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:
Windows® XP:
Click Start®Shut Down®Shut down.
Windows Vista™:
Click the Windows Vista Start button , click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click Shut Down.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is complete.
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 network cables from the computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you service the computer.
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
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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 working inside your computer, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer 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.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.
Your computer can accommodate up to two hard drives. The hard drives are installed in trays labeled 0 and 1 in the hard drive cage and the cage is installed in the hard drive bay. To replace a hard drive or install a second one, you must first remove the hard drive cage from the hard drive bay.
Turn the computer over, loosen the two captive screws on the hard drive
cover, and then remove the cover.
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captive screws (2)
Loosen the four captive screws on the hard drive cage and then lift the
pull-tab to flip the cage towards the center of the computer so that the
SATA cables and connectors are accessible.
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captive screws (4)
Carefully remove the SATA cables from the hard drive or drives that are
installed in the cage.
Replacing a Hard Drive in the Hard Drive Cage
Remove two screws on each side of the hard drive cage to free the hard
drive, then lift the drive out of its tray in the cage.
NOTICE: When a hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the Product Information Guide.
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screws
2
hard drive cage
Remove the new hard drive from its packaging.
Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive.
Place the new hard drive into the drive cage tray and secure it with two
screws on each side.
Install the hard drive so that the manufacturer's label faces the
bottom of the drive cage and the SATA connectors are at the open end
of the cage.
Install the primary hard drive in the tray labeled 0. You can install a
secondary hard drive in the tray labeled 1.
Replacing the Hard Drive Cage
Place the hard drive cage upside down on the bottom of the computer with
the SATA connectors and cables aligned, and then firmly press the cables
onto the hard drives' connectors.
Flip the hard drive cage over and into the hard drive bay.
Tighten the screws on the drive cage.
Replace the hard drive cover and tighten the screws.
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 located 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.
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captive screws (2)
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memory module 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 clip
NOTICE: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMMA" before you install a module in the connector labeled "DIMMB." Insert memory modules at a 45-degree angle to avoid damaging the connector.
Ground yourself and install the new memory module:
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not boot properly. No error message indicates this failure.
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.
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memory module
2
securing clip
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.
Confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer:
Windows® XP
Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, then click Properties® General.
Windows Vista™
Click the Windows Vista Start button , right-click Computer, and then clickProperties.
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 GSM (HSDPA) type cards need a SIM. EVDO cards do not use a SIM.
Slide in the SIM into the compartment as indicated on the battery bay.
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SIM
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.
If you ordered a card with Bluetooth wireless technology with your computer, it is already installed. The Bluetooth wireless technology card is located in the battery compartment.
