Working on your computer
Topics:
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Safety instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and to ensure your personal safety. Unless
otherwise noted, each procedure included in this document assumes that the following conditions exist:
●
You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
●
A component can be replaced or, if purchased separately, installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
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
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.
CAUTION:
To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically
touching an unpainted metal surface at the same time as touching a connector on the back of the 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:
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.
NOTE:
Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels. After you finish working inside the
computer, replace all covers, panels, and screws before connecting to the power source.
NOTE:
The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document.
Before working inside your computer
1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2. Shut down your computer. Click
Start
>
Power
>
Shut down
.
NOTE:
If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down
instructions.
3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
4. Disconnect all attached network devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, and monitor from your computer.
5. Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.
6. After the computer is unplugged, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to ground the system board.
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Working on your computer
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