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Midsize Chassis - Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell OptiPlex GX110 Systems Service
Manual
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Midsize Chassis Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell
OptiPlex GX110 Systems Service Manual
This section provides procedures for removing and replacing the
components, assemblies, and subassemblies in the Dell OptiPlex GX110 midsize chassis
system.
Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following
conditions exist:
You can replace or reinstall a part by performing the removal
procedure in reverse order unless additional information is provided.
The procedures in this file require the use of a #2 Phillips-head
screwdriver.
Also, use a wrist grounding strap as explained in "Precautionary Measures."
Before you perform any procedure in this section, take a few moments
to read the following caution for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the system
from ESD.
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CAUTION: FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND
PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT Before you start
to work on the system, perform the following steps in the sequence listed:
- Turn off the computer and all peripherals.
- Disconnect the computer and peripherals from their electrical
outlets. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
- If you are disconnecting a peripheral from the computer or are
removing a component from the system board, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the
computer from the electrical outlet before disconnecting the peripheral or removing the
component to avoid possible damage to the system board.
- Wear a wrist grounding strap, and clip it to an unpainted metal
surface, such as the padlock loop on the back of the chassis. If a wrist grounding strap
is not available, touch any unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer or on the
computer chassis, such as the power supply, to discharge any static charge from your body
before touching anything inside the computer. While you work, periodically touch an
unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that
might harm internal components. Also avoid touching components or contacts on a card and
avoid touching pins on a chip.
- Verify that the standby power LED on the system board is not on. If
it is on, you may need to wait 10 to 30 seconds for it to go out (see Figures 19 and 20 or the internal service label).
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To restart the system and reset the chassis intrusion detector,
perform the following steps:
- Replace the computer cover and
reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
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NOTE: When you start the system, the chassis
intrusion detector will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system
start-up:
ALERT! Cover was previously removed. |
- To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter System Setup and reset
Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
 |
NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by
someone else, contact the network administrator for information on resetting the chassis
intrusion detector. |
Figure 1. Computer Cover Removal
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| 1 |
Securing buttons (2) |
| 2 |
Cover hooks (4) |
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To remove the computer cover, perform the following steps:
- Turn off your computer and peripherals, and observe the caution for
your personal safety and protection of the equipment described in "Precautionary Measures."
- If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back
panel, remove the padlock.
- Press in on the two securing buttons until the cover is free to swing
up (see Figure 1).
- Raise the back of the cover, and pivot it toward the front of the
computer.
- Lift the cover off the hooks at the front of the chassis.
Figure 2. Computer Cover
Replacement
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| 1 |
Securing buttons (2) |
| 2 |
Cover hooks (4) |
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To replace the computer cover, perform the
following steps:
- Check all cable connections, especially those that might have come
loose during your work. Fold cables out of the way so that they do not catch on the
computer cover. Make sure cables are not routed over the drive cagethey will prevent
the cover from closing properly.
- Facing the left side of the computer, hold the cover at a slight
angle as shown in Figure 2.
- Fit the cover hooks into the rectangular slots on the chassis. (It
might be helpful to look down into the chassis to verify that the hooks are in place.)
- Pivot the cover down toward the back and into position. Make sure
that the two securing buttons click into place.
Figure 3 shows the chassis with the cover removed.
Figure 3. Inside the Chassis
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| 1 |
Drive in upper bay |
| 2 |
Internal drive cage |
| 3 |
Chassis intrusion switch |
| 4 |
Drive interface cable |
| 5 |
Expansion-card cage |
| 6 |
Security cable slot |
| 7 |
I/O ports and connectors |
| 8 |
AC power receptacle |
| 9 |
Padlock ring |
| 10 |
Power supply |
| 11 |
System board |
| 12 |
Drive interface cable |
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Figure 4. 5.25-Inch Front-Panel Insert Removal
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| 1 |
5.25-inch front-panel insert |
| 2 |
Ring tabs (2) |
| 3 |
Posts (2) |
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To remove a 5.25-inch front-panel insert, perform the following
steps:
- Hold the bezel with the front facing you.
- From the front of the top cover, use your thumbs to press inward on
the insert until it snaps free of the cover.
