Summary of the content on the page No. 1
®
ALIENWARE DESKTOP MANUAL
01
/
01
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
The contents herein are subject to change without notice. Notes, Cautions, and Warnings © 2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly prohibited. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. Trademarks used in th
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION........................................................ 5 CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP .................................... 23 Alienware Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 . CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP ................................ 6 Working With RAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 . Before Setting Up Your Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
CHAPTER 7: SYSTEM RECOVERY ....................................... 58 AlienRespawn v2 .0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 . Recovery Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 . Password Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 AlienRespawn v2 .0 Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
INTRODUCTION Dear Valued Alienware Customer, Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the growing number of savvy high-performance computer users. The Alienware technicians who have crafted your computer have made certain that your high-performance computer is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build computers with a single unwavering purpose: Build It As If It Were Your Own. The technicians will not rest until your new computer meets
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP 06 / 06
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Product Documentation and Media Before Setting Up Your Desktop ® The documentation that ships with your Alienware desktop is designed to ® Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware Area-51! provide answers to many of the questions that may arise as you explore your Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your new desktop. Begin new desktop’s capabilities. See the documentation for technical information or by carefully opening the b
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Connection Type Computer Cable Display Connect the Display Connect the display using the connector available on the graphics card on your DVI-to-DVI computer. (DVI cable) NOTE: A DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort connector may be available on the DVI-to-VGA graphics card you purchased. (DVI-to-VGA adapter + VGA You can purchase the DVI-to-VGA adapter, HDMI-to-DVI adapter, and additional cable) HDMI or DVI cables on the Dell website at www.dell.com. HDMI-to-HD
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Connect the Keyboard and Mouse Connect the Network Cable (Optional) 09 / 09
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Connect the Power Cable Press the Power Button WARNING: The power connectors and power strips vary among Press the power button on the top of the computer. countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage. 010 / 010
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP Setting Up a Wireless Connection Set Up Microsoft Windows NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see the documentation that shipped CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing with your router. so may render your desktop unusable. Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your Your computer is preconfigured with the operating system settings that you wireless router. selected while ordering y
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP ® Setting Up Your Internet Connection Windows 7 1. Click Start → Control Panel. ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for offerings available in your country. 2. Click Network and Internet→ Network and Sharing Center→ Set up a connection or Network→ Connect to the Internet. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) might have a service outage. Contact your ISP
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP This chapter provides information about your new desktop to familiarize you with CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP its various features, and to get you up and running quickly. CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP 013 / 013
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP Front View Features Power button — Turns the computer on or off when pressed. This 1 button illuminates indicating that the computer is turned on. The color of 1 the button rim indicates the power status. • Off — the computer is either turned off, in hibernate mode, or is not receiving power. • Solid white — the computer is on. • Blinking white — the computer is in standby mode. 2 Optical drive — Plays or records CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. 2 6 3
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP 1 Security lock slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to Back View Features the computer. NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it works with the security lock slot on your computer. 2 Back panel connectors — Connects USB, audio, and other devices into the 1 appropriate connectors. 5 For more information, see “Back Panel Connectors” on page 16. 3 Expansion card slots — Access connectors for any installed PCI and 2 PCI e
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP 1 PS/2 Keyboard connector — Connects to a standard PS/2 keyboard. Back Panel Connectors 2 Optical S/PDIF connector — Connects to amplifiers, speakers, or TVs for digital audio output through optical digital cables. This format carries an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process. 9 1 USB 2.0 connectors (6) — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, 3 keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player. 8 2 4 eSATA connect
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP Top View Features Back Light Button Press the back light button to turn on the light to view the back panel Accessing the Top Panel Connectors connectors. This light automatically turns off after a few seconds. Press the top panel downwards to access the top panel connectors. 1 1 Top panel 017 / 017
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP Top Panel Connectors USB 2.0 connectors (3) — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, 1 keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player. 2 eSATA connector — Connects to eSATA compatible storage devices such as external hard drives or optical drives. 3 IEEE 1394 — Connects to high speed serial multimedia devices such as digital video cameras. 4 Headphone connector — Connects to headphones. 5 4 NOTE: To connect to a powered speaker or sound system,
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
CHAPTER 3: CONNECTING DEVICES This chapter provides information about connecting optional devices to your CHAPTER 3: CONNECTING DEVICES desktop to enhance your audio, video, and digital experience. CHAPTER 3: CONNECTING DEVICES 019 / 019
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
CHAPTER 3: CONNECTING DEVICES Connecting External Speakers Side L/R surround connector — Connects to side L/R surround 1 Your Alienware desktop has five integrated audio out connectors and one audio speakers. in connector. The audio out connectors deliver quality sound and support 7.1 surround audio. You can connect the audio input connector from a home stereo 2 Rear L/R surround connector — Connects to rear L/R surround or speaker system for a heightened gaming and media experience. sp
