2 1 memory module connectors 3 2 expansion card slots 6 ...

Page 40: ...e Side Panel on page 2 38 Locate the memory module connectors on the system board see Inside 3 View of Your Computer on page 39 CAUTION The memory module s may become very hot during normal operation Allow the memory module s to cool before touching them NOTE For better access to memory module s remove the graphics card if the card is full length Spread apart the securing clips at both ends of the...

Page 41: ...odule press the memory module straight down into the memory module connector while you apply equal force to each end of the memory module Insert the memory module into the memory module connector until the 2 memory module snaps into position NOTE If the memory module is not installed properly the computer may not boot If you insert the memory module correctly the securing clips snap into the 3 cut...

Page 42: ...ether and slide the hard drive towards the top 3 and out of the computer 1 2 1 release tabs 2 2 hard drive Removing and Replacing Hard Drive s Follow the instructions in Before You Begin on page 1 36 Lift the release panel to open the side panel on the right side 2 2 1 1 side panel 2 release panel ...

Page 43: ... with your new hard drive to verify that 1 it is configured for your computer Slide the new hard drive into the hard drive bay and press it down until the 2 hard drive snaps into place Close the side panel on the right side 3 Reconnect the power cable and all the external peripherals to the computer 4 Turn on the computer 5 ...

Page 44: ...d 3 away from the computer Locate the expansion card on the system board see Inside View of Your 4 Computer on page 39 Disconnect any cables connected to the card if applicable 5 Remove the card 6 For a PCI or PCI Express x1 card grasp the card by its top corners and ease it out of its connector For a PCI Express x16 card push the retention mechanism on the card connector as you grasp the card by ...

Page 45: ...ee the documentation that shipped with the card Align the card with the connector on the system board 3 Place the card in the connector and press down firmly Ensure that the card 4 is firmly seated in the connector If you are installing the PCI Express card into the x16 card connector gently push the retention mechanism and place the card in the connector Connect any cables that should be attached...

Page 46: ...046 046 CHAPTER 6 TROUBLESHOOTING CHAPTER 6 TROUBLESHOOTING CHAPTER 6 TROUBLESHOOTING ...

Page 47: ...rogram see the program s documentation Basic Hints and Tips Computer does not turn on Is your computer securely connected to a working electrical outlet If connected to a power strip ensure that the strip is actually working Connections Check all the cables to make sure that there are no loose connections anywhere Power Savings Make sure that your computer is not in hibernate or standby mode by pr...

Page 48: ...puter 6 Software Diagnostic Tools Pre Boot System Assessment PSA The computer runs the Pre boot System Assessment PSA a series of initial tests for the system board keyboard display memory hard drive and so on To invoke PSA Restart the computer 1 Press F12 to access the 2 Boot Menu Select 3 Diagnostics and press Enter During the assessment answer any questions that appear on the screen 4 If a comp...

Page 49: ...e computer Alienware Diagnostics If you experience a problem with your Alienware desktop run the Alienware Diagnostics It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin NOTE Back up all data before initiating a system recovery Backup functionality is included in AlienRespawn v2 0 but as a precaution it would be better to backup critical files onto an external media before initiati...

Page 50: ...e Homepage at www dell com regulatory_compliance Shut down your computer disconnect the power cable and open your computer Make sure that the cables are properly connected to the drive and the SATA connector on your system board or controller card see the Service Manual An audio CD does not produce sound Check to see if the audio CD is properly placed on the drive with the label facing up Check th...

Page 51: ...er POST Power On Self Test ensures that all hardware is working properly before starting the remainder of the boot process If the computer passes the POST the computer will continue to start normally However if the computer fails the POST the computer will emit a series of beeps during start up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems The following repetitive beep codes help you troublesho...

Page 52: ...entation Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program Run the PSA Diagnostics If all the tests run successfully the error condition is related to a software problem A program is designed for an earlier version of Microsoft Windows Run the Program Compatibility Wizar...

Page 53: ...nternet performance can be affected by the following factors The condition of the telephone or network cables being used The condition of the network equipment at your ISP The graphics or multimedia on Web pages Multiple browsers downloads or programs open on your computer Hard Drive Problems Allow the computer to cool before turning it on A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system from sta...

Page 54: ...the keyboard by using an aerosol can of compressed air with a proper extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys A keyboard character is repeating Ensure that there is nothing resting on any of the keys Check that no key on the keyboard is stuck Press each key to loosen any keys that may be stuck and then restart your computer Spills on the keyboard If liquid of any kind is spilled on...

Page 55: ... Control Panel Hardware and Software Personalization Display Settings Adjust 2 Resolution and Colors settings as needed Windows 7 Click 1 Start Control Panel Appearance and Personalization Display Adjust 2 Resolution and Calibrate color as needed Mouse The mouse is not working Check if the mouse cable is properly connected to the USB connector on your computer Check if the mouse cable is damaged I...

Page 56: ...port for more information see CONTACTING ALIENWARE on page 70 Printer The printer does not turn on Ensure that the power cable is properly connected to an electrical outlet Check if the electrical outlet is working properly by testing it with another device such as a radio or lamp that you know works If the electrical outlet is not working contact an electrician or your power company for further a...

Page 57: ...headphones from the headphone connector Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the headphone connector Test the power outlet Ensure that the power outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp Reinstall the audio driver Run PSA Diagnostics NOTE The volume control in some players overrides the Windows volume setting Ensure that you di...

Page 58: ...CD or DVD Contains drivers for your computer You can also download the latest drivers and software for your computer from support dell com Optional AlienRespawn v2 0 disc if ordered Contains the AlienRespawn recovery image NOTE Your computer ships with either AlienRespawn v2 0 or Dell DataSafe Local CHAPTER 7 SYSTEM RECOVERY CHAPTER 7 SYSTEM RECOVERY ...

Page 59: ...d more Unlike other restoration methods AlienRespawn v2 0 offers the ability to return your computer to its factory default settings without permanently losing your saved data If AlienRespawn v2 0 is unable to resolve your problem contact Alienware Technical Support for more information see CONTACTING ALIENWARE on page 70 Using AlienRespawn v2 0 Remove any CD or DVD media from your optical drive 1...

Page 60: ...ation issues Viruses or spyware will be eliminated However it is advised that you scan all external storage media to prevent re infection No data backup will be performed All saved data will be lost Recovery Options NOTE Back up all data before initiating a system recovery Backup functionality is included in AlienRespawn v2 0 but as a precaution it is recommended to backup critical files onto an e...

Page 61: ...do so at your own risk To Enable or Change Password Settings Start 1 All Programs AlienRespawn v2 0 Click on the icon labeled 2 Respawn Settings The 3 Respawn Settings application will launch If you are enabling password protection for the first time enter the default password alienware case sensitive in the appropriate field then click Submit If you have already defined a password enter your curr...

Page 62: ...puter This disc will allow you to re deploy AlienRespawn v2 0 to a new hard drive in the event of a hard drive failure To Use the AlienRespawn v2 0 Disc NOTE The Alienware recovery system is set up to boot from your CD ROM drive verify see Boot Configuration Features on page 30 that your computer is set to boot from the optical drive Insert the AlienRespawn v2 0 disc into your optical drive main d...

Page 63: ...times to access the 4 Advanced Boot Options window NOTE Ifyouwaittoolongandtheoperatingsystemlogoappears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then shut down your computer and try again Select 5 Repair Your Computer Select 6 Dell Factory Image Recovery and DataSafe Options and follow the instructions on the screen NOTE The restoration process might take an hour or more depen...

Page 64: ...ICATIONS This chapter provides the basic specifications of your desktop For more detailed specifications see the Comprehensive Specifications at support dell com manuals CHAPTER 8 BASIC SPECIFICATIONS CHAPTER 8 BASIC SPECIFICATIONS ...

Page 65: ...tel Core i7 System chipset Intel X58 Express Memory Connectors three internally accessible DDR3 DIMM sockets Capacities 2 GB and 4 GB Memory types DDR3 and DDR3 XMP Minimum 6 GB Maximum 12 GB Back Panel Connectors IEEE 1394 one 6 pin serial connector Network adapter two 10 100 1000 Mbps RJ45 connectors USB six 4 pin USB 2 0 compliant connectors eSATA one 4 pin eSATA connector S PDIF one optical an...

Page 66: ...th wireless technology Drives Externally accessible three 5 25 inch drive bays for Blu ray Disc combo Blu ray Disc writer DVD RW or DVD combo one 3 5 inch drive bay for media card reader Internally accessible six 3 5 inch drive bays for SATA II hard drives Expansion Bus PCI Connector one Connector size 124 pin connector PCI Express x1 Connectors two Connector size 36 pin connectors PCI Express x16...

Page 67: ...10 000 ft Storage 15 2 to 10 668 m 50 to 35 000 ft Airborne contaminant level G2 or lower as defined by ISA S71 04 1985 Power Voltage 100 240 V AC 50 60 Hz NOTE For information on voltage settings see the safety information that shipped with your computer Computer Environment Temperature ranges Operating 10 C to 35 C 50 F to 95 F Storage 10 C to 45 C 14 F to 113 F Relative humidity maximum 20 to 8...

Page 68: ...ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Computer Setup Read all instructions marked on the product and in the documentation before operating your computer Retain all safety and operating instructions Never use this product near water or a heat source Only set up the computer on a stable work surface Only operate the computer using the power source type indicated on the rating label Never block or cover any ...

Page 69: ...ollowing Turn off your computer s power and wait several minutes before starting to work Ground yourself by touching the case of the computer Touch only those items which must be replaced Avoid walking around while replacing items inside the case especially if you are on a carpet or during low temperature and low humidity If you have to remove peripheral cards for any reason place them on the port...

Page 70: ...t la dell com Argentina Brazil Chile Mexico APPENDIX B CONTACTING ALIENWARE NOTE If you do not have an active Internet connection you can find contact information on your purchase invoice packing slip bill or Dell product catalog Dell provides several online and telephone based support and service options Because availability varies by country and product some services may not be available in your...

Page 71: ...rd configurations only When Quad SLI is enabled on a GeForce GTX 295 graphics card the video quality can be optimized using the Dual Link DVI When you utilize a single GeForce GTX 295 graphics card with HDMI output and not DVI or VGA no image is displayed for about 30 seconds until Windows loads the display driver For more information about the functionality of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX295 graphics c...

Page 72: ...Printed in China Printed on recycled paper 0K830RA00 ...