How to Upgrade the Hard Drive on an M15x

Swapping out a hard drive on a laptop is almost as easy as on a desktop. Almost.

The M15x from Alienware is designed to be a high-end gaming and multimedia laptop from Alienware, a subsidiary of Dell Computers. Like most products from Alienware, the M15x features several customization options out of the box. If for whatever reason you are dissatisfied with any of the hard drive options given to you during purchase, you can swap out the hard drive in favor of your own once you receive your laptop. The process to do so is relatively simple, requiring only a few minutes for most.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Replacement 3.5" hard drive

Instructions

1. Lay your Alienware M15x on a flat surface so that the bottom of the laptop is facing you.

2. Slide the latch to the left and pull up to remove the battery from the laptop.

3. Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen and remove the two Phillips screws before sliding the laptop bottom plate up and away from the machine. Once done, the interior will be exposed.

4. Unscrew the four screws next to the "Pull" tab before pulling the tab and lifting the hard drive cradle out of the laptop.

5. Slide the SATA Converter off the hard drive by carefully sliding it away from the SATA connectors. Once removed, connect it to the new hard drive and slide the hard drive into the hard drive cradle.

6. Return the hard drive cradle to the laptop, making sure the SATA converter is properly connected with the laptop reader. Rescrew the drive in place afterwards.

7. Slide the back panel back on the laptop and secure using the two screws you previously removed. Once complete, snap the battery back into place to complete the hard drive swap.

References

• iFixIt: Installing Alienware M15x Hard Drive
• PC Mech: Installing a Hard Drive--Step by Step