vii
When Working Inside Your Computer
Before you remove the computer cover, perform the fol-
lowing steps in the sequence indicated:
1.
Turn off your computer and any peripherals.
2.
Disconnect your computer and peripherals from
their power sources. Also, disconnect any
telephone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or
shock.
3.
Touch an unpainted metal surface on the chassis,
such as the power supply at the back of the
computer, before touching anything inside your
computer.
While you work, periodically touch an unpainted
metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate
any static electricity that might harm internal
components.
In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when
appropriate:
•
Do not attempt to service the computer system your-
self, except as explained in this guide and elsewhere
in Dell documentation. Always follow installation
and servicing instructions closely.
•
When removing a component from the system board
or disconnecting a peripheral device from the
computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the system
before removing the component or disconnecting the
device to avoid possible damage to the system board.
•
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector
or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself.
Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if
you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on
the locking tabs before disconnecting the cable. As
you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned
to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before
you connect a cable, make sure both connectors are
correctly oriented and aligned.
•
Handle components and cards with care. Don’t 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 microprocessor chip by its
edges, not by its pins.
Protecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge
Static electricity can harm delicate components inside
your computer. To prevent static damage, discharge static
electricity from your body before you touch any of your
computer’s electronic components, such as the micro-
processor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal
surface on the computer chassis.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodi-
cally touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any
static charge your body may have accumulated.
In addition to the preceding precautions, you can also
take the following steps to prevent damage from electro-
static discharge (ESD):
•
When unpacking a static-sensitive component from
its shipping carton, do not remove the component’s
antistatic packing material until you are ready to
install the component in your computer. Just before
unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure to dis-
charge static electricity from your body.
•
When transporting a sensitive component, first place
it in an antistatic container or packaging.
•
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area.
If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench
pads.
The following caution appears throughout this document
to remind you of these precautions:
CAUTION: See “Protecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge” in the safety instructions at the front of
this guide.
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