To replace a 5.25-inch front-panel insert, position the two
ring-tabs over the posts on the inside of the bay opening, and then press the ring tabs
over the posts.
Figure 5. Expansion-Card
Cage Removal
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| 1 |
Slots (2) |
| 2 |
Tabs (2) |
| 3 |
Securing lever |
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To remove the card cage, complete the following steps:
- Rotate the lever toward the back of the computer until it stops in
the upright position.
- Lift the expansion-card cage up and away from the computer.
To replace an expansion-card cage, keep the cage flush against the
chassis to ensure that the lever engages the notch when the lever is depressed.
Figure 6. Control Panel
Removal
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| 1 |
Chassis hooks (2) |
| 2 |
Mounting screw |
| 3 |
Control panel |
| 4 |
Control panel cable |
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To remove the control panel, perform the following steps:
- Remove the hard-disk drive cage.
- Disconnect the control panel cable from the PANEL connector on the
system board (see Figure 14 or the internal service
label for the location of the PANEL connector).
- Remove the mounting screw holding the control panel to the chassis.
- Slide the control panel out of the hooks holding it to the chassis.
Note the routing of the control panel cable as you remove it from the chassis.
To reinstall the control panel, perform the removal procedure in
reverse.
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NOTE: In all of the following procedures, left and
right refer to your left and right as you face the front of the computer. |
3.5-Inch Diskette Drive Removal
To remove the 3.5-inch diskette drive assembly, perform the
following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Disconnect the DC power and cables from the diskette drive.
- Rotate the left side of the 3.5-inch diskette drive assembly up, and
lift the assembly out of the chassis (see Figure
7).
- Remove the two drive-mounting screws from the left side of the drive,
and remove the drive from the bracket.
When you replace the 3.5-inch diskette drive, be sure that the two
hooks on the right side of the bracket engage the mounting holes in the side of the
3.5-inch diskette drive.
Figure 7.
3.5-Inch Diskette Drive Removal
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| 1 |
Bracket-mounting screw |
| 2 |
Hooks (2) |
| 3 |
Drive-mounting screws (2) |
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To remove a device from an externally accessible drive bay, perform
the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Disconnect the DC power and data cables from the back of the drive.
- Squeeze the retaining tabs that extend from each side of the drive
bracket and slide the bracket out of the bay (see Figure 8).
- Turn the drive assembly upside down and unscrew the four screws that
secure the drive to the bracket (see Figure 9).
To install a 5.25-inch drive, perform the 5.25-inch drive removal procedure in reverse.
Figure 8. 5.25-Inch Drive
Removal
Figure 9. Drive Bracket

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| 1 |
Metal tabs (2) |
| 2 |
Drive bracket |
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- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the drive bracket from the chassis.
If a hard-disk drive is already installed on the drive bracket,
disconnect the DC power cable and EIDE cable from the drive.
- Remove the screw securing the hard-disk drive bracket to the front
wall of the chassis. Grasp the front part of the bracket that serves as a handle, and
rotate the bracket up toward the back of the computer until it disengages from the floor
of the chassis (see Figure 10).
Figure 10. Removing the
Hard-Disk Drive Bracket
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| 1 |
"Handle" on bracket |
| 2 |
Screw securing drive to chassis |
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- Slide the drive into the chosen bay of the bracket, orienting it so
that the connectors on the back of the drive face the back of the chassisand the
power input connector is closest to the floor of the chassiswhen the bracket is
reinstalled (see Figure 11).
Figure 11. Inserting the
Hard-Disk Drive in the Bracket
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| 1 |
Drive bracket |
| 2 |
Tabs (2) |
| 3 |
1.6-inch drive |
| 4 |
Screws (4) |
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- Align the four screw holes of the drive and bracket. Insert and
tighten the screws that came with your upgrade kit (see Figure 11).
If you are replacing a drive in the 1.6-inch slot, use the four
screw holes in the side of the bracket. If you are replacing a drive in the 1-inch slot,
use the four screw holes in the bottom of the bracket.
- Reinstall the hard-disk drive bracket in the chassis.
Hold the bracket by its handle, so that it stays at the proper tilt.
Let it brush the side of the drive cage as you lower it into the chassis until the two
tabs at the bottom back of the bracket (see Figure 11) fit flush against the front of the rail
that extends across the chassis floor and the horizontal lip at the back fits over the
rail (see Figure 12).
Rotate the bracket down into position, and reinstall the screw you
removed in step 3.
NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the EIDE cable
with pin 1 on the IDE1 connector to avoid possible damage to your system.
- Connect one of the device connectors on the EIDE cable to the 40-pin
interface connector on the back of the hard-disk drive (see Figure 12). The cable is keyed so that the colored edge
of the EIDE cable lines up with the pin-1 end of the interface connector.
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NOTE: Ultra Advanced
Technology Attachment (ATA)/66 hard-disk drives require an 80-conductor cable to transfer
data at full speed. The 80-conductor cable has a 40-pin connector just like the Ultra
ATA/33 cable but has twice as many wires within the cable itself. If you use an Ultra
ATA/33 cable with Ultra ATA/66 hard-disk drives, they will transfer data at Ultra ATA/33
speeds. |
Figure 12. Attaching
Hard-Disk Drives Cables
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| 1 |
Interface connector |
| 2 |
Power input connector on drive |
| 3 |
Lip |
| 4 |
Rail |
| 5 |
IDE1 connector |
| 6 |
IDE2 connector |
| 7 |
DC power cable |
| 8 |
EIDE cable |
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NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the EIDE cable
with pin 1 on the IDE1 connector to avoid possible damage to your system. Pin 1 is
indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed on the system board.
- If it is not already connected, connect the other end of the EIDE
cable to the appropriate EIDE interface connector on the system board.
To locate the IDE1 connector on the system board, see Figures 19 and 20.
- Connect a DC power cable into the power input
connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 12).
Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and
firmly seated.
- Replace the computer cover. Then
reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
peripherals.
- Insert a bootable diskette (such as the Dell Diagnostics Diskette)
into drive A, and turn on the computer system.
- Enter System Setup and update the Drive 0 option
under Primary Drive n.
After you
update the drive setting, reboot the system.
- Partition and logically format your drive before proceeding to the
next step.
See the documentation for your operating system for
instructions.
- Test the hard-disk drive by running the Hard-Disk Drive(s)
Test Group in the Dell Diagnostics.
- Install your operating system on your hard-disk drive.
Refer to the documentation that came with your operating system.
To access some components on the system board, you may have to
rotate the system power supply out of the way. To rotate the power supply, perform the
following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Disconnect the AC power cable from the AC power receptacle on the
back of the power supply (see Figure 13).
Figure 13. System Power Supply Rotation
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| 1 |
Securing tab |
| 2 |
Power supply |
| 3 |
Release latch |
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- Free the power supply from the securing tab labeled
"RELEASE>, " and rotate it upward until it locks in its extended
position.
To remove the system power supply, perform the following steps:
- Rotate the system power supply.
- Disconnect the power cables from all drives.
- Remove the power supply cables from the system board.
- Lift the front of the power supply until it stops. Then rotate the
power supply away from the chassis.
- Lift the power supply out of the chassis.
To reinstall the system power supply, align the swivel points at the
rear of the power supply with the holes in the chassis and power supply support arm. Then
perform the removal procedure in reverse.
Figure 14 shows the system board and the location of all its sockets
and connectors.
Figure 14. System Board
Components
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| 1 |
NIC connector |
| 2 |
Video connector |
| 3 |
Fan power connector |
| 4 |
Serial port 2 connector |
| 5 |
USB connectors (2) |
| 6 |
Mouse (upper) and keyboard (lower)
connectors |
| 7 |
Parallel port (upper) and serial port 1
(lower) connectors |
| 8 |
Riser board connector |
| 9 |
System board jumpers |
| 10 |
IDE1 connector |
| 11 |
IDE2 connector |
| 12 |
Diskette/tape-drive connector |
| 13 |
Battery |
| 14 |
Microprocessor |
| 15 |
3.3-V power connector |
| 16 |
Control panel connector |
| 17 |
DC power connector |
| 18 |
Auxiliary power indicator |
| 19 |
DIMM connectors (2) |
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Figure 15 shows the location of the jumpers on the system board. Table 1 lists the system board jumpers and
their settings.
