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Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

If your Alienware X51 PC begins to shut down randomly or cannot fully process commands, you may need to replace the motherboard (refer to our Troubleshooting Guide for more details). Replacing the motherboard will help with any random shutdowns. Overall, the replacement can be complicated, but if done correctly, this guide will fix your PC.

What you need

  1. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Front Panel: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Place the PC so the name "Alienware" is on top and facing you.

    • Slide the front panel towards you and lift up.

    Edit

  2. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Fully disconnect the panel by unplugging the lighting cord going into the PC's internal system.

    • Remove the front panel from the rest of the device.

    Edit

  3. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 3, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Fan: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 2.0 mm screws holding the fan protector in place using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Remove the protector holding the fan in.

    Edit

  4. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the Molex KK connector from the fan.

    Edit

  5. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Phillips #1 screwdriver to loosen the four spring screws around the fan until you hear a click.

    • Gently pull back the clips and remove the fan by pulling it out.

    Edit

  6. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Disc Drive: step 6, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Disc Drive: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the optical-drive data and power cable.

    Edit

  7. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the one 1.0 mm screw using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Remove the disc drive from the PC.

    Edit

  9. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 8, image 1 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 8, image 2 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Pull apart the clips that hold the RAM sticks in place.

    • Remove the RAM sticks.

    Edit

  10. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: step 9, image 1 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: step 9, image 2 of 3 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Loosen the four 10.0 mm screws around the heatsink with a Phillips #1 screwdriver until you hear a click.

    • These are captive screws and cannot be fully removed.

    • Remove the heatsink by gently prying and lifting it up.

    Edit

  11. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the single 1.0 mm screw with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    • Firmly remove the internal PC system by lifting it out of the PC.

    Edit

  12. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Loosen the four 1.0 mm screws holding down the motherboard using a Phillips #1 screwdriver.

    Edit

  13. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the two SATA plugs going into the motherboard processor.

    Edit

  14. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the rectangular power supply plug from the motherboard into the other circuit board.

    Edit

  15. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the bundled cable connector going into the motherboard.

    Edit

  16. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the white bundled cable connector from the motherboard.

    Edit

  17. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the rectangular yellow bundled cable connector plug going into the motherboard.

    Edit

  18. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the power supply.

    Edit

  19. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the rectangular white bundled cable connector going into the motherboard.

    Edit

  20. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Gently slide and lift out the motherboard from the PC.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

One other person completed this guide.

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