book.book Page 100 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM

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 perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: When working inside the computer, be aware that the processor heat-sink assembly, power supply, graphics card, and other components may be very hot during normal operation. Be sure that they have sufficient time to cool before you touch them.

NOTICE: 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 damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.

1Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.

2Turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 99).

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the computer.

4Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.

NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.

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Removing and Installing Parts

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Dell GX404, DC01L owner manual Before Working Inside Your Computer, 100