Working on your computer
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 the reverse order.
WARNING:
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.
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 at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance
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 that is grounded to ground yourself before you touch the computer to perform any disassembly tasks.
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:
The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document.
Before working inside your computer
1
Ensure that your work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
2
Turn off your computer.
3
Disconnect all network cables from the computer (if available).
CAUTION:
If your computer has an RJ45 port, disconnect the network cable by first unplugging the cable from your
computer.
4
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
5
Open the display.
6
Press and hold the power button for few seconds, to ground the system board.
CAUTION:
To guard against electrical shock unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before performing Step #
8.
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.
7
Remove any installed ExpressCards or Smart Cards from the appropriate slots.
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Working on your computer
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