Figure 15. System Board
Jumpers

Jumper pins are small groups of two or more pins on a circuit board.
Plastic jumpers containing a wire fit down over the pins. The wire connects the pins and
creates a circuit.
NOTICE: Make sure that your system is turned off before you
change a jumper setting. Otherwise, damage to your system or unpredictable results may
occur.
To change a jumper setting, pull the jumper off its pin(s) and
carefully fit it down onto the pin(s) indicated.
Dell shipped your computer with a PSWD jumper installed, meaning
that the password features for this computer are enabled. When you remove the jumper, or
when you install the jumper on only one of the two pins, the password features are
disabled.
Table 1 lists the labels for connectors and sockets on your system
board, and it gives a brief description of their functions.
Table 1. System Board
Connectors and Sockets
| Connector or Socket |
Description |
| AUX_LED |
Auxiliary power indicator |
| B1 |
Battery socket |
| DIMM_x |
DIMM socket |
| DSKT |
Diskette/tape drive interface connector |
| ENET |
Integrated NIC connector |
| FAN |
Microprocessor fan connector |
| IDEn |
EIDE interface connector |
| KYBD |
Keyboard connector |
| MICROPROCESSOR |
Microprocessor connector |
| MONITOR |
Video connector |
| MOUSE |
Mouse connector |
| PANEL |
Control panel connector |
| PARALLEL |
Parallel port connector; sometimes
referred to as LPT1 |
| POWER_1 |
Main power input connector |
| POWER_2 |
3.3-volt (V) power input connector |
| RISER |
Riser board connector |
| SERIALn |
Serial port connectors |
| USB |
USB connectors |
The system accommodates up to six expansion cards, including up to
five 32-bit PCI expansion cards and one 32-bit AGP card. (See Figure 16 for examples of these cards.)
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NOTE: Before disconnecting a peripheral from the
system or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power LED on
the system board is off. For the location of this LED, see Figures
19 and 20. |
Figure 16. Expansion Cards
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| 1 |
8-bit ISA expansion card |
| 2 |
16-bit ISA expansion card |
| 3 |
32-bit PCI expansion card |
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Expansion-Card Removal
To remove an expansion card, perform the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the expansion card cage.
- If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
- Unscrew the mounting bracket of the card you want to remove.
- Grasp the card by its outside corners, and ease it out of its
connector.
- If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler
bracket over the empty card-slot opening.
 |
NOTE: Installing filler brackets over
empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer. |
- Replace the expansion card cage.
Figure 17. Expansion
Card Removal
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| 1 |
Card-edge connector |
| 2 |
Expansion card |
| 3 |
Riser board |
| 4 |
Expansion-card connector |
| 5 |
Expansion-card cage |
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Expansion-Card Replacement
To replace an expansion card, perform the following steps.
- Prepare the expansion card for installation, and remove the computer cover.
See the documentation that came with the expansion card for
information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing
it for your system.
 |
CAUTION: Some network cards automatically
start up the system when they are connected. To guard against electric shock, be sure to
unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any expansion cards. |
- Remove the expansion card cage.
- If the card-slot opening for the
slot you intend to use is covered by a metal filler bracket unscrew and remove the bracket
(see Figure 18).
Save
the screw to use when installing the expansion card later in this procedure.
Figure 18. Removing
the Filler Bracket
- Insert the expansion card into the expansion-card connector.
If the expansion card is full-length, insert the front end of the card into the
corresponding card guide on the inside front of the chassis as you insert the card into
its connector. Insert the card's edge connector firmly into the expansion-card slot.
Gently rock the card into the connector until it is fully seated.
- When the card is firmly seated in the connector, secure the card's
mounting bracket to the chassis with the screw you removed in step 3.
- Replace the expansion card cage.
- Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
- See the documentation for the card for information about the card's
cable connections.
- If you are installing the entry-level OptiPlex sound card, disconnect
the internal speaker cable from the system board and reconnect it to the INT SPKR
connector on the sound card. You may have to route the speaker cable through a hole in the
front of the chassis to reach the sound card connector.
- Replace the computer cover and restart the system.
