X51 R2 - Desktop computer ALIENWARE - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Desktop Computer
Brand	Alienware
Model	X51 R2
Dimensions (H x W x D)	343 mm x 318 mm x 95 mm
Weight	5.5 kg (approx.)
Power Supply	330 W External Power Adapter
Processor (Typical)	Intel Core i5-4440 or i7-4790 (4th Gen)
Graphics (Typical)	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745, 750 Ti, or 760
Memory	Up to 16 GB DDR3 (2 slots)
Storage	1 TB 7200 RPM HDD or optional SSD
Optical Drive	Slot-loading DVD±RW (optional Blu-ray)
Front Ports	2x USB 3.0, Headphone, Microphone
Rear Ports	2x USB 3.0, 4x USB 2.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, Audio
Connectivity	Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating System	Windows 8.1 (may be upgraded to Windows 10)
Cooling System	Internal Fan with Alienware Command Center control
Chassis Material	Aluminum and Steel
Cleaning Instructions	Use a soft, dry cloth; avoid liquids; clean vents with compressed air
Safety Precautions	Unplug before cleaning; keep away from water; ensure proper ventilation
Spare Parts and Repairability	RAM and storage upgradeable; CPU and GPU not socketed; contact Alienware for parts
General Information	Compact form factor designed for gaming with customizable lighting

Frequently Asked Questions - X51 R2 ALIENWARE

How do I set up my Alienware X51 R2 for the first time?

Connect the external power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Press the power button and follow on-screen instructions to complete Windows setup.

What is the recommended way to clean the X51 R2?

Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth for the exterior. For internal dust, use compressed air to blow out vents and fans while the system is off and unplugged.

Can I upgrade the RAM on the X51 R2?

Yes, the X51 R2 has two SODIMM slots supporting up to 16 GB DDR3L 1600 MHz memory. Ensure you use compatible low-voltage modules.

How do I replace the hard drive?

Power off and unplug. Remove the bottom panel (screws), disconnect the SATA and power cables, then remove the drive. Install a 2.5-inch SATA SSD or HDD.

My X51 R2 is running hot. What should I do?

Ensure adequate ventilation around the unit. Use Alienware Command Center to check fan speeds. Clean dust from vents and consider reapplying thermal paste on the CPU if temperatures exceed 90°C under load.

Can I use a standard desktop graphics card?

No, the X51 R2 uses a proprietary mobile-style graphics card with an MXM interface. Only specific Alienware-certified cards are compatible.

How do I perform a factory reset?

Boot into Windows Recovery (press F8 during startup) and choose 'Reset this PC'. Alternatively, restore from the Alienware backup partition using Dell Backup and Recovery.

What are the front panel ports for?

The front panel includes two USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, and a microphone jack. They are convenient for connecting peripherals and audio devices.

Does the X51 R2 support dual monitors?

Yes, it has HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. You can connect two monitors simultaneously. Check your graphics card's capabilities for supported resolutions.

Where can I find the latest drivers?

Download drivers from Dell's official support website using your service tag. Alienware Command Center can also notify you of updates.

USER MANUAL X51 R2 ALIENWARE

Regulatory model: D05S

Regulatory type: D05S002

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2013 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell™ and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Alienware® is a trademark or registered trademark of Alienware Corporation; Microsoft®, Windows®, and the Windows start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Bluetooth® is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Contents

About Your Computer.... 5

Front View 5

Back View. 6

Specifications.... 6

Before You Begin 7

Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices ..... 7

Safety Instructions 8

Working Inside Your Computer 9

System Setup 10

Overview 10

Entering System Setup.... 10

Boot Sequence 15

Flashing the BIOS 17

Contacting Alienware 18

Websites 18

Front View

1 power button 2 optical-drive eject button

3 optical drive 4 rotatable AlienHead

5 microphone port 6 headphone port

7 USB 3.0 ports (2)

NOTE: Your Alienware X51 R2 computer supports dual orientation. You can place your computer vertically or horizontally. The rotatable AlienHead allows you to change the direction of the AlienHead depending on the orientation of your computer.

Back View

1 optical S/PDIF port 2 USB 3.0 ports (2)
3 USB 2.0 ports (2) 4 rear L/R surround port
5 side L/R surround port 6 microphone port
7 hard-drive activity light 8 label tab
9 power adapter port 10 HDMI port
11 discrete graphics card 12 line-out port
13 line-in port	14 center/subwoofer LFE port
15 security-cable slot	16 USB 3.0 ports (2)
17 network port and network lights	18 coaxial S/PDIF port

Specifications

For detailed information regarding the configuration of your computer, see Specifications at dell.com/support.

Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices

CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer.

1 Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
2 Access the Settings charm in the Charms sidebar. Tap or click Power and then choose Shut Down.
Microsoft Windows shuts down and then the computer turns off.

NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions.

3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.

4 Disconnect all telephone cables, network cables, and attached devices from your computer.

5 Press and hold the power button while the computer is unplugged to ground the system board.

Safety Instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your personal safety.

WARNING: Before you begin, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

WARNING: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove the computer cover and access any of the components inside.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, ensure that the work surface is flat and clean.

CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs or thumb-screws that you must disengage before disconnecting the cable. When disconnecting cables, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. When connecting cables, ensure that the connectors and ports are correctly oriented and aligned.

CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.

NOTE: Ensure that you remove the security cable from the security-cable slot, if applicable.

Working Inside Your Computer

WARNING: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove the computer cover and access any of the components inside the computer.

For information on removing and replacing the internal component of your computer, contact Alienware. See "Contacting Alienware" on page 18.

Overview

Use the system setup to:

• get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM, the size of the hard drive, and so on
• change the system configuration information
• set or change a user-selectable option, such as user password, type of hard drive installed, enabling or disabling base devices, and so on

CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.

NOTE: Before you change system setup, it is recommended that you note the system-setup screen information for future reference.

Entering System Setup

1 Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2 During POST, when the Alienware logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear and then press immediately.

NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it, and then press . If you press before the F2 prompt, this keystroke is lost. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then, turn off your computer and try again. See "Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices" on page 7.

System Setup Screens

The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the Setup Item, active Help Screen, and Key Functions.

Setup Item — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.Scroll up and down the list using the mouse or with the up- and down-arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Help Screen displays more information about that option and available settings.

Help Screen — This field appears on the right side of the system setup window and contains information about each option listed in the Setup Item. In this field you can view information about your computer and make changes to your current settings.Use the mouse or press the up-arrow and down-arrow keys to highlight an option. Double-click or pressto make that selection active and return to the Setup Item.NOTE: Not all settings listed in the Setup Item are changeable.

Key Functions — This field appears below the Help Screen and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.

System Setup Options

NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear exactly as listed.

Main

System Date Displays the current date in mm/dd/yyy format.

System Time Displays the current time in hh:mm:ss format.

BIOS Information

BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number.

Build Date Displays the BIOS release date.

Product Information

Product Name Displays the product name.

Set Service Tag Allows you to enter the service tag of your computer.

Asset Tag Displays the asset tag of your computer.

ME Information

ME Firmware Version Displays the version of the Management Engine (ME) Firmware.

Memory Information

Total Memory Displays the total computer memory.

Memory Available Displays the amount of memory available on the computer.

Memory Technology Displays the type of memory technology used.

Memory Speed Displays the memory speed.

CPU Information

Processor ID Displays the processor identification code.

CPU Speed Displays the processor speed.

Cache L2 Displays the processor L2 cache size.

Cache L3 Displays the processor L3 cache size.

Device Information

SATA Port1 Displays the device connected to SATA Port1.

SATA Port2 Displays the device connected to SATA Port2.

SATA Port3 Displays the device connected to SATA Port3.

mSATA Device Displays the mSATA device.

Advanced — Advanced BIOS Features

OptionRom Display Screen

Allows you to display or hide the RAID option ROM screen during POST.

Advanced — CPU Configuration

XD Bit Capability Allows you to enable or disable XD Bit Capability.
	NOTE: If enabled, the processor distinguishes between the bits of code that can and cannot be executed.
Intel (R) SpeedStep Technology	Allows you to enable or disable Intel (R) Speedstep Technology.
	NOTE: If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load.

CPU C States Allows you to enable or disable CPU C states.

Advanced — Integrated Devices

USB Controller Allows you to enable or disable the integrated USB controller.
HD Audio Allows you to enable or disable the integrated audio controller.
Onboard LAN Controller	Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.
Primary Display Allows you to select which of the Integrated/Discrete graphics device should be the Primary Display.
PXE Option
UEFI PXE Driver	Allows you to enable to disable boot option for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) Network Devices.
PCIE Gen3 Allows you to enable or disable PCIE Gen3 capability.

Advanced — Power Management Setup

AC Recovery Sets what action the computer takes when power is restored.

Security

Supervisor Password: Displays the Supervisor Password status.User Password: Displays the User Password status.Set Supervisor Allows you to set or change a supervisor password.PasswordSet User Password Allows you to set or change a user password.NOTE: This item is only displayed when the supervisor password is already set.Boot Menu Security Allows you to enable to disable Boot Menu Security.NOTE: This item is only displayed when the supervisor password is already set.

