Working inside 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 you have read the safety information that shipped
with your computer.
NOTE:
Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety
best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance
.
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 electrical outlet.
CAUTION:
To avoid damaging the computer, ensure that the work surface is flat and clean.
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:
You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical
assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the
safety instructions that shipped with the product or at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance
CAUTION:
Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically 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 static electricity, which could harm internal
components.
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 or thumb-screws that you must disengage before disconnecting
the cable. When disconnecting cables, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. When
connecting cables, ensure that the ports and connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
CAUTION:
Press and eject any installed card from the media-card reader.
NOTE:
The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document.
Before working inside your computer
NOTE:
The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered.
Before you begin
Steps
1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2. Shut down your computer. Click
Start
>
Power
>
Shut down
.
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Working inside your computer
