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CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps 
before you begin working inside the computer.
Ensure that the work surface is at and clean to prevent the computer cover 1. 
from being scratched.
Turn o your computer (for more information, see “Turning O Your 2. 
Computer” on page 42).
If the laptop is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the 3. 
documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.
CAUTION: To  disconnect a  network  cable,  rst unplug  the  cable from 
your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.
Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the laptop. 4. 
Press and eject any installed cards from the ExpressCard slot and the Media 5. 
Card slot. 
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical 6. 
outlets.
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, you must remove 
the battery from the battery bay before you service the laptop.
Remove the battery from the battery bay (for more information, see 7. 
“Replacing the Battery Pack” on page 44).
Press the power button to ground the system board.8. 
Before Working Inside Your ComputerUse the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential 
damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety.
WARNING:  Before  working  inside  your  laptop,  read  the  safety 
information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best 
practices  information,  see  the  Regulatory  Compliance  Homepage  at  
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: Handle  components  and cards  with  care. Do  not  touch the 
components or  contacts  on  a  card.  Hold  a  card  by its  edges.  Hold  a 
component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins.
CAUTION: Only a certied service  technician should perform repairs  on 
your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is 
not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: 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).
CAUTION: When you disconnect  a cable,  pull on its  connector or  on its 
pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors 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.