108 Adding and Replacing Parts
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.
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your
warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
NOTICE: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, 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.
1
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
2
Turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page107).
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the
network wall connector.
3
Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.
4
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main battery before you service the computer.
5
Remove the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 33).
6
Press the power button to ground the system board.
7
Remove any installed ExpressCards or PC Cards (see "Removing a Card or Blank" on page61).
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 you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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 turned 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 thanDell.
NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell, you need to install an operating system,
drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive.
1
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page107.