Page 3 - CONTENTS
3 CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Before Setting Up Your Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Connect the AC Adapter . . . ....
Page 9 - CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP; SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP
Page 10 - Before Setting Up Your Laptop
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 10 Before Setting Up Your Laptop Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware ® M11x! Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your new laptop. Begin by carefully opening the box and removing all components that were shipped to you. Before sett...
Page 11 - Product Documentation and Media; Placing Your Laptop
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 11 Product Documentation and Media The documentation that ships with your Alienware ® laptop is designed to provide answers to many of the questions that may arise as you explore your new laptop’s capabilities. You may see the documentation for technical informatio...
Page 12 - Connect the AC Adapter
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 12 Connect the AC Adapter WARNING: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, 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 caus...
Page 13 - Press the Power Button
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 13 Press the Power Button
Page 15 - Set Up Microsoft Windows
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 15 Set Up Microsoft Windows Your computer is preconfigured with the Microsoft ® Windows ® operating system. To set up Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These steps are mandatory and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup ...
Page 16 - Setting Up a Wired Connection
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 16 Connect to the Internet (Optional) Setting Up a Wired Connection If you are using a dial-up connection, connect the telephone line to the optional • external USB modem and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection.If you are using a D...
Page 17 - Setting Up a Wireless Connection
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 17 Setting Up a Wireless Connection NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see the documentation that shipped with your router. Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your wireless router. To set up your connection to a wireless...
Page 18 - Setting Up Your Internet Connection
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP 18 Setting Up Your Internet Connection ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings available in your country. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) might hav...
Page 19 - CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP
Page 20 - Left View Features
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 20 This chapter provides information about your new laptop to familiarize you with its various features, and get you up and running quickly. Left View Features 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 9 8
Page 23 - Right View Features
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 23 Right View Features 1 2 3 1 Audio out/Headphone connectors (2) — Connect to a pair of headphones or to a powered speaker or sound system. 2 Audio in/Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for use with audio programs. 3 USB connector...
Page 24 - Back View Features
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 24 Back View Features 1 1 AC adapter connector — Connects to an AC adapter to power the computer and charge the battery.
Page 26 - Display Features
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 26 Display Features 1 2 3 4
Page 28 - Computer Base and Keyboard Features
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 28 Computer Base and Keyboard Features 2 3 4 1
Page 30 - Power Button
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 30 Power Button You can program this button to perform actions like shutting down the operating system or entering the standby mode. For details on how to program this button, see Power Options in the Control Panel of Microsoft ® Windows ® operating system. The...
Page 32 - Function Keys
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP 32 Function Keys NOTE: Depending on the configuration of the laptop you purchased, some of the function keys may have no associated tasks. The <Fn> key is located near the bottom-left corner of the keyboard, and is used together with other keys to activat...
Page 35 - CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
Page 36 - Alienware Command Center; Connecting External Displays; Connecting a Display
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 36 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 libra...
Page 39 - Extending the Desktop; Using Removable Media and Cards
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 39 Extending the Desktop With the external display connected, right-click on the desktop and select 1. Personalize . Select 2. Connect to a projector or other external display in the upper left portion of the screen.Click 3. Connect Display . Select from the below optio...
Page 40 - Using the Wireless Control; Battery Pack
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 40 Using the Wireless Control The wireless control allows you to quickly turn all of your wireless radios (Bluetooth ® and WLAN) off, such as when you are asked to disable all wireless radios on an airplane flight. Press <Fn><F3>to turn on all radios. Pressi...
Page 41 - Power Management; Understanding Power Consumption
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 41 Power Management Understanding Power Consumption In order to fully utilize the power of your battery, it would be a good idea for you to spend some time acquiring a basic understanding of the power management concept from your operating system. You can use the power ...
Page 42 - Customizing Your Power Settings; Reducing Power Consumption
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 42 Customizing Your Power Settings Click 1. Start → Control Panel. Click 2. All Control Panel Items . Double-click the 3. Power Options icon. Select a power plan from the options shown. To customize specific settings, click 4. Change plan settings next to the selected p...
Page 43 - Configuring the BIOS; System Setup
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 43 Configuring the BIOS System Setup The System Setup options allow you to: Change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any • hardware in your laptop.Set or change a user-selectable option. • View the installed amount of memory or set th...
Page 44 - Entering System Setup
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 44 Entering System Setup Turn on (or restart) your laptop. 1. NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F2> in even intervals until the System Setu...
Page 45 - System Setup Options
CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP 45 System Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed. NOTE: For the updated system setup information, see the Service Manual at support. dell.com/manuals. Mai...
Page 55 - CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS
Page 56 - Before You Begin
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 56 This chapter provides guidelines and instructions for increasing the processing power and storage space, by upgrading equipment. You can purchase components for your computer at www.dell.com or www.alienware.com . NOTE: See the Service Manual at su...
Page 57 - Turning Off Your Computer
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 57 Turning Off Your Computer CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your laptop. Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. 1. Click 2. Start → Shut Down . The laptop ...
Page 58 - Before Working Inside Your Computer
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 58 Before Working Inside Your Computer Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety. WARNING: Before working inside your laptop, read the safety information that...
Page 60 - Replacing the Battery Pack
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 60 Replacing the Battery Pack This battery pack can easily be removed and replaced. Ensure that the laptop is properly shut down before changing the battery pack. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the laptop, use only the battery designed for this particula...
