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PCI and PCI Express Cards

Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual

  Removing the Card Retention Bracket

  Replacing the Card Retention Bracket

  Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards

  Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards

  Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing a PCI/PCI Express Card

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.

WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.

WARNING: Do not operate your equipment with any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, etc.) removed.

Removing the Card Retention Bracket

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the screw holding the card retention bracket.
   
   
4. Lift the card retention bracket and set it aside in a secure place.
   
   

Inspiron™ 535/537

1

screw

2

card retention bracket

Inspiron 545/546

1

card retention bracket

2

screw

Replacing the Card Retention Bracket

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Replace the card retention bracket, ensuring that:
   
   
   • The guide clamp is aligned with the guide notch.
     
     
   • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
     
     
   • The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
     
     

1	guide clamps (2)	2	card retention bracket	3	alignment bar
4	alignment guide	5	filler bracket	6	guide notch (2)

3. Fix the card retention bracket by replacing the screw.
   
   

Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the card retention bracket (see Removing the Card Retention Bracket).
   
   
4. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
   • For a PCI or PCI Express x1 card, grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
     
     
   • For a PCI Express x16 card, press down on the retention mechanism, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector.
     
     

1	PCI Express x16 card	2	PCI Express x16 card slot	3	securing tab
4	retention mechanism	5	PCI Express x1 card slot	6	PCI Express x1 card

5. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
   
   

NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.

6. Replace the card retention bracket (see Replacing the Card Retention Bracket).
   
   
7. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
   
   
8. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
   
   
9. To complete the removal procedure, see Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing a PCI/PCI Express Card.
   
   

Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the card retention bracket (see Removing the Card Retention Bracket).
   
   
4. Prepare the card for installation.
   
   

See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.

5. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
   
   

1	fully-seated card	2	not fully-seated card	3	alignment bar
4	alignment guide	5	bracket within slot	6	bracket caught outside of slot

6. If you are installing the PCI Express card into the x16 card connector, position the card so the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab.
   
   
7. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
   
   

1	PCI Express x16 card	2	PCI Express x16 card slot	3	securing tab
4	PCI Express x1 card slot	5	PCI Express x1 card

8. Replace the card retention bracket (see Replacing the Card Retention Bracket).
   
   
9. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
   
   

See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.

CAUTION: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.

10. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
    
    
11. To complete the installation, see Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing a PCI/PCI Express Card.
    
    

Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing a PCI/PCI Express Card

NOTE: For information on location of external connectors, see the Setup Guide. For information on installing drivers and software for your card, see the documentation that shipped with the card.

	Installed	Removed
Sound Card	Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) Go to Onboard Audio Controller and then change the setting to Disabled. Connect the external audio devices to the sound card's connectors.	Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) Go to Onboard Audio Controller and then change the setting to Enabled. Connect the external audio devices to the computer's back panel connectors.
Network Card	Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) Go to Onboard LAN Controller and then change the setting to Disabled. Connect the network cable to the network card's connector.	Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) Go to Onboard LAN Controller and then change the setting to Enabled. Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector.

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