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Mini Tower Chassis — Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX110 Systems Service Manual

	Overview		Drives
	Recommended Tools		System Power Supply
	Precautionary Measures		Expansion-Card Cage
	Internal Views		Riser Boards
	Computer Cover		System Board Components
	Front Bezel		Expansion Cards
	Eject, Power, and Reset Buttons		Memory
	Front-Panel Inserts		Microprocessor and Cooling Package
	Control Panel		System Battery
	Chassis Intrusion Switch		System Board

Overview

This section provides procedures for removing and replacing the components, assemblies, and subassemblies in the Dell OptiPlex mini tower chassis GX110 system.

Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:

• You have performed the steps in "Precautionary Measures."
  
  
• You have removed the computer cover.
  
  
• You can replace or reinstall a part by performing the removal procedure in reverse order unless additional information is provided.
  

Recommended Tools

Most of the procedures in this manual require the use of one or more of the following tools:

• Small flat-blade screwdriver
  
  
• Wide flat-blade screwdriver
  
  
• #1 and #2 Phillips-head screwdrivers
  
  
• 1/4-inch nut driver

Also, use a wrist grounding strap as explained in "Precautionary Measures."

Precautionary Measures

Before you perform any of the procedures in this file, take a few moments to read the following caution for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the system from ESD.

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. 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. 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 Figure 24).

Internal Views

Figure 1 shows a side view of the mini tower chassis to help orient you when you work inside the computer.

Figure 1. Mini Tower Chassis Orientation View

1 System board 2 Power supply 3 5.25-inch drive slots 4 Internal hard-disk drive bracket 5 Expansion-card cage 6 Bottom of computer

Figure 2 shows the mini tower chassis with the cover removed.

Figure 2. Inside the Mini Tower Chassis

1 5.25-inch drive slots 2 Hard-disk drive bracket 3 Chassis intrusion switch 4 Hard-disk drive interface cable 5 Expansion-card cage 6 System board 7 Riser board 8 Padlock ring 9 Security cable slot 10 I/O ports and connectors 11 AC power receptacle 12 Power supply

Computer Cover

Figure 3. Computer Cover Removal

To remove the mini tower chassis computer cover, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off your computer and peripherals, and observe the caution for your personal safety
   and protection of the equipment described in "Precautionary Measures."
   
   
2. Face the back of the computer and slide the upper half of the padlock ring to the left to unlock the cover release
   mechanism (see Figure 3).
   
   
3. Face the left side cover and press the left-cover release button (located at the bottom-left corner of the front panel) (see Figure 3).
   
   
4. Lift the bottom of the cover, allowing it to pivot up toward you.
   
   
5. Disengage the tabs that secure the cover to the top of the chassis, and lift the cover away.

Figure 4. Computer Cover Replacement

1 Hook 2 Recessed slot

To replace the mini tower chassis cover, perform the following steps:

1. 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 cage—they will prevent the cover from closing properly.
   
   
2. Face the left side of the computer and hold the cover at a slight angle as shown in Figure 4. While aligning the top of the cover with the top of the chassis, insert the hooks on the cover into the three recessed slots on the computer chassis.
   
   
3. Pivot the cover down toward the bottom of the chassis and into position. With both hands, press against the bottom edge of the cover to make sure that the securing hooks at the bottom of the cover click into place.
   
   
4. Slide the two halves of the padlock ring together to lock the cover release mechanism.
   
   

NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

For instructions on resetting the chassis intrusion detector, see Checking System Functions.

Front Bezel

Figure 5. Front Bezel Removal

1 Tab release 2 Retaining hooks (2)

To remove the front bezel, perform the following steps:

1. While pressing the tab release marked with the icon, tilt the bezel away from the chassis.
   
   
2. Disengage the two retaining hooks at the bottom of the bezel.
   
   
3. Carefully pull the bezel away from the chassis.

To replace the front bezel, perform the following steps:

1. Fit the two retaining hooks on the bezel into their corresponding slots at the bottom of the mini tower chassis.
   
   
2. Rotate the bezel toward the chassis until the tabs on the top of the chassis snap into their slots on the bezel.

Eject, Power, and Reset Buttons

Figure 6. Eject, Power, and Reset Button Removal

1 Diskette eject button 2 Power button 3 Reset button

To remove the eject, power, and reset buttons, perform the following steps:

1. Lay the front bezel on a flat work surface, with the back of the bezel facing up.
   
   
2. To remove the 3.5-inch diskette eject button, pull gently on the plastic part of the button until it comes free.
   
   
3. To remove the power button or the reset button, use a small screwdriver and push in the two or three plastic clips that hold the button to the bezel.
   
   When these clips are released, the buttons come free from the bezel.

Front-Panel Inserts

Figure 7. 5.25-Inch Front-Panel Insert Removal

1 Front panel insert 2 Bezel 3 Ring-tab (2)

To remove a 5.25-inch front-panel insert, perform the following steps:

1. Hold the bezel with the front facing you.
   
   
2. From the front of the bezel, use your thumbs to press inward on the insert until it snaps free of the bezel.

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.

Control Panel

Figure 8. Control Panel Removal

1 Control panel 2 Control panel connector 3 Chassis intrusion cable connector 4 Chassis intrusion switch

To remove the control panel, perform the following steps:

1. Disconnect the control panel cable from the control panel connector on the system board (see "System Board Labels" for the location of the PANEL connector).
   
   Note the routing of the control panel cable as you remove it from the chassis.
   
   
2. Disconnect the chassis intrusion switch cable connector from the control panel.
   
   
3. Remove the mounting screw that secures the control panel to the chassis.
   
   
4. Remove the control panel cable.
   
   
5. Pull the control panel cable through the opening in the front wall, and carefully remove the cable from the routing tab in the chassis.
   
   
6. Pull out on the control panel to detach it from the chassis.
   
   Note the routing of the control panel cable as you remove it from the chassis.

Chassis Intrusion Switch

Figure 9. Chassis Intrusion Switch Removal

1 Control panel 2 Control panel cable connector 3 Chassis intrusion cable connector 4 Chassis intrusion switch

To remove the chassis intrusion switch, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the control panel from the front panel.
   
   
2. Disconnect the chassis intrusion switch cable from the control panel (see Figure 9).
   
   Note the routing of the chassis intrusion cable as you remove the cable from the chassis. Chassis hooks may hold the cable in place inside the chassis.
   
   
3. Slide the chassis intrusion switch out of its slot on the chassis and carefully remove the switch and its attached cable from the chassis.
   
   
4. Install the replacement chassis intrusion switch and cable.
   
   
5. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter System Setup during the system's POST. In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left- or right-arrow key to select Reset, and then choose Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled (see your User's Guide for instructions).

Drives

NOTE: In all of the following procedures, left and right refer to your left and right as you face the front of the computer.

Figure 10. Drive Locations

1 3.5-inch diskette drive 2 5.25-inch drive slots (3) 3 3.5-inch internal bay for hard-disk drives (2)

3.5-Inch Diskette Drive

Figure 11. Removing a Diskette Drive From a Drive Bay

1 Release tab

To remove the 3.5-inch diskette drive from the drive bay, perform the following steps:

1. Disconnect the DC power and diskette interface cable from the back of the drive.
   
   
2. Press the release tab on the left side of the diskette drive, and pull the diskette drive/bracket out of the chassis.
   
   
3. Remove the drive-mounting screw from the left side of the drive, and remove the drive from the bracket (see Figure 11).
   
   

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.

5.25-Inch Drive

Figure 12. Removing a 5.25-Inch Drive From a Drive Bay

1 Bracket tabs (2)

To remove a 5.25-inch drive from a drive bay, perform the following steps.

NOTE: For easier access inside the chassis, you may want to rotate the power supply out of the way temporarily.

1. Remove the front bezel.
   
   
2. Disconnect the DC power cable and the interface cable from the back of the drive.
   
   
3. Squeeze the metal tabs that extend from each side of the drive bracket toward each other, and pull the bracket out of the bay (see Figure 12).
   
   
4. Lay the 5.25-inch drive/bracket assembly upside down and remove the four screws that secure the drive to the bracket.
   
   

To replace the 5.25-inch drive in the mini tower chassis, perform the following steps:

1. Turn the drive upside down, and locate the four screw holes around its perimeter.
   
   
2. Place the front of the drive toward the front of the bracket; then install the four screws, but do not tighten them.
   
   
3. Align the screws with the score marks on the bracket, and tighten the screws in the order stamped on the bottom of the bracket.
   
   
4. Check the alignment of the computer cover around the 5.25-inch bezel. Adjust the drive forward or backward on the bracket to align it.
   
   
5. To ensure proper installation, align all screw holes and ensure that the tabs on the front of the bracket are flush with the front of the drive (see Figure 13).
   
   

Figure 13. Attaching the Drive Bracket to the New Drive

1 5.25-inch drive 2 Bracket tabs (2) 3 Bracket

6. To further ensure proper positioning of the drive in the bracket, insert and tighten all four screws in the order in which the holes are numbered (the holes are labeled "1" through "4").
   
   
7. Slide the drive into the drive bay until the drive snaps securely into place (see Figure 14).

   Make sure that both bracket tabs snap into place in the drive bay.

Figure 14. Inserting the New Drive Into the Drive Bay

1 5.25-inch drive

NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive's interface connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

8. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 15).
   
   

Figure 15. 5.25-Inch Drive Cables Attachment

1 DC power cable 2 EIDE interface connector (on drive)

9. Connect the appropriate EIDE interface cable to the EIDE interface connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 15).

   If your system came with an EIDE CD-ROM or tape drive, use the spare connector on the existing interface cable. Otherwise, use the EIDE interface cable provided in the drive kit.

Hard-Disk Drive Removal

Figure 16. Hard-Disk Drive Bracket Removal

1 Drive bracket slide rail 2 Chassis hinge slots 3 Hinge tabs 4 Sliding tab 5 Drive bracket

To remove a hard-disk drive from the mini tower's internal hard-disk drive bracket, perform the following steps.

CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from electrical outlets, and then wait at least 15 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you remove a drive, see the other precautions in "Precautionary Measures."

1. If you are replacing a hard-disk drive that contains data you want to keep, make a backup copy of your files before you continue this procedure.
   
   
2. Remove the front bezel.
   
   
3. Open the drive bracket from the chassis:
   
   
   1. Disconnect the DC power cable and EIDE cable from the drive.
      
      
   2. Remove the screw securing the hard-disk drive bracket to the chassis.
      
      
   3. Grasp the bracket, and rotate it outward from the chassis until the sliding tab clears the slide rail on the chassis (see Figure 16).
      
      
   4. Lift the bracket up slightly to free its hinge tabs from the chassis hinge slots.
      
      
4. Remove the bracket from the chassis.
   
   

Figure 17. Hard-Disk Drive Removal From Bracket

1 Screws (4) 2 Sliding tab 3 Drive bracket 4 1.6-inch drive

5. Remove the four screws that hold the drive in the bracket (see Figure 17).
   
   Retain the screws for use with the replacement hard-disk drive.
   
   
6. Remove the drive by sliding it out of the bracket.
7. 
   

Hard-Disk Drive Replacement

To install a replacement hard-disk drive, perform the following steps:

CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from electrical outlets, and then wait at least 15 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you install a drive, see the other precautions in "Precautionary Measures."

NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by ESD, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

1. Prepare the drive for installation.
   
   Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer system.
   
   
2. If not already done, remove the drive bracket from the chassis.
   
   
3. Slide the drive into the chosen bay of the bracket, orienting the drive so that the connectors on the back of the drive will face the back of the chassis when you reinstall the bracket (see Figure 18).
   
   
4. Align the four screw holes of the drive and bracket. Insert and tighten the screws from the hard-disk drive you removed in the previous procedure:
   

• If you are installing a drive in the 1.6-inch bay, use the four screw holes in the side of the bracket (see Figure 17).
  
  
• If you are installing a drive in the 1-inch bay, use the four screw holes in the bottom of the bracket.
  

