m17x-R1 case - Pre Dell

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience opening the R1 case?
I have been to all of the links and looked at the YouTube videos but the case that I have is different then those shown.
I have attached a picture with the hard drive, memory and battery removed.
There are three long screws around the edge but there seems to be more holding it.
I believe that me video card has blown out (pc boots but no picture on LCD or external tv).
I took the laptop to Frys repair and it sat there for three weeks until I received a call that the motherboard had to be replaced and it would be $800.
Any help that I could get would be appreciated.
Thanks Joe

 

Here are your videos for the M17x
M17x Teardown Video1 of 2 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube
M17x Teardown Part 2 of 2 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube

And yes i own the M17x (R1) but all i can say since i have pulled mine apart multiple times i would follow this video since it is hands on.

If your system is truly PRE-DELL, then it is just a M17 not M17X, if that is the case follow this link: Alienware m17 teardown, BCCHardware took apart the Alienware M17-R1 laptop. bcchardware on USTREAM. Technology

 

Thanks for the reply.

My case seems to be a one off.
Both of the youtube videos show a case with the battery in the center. My case the battery is on the right front and the hard drive bays at the left front, with the memory modules at the center.

The M17 video shows a case with a large back lid, I do not have this.

I have attached a picture of my case to this reply.

 

Ok this is the Area 51 M17x R1, here is the manual, the case is slightly different in the pictures on this manual but still is for your model

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By8u_sp4RHRYc2UwTE5QR1VYYVE/edit?pli=1 scroll to page 21 to get started There is not a manual for your legacy system that is available, this is the closest for what you will need, sorry.

-Mike

 

Mike, you are absolutely wrong...I HAVE a M17x-R1 that is PRE-DELL, it was custom made for me by the true Alienware...So tired of none owners giving us the same bs links we have seen a thousand times and that why we end up here looking for the right solution....

 

In fact, if you had the Ripley edition that we have, you would know that this is not our case...this is the DELL version...ours looks like this

M17x-R1 - Alienware - Parts by Brand

 

I am guessing you brought the laptop to Fry's because you are either unfamiliar with repairing computers yourself, or did not have the time to do it. Nothing wrong with either of these reasons and while I like working on my own computers, I will say that most major retailers and credible online shops will do the same job for less than half of Fry's quote. Even Ztronic's who in my opinion, usually charges high prices for Alienware parts advertises a flat $199 fee. Not sure what all that includes but they seem to know these laptops pretty well.

As for Fry's, the fact that it sat there for 3 weeks just for them to say they couldn't help you without a huge fee shows they probably have no clue what they are doing and you are better off taking it elsewhere.

 

Actually the pre-Dell model is the area-51 M17 X-R1 (uppercase M and X or both lowercase at the same time) and the Dell Alienware model is M17 x (lower case "x", no R1, no nothing), then comes the M17 x R2 after it.

 

So I have the same issue as you. I have the Area 51 M17X R1 and have not been able to find a quide for removing the keyboard. Actually the whole top is what I want. I have a fan and heat sync that need replacement and am reluctant to force anything.

Anyone have a lead on this?

 

I can bet you that it must be pretty similar to the Alienware M17 R1 so you could try watching this video: