This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Alienware Area-51 R2, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a gaming desktop from 2014. Parts are matched to the exact chassis, so the model number matters when we quote.
- Model number
- Area-51 R2
- Released
- 2014
- Type
- Gaming desktop
- Storage
- SATA bays and M.2, by configuration
- Memory
- DIMM slots
Alienware Area-51 R2 repairs and upgrades
Power supply repair
We test and replace failed power supplies. Many branded desktops use a manufacturer-specific unit, which we match to the exact chassis.
Memory upgrade
The Alienware Area-51 R2 uses standard desktop memory. We check the board’s limits and fit matched modules.
Overheating and fan repair
We clear dust from heatsinks, fans and filters, replace failed fans and renew thermal compound. On liquid-cooled systems we test the pump.
Windows repair and reinstall
This model does not meet Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements, and Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. We can advise on the realistic options, including a lightweight Linux or ChromeOS Flex installation.
Graphics repair
We diagnose and replace failed graphics cards, and check that the power supply and case can take the card you want before an upgrade.
SSD and storage upgrade
The Alienware Area-51 R2 has room for SATA drives and, on most boards, an M.2 SSD. The usual upgrade is an SSD for Windows and programs with the old drive kept for storage.
Price confirmed before work starts
We also carry out motherboard repair, virus removal on the Alienware Area-51 R2, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
Known issues with the Alienware Aurora desktops range
- Liquid cooler pump failures and dust build-up are the usual causes of overheating on these.
- Recent Aurora desktops use an Alienware-specific motherboard and power supply layout, which limits like-for-like swaps with standard parts.
Data recovery from the Alienware Area-51 R2
Desktop drives are removed and imaged on our own equipment. If the Alienware Area-51 R2 has more than one drive, or a RAID array, bring the whole machine so we can see how it was set up.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Alienware Area-51 R2 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware Aurora desktops range are the newer Alienware Aurora R5 (2016). It is the earliest model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware Area-51 R2 be upgraded?
Drives can be added or replaced. Memory uses standard slots and can be increased.
My Alienware Area-51 R2 will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
How do I get my Alienware Area-51 R2 to you?
Bring it to our workshop at Unit 1 The Willows, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY, or call 020 7237 6805 to ask about courier collection. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you upgrade the graphics card in a Alienware Area-51 R2?
In most cases, yes. We first check the power supply, the physical space and any manufacturer-specific connectors, then fit and test the card.