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Adding and Replacing Parts

Dell™ Inspiron™ 1520 Owner's Manual

  Before You Begin

  Hard Drive

  Optical Drive

  Hinge Cover

  Keyboard

  Memory

  Subscriber Identity Module

  Wireless Mini Cards

  Flash Cache Module

  Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

  Coin-Cell Battery


Before You Begin

This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:

Recommended Tools

The procedures in this document may require the following tools:

Turning Off Your Computer

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn off your computer.
  1. Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.

  2. Shut down the operating system:

Windows® XP:

Click Start® Shut Down® Shut down.

Windows Vista®:

Click the Windows Vista Start button , click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click Shut Down.

The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is complete.

  1. Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold the power button for about 4 seconds to turn them off.

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: 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 processor by its edges, not by its pins.
NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
NOTICE: 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 you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.
  1. Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.

  2. Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer).

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer, and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
  1. Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.

  2. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you service the computer.
NOTE: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for this particular Dell computer. Do not use batteries designed for other Dell computers.
  1. Turn the computer over.

  2. Slide and click the battery release latches.

  3. Slide the battery out of the battery bay.

1

battery

2

battery release latch (2)

  1. Turn the computer top-side up, open the display, and press the power button to ground the system board.

  2. Remove any installed cards from the ExpressCard slot (see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank) and the 8-in-1 memory card reader (see Removing a Memory Card or Blank).

Hard Drive

CAUTION: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) before removing the hard drive. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is on or in Sleep state.
NOTICE: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.
NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive (see Restoring Your Operating System and Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities).

Removing the Hard Drive

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over and remove the hard drive screws.

1

hard drive

2

screws (4)

NOTICE: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging (see "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the Product Information Guide).
  1. Slide the hard drive out of the computer.

Replacing the Hard Drive

  1. Remove the new drive from its packaging.

Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive.

NOTICE: Use firm and even pressure to slide the drive into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector.
  1. Slide the hard drive into the bay until it is fully seated.

  2. Replace and tighten the screws.

  3. Install the operating system for your computer, as needed (see Restoring Your Operating System).

  4. Install the drivers and utilities for your computer, as needed (see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities).

Returning a Hard Drive to Dell

Return your old hard drive to Dell in its original, or comparable, foam packaging. Otherwise, the hard drive may be damaged in transit.

1

foam packaging

2

hard drive

Optical Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

Removing the Optical Drive

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over.

  3. Remove the locking screw from the optical drive.

  4. Using a plastic scribe, push the notch to release the optical drive from the bay.

  5. Slide the optical drive out of the bay.

1

optical drive

2

notch

3

locking screw

 

 

Replacing the Optical Drive

  1. Slide the optical drive into the bay.

  2. Replace and tighten the locking screw.

Hinge Cover

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.

Removing the Hinge Cover

  1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 153.

  2. Open the display as far as it will open.

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the hinge cover, do not lift the cover on both sides simultaneously.
  1. Insert a plastic scribe into the indent to lift the hinge cover on the right side.

  2. Ease the hinge cover up, moving from right to left, and remove it.

1

hinge cover

2

scribe

Replacing the Hinge Cover

  1. Insert the left edge of the hinge cover.

  2. Press from left to right until the cover snaps into place.

Keyboard

For more information about the keyboard, see Using the Keyboard and Touchpad.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.

Removing the Keyboard

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the hinge cover (see Hinge Cover).

  3. Remove the two screws at the top of the keyboard.

NOTICE: The key caps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard.
  1. Lift the keyboard and hold it up and slightly forward to access to the keyboard connector.

  2. To disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard connector on the system board, rotate the keyboard connector latch toward the front of the computer.

  3. Slide the keyboard cable out of the keyboard connector on the DIMM A memory module cover.

1

screws (2)

2

keyboard

3

tabs (5)

4

keyboard cable

5

cable release lever

 

 

Replacing the Keyboard

  1. Slide the keyboard cable into the keyboard connector on the DIMM A memory module cover.

  2. Rotate the keyboard connector latch to secure the cable.

  3. Hook the tabs along the front edge of the keyboard into the palmrest.

  4. Press on the right edge near the top to snap the keyboard into place.

  5. Replace the two screws on the top of the keyboard.

Memory

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See Specifications for information on the memory supported by your computer. Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer.

NOTE: Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty.

Your computer has two user-accessible SODIMM sockets, one accessed from beneath the keyboard (DIMM A), and the other accessed from the bottom of the computer (DIMM B).

NOTICE: If your computer has only one memory module, install the memory module in the connector labeled "DIMMA."
NOTICE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMMA" before you install a module in the connector labeled "DIMMB."

Removing the DIMM A Memory Module

NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).

The DIMM A memory module is located under the keyboard.

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the hinge cover (see Hinge Cover).

  3. Remove the keyboard (see Keyboard).

NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the keyboard cable from the memory module cover.
  1. Lift the memory module cover but do not remove it.

NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips.
  1. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up.

  2. Remove the module from the connector.

1

memory module cover

2

memory module (DIMM A)

3

securing clips (2)

 

 

Replacing the DIMM A Memory Module

NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
  1. Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.

  2. Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and rotate the module down until it clicks into place. If you do not feel the click, remove the module and reinstall it.

NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot. No error message indicates this failure.

1

tab

2

notch

  1. Replace the memory module cover.

  2. Replace the keyboard and hinge cover.

  3. Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet.

  4. Turn on the computer.

As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information.

Confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer:

Removing the DIMM B Memory Module

The DIMM B memory module is located under the memory module cover on the bottom of the computer.

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer upside-down, loosen the captive screw on the memory module cover (see Bottom View), and remove the cover.

1

memory module/coin-cell battery compartment

2

captive screw

NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
  1. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the module pops up.

  2. Remove the module from the connector.

1

securing clips (2)

2

memory module

Replacing the DIMM B Memory Module

NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
  1. Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.

  2. Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and rotate the module down until it clicks into place. If you do not feel the click, remove the module and reinstall it.

NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot. No error message indicates this failure.

1

tab

2

notch

NOTICE: If the cover is difficult to close, remove the module and reinstall it. Forcing the cover to close may damage your computer.
  1. Replace the memory module cover.

  2. Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet.

  3. Turn on the computer.

As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information.

Confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer:

Subscriber Identity Module

Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) identify users uniquely through an International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: Only Cingular and Vodafone need a SIM. Verizon, Sprint, and Telus do not use SIMs.
  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. In the battery bay, slide the SIM into the compartment with the cut-off corner of the card facing away from the compartment.

1

battery bay

2

SIM

Wireless Mini Cards

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.

If you ordered a wireless Mini Card with your computer, the card is already installed. Your computer supports three types of wireless Mini Cards:

Removing a WLAN Card

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over.

  3. Loosen the captive screws on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and remove the cover.

1

captive screws (2)

2

cover

  1. Disconnect the antenna cables from the WLAN card.

1

antenna cable connectors (2)

2

WLAN card

  1. Release the WLAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pops up slightly.

  2. Lift the WLAN card out of its system board connector.

1

metal securing tabs (2)

2

WLAN card

Replacing a WLAN Card

NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WLAN card, never place cables under the card.
  1. Insert the WLAN card connector into the system board connector labeled "WLAN" at a 45-degree angle.

  2. Press the other end of the WLAN card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place.

  3. Connect the appropriate antenna cables to the WLAN card you are installing:

If the WLAN card has two triangles on the label (white and black), connect the white antenna cable to the connector labeled "main" (white triangle), and connect the black antenna cable to the connector labeled "aux" (black triangle).

If the WLAN card has three triangles on the label (white, black, and gray), connect the white antenna cable to the white triangle, connect the black antenna cable to the black triangle, and connect the gray antenna cable to the gray triangle.

NOTE: The gray antenna cable may not be available in all computers. The presence of the gray antenna cable in your Mini Card compartment depends on the type of display.
  1. Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.

  2. Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws.

Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card

NOTE: WWAN is also available on an ExpressCard (see Using ExpressCards).
  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over.

  3. Loosen the captive screws on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and remove the cover.

1

captive screws (2)

2

cover

  1. Disconnect the two antenna cables from the WWAN card.

1

antenna cable connectors (2)

2

WWAN card

  1. Release the WWAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pops up slightly.

  2. Lift the WWAN card out of its system board connector.

1

metal securing tabs (2)

2

WWAN card

Replacing a WWAN Card

NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WWAN card, never place cables under the card.
  1. Insert the WWAN card connector into the system board connector labeled "WWAN" at a 45-degree angle.

  2. Press the other end of the WWAN card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place.

  3. Connect the black antenna cable with a gray stripe to the connector labeled "aux" (black triangle) and connect the white antenna cable with a gray stripe to the connector labeled "main" (white triangle).

  4. Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.

  5. Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws.

Removing a WPAN Card

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over.

  3. Loosen the captive screws on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and remove the cover.

1

captive screws (2)

2

cover

  1. Disconnect the blue antenna cable from the WPAN card.

  2. Release the WPAN card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until the card pops up slightly.

  3. Lift the WPAN card out of its system board connector.

Replacing a WPAN Card

NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WPAN card, never place cables under the card.
  1. Insert the WPAN card connector into the system board connector labeled "WPAN" at a 45-degree angle.

  2. Press the other end of the WPAN card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place.

  3. Connect the blue antenna cable to the WPAN card.

  4. Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.

  5. Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws.

Flash Cache Module

The Flash Cache Module (FCM) is an internal flash drive that helps improve the performance of your computer. If you ordered an FCM with your computer, the card is already installed.

NOTE: Windows® XP does not support an FCM. You can have an FCM installed when running Windows XP but it will have no effect on your computer's performance.

Removing the FCM

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over and remove the cover on the Mini Card compartment.

  3. Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer.

NOTE: If you leave the area, ground yourself again when you return to the computer.
  1. Release the FCM by pushing the metal securing brackets away from the card until the card pops up slightly.

  2. Remove the FCM.

1

metal securing tabs (2)

2

FCM

Replacing the FCM

NOTICE: Install the FCM in the WWAN or WPAN slot. Do not install an FCM in the WLAN card slot. Doing so may cause damage to your computer.
  1. Insert the FCM connector into the system board connector at a 45-degree angle

  2. Press the other end of the FCM down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place.

Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.

If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer, it is already installed.

Removing the Card

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the hinge cover (see Hinge Cover).

  3. Disconnect the cable on the card.

  4. Grasp the connector end of the card and slide it out from under the securing tabs.

1

securing tab

2

card

3

securing tab

4

cable

Replacing the Card

  1. Replace the card at an angle to slide it under the securing tabs in the card compartment.

  2. Connect the cable to the card.

Coin-Cell Battery

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.

Removing the Coin-Cell Battery

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Turn the computer over.

  3. Loosen the captive screw on the memory module/coin-cell battery cover (see Bottom View), and remove the cover.

  4. Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board.

1

coin-cell battery

2

mylar sleeve

3

battery cable connector

  1. Slide the battery out of the mylar sleeve.

Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery

  1. Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the system board.

  2. Slide the coin-cell battery into the mylar sleeve.

  3. Replace the cover and tighten the captive screw.

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