Alienware M18x Mobile Manual

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

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NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

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△ CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

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WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

The contents herein are subject to change without notice.

© 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Trademarks used in this manual: Alienware®, AlienFX®, and the AlienHead logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation; Dell™ is a trademark of Dell Inc.; Microsoft®, Windows®, and the Windows start button logo © are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Intel® and SpeedStep® are registered trademarks and Core™ is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Blu-ray Disc™ is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association; Bluetooth® is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Regulatory Model: P12E

Regulatory Type: P12E001

P/N: P38V4

Rev. A00

February 2011

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP ..... 7
Before Setting Up Your Laptop ..... 8
Connect the AC Adapter ..... 9
Press the Power Button ..... 9
Connect the Network Cable (Optional) ..... 10
Set Up Microsoft Windows ..... 10
Set Up WirelessHD (Optional) ..... 11
Set Up Wireless Display (Optional) ..... 11
Connect to the Internet (Optional) ..... 12
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LAPTOP ..... 15
Left View Features ..... 16
Right View Features ..... 17
Back View Features ..... 18
Computer Base and Keyboard Features ..... 20
Status Lights ..... 21
Media Control Keys ..... 21
Power Button ..... 22
Function Keys ..... 23

CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP ..... 25
Alienware Command Center ..... 26
Connecting External Displays ..... 26
Using Removable Media and Cards ..... 27
Using the Optical Drive ..... 28
Using the Integrated Camera ..... 28
Using the Wireless Control ..... 28
Battery Pack ..... 29
Power Management ..... 29
Free Fall Sensor ..... 30
Configuring the BIOS ..... 31
CHAPTER 4: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ..... 37
Before You Begin ..... 38
Replacing the Battery Pack ..... 40
Upgrading or Replacing Memory ..... 41
Upgrading or Replacing the Hard Drive(s) ..... 43

CHAPTER 5: TROUBLESHOOTING ..... 47
Basic Hints and Tips ..... 48
Backup and General Maintenance ..... 48
Software Diagnostic Tools ..... 49
Answers to Common Problems ..... 50
CHAPTER 6: SYSTEM RECOVERY ..... 55
AlienRespawn ..... 56
My Dell Downloads ..... 58
CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS ..... 59
APPENDIX ..... 67
GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..... 68
Contacting Alienware ..... 70

Dear Valued Alienware Customer,

Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the growing number of savvy high-performance computer users.

The Alienware technicians who have crafted your computer have made certain that your high-performance computer is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build computers with a single unwavering purpose: Build It As If It Were Your Own. The technicians will not rest until your new computer meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria!

We have tested your computer extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy the highest levels of performance. In addition to a standard burn-in period, your computer has been evaluated using real-world tools such as synthetic performance benchmarks.

We invite you to share your experience with your new high-performance computer with us, so do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns. The entire staff shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you enjoy using your new computer as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.

Sincerely,

Alienware Staff

-XVCXO1 3: JONXXC TT L301 EVCX3C

CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR LAPTOP

Before Setting Up Your Laptop

Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware M18x!

Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your