How to Change the Motherboard in Alienware M5750

Marketed as a desktop replacement notebook by Alienware in 2006, the Area-51 M5750 notebook has a large 17-inch LCD screen and is a first generation Intel Duo Core laptop. Dell bought Alienware during the period when most customers purchased M5750 units, dropping support in 2007, except for those who purchased extended warranties. Even if you purchased an extended warranty, it probably expired long ago. M5750 users report few problems, but a few have complained of dead motherboards resulting from poor airflow and overheating. Although Dell does not provide direct support for most M5750 users, the company does sell replacement motherboards.

Difficulty:ModeratePhillips #2 screwdriverAntistatic wrist strapAwl or small flathead screwdriverNut driverSoft towel1

Turn off your Alienware M5750 laptop and disconnect the AC power cord. Turn the laptop over and remove the battery pack.

2 Remove the screw displaying the miniature CD icon from the bottom of the M5750. Grasp the tray cover and pull the DVD drive out of the laptop. Remove the screw with the hard disk drive (HDD) icon, then remove the HDD from the computer in the same manner.

3 Remove the screw next to the small picture of a random access memory (RAM) module. Remove the RAM cover and set it aside. Put on the antistatic wrist strap and clip it to a nearby metal object before continuing.

4 Use your fingers to press outward on the two clips that secure the memory module until it pops up slightly. Remove the module from the slot and set it aside.

5 Remove the cover slot with the wireless antenna signal icon. Unplug the cable leads from the M5750’s wireless network card, then remove the card using the same technique you used to remove the memory module.

6 Remove all remaining screws on the bottom of the laptop. Turn it back over and open the LCD screen until it lays almost flat.

7 Use the awl to remove the small rubber grommet on the right side of the M5750 laptop near the back edge. Remove the screw underneath and slide the hinge cover/keyboard edge cover to the right to remove it from the laptop.8

Remove the three screws from the area revealed when you removed the edge cover. Lift upward on the top edge of the M5750 keyboard and rotate it toward you. Disconnect the keyboard cable that leads to the motherboard, then remove the keyboard from the laptop.

9 Remove the six screws (three on either side) in the area where the keyboard sits. Close the LCD screen.10

Remove the two screws on the rear edge of the laptop, where all the input/output ports are located. Use the nut driver to remove the thumb screw nuts from the parallel and video ports. Open the LCD screen again.

11 Disconnect the video cable for the M5750 LCD screen from the motherboard. Disconnect the two wireless antenna leads as well.

12 Lift straight up on the M5750 screen assembly to remove it from the laptop. Place the LCD screen face down on a soft towel to avoid scratching or damaging it.

13 Use the awl to separate the upper and lower halves of the M5750 casing. Be very careful not to break the tabs that help hold the two halves of the casing in place.14

Lift the upper half of the casing and disconnect the cable for the touchpad from the motherboard. Remove the upper casing assembly from the laptop.

15 Remove the three screws that secure the M5750 cooling fan assembly. Unplug the two cables that lead from the cooling fan to the motherboard. Lift straight up on the cooling fan assembly to remove it.

16 Use the screwdriver to turn the locking screws on the central processing unit (CPU) socket counterclockwise and unlock the processor. Lift up on the CPU chip to remove it from the ZIF socket on the motherboard.

17 Remove all remaining screws that secure the motherboard to the lower half of the case. Lift straight up and remove it from the lower casing assembly.

18 Insert the new motherboard into the lower casing assembly and align it with the screw holes. Secure it to the case with the screws you removed from the old board.

19 Insert the processor into the new motherboard. Reconnect the cooling fan assembly and secure it with the retaining screws.

20 Reassemble the Alienware M5750 laptop by reversing the steps you used to take it apart.

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Posted in: 723443, Bubble, M5750, Motherboard