This section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:
You have followed the safety information in the 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
Hex nut driver
Flash BIOS-update program CD
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 Start®Shut Down®Shut down®OK.
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 do not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold
the power button for 4 seconds.
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 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 connector.
Disconnect any telephone, network, and USB cables from the computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
Turn the computer upside-down.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery before you service the computer.
Remove the battery:
Slide the battery-bay latch release lock on the bottom of the computer away from the battery.
Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release, and then remove the battery from the bay.
1
battery
2
battery-bay latch release
3
battery-bay latch release lock
Press the power button to ground the system board.
Remove any installed ExpressCards from the ExpressCard slot.
Computer Orientation
1
front
2
left
3
back
4
right
Screw Identification
When you are removing and replacing components, print this section as a tool to lay out and keep track of the screws. The printout provides the number of screws and their sizes.
Optical Drive:
(1 each)
Fan Module:
(4 each)
Display Assembly to Computer Base:
(4 each)
Modem to System Board:
(2 each)
Display Bezel:
(6 each)
Display Panel:
(8 each)
Top of Palm Rest to Computer Base:
(5 each of M2.5 x 5 mm) (2 each of M2 x 3 mm)
Base Plastic to Palm Rest From Bottom:
(10 each)
Hard Drive Carrier to Hard Drive:
(2 each)
Speakers to Base Plastics:
(1 for left speaker, 2 for right speaker, 3 total)
