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Alienware ALX Desktop Manual

Rear Ports and Features

Ventilation - Do not block

Power supply switch
I - On / O - Off

Left and right panel
release latches

Power socket

Ventilation - Do not block

Rear I/O ports

DVI display port 2
DVI display port 1

S-Video port 1
DVI display port 4 (optional)

DVI display port 3 (optional)

S-Video port 2 (optional)

Ventilation - Do not block

Discrete audio I/O (optional)

Summary of Contents for ALX

Page 1: ...sed in this manual Alienware Alienlce the AlienHead logo and AlienAutopsy are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation Microsoft and Windows are registered trade marks of Microsoft...

Page 2: ...IDIA SLI Graphics Configuration 17 Configuring an SLI Graphics Configuration with Multiple Displays 17 Enabling Multiple Monitors with NVIDIA Based Graphics 18 Connecting to an ATI CrossFire Graphics...

Page 3: ...ement Drives 41 Hard Disk Drives 41 CD RW DVD CD RW or DVD R W Drives 42 Installing Additional or Replacement Memory 42 Removing a Memory Module 43 Installing a Memory Module 43 Chapter 4 System Recov...

Page 4: ...lers 59 Appendix A Microsoft Critical Updates 61 Appendix B General And Electrical Safety Precautions 63 Appendix C Terms And Conditions Agreement 65 Appendix D Limited Product Warranty Disclaimer Of...

Page 5: ...one single unwavering purpose Build It As If It Were Your Own The technicians will not rest until your new machine meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria We have tested your machine extensively...

Page 6: ......

Page 7: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual CHAPTER 1 SYSTEM PREPARATION AND SETUP...

Page 8: ...be honored Location and Positioning of Your Computer When positioning your computer be sure that It is placed on an surface that is both level and stable Power and other cable connectors are not jamm...

Page 9: ...Features Power Button Press the power button once to turn on your computer The button will illuminate indicating the system is powered on The light will flutter when there is hard disk activity to in...

Page 10: ...1 8 mini jack Line Out Connect stereo headphones or other audio device using a 1 8 mini jack USB 2 0 Connect high speed USB 2 0 devices such as digital cameras portable flash drives MP3 players and ga...

Page 11: ...switch I On O Off Left and right panel release latches Power socket Ventilation Do not block Rear I O ports DVI display port 2 DVI display port 1 S Video port 1 DVI display port 4 optional DVI display...

Page 12: ...lienware com DVI Display Port 1 Connect your primary monitor to this port For detailed information on connecting monitors to your computer see Connecting Monitors in this chapter For detailed informat...

Page 13: ...han three monitors connect your fourth monitor to this port For detailed information on connecting monitors to your computer see Connecting Monitors in this chapter Note This port is non operational w...

Page 14: ...Turn off your computer 2 Connect one end of the monitor s signal cable to the video card s DVI connector located on the back of your computer 3 Connect the other end of the signal cable to the monito...

Page 15: ...on Connecting Multiple Monitors Up to two monitors can be connected in a single graphics card configuration and up to four monitors can be connected in a dual graphics card configuration To connect mu...

Page 16: ...Video input 2 Turn on your television 3 Restart your computer 4 Set your computer s display resolution to 800 x 600 in the Display Settings control panel Start Control Panel Appearance and Personaliza...

Page 17: ...r support is only available in an SLI configuration when SLI is disabled in the NVIDIA driver control panel When SLI is enabled all other display devices connected to other DVI or S Video connections...

Page 18: ...he Apply button Accessing nView Display Settings from the Windows desktop From the Windows desktop 1 Right click the desktop 2 Point to NVIDIA Display and click X Display where X is the name of your p...

Page 19: ...nfiguration CrossFire enabled graphics provides hardware support for one DVI I monitor or one VGA monitor using a DVI to VGA adapter The following shows how to connect your display to a CrossFire grap...

Page 20: ...ndered inactive A CrossFire graphics configuration can support up to four displays when CrossFire is not enabled and when the Master card is not connected to the Slave graphics card The illustration b...

Page 21: ...nter Using the Start Menu From the Windows task bar 1 Click the Start button Windows Logo 2 Click All Programs Catalyst Control Center Catalyst Control Center Other Quick Launch Access Points Launchin...

