Alienware Laptop - Upgrading RAM

Random Access Memory is one of the key components of the Alienware laptops that make them so worthy of a hefty price tag. Although Alienware refurbished gaming laptops come with latest features and configurations that match any best refurbished gaming laptop in the market but then many of us are still not satisfied with these raging horses.

If you are one of those who are looking for upgrading RAM then you must consider few points before you begin:

• Firstly know your laptop well and check what kind of memory your refurbished gaming laptop is using.

• Before you go for it, make sure your laptop has enough slots to hold it.
• To know the configuration of your RAM is extremely important. Speed of the RAM can be checked in nanoseconds. The new RAM specifications should match the specifications of the old RAM.

• Check whether your laptop uses Single In-Line Memory Modules or Dual In-Line Memory Modules.

• Check out whether your laptop uses Regular, FPM, EDO or Synch DRAM.

• Once you are sure of your RAM configurations then you can begin with the installation. Remove the casing of the laptop and look out for same sized parallel sockets on the main circuit board.

• While installing RAM be careful not to touch any pins and chips.

• If you are installing SIMM, find the notched end and turn it so that it is parallel to the existing RAM and insert it into the socket at a 30 degree angle.

• If you are installing DIMM, make sure that it is inserted such that it is perpendicular to the motherboard.

• Before you cover the laptop again make sure that all clips and holders are in place.

• Now you are almost done. Screw the casing of your Alienware laptop. Turn on the machine and you can check the RAM installed by right clicking on the My Computer icon choosing properties.

Alienware Laptop - Replacing CPU

Alienware laptops come with high configuration and even heavier price tag so once you have bought one it’s quite possible that you may never buy another. Instead all would you like to try is to upgrade the one you own.

You need not to be an Alienware laptop repair expert when it comes to replacing the older CPU with the new one. Just follow few simple steps and you are done.

• Before you begin, you need to know the configuration of the motherboard and its CPU socket and its maximum external clock rate.

• Replace your CPU with another CPU that used the same socket or otherwise you may have to replace the entire motherboard.

• Shut down the computer and unplug all the accessories attached to it.

• Remove the screws holding the computer’s cover and place it gently to the side.

• Now you can see the motherboard which is connected to the heat sink and fan which protects the computer from overheating.

• Remove the heat sink and you will find a CPU below it. Remove this CPU by lifting up the tab holding it in place and lifting it out.

• Insert the new CPU by matching it correctly and gently let the CPU fall in place. No need to force it down as if it is lined up correctly, it will drop right into the place and then push down the tab to hold the new CPU into position.

• Reinstall the heat sink now and reattach the fan’s wire to the motherboard.

• Recheck that everything has been connected properly before screwing the computer’s cover back into place.

Once you are done with the replacement task run a hardware identification utility to check whether the new CPU is running at its correct clock rate or not. If not than you need to enter the motherboard setup and change your configuration there.

Alienware Laptop - Battery

The portability of the laptop is of no use if you are handicapped by a poor battery installed in it. When we talk about Alienware repair we hardly cover this aspect of the machine. Alienware gaming laptops are power hungry machines and do require a powerful and healthy battery to give you a thrilling experience while gaming.

But then what if the battery starts troubling? Alienware laptop batteries have a complex construction and it is better to replace the older battery with a new one than to go for battery repair. Repairing a battery is an expensive procedure due to specific and expensive instruments involved in it.

If your laptop battery starts leaking it is even more dangerous to repair that battery and continue with it. Using such a battery may lead you to even more traumatic experience financially.

There are different types of batteries available in the markets which are relatively easier to repair and if you are one of those who think it is always better to stick to the older batteries then make sure you have the right battery installed in your laptop which could be repaired easily.

Li-Ion batteries and NiCd or NiMH batteries are the two most popular batteries but NiMH batteries are considered poor cousins of Li-Ion batteries as Li-Ion batteries are long-lasting and superior in quality.

Li-Ion cell has a three layer structure. A positive electrode plate made with lithium cobalt oxide - cathode, a negative electrode plate made with carbon - anode and a separate layer. Electrolyte is also present which is a lithium salt in an organic solvent. Li-Ion batteries are considered to be safer. These batteries come equipped with a variety of safety measures to prevent overheating, over voltage and reverse polarity. A pressure release valve and a safety vent is also present to prevent battery from burst.

Most of the laptops these days come with Lithium-Ion batteries which provide 300 to 500 discharge/charge cycles or 2 – 3 years of service before start troubling you. The main reason of battery’s poor performance is cell oxidation. Once the battery is worn out there are no remedies to restore the capacity. If any other damage is caused to the battery it is still advisable to replace the damaged battery with the new one even if it seems a costly option.

Alienware Area 51 m7700 - The Performer

Alienware Area 51 m7700; another beast in the Alienware Arena. When we talk about Alienware, what else we talk about but the thrilling gaming experience and adrenaline pumping veins. Rightly nicknamed as the ‘Performer’, this high end notebook comes specifically designed for the gaming enthusiasts having powerful Nvidia graphics card in its heart.

Alienware notebooks are specifically designed for the gaming genre but this one has all the functionality packaged within which has never been provided such extensively before. With this laptop, Alienware is just not targeting the gaming crowd but an average user too who is still hooked on to refurbished gaming laptops just because he doesn’t want to spend anything extra for the high end specifications of Alienware gaming laptops which he may not be using up to its full potential.

There is no reason for the gaming maniacs to be skeptical about the performance of the notebook. After all it is the ‘performer’ from the Alienware Factory. Just have a look at the highlights it boasts of:

Alienware Area 51 m7700 comes with 17” LCD USXGA+ 1920x1200 screen resolution which ensures you the crispest and vibrant images like never before.

Loaded with Microsoft Windows XP – Service Pack 2 ensures better control even when you are surfing in the internet as included enhancements to Internet Explorer reduce unwanted ads.

The heart of the Alienware Area 51 m7700 is fortified with NVIDIA’s latest GeForce Go 7800 GTX graphics modules that enjoys full bandwidth of PCI-Express x16 and 256MB of memory.

Processors & Chipset

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology - (2.8GHz - 3.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB Cache, Socket 775)

Intel 915P + ICH6 chipset

High end action games and a poor audio performance spoil the thrilling experience of the ultimate gaming machine but this problem has been sorted out by the Alienware. Alienware Area 51 m7700 have 4 integrated speakers and subwoofer with 5.1 surround sound output for providing you the brilliant audio quality like never before.

Alienware systems feature Nvidia GeForce 7800, 6800, 6600 and 6200 graphics cards to give you high definition video regardless of the source of the video being played.

Even beasts look gorgeous and so is Alienware Area 51 m7700. The unique Alienware aesthetic has a striking physical appearance so as to give you a little bit of impression of what an experience you are heading to. It is unique; it is distinctive. It is Alienware.