Dell Alienware m16 R2 How-To Install & Replace Your Motherboard

By on September 8, 2025 · 2:43 pm
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In this Dell laptop tutorial we are going to show you how to install and replace the Motherboard on your Alienware m16 R2 laptop. These installation instructions have been made into 29 easy to follow printable steps. We have also created a video tutorial that shows you how to install your Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard.

Before you begin

Please take the time read the following safety guidelines when working on static sensitive electrical components.
Dell repair manual service precautions

Tools needed for this laptop repair

  • 1 x Phillips #0 screwdriver
  • 1 x small plastic scribe
Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

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Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

Video tutorial repair manual



Installation and Removal Instructions
Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

Before you begin: If you need help at any point, you can always contact Parts-People Motherboard Repair Department for help with your diagnosis or repair.

Step 1

TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a

Step 2

TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a Unscrew the Bottom Base Cover (6 x M2 x 5mm) (2 X captive screws).Pry apart and remove the Bottom Base Cover.TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a
Disconnect the Battery Cable.

Step 3

  • Disconnect the Battery Cable.
Disconnect the Battery Cable.Disconnect the Battery Cable.
Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (4 x M2 x 5mm) (2 x

Step 4

Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (4 x M2 x 5mm) (2 x Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (4 x M2 x 5mm) (2 x Unscrew and remove the Rear I/O Cover (4 x M2 x 5mm) (2 x
Unscrew and remove the Battery (4 x

Step 5

Unscrew and remove the Battery (4 x Unscrew and remove the Battery (4 x
Peel away the mylar covering the RAM slots.

Step 6

  • Peel away the mylar covering the RAM slots.
ON DIMM SLOT A: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.

Step 7

  • ON DIMM SLOT A: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.
  • Slide out the RAM/Memory.
ON DIMM SLOT A: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.Slide out the RAM/Memory.ON DIMM SLOT A: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.
ON DIMM SLOT B: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.

Step 8

  • ON DIMM SLOT B: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.
  • Slide out the RAM/Memory.
ON DIMM SLOT B: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.Slide out the RAM/Memory.ON DIMM SLOT B: Pull the securing clips from both sides of the memory module until the RAM pops-up.
IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS A 2280 SSD: Unscrew and slide out the M.2 NVMe SSD (1 x 1.6mm x 4mm) (1 x

Step 9

  • IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS A 2280 SSD: Unscrew and slide out the M.2 NVMe SSD (1 x 1.6mm x 4mm) (1 x M2 x 3mm).
IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS A 2280 SSD: Unscrew and slide out the M.2 NVMe SSD (1 x 1.6mm x 4mm) (1 x IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS A 2280 SSD: Unscrew and slide out the M.2 NVMe SSD (1 x 1.6mm x 4mm) (1 x IF YOUR LAPTOP HAS A 2280 SSD: Unscrew and slide out the M.2 NVMe SSD (1 x 1.6mm x 4mm) (1 x
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the touchpad cable.

Step 10

  • Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the touchpad cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the touchpad cable.Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the touchpad cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the power button cable.

Step 11

  • Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the power button cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the power button cable.Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the power button cable.
Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x 2mm x 3.5mm).

Step 12

  • Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x 2mm x 3.5mm).
Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x 2mm x 3.5mm).Unscrew and remove the WiFi bracket (1 x 2mm x 3.5mm).
Disconnect the antenna cables.

Step 13

  • Disconnect the antenna cables.
  • Slide out the WiFi Card.
Disconnect the antenna cables.Slide out the WiFi Card.
Unscrew the Heatsink (6 x captive screws) in the sequence labeled here.

Step 14

Unscrew the Heatsink (6 x captive screws) in the sequence labeled here.Unscrew the Cooling Fans (6 x Unscrew the Heatsink (6 x captive screws) in the sequence labeled here.
Disconnect and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly.

Step 15

Disconnect and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly.Disconnect and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly.Disconnect and remove the Heatsink Fan Assembly.
Disconnect the speaker cable.

Step 16

  • Disconnect the speaker cable.
Disconnect the speaker cable.Disconnect the speaker cable.
Disconnect the touchpad LED cable.

Step 17

  • Disconnect the touchpad LED cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the keyboard controller cable.

Step 18

  • Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the keyboard controller cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the keyboard controller cable.Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the keyboard controller cable.
Disconnect the camera cable.

Step 19

  • Disconnect the camera cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the LCD cable.

Step 20

  • Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the LCD cable.
Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the LCD cable.Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the LCD cable.
Disconnect the DC jack cable.

Step 21

  • Disconnect the DC jack cable.
Unscrew and remove the Type-C bracket (2 x M2 x 4mm) (2 x

Step 22

Unscrew and remove the Type-C bracket (2 x M2 x 4mm) (2 x Unscrew and remove the Type-C bracket (2 x M2 x 4mm) (2 x Unscrew and remove the Type-C bracket (2 x M2 x 4mm) (2 x
Unscrew and remove the Motherboard (8 x M2 x 3mm).

Step 23

  • Unscrew and remove the Motherboard (8 x M2 x 3mm).
Unscrew and remove the Motherboard (8 x M2 x 3mm).Unscrew and remove the Motherboard (8 x M2 x 3mm).Unscrew and remove the Motherboard (8 x M2 x 3mm).
Unscrew and remove the Audio Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).

Step 24

Unscrew and remove the Audio Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).Unscrew and remove the Audio Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).
Unscrew and remove the I/O Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).

Step 25

Unscrew and remove the I/O Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).Unscrew and remove the I/O Circuit Board (2 x 2mm x 2.5mm wafer).
The remaining part is the Motherboard.

Step 26

BEFORE REPLACING THE HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors.

Step 27

  • BEFORE REPLACING THE HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors.
BEFORE REPLACING THE HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors.BEFORE REPLACING THE HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors.BEFORE REPLACING THE HEATSINK: Wipe away any old thermal paste from the processors.
Wipe away any old thermal paste from the heatsink.

Step 28

  • Wipe away any old thermal paste from the heatsink.
Wipe away any old thermal paste from the heatsink.Wipe away any old thermal paste from the heatsink.Wipe away any old thermal paste from the heatsink.
Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.

Step 29

  • Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.
  • ***FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL STEPS IN REVERSE TO REASSEMBLE YOUR LAPTOP.
Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.***FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL STEPS IN REVERSE TO REASSEMBLE YOUR LAPTOP.Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.Apply a small amount of new thermal paste to the processors.
Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

H0CHC Image
Eligible for $6.99 1st Class Shipping.
Only 5 left in stock - order soon.
DIY Discount - Parts-People.com offers 5% off to all DO-IT-YOURSELFERS!
Use this coupon code to save 5% off these parts
DIYM514
Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

Topics: Dell Alienware Repair Manuals Dell Laptop Repair Dell Repair Manuals Alienware m16 R2 Motherboard

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