As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.
CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, and so on) removed.
To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure the voltage selection switch on the power supply is set to match the AC power available at your location.
115 volts (V)/60 hertz (Hz) in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan
100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in western Japan
NOTE: The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position
even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V.
230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East
NOTE: Auto-select power supplies do not require a voltage selection
switch. Your power supply may not have this switch.
Also be sure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in your location.
Before working inside the computer, unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock or system board damage. Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the computer is connected to AC power.
To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 15 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from the computer.
To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded power sources. These cables are equipped with three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a three-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.
To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Be sure nothing rests on your computer's cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.
Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the computer gets wet, consult your Owner's Manual.
Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.
Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.
Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in your online Dell documentation or otherwise provided to you. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.
NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds
after turning off the computer before removing a component from the system
board or disconnecting a device from the computer.
Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system
menu.
Turn off your computer and any devices.
Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the
chassis, such as the metal around the card-slot openings at the back of
the computer, before touching anything inside your computer.
While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.
Disconnect your computer and devices from their power sources. Also,
disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before disconnecting the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a microprocessor chip by its edges, not by its pins.
There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components, such as the microprocessor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD)
When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure to discharge static electricity from your body.
When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.
The following notice may appear throughout this document to remind you of these precautions:
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety
instructions at the front of this guide.
Your computer uses a lithium battery. The lithium battery is a long-life battery, and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it. However, should you need to replace it, see your Owner's Manual.
Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.
To prevent damage to your computer, the front door is designed to "break away" if it is lifted up too far. If the front door breaks away, you might need to reattach both the front door and the hinge arms.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
To raise the securing lever, press the tab until it is free from the latch
and then lift the lever.
To remove the card, grasp the card by the top corners and lift it out.
If the card is difficult to remove, gently ease the card back and forth to remove it from the connector.
HINT: Installing filler
brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary
to maintain Federal
Communications
Commission (FCC)
certification of the
computer. The brackets
also keep dust and dirt out
of your computer.
If you are not replacing the card, install a filler bracket in the empty
card-slot opening.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in "Safety Instructions."
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory" in "Technical Specifications."
HINT: Memory
purchased from Dell is
covered under your
computer warranty.
Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module
connector.
Grasp the module and pull up.
If the module is difficult to remove, gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector.
To insert a module, press out the securing clip at each end of the
memory module connector.
Align the notches on the bottom of the module with the crossbars in
the connector.
NOTICE: To avoid breaking the memory module, do not press near the middle
of the module.
Insert the module straight down into the connector, ensuring that it
fits into the vertical guides at each end of the connector. Press firmly
on the ends of the module until it snaps into place.
During most installations, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module. During some installations, you have to use your fingers to gently push the clips into the cutouts.
NOTICE: Visually inspect the position of the securing clips and make sure
that they have snapped into the vertical position in the cutouts on the ends of
the memory modules. Otherwise, the securing clips may prevent the AGP card
from being properly reinstalled.
Press the card clip lever on the side of the AGP card to release the card
from the slot connector, and remove the card.
NOTICE: Visually inspect the position of the securing clips on the memory
connectors and make sure that they are secured in the vertical position in the
cutouts on the ends of the memory modules. Otherwise, the securing clips may
prevent the AGP card from being properly reinstalled.
To replace the AGP card, gently press it down into the slot connector
until it clicks into place. Press the card clip lever while inserting the
card into the slot connector.
HINT: Two sets of rails
are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives. Use
the shorter rails for 3.5-inch drives. Rails for a
second hard drive are
attached inside the hard-drive bay.
Remove the two green plastic rails from the inside of the hard-drive
bay.
These rails are not attached to the inside of the hard-drive bay with screws. To remove the rails, gently pull the rails up and out of the bay.
Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the
rails.
Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive.
Remove the first hard drive from the upper bay and install it in the
lower bay.
Disconnect the power cable and the data cable from the back of
the first hard drive.
Press in the two green rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of
the upper bay.
NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until after you
have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard-drive cage.
Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear a
click.
Reconnect the power cable and the data cable to the back of the
first hard drive.
Gently slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until you hear a
click.
NOTICE: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive.
Locate the extra connector on the drive cable that is attached to your
first hard drive, and attach the connector to the second hard drive.
HINT: Your computer
uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure that the
jumper setting on the new
device is set for "cable
select" (see the
documentation that came
with the drive for
information).
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in "Safety Instructions."
HINT: Drives sold by Dell
come with their own
operating software and
documentation. After you
install a drive, refer to the
documentation that came
with the drive for
instructions on installing
and using the drive
software.
NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electrostatic discharge
(ESD), ground yourself by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on
the back of the computer.
Your computer includes a floppy drive and a CD or DVD drive. You can add other devices, such as a Zip drive, a CD-RW drive, or a tape drive.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their
electrical outlets.
Disconnect the power cable from your computer, and then press the
power button to ground the system board.
Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
See the documentation that came with the drive to ensure that the drive is set up for your computer.
