This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:
You have read the safety information in your Dell™ Product Information Guide.
A component can be replaced—or if purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
Small flat-blade screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Small plastic scribe
Flash BIOS update (see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com)
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.
Shut down the operating system:
Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the Start button, and then click
Turn Off Computer.
In the Turn off computer window, click Turn off.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.
Ensure that the computer and any 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 several seconds until the computer turns 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 help prevent damage to the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.
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 other batteries designed for other Dell computers.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, slide and hold the
battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and then lift the battery from the bay.
1
battery-bay latch release
2
battery
Remove the optical drive, if installed, from the optical drive bay. See Optical Drive.
Press the power button to ground the system board.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
Turn the computer over.
Remove the optical-drive security screw.
Insert a scribe into the notch and push it to the side to release the drive from the bay.
Slide the drive out of the bay.
1
optical drive
2
optical-drive security screw
3
notch
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, in standby mode, or in hibernate mode.
NOTICE: Hard drives are extremely fragile; even a slight bump can damage the drive.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.
Turn the computer over, and remove the hard drive screws.
1
screws (2)
2
hard drive
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.
Slide the hard drive out of the computer.
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.
Slide the hard drive into the bay until it is fully seated.
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
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.
Turn the computer over, loosen the captive screws on the memory module cover, and then remove the
memory module cover.
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).
If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module:
Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module
connector until the module pops up.
Remove the module from the connector.
1
memory module
2
securing clips (2 per connector)
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot properly. No error message indicates this failure.
Ground yourself and install the new memory module:
Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.
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.
1
notch
2
tab
Replace the memory module cover.
NOTICE: If the cover is difficult to close, remove the module and reinstall it. Forcing the cover to close may damage your computer.
Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an
electrical outlet.
Turn the computer over, loosen the captive screws on the modem cover, and then remove the
modem cover.
Remove the existing modem:
Remove the screw securing the modem to the system board, and set it aside.
Pull straight up on the attached pull-tab to lift the modem out of its connector on the system
board, and disconnect the modem cable.
1
modem screw
2
modem pull-tab
3
modem connector on system board
4
modem
5
modem cable
Install the replacement modem:
Connect the modem cable to the modem.
NOTICE: The connector is keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connector and realign the card.
Align the modem with the screw holes and press the modem down into the connector on the
system board.
Replace the screw that secures the modem to the system board.
Replace the modem cover.
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.
Open the display all the way (180 degrees) so that it lies flat against your work surface.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the hinge cover, do not lift the cover on both sides simultaneously.
Insert a scribe into the indent to lift the hinge cover on the right side.
Ease the hinge cover up, moving from right to left, and remove it.
NOTE: When replacing the hinge cover, first insert the left edge and then press from left to right until the cover snaps into place.
1
hinge cover
2
scribe
Keyboard
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.
NOTICE: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard.
Lift the keyboard only enough to hold it up and slightly forward to allow access to the keyboard
connector.
To release the keyboard cable from the keyboard connector on the system board, rotate the plastic
bar on the keyboard connector to the front of the computer.
1
screws (2)
2
keyboard cable
3
plastic bar on keyboard connector
4
tabs
5
keyboard
NOTICE: To avoid scratching the palm rest when replacing the keyboard, hook the tabs along the front edge of the keyboard into the palm rest, and then press on the right edge near the top to snap the keyboard into place before replacing the two screws.
Wireless Mini-Card
If you ordered a Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed.
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 a Mini-Card is not already installed, go to step 5. If you are replacing a Mini-Card, remove the
existing card:
Disconnect the two antenna cables from the Mini-Card.
1
Mini-Card
2
antenna cables (2)
3
antenna cable connectors (2)
Release the Mini-Card by pushing the metal securing tabs toward the back of the computer until
the card pops up slightly.
Lift the Mini-Card out of its system board connector.
1
system board connector
2
Mini-Card
3
metal securing tabs (2)
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.
Install the replacement Mini-Card:
Insert the Mini-Card connector into the system board connector at a 45-degree angle, and then
press the other end of the Mini-Card down into the securing tabs until the card clicks into place.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the Mini-Card, never place cables under the card.
Connect the two antenna cables to the Mini-Card (black cable to the connector labeled "aux" and
the white cable to the connector labeled "main").
1
system board connector
2
antenna cables (2)
3
antenna cable connectors (2)
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.
Insert a plastic scribe into the guide on the side of the coin-cell battery compartment, and pop the
battery out.
When you replace the battery, insert it at a 30-degree angle under the clip with the positive (identified by a plus [+] symbol) side up, and then push it into place.
Display
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.
Remove the six screws securing the display (two on the top, two on the bottom, and two on the back).
Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-Card.
Loosen the captive grounding-wire screw.
Disconnect the display cable, using the pull-tab.
Dislodge the display cable from the display cable channel.
1
screws (6)
2
display cable
3
display cable pull-tab
4
grounding-wire screw
5
antenna cables
6
standby switch
7
display cable connector on system board
8
display cable channel
Lift the display up and away from the computer.
NOTICE: The standby switch is fragile and easily broken. Avoid knocking the switch when removing and replacing the display.
When you replace the display, ensure that the display cable is lying flat in the display cable channel and securely tucked underneath the tabs.
Also, ensure that the antenna cables are not twisted and that they are lying flat in the antenna cable clip.
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.
