This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Alienware 17 R5, with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop from 2018. Both the drive and, on most configurations, the memory can be upgraded, which makes it a good candidate for a refresh.
- Model number
- 17 R5
- Released
- 2018
- Type
- Gaming laptop
- Screen
- 17.3-inch
- Storage
- M.2 SSD, two slots on most configurations
- Memory
- SODIMM slots
Repairs we carry out on the Alienware 17 R5
Screen replacement
The 17.3-inch panel is matched to the original by part number, including refresh rate and connector type, so games run as they did before.
Price confirmed before work starts
Overheating and fan repair
We strip the cooling system, clean the fans and heatsink fins and renew the thermal compound and pads. We check temperatures under load afterwards.
SSD and storage upgrade
Most configurations of the Alienware 17 R5 have two M.2 slots, so a second SSD can be added, or the existing one cloned to a larger drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
Most configurations of the Alienware 17 R5 have SODIMM memory slots, so memory can be increased. We check what is fitted and the maximum the board supports.
Graphics repair
The graphics chip is soldered to the board. Artefacts, crashes under load and a black screen with the fans running are diagnosed to the chip, its memory or its power stage, and repaired at board level where it is economical.
Windows repair and reinstall
The Alienware 17 R5 meets Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements in most configurations. We upgrade from Windows 10, which reached end of support in October 2025, or reinstall Windows 11 cleanly with your files kept.
Battery replacement
The battery is internal and held by screws. We fit a new one, then calibrate and test it under load. On a 2018 machine a worn battery is the likely cause of short runtime, and we measure its capacity before recommending anything else.
Price confirmed before work starts
Charging port and power repair
We replace worn charging sockets and repair USB-C ports and charging circuits at component level. The adapter is tested first, because it is the cheapest thing to be wrong.
We also carry out keyboard and trackpad repair, motherboard repair, liquid damage repair, hinge and casing repair, virus removal on the Alienware 17 R5, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults, BIOS password removal with proof of ownership and data transfer to a new machine.
Notes from the workshop
- The graphics chip is soldered to the motherboard, so graphics faults are board-level repairs.
- Several m15, m17 and x-series generations have soldered memory, so check before buying an upgrade.
- Alienware laptops run at high temperatures by design. Thermal compound dries out and a full thermal service makes a measurable difference.
Data recovery from the Alienware 17 R5
The SSD in the Alienware 17 R5 can be removed and imaged on our own equipment, so files can usually be recovered even when the machine will not start.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Alienware 17 R5 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Alienware laptops range are the older Alienware 17 R3 (2016) and the newer Alienware m17 R1 (2019).
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Alienware 17 R5 be upgraded?
The SSD can be replaced, and most configurations have a second M.2 slot. Memory is in slots on most configurations and can be increased.
My Alienware 17 R5 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.
Where do I find the model number on my gaming laptop?
The model and revision (R1, R2 and so on) are on the base label, along with the Dell Service Tag.
Can the Alienware 17 R5 run Windows 11?
Yes, in most configurations.