5. Reinstall the hard-disk drive bracket in the chassis (see Figure 18):
   
   
   1. Insert the bracket's hinge tabs into the chassis hinge slots so that the tabs hook over the hinge slots.
      
      
   2. Rotate the bracket toward the chassis, and fit the bracket's sliding tab on the chassis slide rail.
      
      
   3. Slide the bracket into place, and reinstall the screw that secures the hard-disk drive bracket to the chassis.

Figure 18. Drive Bracket Insertion Into Chassis

1 Chassis slide rail 2 Chassis hinge slots 3 Hinge tabs 4 Sliding tabs

6. Connect a power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 19).
   
   Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.

NOTICE: You must match the red-colored stripe on the EIDE cable with pin 1 on the drive's interface connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

7. Connect the cable connector on the EIDE cable to the 40-pin interface connector on the back of the hard-disk drive.

Figure 19. Hard-Disk Drive Cables Attachment

1 Blue interface connector (on EIDE1) 2 Interface cable 3 Power cable 4 Power input connector on drive 5 Interface connector on drive

NOTICE: You must match the blue connector on the interface cable to the IDE1 connector on the system board to avoid possible damage to your system.

NOTICE: You must match the red-colored stripe on the EIDE cable with pin 1 on the IDE1 connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

8. If it is not already connected, connect the blue connector of the EIDE cable to the IDE1 connector on the system board.
   
   To locate the IDE1 connector, see "System Board Components."
   
   
9. Replace the computer cover. Then reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the peripherals.
   
   
10. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable system diskette into drive A.
    
    
11. Turn on the computer system.
    
    
12. Enter System Setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option, 0 or 1 (see the online System User's Guide for complete information on System Setup).
    
    
13. After you update the System Setup settings, reboot the system.
    
    
14. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.

See the documentation for your operating system for instructions.

NOTE: On systems with hard-disk drives larger than 2 GB, create a primary partition of 2 GB and divide the remaining capacity into partitions of 2 GB or less. For example, a system with a 2.5-GB hard-disk drive would have a primary partition of 2 GB (drive C) and a second partition of 500 MB (drive D). Hard-disk drives must be partitioned this way because MS-DOS�–based operating systems (including Microsoft� Windows NT�, when using a FAT16 file system) do not support drive partitions larger than 2 GB.

15. Test the hard-disk drive by running the Dell Diagnostics (see the online System User's Guide for complete information.
    
    
16. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard-disk drive.

    For instructions, refer to the documentation that came with your operating system.

System Power Supply

Figure 20. Power Supply Removal

1 AC power cable 2 AC power receptacle 3 Power supply cradle 4 DC power cables 5 Securing tab

To remove the system power supply, perform the following steps:

1. Disconnect the AC power cable from the back of the power supply.
   
   
2. Free the system power supply from the securing tab labeled "RELEASE—>" and rotate it upward until it locks.
   
   
3. Disconnect the DC power cables from the system board and the drives.
   
   Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the chassis as you remove them from the system board and drives. It is important to route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent them from being pinched or crimped.
   
   
4. Remove the screw above the AC power receptacle.
   
   
5. Lift up on the power supply cradle tab to release the power supply from the cradle and slide the power supply toward the front of the computer approximately 1 inch.
   
   
6. Lower the power supply down and away from the computer.

Expansion-Card Cage

To remove the expansion-card cage, perform the following steps:

1. Examine any cables connected to expansion cards through the back-panel openings and disconnect any cables that will not reach to where the cage must be placed upon removal from the chassis.
   
   
2. Locate the securing lever (see Figure 21). Rotate the lever upward until it stops in an upright position.

Figure 21. Expansion-Card Cage Removal

1 Securing lever 2 Tabs (2) 3 Slots (2)

3. Slide the expansion-card cage out of the chassis.
   
   
4. Lift the expansion-card cage up and away from the chassis.

To replace the expansion-card cage, perform the following steps:

1. With the securing lever in the upright position, align the expansion-card cage tabs with the slots in the chassis opening for the expansion-card cage (see Figure 21). Slide the expansion-card cage into place.
   
   
2. Rotate the securing lever downward, until it is flush with the top side of the chassis. Make sure that the riser board is fully seated in the RISER connector on the system board (see Figure 22).
   
   
3. Reconnect any cables you removed in step 1 of the previous procedure.

Microprocessor and Cooling Package

Microprocessor Package, Heat Sink Assembly, and Airflow Shroud Replacement