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Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement

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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.

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  1. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Front Panel: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

    • Slide the front panel towards you and lift up.

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  2. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • 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.

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  3. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Fan: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Fan: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • 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.

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  4. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Disconnect the Molex KK connector from the fan.

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  5. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

    • 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.

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  6. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Disc Drive: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Disc Drive: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Disconnect the optical-drive data and power cable.

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  7. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

    • Remove the disc drive from the PC.

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  9. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

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

    • Remove the RAM sticks.

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  10. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Heatsink: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

    • 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.

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  11. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • 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.

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  12. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

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

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  13. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

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

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  14. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

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  15. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Disconnect the bundled cable connector going into the motherboard.

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  16. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Disconnect the white bundled cable connector from the motherboard.

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  17. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

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  18. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Disconnect the power supply.

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  19. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

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  20. Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:019crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Alienware X51 Motherboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:019crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

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

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

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Braedon

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EWU-CARNEGIE-F23S1G2

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