Page 22: ...ight click the number 2 icon in the right hand box and click Enable in the pop up menu Note Repeat steps 2 and 3 above for each additional connected device The number on the display icon will increase...

Page 23: ...de Left only on 7 1 speaker systems or Rear Center only on 6 1 speaker systems inputs on powered analog speakers or an external amplifier for audio output 2 Line Out 2 jack Connects to Rear Left Rear...

Page 24: ...the port If your keyboard uses a USB connection insert its USB connector into an available USB port located at the back of the computer Connecting a Mouse 1 Locate the green PS 2 port at the back of t...

Page 25: ...of the computer 3 If it is a USB printer connect its USB cable to an available USB port located at the back of the computer 4 Connect the printer s power cord to a grounded three prong power strip un...

Page 26: ......

Page 27: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual 27 CHAPTER 2 USING YOUR SYSTEM...

Page 28: ...r further information please refer to your device s documentation Connecting Fire Wire IEEE 1394 Devices Plug the Fire Wire device into an available Fire Wire port on your computer Windows Vista will...

Page 29: ...can read DVD RW media It can also record to CD R or CD RW media DVD R W Dual Layer Writer A DVD R W drive can read CD ROM CD R CD R W DVD DVD R W and DVD R W media It can also record to CD R CD RW DVD...

Page 30: ...k Power DVD ClickStart Windows Logo CyberLink Power DVD CyberLink Power DVD Insert a DVD Video disc into the DVD drive The DVD will begin to play To play a DVD using Nero ShowTime ClickStart All Progr...

Page 31: ...artSmart Essentials Select the type of CD or DVD you wish to create from the menu Follow the Nero Express Essentials on screen instructions Copying a CD or DVD Click Start Windows Logo All Programs Ne...

Page 32: ...nternet located in the Internet Options section 3 Follow the on screen instructions For more help about creating a new internet connection Click Start Help and Support and perform a search for make an...

Page 33: ...s power settings 1 Click Start Windows Logo Control Panel 2 Click Classic View from the task panel 3 Double click on the Power Options icon 4 Select a power plan from the options show To customize sp...

Page 34: ......

Page 35: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual 35 CHAPTER 3 INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS...

Page 36: ...you re My Hive Personal Support Area on the Alienware website Visit http support alienware com Support_Pages Restricted_Pages myhive aspx Removing the Side Panel 1 Turn off your computer and any conne...

Page 37: ...d on your system s Windows Desktop for more information about your system s expansion slots Your system s technical reference is also available for download from your My Hive Personal Support Area on...

Page 38: ...ess x16 video cards in a dual card configuration Graphics Card Bridge Power Connectors 2 Dual PCI Express Graphics Cards Installing a PCI Express x16 video card in a single card configuration PCI Expr...

Page 39: ...r further details or contact Alienware Technical Support Installing a PCI or PCI Express Expansion Card If you are replacing an existing PCI card with on of a similar type a sound card a TV tuner etc...

Page 40: ...assis using the screw that was previously removed This will also ground the sound card protecting it from potential damage Close the chassis and reconnect any peripherals and power connections and tur...

Page 41: ...ng is correct 6 Attach the drive rails removed from the previous drive to the new drive 7 Slide the new drive into the drive cage the release tabs will snap into place when the drive has been fully in...

Page 42: ...connector into the drive check the orientation of the ATA connector Note that one edge of the data cable is marked with a red stripe This stripe indicates Pin 1 and corresponds to Pin 1 on the drive...

Page 43: ...he keys in the memory socket 3 Press the memory module straight down into the memory socket applying even pressure at each end the retention clips will snap into the notches at each end of the memory...

Page 44: ......

Page 45: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual 45 CHAPTER 4 SYSTEM RECOVERY...

Page 46: ...h to initiate a system restoration Press any key to continue into the Norton Ghost interface and begin the AlienRespawn process that restores your system to its original factory configuration 3 Once t...

Page 47: ...for your installed hardware For updated drivers and utilities please visit www alienware com AlienRespawn 2 0 1 Remove any CD DVD media and or floppy disks from your optical and floppy drives 2 Power...

