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Before You Begin
Dell™ Precision™ M4300 Service Manual
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
This chapter 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
Turning Off Your Computer
and
Before Working Inside Your Computer
.
l
You have followed the safety information in the
Product Information Guide.
l
A component can be replaced 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
Hex nut driver
l
Flash BIOS-update program CD
Turning Off Your Computer
1.
Shut down the operating system:
a.
Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
b.
In the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP operating system
, click
Start
®
Shut Down
®
Shut down
.
In Microsoft
®
Windows Vista™,
click the Windows Vista Start button
, click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown
below, and then click
Shut Down
.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is complete.
Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down
your operating system, press and hold the power button for about 4 seconds to turn them off.
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.
NOTICE:
To avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn off your computer.
CAUTION:
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
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.
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:
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, 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 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.
NOTICE:
To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.
