Working Inside Your Computer 6-75

Chapter 6

Working Inside Your Computer
Your Dell computer system supports a variety of inter-
nal options that expand system capabilities. This chapter
tells you how to remove the computer cover and familiar-
izes you with the internal components you may handle if
you install Dell hardware options.
Before You Begin
To make working inside your computer easier, make sure
you have adequate lighting and a clean work space. If
you should have to disconnect cables or remove expan-
sion cards temporarily, note the location and orientation
of each component so that you can reassemble the system
correctly.
You will use the information in this section every time
you install a hardware option inside your computer. Read
this section carefully, because the information is not
repeated elsewhere in this guide.

Safety First—For You and Your

Computer

Working inside your computer is safe—if you observe the
following precautions:
In addition, Dell recommends that you periodically
review the safety instructions at the front of this guide.
WARNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY
AND PROTECTION OF YOUR EQUIPMENT
Before starting to work on your computer, per-
form the following steps in the sequence
indicated:
1. Turn off your computer and all peripherals.
2. Disconnect your computer and peripherals
from their power sources to reduce the poten-
tial for personal injury or shock. Also,
disconnect any telephone or telecommunica-
tions lines from the computer.
3. If you are disconnecting a peripheral from the
computer or are removing a component from
the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning
off the computer before disconnecting the
peripheral or removing the component to
avoid possible damage to the system board.
4. Touch an unpainted metal surface on the out-
side of the computer chassis before touching
anything inside the computer.
While you work, periodically touch an
unpainted metal surface on the computer
chassis to dissipate any static electricity that
might harm internal components.