HINT: Two sets of rails
are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives. Use
the shorter rails on 3.5-inch drives. Rails for a
second hard drive are
attached inside the hard-drive bay.
Remove the two longer, green plastic rails from the inside of the
computer cover.
To remove the rails, gently ease the rails up and out.
Attach the rails to the drive using the screws supplied with the drive.
Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive.
To remove the drive-bay cover panel, carefully press the panel out from
the inside of the computer.
Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click.
Connect a power cable to the drive.
See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on connecting a drive cable to the drive and system board.
HINT: Your computer
uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure that the
jumper setting on the new
device is set for "cable
select" (see the
documentation that came
with the drive for
information).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
To remove the drive-bay cover panel, carefully press the panel out from
the inside of the computer.
To remove the drive-bay cover panel insert, press the four securing tabs
and pull the insert away from the panel.
HINT: Two sets of rails
are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives. Use
the shorter rails for 3.5-inch drives. Rails for a
second hard drive are
attached inside the hard-drive cage.
Remove the two shorter, green plastic rails from the inside of the
computer cover.
These rails are not attached to the computer cover with screws. To remove the rails, firmly pull the rails from the drive cage.
Attach the rails to the drive using the screws supplied with the drive.
Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive.
Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click.
See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on connecting a drive cable to the drive.
HINT: Your computer
uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure that the
jumper setting on the new
device is set for "cable
select" (see the
documentation that came
with the drive for
information).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
Install any drivers required for the drive as described in the
documentation that came with the drive.
Press and lower the green lever on the retention mechanism until
it is parallel to the system board.
NOTICE: Gently rock the heat sink and then lift it to remove it.
Lift the heat sink away from the microprocessor.
NOTICE: Do not discard the original heat sink unless you are installing a
microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell. If you are not installing a
microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink and blower
when you install your new microprocessor.
Pull the socket lever up straight up until the microprocessor is released.
The microprocessor uses a ZIF socket with a lever-type handle that secures or releases the microprocessor.
NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you remove the
microprocessor package from the ZIF socket. Bending the package pins can
permanently damage the microprocessor.
Remove the microprocessor from the socket.
Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new microprocessor.
NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor package correctly in the
socket to avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer.
If the release lever on the ZIF socket is not extended to the release
position, move it to that position.
Align pin-1 (the beveled corner) of the microprocessor package and
pin-1 of the socket.
NOTICE: The microprocessor pins are delicate. To avoid damage, ensure that
the microprocessor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive
force when installing the processor.
Carefully set the microprocessor in the socket and press it down lightly
to seat it.
Rotate the lever back toward the system board until it snaps into place,
securing the microprocessor package.
If you are installing a new heat sink, remove the film covering the
bottom of the heat sink.
Lower the heat sink to the microprocessor so that the heat sink fits in
the retention base.
Raise the retention lever and press until the heat sink is secured. You
will feel the lever pause once it is at a 90-degree angle. Keep pressing
the lever another 30 degrees, ensuring that it is in the locked position
Lower the airflow shroud over the heat sink.
Reconnect the cooling fan power cable to the CR3F1 connector on the
system board.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
If you are installing a microprocessor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat sink assembly and microprocessor package to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent. Your microprocessor replacement kit should include a replacement microprocessor heat sink and one replacement securing clip.
Be sure that the AC power cable is disconnected from the back of the
power supply. Then disconnect the DC power cables from the system
board and the drives.
Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the computer frame as you remove them from the system board and drives. It is important to route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent them from being pinched or crimped.
Remove the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the
computer.
Press the "PUSH" button located on the floor of the computer frame.
Slide the power supply toward the front of the system approximately 1
inch.
NOTICE: The system board and the metal tray are attached and are removed
as one piece.
Remove or move any components that restrict access to the system
board.
Disconnect all cables from the system board.
Before you remove the existing system board, visually compare the replacement system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part.
Pull up on the tab and slide the system board toward the front of the
computer; lift it up and away.
Place the system board that you just removed next to the replacement
system board.
Transfer components from the existing system board to the
replacement system board:
Remove the memory modules and install them on the
replacement board.
CAUTION: The microprocessor package and heat sink assembly can get hot. To avoid burns, be sure that the package and assembly have had sufficient time to cool before you touch them.
Remove the fan/heat sink assembly and microprocessor package
from the existing system board and transfer them to the
replacement system board.
Configure the settings of the replacement system board. Set the
jumper on the replacement system board so it is identical to the one
on the existing board.
NOTICE: Some components and connectors on the replacement system board
may be in different locations from the corresponding connectors on the existing
system board.
Orient the replacement board by aligning the notches on the bottom
to the tabs on the computer frame floor.
Slide the board toward the back of the computer until it clicks into
place.
Replace any components and cables that you removed from the system
board.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Reconnect all cables to their connectors at the back of the computer,
close the computer cover, and reconnect the computer and devices to
their power sources and turn them on.
