Dell Alienware 15 R3 Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Jake Nelson
  • Comments: 5
Dell Alienware 15 R3 Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

8

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

If you are trying to replace the motherboard for the Dell Alienware 15 R3 this is a step by step guide to help you.

Before you begin the repair, power off your laptop and unplug the power adapter. When you get to Step 6, it's important to disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard and remove the battery.

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    • Before you begin, turn off the laptop and unplug the charger.

    • Flip the laptop over so that the backside is facing up.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the six 13.0 mm screws from the sides of the back case.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove one 5.0 mm screw from the back of the laptop.

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    • Use the opening tool to pry the back case from the computer.

    • Use the opening tool and work your way around the perimeter of the back case to gently release the clips.

    • Start from the black vent for an easier removal.

    • Lift the back case off of the laptop.

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    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove two screws from the side of the laptop.

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    • Use an opening tool to release the four tabs from the hinge cover and gently pry it off.

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    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove 10 screws from the chassis.

    • Use a spudger or opening tool to remove the chassis and reveal the battery, fan, motherboard, and other components.

    The Wlan cable holds the base to the computer along with a little wire in the back left corner.

    darkdestroyer66 -

    Mine has 12 screws not 9. one card also to remove, (held by screw), and 2 sets of connectors

    Sean -

    Plus you need to put the splonger in the edge below the usb connections, not on the area highlighted in the picture above. Yeah there are way more screws than 9. You also need to remove the screws out of any m.2 ssd drives, msata drives, and wlan card. You also need to unplug each ribbon cable, and unplug and unwire the tronlights on both sides of the laptop.

    This youtube video is really helpful for this part: https://youtu.be/QxJznOkvyic?si=eDLzrheu...

    jason -

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    • Before you begin, disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard. Use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the small locking flap. Then, you can safely pull the battery cable out.

    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the eleven screws connecting the fan to the motherboard.

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    • Detach the ribbon cable connecting the heat sink to the motherboard.

    • Pull the heat sink off of the fan.

    • Be careful as you lift it off the fan so it doesn't bend.

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    • Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the eight screws from the motherboard.

    • Detach the remaining ribbon cables from the motherboard.

    • Remove the motherboard from the laptop.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Jake Nelson

Member since: 22/09/22

623 Reputation

2 comments

This guide completely skips disengaging the battery, which should be done before any components, and it should be plugged back in last.

Paul Wilson -

Well, anyone in their right mind, would know that is the 1st thing to do. Give him credit for a great picturess of disassembling... :-)
Actually "Step 6" tells you to do just that !!!

Stephen Hart -