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November 17th, 2024 18:02
17 R1, Mini Display card
Alienware 17
Recently picked up this Alienware Laptop [Alienware 17 P18E/P18E001] at a swap. I was upgrading the memory and noticed that a card slot on the memory slots 1 & 2 side was missing. According to the manual it is the mini display card slot (DMC H18). Had no issues booting and using the laptop before deciding to do the memory upgrade, but am wondering if this is a necessary componet that I should try to find and install. If so where would I find one? I've had no luck so far finding one where I've looked online.
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mattyb3
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November 20th, 2024 02:36
I have a fair bit of experience with these laptops but I can't quite picture the slot you're talking about. This isn't the mSata slot by any chance? I have a few at home that I can check.
Can you post an image for me?
mattyb3
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November 20th, 2024 04:49
Ahh, I know what port you are referring to now. I have never seen any of these systems with one of these installed. I'm not sure if they ever sent machines out with this option, if they did there wouldn't be many. They don't even have the removal/replacement procedure listed in the Service Manual, only in the old Owners Manual.
I can only assume it is something similar to what they offered in the models before the 17, which were the M14x R1/R2, M17x R3/R4 and M18x R1/R2. These had an option to fit a WiHD card with an antenna cable. Using a receiver which was plugged into a TV, you could wirelessly transmit the laptop display to the TV. It wasn't great tech and they ditched the idea without selling a lot of these addons. It used a port that looked very much like the one you're talking about. I have seen people utilise these ports for other things like an internal USB port adapter. I have one in my mess of parts somewhere. I also have a WiHD card and antenna for the M18x R1 somewhere too. I found one but never installed it.