How to replace the Computer Base on a Alienware 15 R3

This 3D experience gives you the step by step process of replacing the Computer Base and a Alienware 15R3. The procedure will also include removing the Base Cover, Battery Cable, Hard Drive Assembly, WLAN, SSD SSD, Rear I/O cover and reinstalling them.

Removal

Base Cover

1. Identify the base cover highlighted in blue
2. Remove the screws that secure the base cover to the system base.
3. Loosen the captive screws that secures the base cover to the system base.
4. Using a plastic scribe or a flat head screwdriver, gently pry clips on the base cover to release them from the slots on the system base. Lift the base cover off the system base.

Battery Cable

1. Identify the battery cable highlighted in blue.
2. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
3. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to ground the system and remove residual static electricity

Hard Drive Assembly

1. Identify the hard disk drive (HDD) assembly highlighted in blue.
2. Using the pull tab, pull upwards to disconnect the hard drive cable from the system board.
3. Remove the screws that secure the hard drive assembly to the system base.
4. Lift the hard drive assembly and the cable off the system base.

(WLAN) Wireless Module

1. Identify the wireless module highlighted in blue
2. Lift the flap covering the wireless module to access the bracket and screw (optional step - depends on configuration)
3. Remove the screw that secures the bracket and wireless module to the system board.
4. Remove the wireless bracket to access the wireless antenna cables.
5. Disconnect the wireless antenna cables (black and white cable) from the wireless module.
6. Lift and slide the wireless module out from the system board.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

1. Identify the solid state drive (SSD) highlighted in blue
2. Remove the screw that secures the solid state drive to the system base.
3. Peel off the solid state drive shield from the solid state drive. (optional step - depends on configuration)
4. Holding the sides of the module, slightly lift and pull out the SSD from the drive slot

Rear I/O cover

1. Identify the rear I/O cover highlighted in blue
2. Remove the screws that secure the rear I/O cover to the palm rest assembly.
3. Using a plastic scribe or a flat-head screwdriver, gently release the tabs that secure rear I/O cover to the system base.
4. Slide and remove the rear I/O cover from the system base.

Computer Base

1. Identify the computer base highlighted in blue and note cable routing
2. Remove the antenna cables (black and white) from the routing guides on the computer base
3. Disconnect the tron light cable from the system board (left side).
4. Open the latch, disconnect the macro keys cable and remove from the routing guide on the computer base.
5. Open the latch, disconnect the keyboard backlight cable and remove from the routing guide on the computer base.
6. Open the latch, disconnect the keyboard cable and remove from the routing guide on the computer base.
7. Disconnect the tron light cable from the system board (right side).
8. Remove the screws that secure the computer base to the palm rest assembly.
9. Remove the screws that secure the computer base to the palm rest assembly.
10. Lift the system base off the palm rest assembly and unroute the cables from the computer base (wireless module & battery cables).

Install

Computer Base

1. Identify the computer base location highlighted in blue
2. Align the screw holes on the base with the palm rest assembly
3. Route wireless module cables and the battery cable through the base cover before securing the base cover.
4. Install the screws that secure the computer base to the palm rest assembly.
5. Install the screws that secure the computer base to the palm rest assembly.
6. Connect the tron light cables to the system board. (right side)
7. Connect the tron light cables to the system board. (left side)
8. Route the marco keys cable through the routing guide on the base and into the connector. Close the latch to secure.
9. Route the keyboard cable through the routing guide on the base and into the connector. Close the latch to secure.
10. Route the keyboard backlight cable through the routing guide on base and into connector. Close the latch to secure.
11. Route the antenna cables (black and white) through the routing guides on the computer base

Rear I/O cover

1. Identify the rear I/O cover location highlighted in blue
2. Slide the tabs on the rear I/O cover into the slots on the system base and snap the rear I/O cover into place.
3. Install the screws that secure the rear I/O cover to the palm rest assembly.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

1. Identify the solid state drive (SSD) location highlighted in blue
2. Align the notch on the SSD with the tab on the slot and slide the SSD into the slot.
3. Place the shield on top the SSD (optional step - depends on configuration)
4. Install the screw that secures the SSD to the system base.

(WLAN) Wireless Module

1. Identify the wireless module location highlighted in blue
2. Lift the flap to access the wireless module location for installation. (optional step - depends on configuration)
3. Align the notch on the wireless module with the tab and slide the card at an angle into the slot
4. Connect the black cable to the auxiliary (black triangle)
5. Connect the white cable to the main (white triangle)
6. Slide the bracket onto the wireless anteanna module.
7. Install the screw to secure the bracket and wireless module to the system board and close the flap.

Hard Drive Assembly

1. Identify the hard disk drive (HDD) assembly location highlighted in blue.
2. Align hard drive assembly with the system base
3. Install screws to secure the assembly to the system base
4. Connect the hard drive cable to the system board.

Battery Cable

1. Identify the battery cable highlighted in blue
2. Connect the battery cable to the system board.

Base Cover

1. Identify the base cover location highlighted in blue
2. Slide the tabs on the base cover into the slots on the system base and snap the base cover into place.
3. Tighten the captive screws that secures the base cover to the system base.
4. Install the screws that secure the base cover to the system base.