NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your
computer. Damage or inoperability due to servicing not authorized by Dell is
not covered by your warranty.
NOTICE: Unless otherwise noted, each procedure in this manual assumes that
a part can be replaced by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before
you begin working inside the computer.
Make sure that the work surface is clean to prevent scratching the
computer cover.
Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
HINT: Make sure the
computer is turned off and
not in standby or
hibernate mode. If you
cannot shut down the
computer using the
computer's operating
system, press and hold the
power button for 4
seconds.
Turn off the computer and all attached devices.
Make sure the computer is undocked.
Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet.
To avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 10 to 20 seconds
and then disconnect any attached devices.
Disconnect all other external cables from the computer.
Remove any installed PC Cards or plastic blanks from the PC Card
slot.
Close the display and turn the computer upside down on a flat work
surface.
Remove the primary battery from the battery bay and the secondary
battery from the media bay, if a secondary battery is in use.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main
battery and secondary battery (if present) before you service the computer.
Remove any installed device in the media bay.
To dissipate any static electricity while you work, periodically touch an
unpainted metal surface on the surface of the computer, such as the
I/O panel on the back of the computer chassis.
Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the
components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by it edges or by its
metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a microprocessor
by its edges, not by its pins.
Flash BIOS update program floppy disk or CD (required only when
upgrading the microprocessor, replacing the reserve battery, or
replacing the system board).
NOTICE: If the computer is running Microsoft® Windows® Millennium
Edition (Me), you need to download the operating system update utility for
Windows Me from http://support.dell.com and install it before you upgrade the
BIOS.
Before removing and replacing components, photocopy the screw placemat as a tool to lay out and keep track of the screws. The placemat provides the number of screws and the sizes.
NOTICE: When reinstalling a screw, you must use a screw of the correct
diameter and length. Make sure that the screw is properly aligned with its
corresponding hole, and avoid over tightening.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main
battery before you service the computer.
NOTICE: Make sure that the work surface is clean to prevent scratching the
computer cover.
NOTICE: The disk drive is very sensitive to shock. Handle the assembly by its
edges (do not squeeze the top of the hard drive case), and avoid dropping it.
Close the display, turn the computer upside down on a flat work
surface, and remove the main battery.
Remove the device from the media bay.
Push the module latch toward the right side of the computer. Keep
holding the latch open while pulling the device out of the media bay
with the other hand.
NOTICE: Disconnect the computer and attached devices from electrical
outlets and remove any installed batteries.
NOTICE: To avoid possible damage to the memory module from ESD, ground
yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an
unpainted metal surface on the computer.
HINT: Memory modules
are keyed, or designed to
fit into their connectors,
in only one direction.
If you only have one memory module, install it in the connector
labeled "DIMM A." If you have two memory modules, install the
second module in the connector labeled "DIMM B."
Insert the memory module's edge connector with the slot at a 45-
degree angle, and press the memory module firmly into the slot.
Pivot the memory module down until it clicks into place. If you do not
hear a click, remove the module and reinstall it.
Insert the metal tabs on the memory module cover into the bottom
case assembly. Rotate the cover down and replace the screw.
NOTICE: Disconnect the computer and attached devices from electrical
outlets and remove any installed batteries.
NOTICE: To avoid ESD, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer.
You must remove the optional Mini PCI card assembly before the system board assembly can be removed. A Mini PCI card assembly may consist of a modem, a network adapter, a modem and network adapter combination, or a wireless network adapter. A modem, network adapter, or modem and network adapter combination must be connected to the wiring harness as appropriate; a wireless network adapter must be connected to the system's internal antenna.
Align the Mini PCI card assembly with the connector at a 45-degree
angle, and press the Mini PCI card into the connector.
Depending on what type of Mini PCI card you are installing, either
connect the wiring harness to the Mini PCI card assembly, or connect
the mini-coax antenna cable to the Mini PCI card assembly and to the
internal antenna.
NOTICE: The connectors are keyed for correct insertion; do not force the
connections.
NOTICE: If a wireless network adapter card contains two mini-coax antenna
connectors, connect the mini-coax cable to the outermost antenna connector as
shown.
NOTICE: If you are installing a wireless network adapter, fold and tuck the
unused wiring harness into the slot so that it does not interfere with the cover.
Pivot the Mini PCI card assembly down until it clicks into place.
Remove the M2.5 x 6-mm screw that secures the flex cable to the
strain relief, and then use the pull loop to remove the flex cable from
the video card.
NOTICE: When reconnecting the flex cable, press down on both ends of the
connector, not in the middle. Pressing the middle of the connector can damage
fragile components.
Open the display and remove the two screws (marked with a "circle
D") that secure the display assembly to the bottom case assembly.
With the display in an upright position, lift the display assembly from
the bottom case assembly.
Use a scribe to pry loose the four rubber screw covers located across the
top of the bezel.
HINT: The 14.1-inch
display panel has two
M2.5 x 4-mm screws at
the top of the bezel and
two at the bottom.
Remove the four M2.5 x 4-mm screws located across the top of the
bezel.
Use a scribe at the indentations to pry loose the plastic screw covers
located at the bottom of the bezel.
Remove the two M2.5 x 4-mm screws located at the bottom of the
bezel.
Separate the bezel from the display-assembly top cover.
The bezel is secured to the display assembly top cover with plastic tabs around the sides. Use a plastic scribe to help separate the bezel from the top cover.
Remove the screw securing the flex cable to its strain relief, and then
use the pull loop to remove the flex cable from the video card.
NOTICE: When reconnecting the flex cable, press down on both ends of the
connector, not in the middle. Pressing the middle of the connector can damage
fragile components.
Remove the screw securing the flex cable to its strain relief, and then
use the pull loop to remove the flex cable from the video card.
