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Alienware Chapter Four Upgrading Your Computer, Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

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Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

CHAPTER FOUR

UPGRADING YOUR COMPUTER

In this chapter, you will learn how to upgrade the DRAM and hard disk drive, and how to install the optional wireless LAN mini PCI.

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4/6/2007 12:29:51 PM

Page 56

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Alienware Chapter Four Upgrading Your Computer, Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference, m5550-04-2007-techref.indd

Contents

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE1. GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference 2. BIOS SETUP AND SECURITY3. BATTERY POWER & POWER MANAGEMENT 5. TROUBLESHOOTING APPENDIX A Product Specification APPENDIX B Agency Regulatory Notices4. UPGRADING YOUR COMPUTER Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceUsing This Manual Symbols and ConventionsPreface Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Your computer will serve you well if you take good care of itHere are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference When cleaning the computer, observe these stepsCleaning the Ventilation Grills Chapter 2 BIOS Setup / Security Chapter 3 Battery Power & Power ManagementChapter 5 Trouble-Shooting Appendix A Product SpecificationCHAPTER ONE GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS This chapter introduces the features and components of the computerAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference m5550-04-2007-techref.inddPerformance Features High Performance Processor with Calistoga ChipsetAdvanced Graphic Engine LCD DisplayFirewire IEEE1394 / 1394a and USB2.0 Ports Wireless LANEthernet Port Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceSystem At A Glance Top View 1. LCD Latch2. LCD Display Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference6. Touch Pad Disable / Enable Button 8. LED Status Indicator9. Power / Suspend Button 3. Keyboard10. Silent Mode Button 11. Outlook Express Quick Key12. Internet Explorer Quick Key 13. Windows Media Player Quick Key1. Wireless On/Off Switch 2. Power Jack DC-in4. Battery Pack Front and Rear ViewAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference 5. Ventilation Grill6. Kensington Lock Key Hole 1. Audio Volume Dial Side Views2. Stereo Headphone / SPDIF-out Jack 3. Microphone Jack10. Firewire / IEEE1394 / 1394a Port 5. USB2.0 Port6. DVI-I Port 7. TV S-Video Port12. ExpressCard Slot Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122946 PM1. Battery Pack and Battery Latch Bottom View2. Hard Disk Drive Cover Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference4/6/2007 122946 PM Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference 3. System Device Cover4. Ventilation Grill 1. DC-out Connector AC Adapter2. Adapter 3. AC PlugAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference LED Status IndicatorSystem & Power Status Indicators Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Keyboard FeaturesFunction Keys Quick Keys Windows Keys 1. Start Key2. Application Menu Key Embedded Numeric KeypadAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Tips on Using the Touch PadTouch Pad Adjusting the Display Brightness Graphics SubsystemExtending the Life of the TFT Display Device Opening and Closing the Display PanelAdjusting the Volume Manually Adjusting the Audio Volume in WindowsConnecting the Modem Audio SubsystemTo change the modem setting, do the following Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceCHAPTER TWO BIOS SETUP AND SECURITY FEATURE Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122947 PMThe Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into your computer’s BIOS Basic Input/Output System. It runs and maintains a variety of hardware functions. It is a menu-driven software, which allows you to easily configure and change the settings Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceEntering the BIOS Setup Screen Leaving the BIOS Setup ScreenBIOS Action Keys Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceModifying the BIOS Settings Boot SetupMain Setup Boot Settings ConfigurationAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference the 1st drive BIOS attemptsBoot Agent is selected, the Security Setup Using Password ProtectionBoot Settings Configuration Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Power SetupExit Setup CHAPTER THREE BATTERY POWER & POWER MANAGEMENT Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122948 PMThe Battery Pack Lithium-Ion BatteryBattery Low-Power Warning 1. Low Battery Warning 2. Very Low Battery WarningNote Press Fn+F3 to turn off the battery warning beep Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122948 PMInstalling and Removing the Battery Pack To Remove the Battery PackAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference m5550-04-2007-techref.inddTo Install the Battery Pack Charging the Battery and Charging TimeChecking the Battery Level Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage CyclesThere are things you can do to prolong the use of the battery Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Using Windows Power OptionsWindows’ Power Schemes In this dialog box, you can manually set the LCD and hard drive’s time-out values in the Plugged In column and in the Running On Batteries column. Lower time-out values will save more battery power Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceSuspend Mode Standby SuspendHibernate Suspend Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferencePower Button Action Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceLow Battery Warning Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferencePower Menu Quick Access Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceWindows’ Power Plans Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference4/6/2007 122950 PM Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd Suspend Mode Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceStandby Suspend Hibernate SuspendPower Button Action Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Low Battery WarningClick the “Change plan settings” underneath the currently active Power Plan in the Power Options Properties box. Next, click on “Change advance power settings” and go the the battery section and expand it to change the battery notifications and alarms Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Power Menu Quick AccessInstead of making specific selections in the Power Options Properties box, you can quickly and easily specify which pre-set power saving function you desire by clicking on the Battery icon at the lower right-hand corner of the task bar. If you do not see a battery or AC-in icon, go to Power Options Properties box and click on the Advanced tab. Check off ``Always show icon on the task bar``. Select “Power Saver” if you want the system to enter Suspend Mode more often. Or, select “High Performance” if your notebook PC is plugged into an AC power source CHAPTER FOUR UPGRADING YOUR COMPUTER Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122951 PMUpgrading the Hard Disk Drive Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceTo replace the hard disk drive, do the following Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceUpgrading the Hard Disk Drive Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference 10. Put the HDD cover back and re-attach 2 Screw A’sUpgrading the System Memory Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceInstalling a memory module DIMM into the system Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference the contact edge is driven into the receiving socketAdding a Mini-PCI Type Wireless LAN Card Optional Device Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Installing a Mini PCI Card into the SystemTo install a new Mini PCI card, do the following Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference 4. Replace the System Device Cover and 9 Screw D’sCHAPTER FIVE TROUBLESHOOTING Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122952 PMAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Before taking further actions, consider the following suggestionsAudio Problems No speaker outputSound cannot be recorded Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceHard Disk Problems The hard disk drive does not work or is not recognizableThe hard drive is making abnormal whining noises The hard disk drive has reached its capacityAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference The hard disk takes longer to read a fileThe files are corrupted Optical Drive Problems The optical drive does not workThe drive does not read any disks The disk cannot be ejectedDisplay Problems The display panel is blank when the system is turned onThe screen is difficult to read The screen flickersKeyboard and Mouse Problems The characters on the screen repeat when I typeThe built-in touch pad performs erratically The built-in keyboard accepts no inputAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference CMOS Battery ProblemMemory Problems Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Modem Problems The built-in modem does not respondConnection difficulties Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Network Adapter / Ethernet ProblemsThe Ethernet adapter does not work PC Card / PCMCIA Problems Windows crashes or freezes when you remove the PC cardPC Cards do not function The PC card cannot be recognizedPerformance Problems The computer becomes hotThe program appears to have stopped or runs very slowly Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceFirewire IEEE1394 and USB2.0 Problems The USB device does not workThe IEEE1394 port does not work Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAPPENDIX A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122953 PMProcessor and Core Logic System MemoryDisplay AudioFirewire IEEE1394a ModemLAN / Ethernet StoragePorts and Connectors Battery Pack / AC AdapterKeyboard & Touch pad Express Card New Card & Multiple Card ReaderAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference BIOSPhysical Specification APPENDIX B AGENCY REGULATORY NOTICES Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Referencem5550-04-2007-techref.indd 4/6/2007 122954 PMFederal Communications Commission Notice ModificationsConnections to Peripheral Devices Declaration of ConformityAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference European NoticeCanadian Notice Power Cord Requirement U.S. and CanadaJapan Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceOther Countries Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical ReferenceAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Battery Pack SafetyTelephone Lines Requirement Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Laser SafetyLithium Battery Warning / Bridge Battery Warning Connecting to the Network EthernetCabling Restriction for Networks Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference