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 (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.
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
Click Start , click the arrow , and then click Shut Down.
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: 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 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 help 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 jack.
Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical
outlets.
NOTICE: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you service the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for this particular Dell computer. Do not use batteries designed for other Dell computers.
Turn the computer over.
Slide and click the battery release latch.
Slide the battery out of the battery bay.
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battery
2
battery release latch
Turn the computer top-side up, open the display, and press the power
button to ground the system board.
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 this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) before removing the hard drive. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is on or in Sleep state.
NOTICE: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.
Remove the four M3 x 3-mm screws and slide the hard drive away from
the bay.
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).
Replacing the Hard Drive
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.
Replace and tighten the four screws on the hard drive.
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
Center Control Cover and Hinge Covers
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 help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.
Removing the Center Control Cover and Hinge Covers
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 131.
Turn the computer over and remove the three M2 x 2-mm screws that
secure the center control cover.
Turn the computer top side up, and open the display as far as it will open.
Ease the center control cover up with a plastic scribe until you see the
cable connector that attaches the cable to the system board.
NOTICE: While raising the center control cover ensure that you do not pull hard so as not to damage the data cable connected to the system board. The cover along with the cable that attaches to it are very fragile.
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center control cover
2
center control cover cable connector
3
center control cover cable
4
black securing tabs
Pull the black securing tabs of the cable connector with your fingertips and
ease out the cable.
Remove the hinge covers from each side of the computer.
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center control cover
2
hinge cover (2)
Replacing the Center Control Cover and Hinge Covers
Replace the hinge covers.
To reconnect the cable that attaches the center control cover to the system
board, place the cable inside the cable connector and push its black
securing tabs inside with your fingertips.
Snap the center control cover in place.
Turn the computer over and replace the three M2 x 2-mm screws that
secure the center control cover to the computer base.
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 help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.
Remove the two M2.5 x 5-mm screws at the top of the keyboard.
NOTICE: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard.
Carefully slide the keyboard toward the back of the computer.
NOTICE: Be extremely careful when removing and handling the keyboard. Failure to do so could result in scratching the display panel.
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M2.5 x 5-mm screw (2)
2
keyboard
3
keyboard tabs (5)
4
keyboard cable
5
plastic securing bar
Pull up on the plastic bar that secures the keyboard cable to the system
board and remove the keyboard.
Replacing the Keyboard
Slide the keyboard cable connector into the slot until it clicks and pull
down on the plastic bar that secures the keyboard cable connector to the
system board.
Align the five tabs along the bottom of the keyboard and slide them under
the palm rest.
NOTICE: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard.
Replace the two M2.5 x 5-mm screws along the top of the keyboard.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
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: Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer warranty.
Your computer has two user-accessible SODIMM sockets that can be accessed from the bottom of the computer.
NOTICE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMM1" before you install a module in the connector labeled "DIMM2."
Removing the Memory Module
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: If there is a memory module in DIMM 2, remove it prior to removing the memory module from DIMM 1. Failure to do so could result in damaging both memory modules.
Turn the computer over and loosen the four captive screws along with the
M2.5 x 5-mm screw. Remove the module cover.
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M2.5 x 5-mm screw
2
captive screws (4)
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the memory module connector, do not use tools to spread the memory module securing clips.
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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securing clips (2)
2
memory module
Replacing the Memory Module
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).
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.
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot. No error message indicates this failure.
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tab
2
notch
NOTICE: If the cover is difficult to close, remove the module and reinstall it. Forcing the cover to close may damage your computer.
Replace the module cover.
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.
To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer, click Start ® Help and Support® Dell System Information.
Subscriber Identity Module
Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) identify users uniquely through an International Mobile Subscriber Identity.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: Only Cingular and Vodafone need a SIM. Verizon, Sprint, and Telus do not use SIMs.
Loosen the captive screw on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and
remove the cover.
Disconnect the antenna cables from the WLAN card.
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WLAN Card
2
M2 x 3-mm securing screw
3
antenna cable connectors (2)
Release the WLAN card by removing the securing screw.
Lift the WLAN card out of its system board connector.
Replacing a WLAN Card
NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WLAN card, never place cables under the card.
Insert the WLAN card connector at a 45-degree angle into the system
board connector labeled "WLAN".
Press the other end of the WLAN card down into the slot on the system
board until the card clicks into place.
Replace the M2 x 3-mm securing screw.
Connect the appropriate antenna cables to the WLAN card you are installing:
If the WLAN card has two triangles on the label (white and black), connect the white antenna cable to the connector labeled "main" (white triangle), and connect the black antenna cable to the connector labeled "aux" (black triangle).
If the WLAN card has three triangles on the label (white, black, and gray), connect the white antenna cable to the white triangle, connect the black antenna cable to the black triangle, and connect the gray antenna cable to the gray triangle.
Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.
Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws.
Removing a Mobile Broadband or WWAN Card
NOTE: WWAN is also available on an ExpressCard (see Using ExpressCards).
Loosen the captive screw on the cover of the Mini Card compartment and
remove the cover.
Disconnect the two antenna cables from the WWAN card.
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WWAN Card
2
M2 x 3-mm securing screw
3
antenna cable connectors (2)
Release the WWAN card by removing the securing screw.
Lift the WWAN card out of its system board connector.
Replacing a WWAN Card
NOTICE: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign the card.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the WWAN card, never place cables under the card.
Insert the WWAN card connector at a 45-degree angle into the system
board connector labeled "WWAN".
Press the other end of the WLAN card down into the slot on the system
board until the card clicks into place.
Replace the M2 x 3-mm securing screw.
Connect the black antenna cable with a gray stripe to the connector
labeled "aux" (black triangle) and connect the white antenna cable with a
gray stripe to the connector labeled "main" (white triangle).
Secure unused antenna cables in the protective mylar sleeve.
Replace the cover and tighten the captive screws.
Flash Cache Module
The Flash Cache Module (FCM) is an internal memory card that helps improve the performance of your computer. The FCM card is also known as Intel Turbo Memory and the Intel Flash Cache Logic Chip Mini-card.
NOTE: This card is only compatible with the Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system.
If you ordered an FCM with your computer, it is already installed.
Turn the computer over and remove the cover on the Mini Card
compartment.
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.
Remove the M2 x 3-mm securing screw.
Remove the FCM.
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FCM Card
2
M2 x 3-mm securing screw
Replacing the FCM
NOTICE: Install the FCM in the WWAN or WPAN slot. Do not install an FCM in the WLAN card slot. Doing so may cause damage to your computer.
Insert the FCM connector at a 45-degree angle into the system board
connector labeled "FCM".
Press the other end of the FCM down into the slot on the system board
until the card clicks into place.
Replace the M2 x 3-mm securing 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 help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove the battery from the battery bay before you begin working inside the computer.
If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer, it is already installed.
, click the arrow 