Page 48: ...age Press any key to boot from CD Press any key to continue Step 4 Once the recovery is completed remove the Alienware Recovery Disc from your CD ROM drive Step 5 You can use the Alienware Master CD t...

Page 49: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual 49 CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING...

Page 50: ...ngs to check before troubleshooting Ensure that the power cord is properly connected between your computer and a grounded three prong power outlet Make sure that the power outlet is working Make sure...

Page 51: ...in a CD Wallet Run maintenance programs as often as you can You may schedule these programs to run at times when you are not using your computer You can use those provided with your OS or buy more po...

Page 52: ...with your drive Shut down your computer unplug the power cord and modem cable if applicable and open your computer Make sure that the cables are properly connected to the drive and the IDE connector o...

Page 53: ...ables and open your computer Check that the power supply cable in your computer is connected to the motherboard Check that the power button cable is connected correctly to the computer board The BIOS...

Page 54: ...modem Check that the phone cable is connected properly to the back of the computer and to the telephone wall outlet Check the wall outlet to ensure that there is a dial tone Make sure to disable the c...

Page 55: ...nt trapped under the keys If you have another keyboard that you know works try it with the computer to make sure that the keyboard PS 2 port or USB port works A keyboard character is repeating Make su...

Page 56: ...d the monitor cable for bent or damaged pins Adjust the brightness and contrast controls to the centre position Reinstall the device driver if applicable Shut down your computer and unplug the power c...

Page 57: ...t likely need to be replaced Restart your computer Try a mouse that you know works in the same port to ensure that the mouse port is working Reinstall the device driver Power When the computer is turn...

Page 58: ...may be required Check that the printer is online If the printer is offline press the online offline button to switch it to online If the printer is not the default printer make sure that it is proper...

Page 59: ...broken on the cable and the port Shut down the computer unplug the power cable modem cable if applicable and any cables attached to the AGP or PCI component and open the case Reseat the card Restart...

Page 60: ...Alienware ALX Desktop Manual 60...

Page 61: ...itical Updates are released Alienware highly recommends visiting the Microsoft Windows Update website at http windowsupdate microsoft com to view a list of and install the most recently released Criti...

Page 62: ......

Page 63: ...set to the proper voltage setting for your area Never block or cover any openings or fans in the computer case These are required for ventilation Never insert objects of any kind into the ventilation...

Page 64: ...computer has had liquid spilled into it The computer was dropped or the case was damaged Normal operation of the computer does not occur when the operating instructions are followed Replacement Compon...

Page 65: ...Manual 65 APPENDIX C TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT Please visit http www alienware com terms to view the terms and conditions agreement We recommend that you print a copy and file it with your invoic...

Page 66: ......

Page 67: ...arranty number and proof of purchase information available The Technical Support staff will assist you in diagnosing the problem over the phone If the problem cannot be resolved over the phone a Techn...

Page 68: ...e sending it in Alienware will not be responsible for any lost information All systems that come into our Service Centers for repair will be configured with only the software necessary to restore your...

Page 69: ...address Alienware will not be responsible for the contents of under insured packages Contact Alienware support to schedule a pickup Once Alienware has received the component it will be tested If the...

Page 70: ...for defects It is Alienware s desire that your repair goes as smoothly as possible once you have received the replacement component s please contact us so that Alienware technicians may assist you in...

Page 71: ...for the amount of the sale and will not include shipping costs All systems and parts will be subject to a 15 restocking fee To return merchandise you must obtain an RMA number Please call the Alienwa...

Page 72: ...rs of Operation Mon Fri 9 00 am 10 00 pm EST Customer Service Please visit our web site for current operational hours Have your Alienware account number available on your first visit to set up a suppo...

Page 73: ...rranty coverage Go to www alienware com and visit our support area Technical support representatives are also available by telephone Telephone support is available for computer systems under warranty...

Page 74: ...RECOVERY OR SENDING YOUR SYSTEM IN FOR REPAIR OR UPGRADES PLEASE RETAIN ALL BOXES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SHIPPED TO YOU IN CASE YOU NEED TO RETURN ANY MERCHANDISE PLEASE CONTACT OUR SUPPORT DEPARTMENT A...

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