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System Board

Dell™ Inspiron™ 300/400 Service Manual

  Removing the System Board

  Replacing the System Board

  Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

CAUTION: 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.

CAUTION: 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 your computer).

CAUTION: Handle components and cards by their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts.

The system board's BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label on the computer. The replacement kit for the system board includes a CD that provides a utility for transferring the Service Tag to the replacement system board.

Removing the System Board

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the top cover (see Removing the Top Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the top bracket (see Removing the Top Bracket).
   
   
4. Remove the bottom cover (see Removing the Bottom Cover).
   
   
5. Remove the optical drive (see Removing the Optical Drive).
   
   
6. Remove the drive bay (see Removing the Drive Bay).
   
   
7. Remove the coin-cell battery (see Removing the Coin-Cell Battery).
   
   
8. Remove the I/O bezel (see Removing the I/O Bezel).
   
   
9. Remove the chassis fan (see Removing the Chassis Fan).
   
   
10. Remove the I/O bracket (see Removing the I/O Bracket).
    
    
11. Remove the memory module(s) (see Memory Module(s)).
    
    
12. For Inspiron 400 Only:
    
    
    1. Remove the Mini-Card (see Removing the Mini-Card).
       
       
    2. Remove the processor heat sink (see Removing the Processor Heat Sink).
       
       
    3. Remove the processor (see Removing the Processor).
       
       

NOTE: Make note of the cable routing before disconnecting the cables from the system board.

4. Remove the graphics-card heat sink (see Removing the Graphics-Card Heat Sink).
   
   
5. Remove the graphics card (see Removing the Graphics Card).
   
   
6. Remove the graphics-card fan (see Removing the Graphics-Card Fan).
   
   
13. Disconnect all the cables connected to the system board.
    
    
14. Remove the four screws that secure the system board to the chassis.
    
    
15. Push the system board from the bottom to release the system board from the chassis.
    
    
16. Slide the system board to the back of the chassis to release the connectors on the system board from the slots on the chassis.
    
    
17. Lift the system board away from the computer.
    
    

1

system board

2

screws (4)

Replacing the System Board

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Align the connectors on the system board with the slots on the chassis and slide the system board in place.
   
   
3. Replace the four screws that secure the system board to the chassis.
   
   
4. For Inspiron 400 Only:
   
   
   1. Replace the graphics-card fan (see Replacing the Graphics-Card Fan).
      
      
   2. Replace the graphics card (see Replacing the Graphics Card).
      
      
   3. Replace the graphics-card heat sink (see Replacing the Graphics-Card Heat Sink).
      
      
   4. Replace the processor (see Replacing the Processor).
      
      
   5. Replace the processor heat sink (see Replacing the Processor Heat Sink).
      
      
   6. Replace the Mini-Card (see Replacing the Mini-Card).
      
      
5. Connect all the cables to the system board.
   
   
6. Replace the memory module(s) (see Memory Module(s)).
   
   
7. Replace the I/O bracket (see Replacing the I/O Bracket).
   
   
8. Replace the chassis fan (see Replacing the Chassis Fan).
   
   
9. Replace the I/O bezel (see Replacing the I/O Bezel).
   
   
10. Replace the coin-cell battery (see Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery).
    
    
11. Replace the drive bay (see Replacing the Drive Bay).
    
    
12. Replace the optical drive (see Replacing the Optical Drive).
    
    
13. Replace the bottom cover (see Replacing the Bottom Cover).
    
    
14. Replace the top bracket (see Replacing the Top Bracket).
    
    
15. Replace the top cover (see Replacing the Top Cover).
    
    

CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.

16. Turn on the computer.
    
    

NOTE: After you have replaced the system board, enter the computer's Service Tag into the BIOS of the replacement system board.

17. Enter the Service Tag (see Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS).
    
    

Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS

1. Turn on the computer.
   
   
2. Press <F2> during POST to enter the system setup program.
   
   
3. Navigate to the main tab and enter the service tag in the Service Tag Setting field.
   
   

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