NOTICE: When reconnecting the flex cable, press down on both ends of the
connector, not in the middle. Pressing the middle of the connector can damage
fragile components.
NOTICE: To ensure maximum cooling for the microprocessor, do not touch
the heat transfer areas on the thermal cooling assembly. The oils in your skin
reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal pads.
Insert a pry stick into the latch mechanism at the left side of the
microprocessor retaining clip and pry open the clip.
NOTICE: To ensure maximum cooling for the microprocessor, do not touch
the heat transfer areas on the thermal cooling assembly. The oils in your skin
reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal pads.
NOTICE: When removing the microprocessor module, pull the module
straight up. Do not bend the pins.
Remove the microprocessor module.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the microprocessor when removing the cam lock
screw, hold the screwdriver so that it is perpendicular to the microprocessor.
Loosen the microprocessor socket cam lock screw. The location of
the screw and the rotation direction may vary with the socket
manufacturer; look for small icons indicating open and locked
positions.
Use the microprocessor extraction tool to remove the
microprocessor module.
NOTICE: After replacing the microprocessor module, update the BIOS using
a flash BIOS update program floppy disk or CD that came with the
replacement microprocessor.
NOTICE: If the computer is running Microsoft® Windows® Millennium
Edition (Me), you need to download the operating system update utility for
Windows Me from http://support.dell.com and install it before you upgrade the
BIOS.
NOTICE: Proper seating of the microprocessor module does not require force.
NOTICE: A microprocessor module that is not properly seated can result in
an intermittent connection and subsequent failures.
Align the pin-1 triangle on the microprocessor toward the pin-1
triangle in the connector, insert the microprocessor into the socket,
and move it around slightly until you feel it settle into the socket.
When the microprocessor module is correctly seated, all four corners are aligned to the same height. If one or more corners of the module are higher than the others, the module is not seated correctly.
NOTICE: Hold the microprocessor down while turning the cam lock screw to
prevent intermittent contact between the cam lock screw and microprocessor.
Tighten the cam lock screw.
NOTICE: Do not over or under tighten the screw. Tighten it until the screw
indicator points to the "closed" or "locked" indicator on the socket.
Replace the microprocessor thermal cooling assembly.
While pressing lightly down on the center of the retaining clip, insert a
pry stick into the latch mechanism and pivot the top of the pry stick
away from the clip to close the latch.
Detach the display flex cable from the strain relief and the video card
(see step 2 of "Removing the Display Assembly").
Remove the three M2.5 x 8-mm screws that secure the video card.
Separate the video card from the system board connector.
NOTICE: When reconnecting the flex cable, press down on both ends of the
connector, not in the middle. Pressing the middle of the connector can damage
fragile components.
NOTICE: Disconnect the computer and attached devices from electrical
outlets and remove any installed batteries.
NOTICE: To avoid ESD, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer.
NOTICE: The reserve battery provides power to the computer's RTC and
NVRAM when the computer is turned off. Removing the palm rest disconnects
the reserve battery and causes the computer to lose the date and time
information as well as all user-specified parameters in NVRAM. If possible,
make a copy of this information before you disconnect the reserve battery.
On the underside of the palm rest, disconnect the flex cable from the
ZIF connector.
Remove the two M2.5 x 4-mm screws securing the palm rest bracket.
While supporting the flex cable, lift out the palm rest bracket and turn
it over.
NOTICE: The reserve battery provides power to the computer's RTC and
NVRAM when the computer is turned off. Removing the battery causes the
computer to lose the date and time information as well as all user-specified
parameters in NVRAM. If possible, make a copy of this information before you
remove the reserve battery.
Disconnect the reserve battery cable.
Remove the reserve battery:
Pry the reserve battery free from the metal palm rest bracket.
Remove the foam-pad remnants from the palm rest bracket.
NOTICE: Disconnect the computer and attached devices from electrical
outlets and remove any installed batteries.
NOTICE: To avoid ESD, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer.
The system board's BIOS contains the system service tag number, which is also visible on a bar-code label on the bottom of the computer. The replacement kit for the system board assembly includes a floppy disk or CD that provides a utility for transferring the service tag number to the replacement system board assembly.
NOTICE: After replacing the microprocessor module, update the BIOS using
a flash BIOS update program floppy disk or CD that came with the
replacement microprocessor.
Remove a latch button from the bottom case assembly by squeezing
the snap tabs in the center of the latch.
Apply downward pressure to the tabs while squeezing them together (tweezers work well) to eject the latch button from the bottom of the case without loosening the upper latch assembly (spring and slider). If the upper latch assembly does come loose:
Reinsert the spring onto the slider, and reinstall both pieces in the
latch housing on the inside of the case.
Ensure that the slider is inserted so that the side with the two
bumps is facing the back of the case, and the surface with the wear
ribs is facing the bottom of the case.
Hold the upper latch assembly in place while you snap the new latch
button in from underneath the base, making certain the snap tabs are
fully engaged in the slider.
Ensure that the newly installed latch assembly moves smoothly and
freely when pushed and released.
Align the screw holes on the battery charger board with the screw holes on the bottom case assembly, and then press the battery charger board down into its connector.
Remove the three M2 x 4-mm screws from the fan assembly.
Disconnect the two fan cables from the system board.
Pull the fan assembly away from the back-panel bracket.
NOTICE: When reconnecting the fan cables, connect the shorter cable to the
connector closest to the fan assembly. Route both cables so that they will not be
pinched by the thermal cooling assembly.
Remove one or both of the plastic connector covers (one or both of the
covers may be installed) by slipping a nonmarring tool into the cutout
at the top and pivoting the tool up to disengage the inner securing tab.
To replace a connector cover, orient the cover notch-side-up and snap it into the connector cutout.
