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Drive(s)

Alienware Aurora Service Manual

  Removing the Hard Drive(s)

  Replacing the Hard Drive(s)

  Removing the Optical Drive(s)

  Replacing the Optical Drive(s)

  Removing the Media Card Reader

  Replacing the Media Card Reader


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 www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
WARNING: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer panels, bezels, filler brackets, etc.) removed.
WARNING: To guard against likelihood of electric shock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the side panel(s).
WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.
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 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: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) before removing the hard drive. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is On or in Sleep state.
CAUTION: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell or Alienware.
NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell or Alienware, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive.

Removing the Hard Drive(s)

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the left side-panel (see Removing the Left Side-Panel).

  3. Disconnect the power and data cables from the hard-drive assembly (if applicable).

1

power cable

2

data cable

  1. Press the release tabs and slide the hard-drive assembly out of the hard-drive cage.

1

hard-drive assembly

2

release tabs (2)

  1. Release the tabs on the hard-drive bracket and lift the hard drive out of the bracket (if applicable).

1

hard drive

2

tabs (4)


Replacing the Hard Drive(s)

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

NOTE: See the documentation that shipped with your new hard drive and ensure that the jumper positioning is correct.
  1. Snap the hard-drive bracket on to the new hard drive (if applicable).

  2. Slide the hard-drive assembly into the hard-drive cage until the release tabs snap into place.

  3. Connect the power and data cables to the hard-drive assembly (if applicable).

  4. Replace the left side-panel (see Replacing the Left Side-Panel).

  5. Connect your computer and all attached devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Removing the Optical Drive(s)

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Press the AlienHead on the front of your computer to lower the drive panel.

  3. Remove the left side-panel (see Removing the Left Side-Panel).

  4. Disconnect the power and data cables from the optical drive (if applicable).

  5. Lift the securing tab and push the optical drive to slide it out through the front of the computer.

1

power cable

2

data cable

3

securing tab

4

optical drive


Replacing the Optical Drive(s)

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the new optical drive from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the optical drive.

  3. Remove the optical-drive bay filler (if applicable).

  4. Lift the securing tab and slide the optical drive through the front of the computer until the securing tab snaps into place.

  5. Connect the power and data cables to the optical drive (if applicable).

  6. Replace the left side-panel (see Replacing the Left Side-Panel).

  7. Lift the drive panel towards the top of your computer until it snaps into place.

  8. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn them on.


Removing the Media Card Reader

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Press the AlienHead on the front of your computer to lower the drive panel.

  3. Remove the left side-panel (see Removing the Left Side-Panel).

  4. Open the PCI shroud (see Opening the PCI Shroud).

  5. Disconnect the FlexBay USB cable from the FLEXBAY connector on the master I/O board. For more information on the location of the connector, see Master I/O Board Components.

  6. Lift the securing tab and push the FlexBay dock to slide it out through the front of the computer.

1

FlexBay USB cable

2

securing tab

3

Media Card Reader

  1. Remove the four screws that secure the Media Card Reader to the FlexBay dock.

  2. Slide the Media Card Reader out of the FlexBay dock.

1

Media Card Reader

2

screws (4)

3

FlexBay dock


Replacing the Media Card Reader

  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the new Media Card Reader from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the Media Card Reader.

  3. Slide the Media Card Reader into the FlexBay dock.

  4. Replace the four screws that secure the Media Card Reader to the FlexBay dock.

  5. Lift the securing tab and slide the FlexBay dock through the front of the computer until the securing tab snaps into place.

  6. Connect the FlexBay USB cable to the FLEXBAY connector on the master I/O board. For more information on the location of the connector, see Master I/O Board Components.

  7. Close the PCI shroud (see Closing the PCI Shroud).

  8. Replace the left side-panel (see Replacing the Left Side-Panel).

  9. Lift the drive panel towards the top of your computer.

  10. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn them on.


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