Page 63 - Upgrading or Replacing Memory
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 63 Upgrading or Replacing Memory Your laptop is equipped with a configurable memory unit. The industry standard JEDEC PC3-8500/PC3-10600 (DDR3) SODIMM memory module connectors are available for memory upgrade. The table below illustrates all the possi...
Page 65 - Upgrading or Replacing the Hard Drive Assembly; Removing the Hard Drive
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING AND REPLACING COMPONENTS 65 NOTE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the lower connector before you install a memory module in the upper connector. NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot...
Page 69 - CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING
Page 70 - Basic Hints and Tips
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 70 Basic Hints and Tips Computer does not power on: Is your AC adapter cable 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 ensure that there are no loose ...
Page 71 - Backup and General Maintenance
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 71 Backup and General Maintenance Always backup your important data on a regular basis and keep copies of your operating • system and software safe. Do not forget to note the serial numbers if you are storing them outside of their original cases - e.g., in a CD wallet. Ru...
Page 73 - Software Diagnostic Tools
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 73 Software Diagnostic Tools Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA) The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment (PSA), a series of initial tests of your system board, keyboard, display, memory, hard drive, etc. To invoke PSA: Turn on (or restart) your computer. 1. Shut dow...
Page 74 - Alienware
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 74 If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, the following message appears “ Do you want to run the remaining memory tests? This will take about 30 minutes or more. Do you want to continue? (Recommended). ” If you are experiencing memory issues, press <...
Page 75 - Starting Alienware Diagnostics
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 75 Starting Alienware Diagnostics NOTE: Your computer does not have an internal optical drive. Use an external optical drive or any external storage device for the procedures that involve discs. Insert the drivers and utilities backup disc that you created. 1. Shut down a...
Page 76 - Answers to Common Problems; System; The computer fails the POST
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 76 After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Alienware 7. Diagnostics Main Menu . Remove the backup disc, then close the 8. Main Menu window to exit the Alienware Diagnostics and restart the computer. Answers to Common Problems System The comp...
Page 77 - The computer stops responding or a solid blue screen appears; A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 77 The computer stops responding or a solid blue screen appears CAUTION: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown. If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power bu...
Page 78 - A program is designed for an earlier version of Microsoft; Other software problems
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 78 A program is designed for an earlier version of Microsoft ® Windows ® Run the Program Compatibility Wizard: The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to an earlier version of Microsoft Windows operating system envir...
Page 80 - Hard Drive Problems; Allow the computer to cool before turning it on
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 80 Hard Drive Problems Allow the computer to cool before turning it on A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system from starting. Try allowing the computer to return to room temperature before turning it on. Run Check Disk Click 1. Start → Computer . Right-click 2. ...
Page 81 - Memory; Memory errors detected on startup; Display; If the display is blank
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 81 Memory Memory errors detected on startup Check memory modules for correct seating and orientation. Reseat the memory • modules if applicable (see “Upgrading or Replacing Memory” on page 6 3). Computers using a dual-channel memory configuration require that memory modul...
Page 82 - Power; When you press the power button, the computer does not turn on
CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING 82 Power When you press the power button, the computer does not turn on If the AC adapter cable is connected to a surge protector or UPS, ensure that the surge • protector or UPS is securely connected to an electrical outlet, is switched on and is working correctly. Check...
Page 83 - CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY
Page 84 - Recovery Options
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY 84 Recovery Options Your computer has the following system recovery options: Operating System Reinstallation Disc • — Contains operating system installation media. Dell DataSafe Local • — Your computer is pre-installed with Dell DataSafe Local (see “Dell DataSafe Local B...
Page 85 - Dell DataSafe Local Backup
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY 85 Dell DataSafe Local Backup Dell DataSafe Local Backup is a backup and recovery application that can restore your computer if you lose data due to a virus attack, accidentally delete critical files or folders, or if the hard drive crashes. This application allows you t...
Page 87 - Dell DataSafe Online Backup
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY 87 Dell DataSafe Online Backup NOTE: Dell DataSafe Online Backup may not be available in all regions. NOTE: A broadband connection is recommended for fast upload/download speeds. Dell DataSafe Online is an automated backup and recovery service that helps protect your dat...
Page 89 - CHAPTER 7: BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
CHAPTER 7: BASIC SPECIFICATIONS CHAPTER 7: BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
Page 95 - APPENDIX
Page 96 - GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS; Computer Setup
APPENDIX 96 GENERAL AND 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...
Page 97 - Computer Use
APPENDIX 97 Computer Use Route the power cable and all cables away from where people might walk or trip over • them. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cable. Do not spill anything on or into your computer. • To avoid electrical shock, always disconnect all power, modem and any other cables ...
Page 98 - General Safety Precautions; Replacement Components or Accessories
APPENDIX 98 If you have to remove peripheral cards for any reason, place them on the portion of the • computer’s case that was removed. Do not touch the edge connectors at the bottom of the card that connect to the system board. General Safety Precautions Mechanical Shock: Your computer should never...
Page 99 - CONTACTING ALIENWARE
APPENDIX 99 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 b...
Page 100 - Websites
APPENDIX 100 Websites You can learn about Alienware products and services on the following websites: www.dell.com • www.dell.com/ap • (Asian/Pacific countries only) www.dell.com/jp • (Japan only) www.euro.dell.com • (Europe only) www.dell.com/la • (Latin American and Caribbean countries) www.dell.ca...
