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System Board
Alienware®M14x Service Manual
Removing the System Board
Replacing the System Board
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS
The system board's BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label at the bottom of the computer.
Removing the System Board
1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.
2. Remove any installed card or blank from the 9-in-1 Media Card reader.
3. Remove the base cover (see Removing the Base Cover).
4. Remove the battery pack (see Removing the Battery Pack).
5. Remove the Mini-Card(s) (see Removing the Mini-Card(s)).
6. Follow the instructions from step 4 to step 6 in Removing the Optical Drive.
7. Follow the instructions from step 5 to step 7 in Removing the Hard Drive.
8. Remove the memory module(s) (see Removing the Memory Module(s)).
9. Remove the center-control cover (see Removing the Center-Control Cover).
10. Remove the keyboard (see Removing the Keyboard).
11. Remove the palm-rest assembly (see Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly).
12. Remove the Mini-Card board (see Removing the Mini-Card Board).
13. Using the pull-tab, disconnect the display cable from the connector on the system board.
14. Disconnect the touch-screen board cable, Bluetooth card cable, hard-drive cable, coin-cell battery cable, and subwoofer cable from the connectors on the
system board.
15. Remove the five screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
16. Lift and ease the connectors on the system board out of the slots on the computer base.
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best
practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal
surface (such as a connector on your computer).
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is
not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery (see Removing the Battery Pack) before working inside the
computer.
CAUTION: Handle components by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts.