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 begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located 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.
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
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.
1Turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 61).
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
2Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer.
3Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
4Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 62).
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.
Removing the Computer Cover
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
1Shut down the computer through the Start menu (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 61).
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
2Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
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