The midsize chassis is available with either a PCI riser board (see Figure 19) or a PCI/ISA riser board (see Figure 20). The PCI riser board provides five PCI
expansion card slots. The PCI/ISA riser board provides two PCI expansion slots, two ISA
expansion slots, and one shared PCI/ISA expansion slot.
Figure 19. Midsize Chassis PCI
Riser Board
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| 1 |
Standby power indicator (AUX_LED) |
| 2 |
PCI expansion slot 5 (PCI5) |
| 3 |
PCI expansion slot 4 (PCI4) |
| 4 |
Remote Wakeup header (WOL) |
| 5 |
PCI expansion slot 1 (PCI1) |
| 6 |
PCI expansion slot 2 (PCI2) |
| 7 |
PCI expansion slot 3 (PCI3) |
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Figure 20. PCI/ISA Riser
Board
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| 1 |
Standby power indicator LED (AUX_LED) |
| 2 |
ISA expansion slot 3 (ISA3) |
| 3 |
ISA expansion slot 2 (ISA2) |
| 4 |
ISA expansion slot 1 (ISA1) |
| 5 |
Remote Wakeup header (WOL) |
| 6 |
PCI expansion slot 1 (PCI1) |
| 7 |
PCI expansion slot 2 (PCI2) |
| 8 |
PCI expansion slot 3 (PCI3) |
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Figure 21. DIMM Removal
To remove a DIMM, perform the following steps:
- Unlatch and rotate the power supply up until it locks (see Figure 13).
- Push outward on the two DIMM socket ejectors simultaneously until the
DIMM is released from its socket.
- Lift the DIMM away from the socket.
To install a DIMM, press the DIMM fully into the socket while
closing the ejectors to lock the DIMM into the socket (see Figure 22).
Figure 22. DIMM Installation
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| 1 |
Ejectors (2) |
| 2 |
Notches (2) |
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To replace a microprocessor, perform the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Locate the microprocessor socket on the system board.
- Gently pull out the guide-bracket assembly latch, grasp the existing
microprocessor/heat sink assembly firmly, and pull straight up to remove it from the guide
bracket assembly.
You must use up to 15 pounds of force to disengage the microprocessor package from the
connector. Do not rock the package while removing it.
- Slide the new microprocessor package into the guide bracket assembly,
with the heat sink toward the front of the computer, and firmly seat the
microprocessor/heat sink assembly.
You must use up to 25 pounds of force to seat the new microprocessor package. Do not rock
the package while inserting it into the connector.
- Replace the computer cover, and
reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
Figure 23.
Microprocessor Removal
 |
| 1 |
Guide bracket assembly |
| 2 |
Guide bracket assembly latch |
| 3 |
Heat sink |
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Figure 24. System
Battery Removal
 |
CAUTION: There is a danger of the new battery
exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the
manufacturers instructions. |
To remove the system battery, perform the following steps:
- If possible, enter System Setup and print the System Setup screens.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the system battery by carefully prying it out of its socket
with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconducting object such as a plastic screwdriver.
When you replace the system battery, orient the new battery with the
"+" facing up. Insert the battery into its socket and snap it into place.
Figure 25. System Board
Removal

To remove the system board, perform the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover.
- Disconnect all cables from their connectors at the back of the
computer.
- Disconnect all cables from the system board.
- Rotate the system power supply.
- Remove the DIMMs.
- Remove the
microprocessor.
- Remove the AGP card brace and the AGP video card.
- Slide all externally accessible drives and brackets
partially out of the chassis.
- Slide the hard-disk drive partially out of the
chassis.
- Remove the screw that secures the system board to the bottom of the
chassis. (See Figure 25.)
- Slide the system board toward the front of the chassis until it
stops.
- Carefully raise the front of the system board and lift the board out
of the chassis at an angle.
To replace the system board, perform the following steps:
- Carefully replace the system board in the chassis by performing step
12 of the removal process in reverse.
- Push down near each slot to engage the grounding clip onto its
corresponding tab.
- Push evenly on both sides of the system board as you slide and lock
it into position (do not twist the system board).
- Reinstall the mounting screw.
- Reinstall all components on the system board by performing steps 4
through 9 of the removal process in reverse.
- Set the jumpers on the new system board so that they are identical to
those on the old board, unless you are installing a microprocessor upgrade.
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