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Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
This manual provides instructions for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the
following conditions exist:
lYou have performed the steps in Turning Off Your Computer and Before Working Inside Your Computer.
lYou have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
lA component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.

Recommended Tools

The instructions in this document may require the following tools:
lSmall flat screwdriver
lPhillips screwdriver
lPlastic scribe
lHex nut driver
lBIOS upgrade CD or the BIOS executable update program available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com

Turning Off Your Computer

1. Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
2. In Microsoft®Windows Vista®, click Start , click the arrow , and then click Shut Down.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.
3. Ensure that the computer is turned off. If your computer did not automatically turn off when you shut down the operating system, press and hold the
power button 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 to ensure your own personal safety.
1. Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer.
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, 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: 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 your computer).
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.
CAUTION: 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.
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.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.