Boot

Boot Configuration
Bootup NumLock State	Allows you to enable or disable the keyboard NumLock state.
Wait For 'F1' If Error	If enabled, the system HALT during boot to display system errors.
Secure Boot Control	Allows you to enable or disable secured booting.
Load Legacy OPROM	Allows you to enable or disable the Legacy Option ROM.

Set Boot Priority

Boot Mode Allows you to select Legacy or UEFI boot mode.

NOTE: Legacy boot mode if selected, enables booting to devices that support Legacy BIOS. UEFI boot mode if selected, enables UEFI drivers.

CAUTION: Changing boot modes require that your boot storage device be partitioned to match the boot mode compatibility. Changing boot modes could result in an incompatible boot storage device, which may prevent the original OS boot. Restoring the boot mode may resolve an incompatible boot storage device failure and recover the original OS boot.

Usb Boot Support Allows you to enable or disable booting from USB mass storage devices such as hard drive, optical drive, USB flash drives, and so on.

1st Boot Displays the first boot device. Default: UEFI:Windows Boot Manager.

2nd Boot Displays the second boot device. Default: USB Hard Disk.

3rd Boot Displays the third boot device. Default: CD/DVD.

4th Boot Displays the fourth boot device. Default: Floppy.

5th Boot Displays the fifth boot device. Default: Network.

Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities Sets the hard drive boot priority. The items displayed are dynamically updated according to the hard drives detected.

Exit

Provides options to Save Changes and Reset, Discard Changes and Reset, and Restore Defaults.

Boot Sequence

This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.

Boot Options

• Floppy — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy disk drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
• Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
• CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the optical drive. If no disc is in the drive, or if the disc is not bootable, the computer generates an error message.
• USB Storage Device — Insert the memory device into a USB connector and restart the computer. When F12 Boot Options appear in the lower-right corner of the screen, press . The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.

NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

- Network — The computer attempts to boot from the network. If no operating system is found on the network, the computer generates an error message.

Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot

You can use this feature to change the current boot sequence, for example, to boot from the optical drive to run Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities disc. The previous boot sequence is restored at the next boot.

1 If you are booting from a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector.
2 Turn on (or restart) your computer.

3 When F2 Setup, F12 Boot Options appear in the lower-right corner of the screen, press .

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then, shut down your computer and try again.

The Boot Options appears, listing all available boot devices.

4 On the Boot Options choose the device you want to boot from.

For example, if you are booting to a USB hard disk, highlight USB Hard Disk and press .

Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots

1 Enter system setup. See "Entering System Setup" on page 10.

2 Scroll using the mouse or use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot menu option and press to access the menu.

NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.

3 Navigate to Set Boot Priority to change the devices assigned to the following:

• 1st Boot
• 2nd Boot
• 3rd Boot
• 4th Boot
• 5th Boot

4 Double-click or use the arrow keys to highlight the boot priority and press to display the different devices.

5 Select the device and press or double-click to set the boot priority.

The BIOS may require flashing when an update is available or when replacing the system board. To flash the BIOS:

1 Turn on the computer.

2 Go to dell.com/support/downloads.

3 Under the category Support for Home Users, click Drivers & Downloads Home.
4 Locate the Service Tag of your computer. The Service Tag for your computer is on a label at the back of your computer. For more information, see the Quick Start Guide that shipped with your computer.

If you have your computer's Service Tag or Express Service Code:

a Click Enter Service Tag.

b Enter your computer's Service Tag or Express Service Code in the Service Tag or Express Service Code: field, click Submit, and proceed to step 5.

If you do not have your computer's Service Tag,

a Select one of the following options:

— Automatically detect my Service Tag for me
— Choose from My Products and Services List
— Choose from a list of all Dell products

b Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen.

5 Select the Operating System installed in your computer.
6 A list of results appears on the screen. Click BIOS.
7 Click Download File to download the latest BIOS file.
8 In the Choose Download Method window, click Single-file download, and then click Continue.
9 In the Save As window, select an appropriate location to download the file on your computer.
10 If the Download Complete window appears, click Close.
11 Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the BIOS update file. The file icon appears in the folder and is titled the same as the downloaded BIOS update file.
12 Double-click the BIOS update file icon and follow the instructions on the screen.

NOTE: Dell provides online and telephone-based support and service options for your Alienware computer. These services may vary by country and product and may not be available in your area.

To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues:

1 Go to dell.com/contactdell.

2 Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.
3 Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you.

If you are in the United States, call 1-800-ALIENWARE for help on your Alienware computer.

Websites

For the latest information, FAQs, and solutions to most common issues, see dell.com/Alienware.