This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:
You have read the safety information in your 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
Flash BIOS update program (see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com)
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 the Start button, and then click
Turn Off Computer.
In the Turn off computer window, click Turn off.
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 did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold
the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off.
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: 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, 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 avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically
touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging 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 jack.
Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you service the computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
Remove the battery. Slide and hold the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and
then remove the battery from the bay.
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battery-bay latch release
2
battery
Press the power button to ground the system board.
Remove any installed ExpressCards from the ExpressCard slot.
Hard Drive
CAUTION: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing
of the hard drive.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in the section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer (see page 117) before removing the hard drive. Do not
remove the hard drive while the computer is on, in standby mode, or in hibernate mode.
NOTICE: Hard drives are extremely fragile; even a slight bump can damage the drive.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.
Turn the computer over, and remove the hard drive screws.
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hard drive screws (2)
2
hard drive
NOTICE: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. See "Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the Product Information Guide.
Slide the hard drive out of the computer.
Remove the new drive from its packaging.
Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive.
NOTICE: Use firm and even pressure to slide the drive into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the
connector.
Slide the hard drive into the bay until it is fully seated.
Return your old hard drive to Dell in its original or comparable foam packaging. Otherwise, the hard drive may be damaged in transit.
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foam packaging
2
hard drive
Memory
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. See Specifications for information on the memory supported by your computer. Install only memory modules that are intended for your computer.
NOTE: In order to take advantage of the dual channel bandwidth capability, both memory slots must be populated
and must match in size.
NOTE: Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer.
NOTE: If you leave the area, ground yourself again when you return to the computer.
Turn the computer over, loosen the captive screws on the memory module cover, and then remove the
cover.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory-module
securing clips.
If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module:
Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module
connector until the module pops up.
Remove the module from the connector.
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memory module
2
securing clips (2 per connector)
3
memory module connector
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot properly. No error message
indicates this failure.
Ground yourself and install the new memory module:
Align the notch in the module edge connector with the tab in the connector slot.
Slide the module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and rotate the module down until it
clicks into place. If you do not feel the click, remove the module and reinstall it.
Replace the memory module cover.
NOTICE: If the cover is difficult to close, remove the module and reinstall it. Forcing the cover to close may
damage your computer.
Insert the battery into the battery bay, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical
outlet.
Turn on the computer.
As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information. If prompted, press <F1> to continue.
To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer, click the Start button, click Help and Support, and then click Computer Information.
Modem
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Turn the computer over and loosen the captive screws from the Mini-Card/modem cover.
Place your finger under the cover at the indentation, and lift the cover to remove it.
Remove the existing modem:
Remove the screw securing the modem to the system board, and set it aside.
Pull straight up on the attached pull-tab to lift the modem out of its connector on the system
board, and disconnect the modem cable.
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modem
2
modem pull-tab
3
modem cable
4
modem screw
5
modem connector on system board
Install the replacement modem:
Connect the modem cable to the modem.
NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors and
realign the card.
Align the modem with the screw holes and press the modem into the connector on the system
board.
Replace the screw that secures the modem to the system board.
Replace the Mini-Card/modem cover.
Mini-Card
If you ordered a Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Turn the computer over and loosen the captive screws from the Mini-Card/modem cover.
Place your finger under the cover at the indentation, and lift the cover to remove it.
If a Mini-Card is not already installed, go to step 5. If you are replacing a Mini-Card, remove the
existing card:
Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-Card.
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antenna cables (2)
2
Mini-Card
3
Mini-Card connector
Release the Mini-Card by pushing the metal securing clips toward the back of the computer until
the card pops up slightly.
Lift the Mini-Card out of its connector.
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securing clips
2
Mini-Card
NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors and
realign the card.
Install the replacement Mini-Card:
Align the Mini-Card with the connector at a 45-degree angle, and press the Mini-Card down into
the securing clips until the card clicks into place.
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securing clips
2
antenna connectors (2)
3
Mini-Card connector
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the Mini-Card, never place cables under the card.
Connect the antenna cables to the antenna connectors on the Mini-Card by matching the color of
the cable to the color of the triangle above the connector. Connect the main antenna cable (white)
to the antenna connector with the white triangle. Connect the auxiliary antenna cable (black) to
the antenna connector with the black triangle.
NOTE: If your computer has a gray cable, connect it to the connector with the gray triangle, if one is available on
your card.
Replace the Mini-Card/modem cover.
Hinge Cover
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 117.
Remove the hinge cover:
Open the display all the way (180 degrees) so that it lies flat against your work surface.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the hinge cover, do not lift the cover on both sides simultaneously.
Insert a scribe into the indent to lift the hinge cover on the right side.
Ease the hinge cover up, moving from right to left, and remove it.
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hinge cover
When replacing the hinge cover, first insert the left edge and then press from left to right until the cover snaps into place.
Keyboard
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Open the display and remove the hinge cover. See Hinge Cover.
Remove the keyboard:
Remove the two screws at the top of the keyboard.
NOTICE: The key caps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful
when removing and handling the keyboard.
Lift the keyboard and hold it up and slightly forward to access to the keyboard connector.
To disconnect the keyboard cable from the keyboard connector on the system board, rotate the
keyboard connector latch toward the front of the computer.
Slide the keyboard cable out of the keyboard connector on the system board.
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keyboard
2
keyboard screws (2)
3
keyboard cable
4
keyboard connector latch
5
keyboard tabs
NOTICE: To avoid scratching the palm rest when replacing the keyboard, hook the five tabs along the front edge of
the keyboard into the palm rest, and then secure the keyboard in place.
Coin-Cell Battery
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
Insert a scribe into the notch and push it to the side to release the drive from the bay.
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notch
2
optical-drive security screw
3
optical drive
Slide the drive out of the bay.
To reinstall the optical drive, slide the drive into the drive bay and snap it into place. Then replace the optical-drive security screw.
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTICE: 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 the back of the computer).
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you begin working inside the
computer.
If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer, it is already installed.
