Dell Alienware m17 R2 How-To Install & Replace Your Heatsink Fan Assembly


In this Dell laptop tutorial we are going to show you how to install and replace the Heatsink Fan Assembly on your Alienware m17 R2 laptop. These installation instructions have been made into 23 easy to follow printable steps. We have also created a video tutorial that shows you how to install your Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly.

Before you begin

Please take the time read the following safety guidelines when working on static sensitive electrical components.
Dell repair manual service precautions

Tools needed for this laptop repair

  • 1 x Phillips #0 screwdriver
  • 1 x small plastic scribe
Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

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Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

Video tutorial repair manual



Installation and Removal Instructions
Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

Before you begin: If you need help at any point, you can always contact Parts-People Repair Department for help with your diagnosis or repair.

Step 1

CAUTION: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the build up of static electricity on a person's body. This can cause serious damage to your laptop. You can use an ESD wrist strap or an ESD mat to help prevent this.

Step 2

  • CAUTION: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the build up of static electricity on a person's body. This can cause serious damage to your laptop. You can use an ESD wrist strap or an ESD mat to help prevent this.
CAUTION: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the build up of static electricity on a person's body. This can cause serious damage to your laptop. You can use an ESD wrist strap or an ESD mat to help prevent this.CAUTION: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the build up of static electricity on a person's body. This can cause serious damage to your laptop. You can use an ESD wrist strap or an ESD mat to help prevent this.
TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a

Step 3

TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a Unscrew the Bottom Base Cover (2 x M2.5 x 5mm) (6 X captive screws).Pry apart and remove the Bottom Base Cover.
Peel off the adhesive covering from the motherboard.

Step 4

  • Peel off the adhesive covering from the motherboard.
Disconnect the battery cable.

Step 5

  • Disconnect the battery cable.
Disconnect the battery cable.Disconnect the battery cable.
Remove the SSDs...

Step 6

  • Remove the SSDs...
  • TO REMOVE THE 2280 M.2 NVME SSDs: Unscrew and remove the thermal brackets (2 x M2 x 3mm).
  • Slide out the 2280 SSDs.
  • TO REMOVE THE 2230 M.2 NVME SSDs: The process is the same. The only difference is the screw configuration.
Remove the SSDs...TO REMOVE THE 2280 M.2 NVME SSDs: Unscrew and remove the thermal brackets (2 x Slide out the 2280 SSDs.TO REMOVE THE 2230 M.2 NVME SSDs: The process is the same. The only difference is the screw configuration.
Unscrew and remove the Battery (8 X 2mm x 4.5mm).

Step 7

  • Unscrew and remove the Battery (8 X 2mm x 4.5mm).
Unscrew and remove the Battery (8 X 2mm x 4.5mm).Unscrew and remove the Battery (8 X 2mm x 4.5mm).
Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.

Step 8

  • Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.
Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.
Disconnect the Rear I/O Cover cable.

Step 9

  • Disconnect the Rear I/O Cover cable.
Disconnect the Rear I/O Cover cable.Disconnect the Rear I/O Cover cable.
Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (2 x

Step 10

Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (2 x Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (2 x
Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.

Step 11

  • Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.
Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.Unclip the locking tab and then disconnect the LCD cables.
Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x M2 x 3mm).

Step 12

  • Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x M2 x 3mm).
  • Disconnect the antenna cables.
Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x M2 x 3mm).Disconnect the antenna cables.Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x M2 x 3mm).
Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cable from the motherboard.

Step 13

  • Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cable from the motherboard.
Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cable from the motherboard.Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cable from the motherboard.
Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.

Step 14

  • Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.
Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.Unclip the locking tabs and then disconnect the keyboard controller cables.
Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the left I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).

Step 15

  • Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the left I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).
Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the left I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the left I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).
Disconnect the DC Jack cable.

Step 16

  • Disconnect the DC Jack cable.
Disconnect the DC Jack cable.Disconnect the DC Jack cable.
Disconnect the left and right cooling fan cables.

Step 17

  • Disconnect the left and right cooling fan cables.
Disconnect the left and right cooling fan cables.Disconnect the left and right cooling fan cables.
Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the right I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).

Step 18

  • Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the right I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).
Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the right I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).Unscrew and disconnect the I/O board cable that bridges the right I/O circuit board to the motherboard (1 x M2 x 3mm wafer).
Unscrew the left and right cooling fans (4 x M2.5 x 5mm).

Step 19

  • Unscrew the left and right cooling fans (4 x M2.5 x 5mm).
Unscrew the left and right cooling fans (4 x M2.5 x 5mm).Unscrew the left and right cooling fans (4 x M2.5 x 5mm).
Unscrew and remove the Motherboard and

Step 20

Unscrew and remove the Motherboard and Unscrew and remove the Motherboard and
Unscrew and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly, following the number sequence as shown in the image (6 x

Step 21

Unscrew and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly, following the number sequence as shown in the image (6 x Unscrew and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly, following the number sequence as shown in the image (6 x
BEFORE REPLACING HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors and heatsink.

Step 22

  • BEFORE REPLACING HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors and heatsink.
  • ***NOTE: Make sure to not touch the heat transfer areas on the heatsink and processors. The oils on your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal paste.
BEFORE REPLACING HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors and heatsink.***NOTE: Make sure to not touch the heat transfer areas on the heatsink and processors. The oils on your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal paste.BEFORE REPLACING HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors and heatsink.
Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.

Step 23

  • Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.
  • Replace the heatsink.
  • ***FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL STEPS IN REVERSE TO REASSEMBLE YOUR LAPTOP.
Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.Replace the heatsink.***FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL STEPS IN REVERSE TO REASSEMBLE YOUR LAPTOP.Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.
Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

DIY Discount - Parts-People.com offers 5% off to all DO-IT-YOURSELFERS!
Use this coupon code to save 5% off these parts
DIYM514
Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

Topics: Dell Alienware Repair Manuals Dell Laptop Repair Dell Repair Manuals Alienware m17 R2 Heatsink Fan Assembly

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