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Before You Begin
Dell™ Latitude™ D531 Service Manual
Recommended Tools
Before Working Inside Your Computer
This section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the
following conditions exist:
l
You have performed the steps in
Before Working Inside Your Computer
.
l
You have read the safety information in the Dell
Product Information Guide.
l
A component can be replaced or
—
if purchased separately
—
installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
l
Small flat-blade screwdriver
l
Phillips screwdriver
l
Small plastic scribe
l
5-mm Hex-nut driver
l
Flash BIOS update program CD
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.
1.
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
2.
Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, then shut down the operating system and turn off all attached devices:
Windows Vista
: Click
Start
, click the arrow
icon, and then click
Shut Down.
Windows XP
:
Start
®
Shut Down
®
Shut down
.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.
3.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
4.
Disconnect all external cables from the computer.
5.
Close the display and turn the computer upside down on a flat work surface.
CAUTION:
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide
.
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:
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:
When disconnecting a cable, pull on the cable's connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with
locking tabs; before disconnecting this type of cable, press inward on the locking tabs to release the connector. When connecting or disconnecting a
cable, ensure that the connectors are correctly oriented and aligned to avoid damage to the connector and/or the connector's pins.
NOTICE:
To avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn off your computer.
NOTE:
Ensure that the computer is off and not in a power management mode. If you cannot shut down the computer using the operating system,
press and hold the power button for 4 seconds.
NOTICE:
To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer, and then unplug it from the network device.
NOTICE:
To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery before working inside the computer.
