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 dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels.
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove the computer cover and access any of the components inside the computer. See the safety instructions for complete information about safety precautions, working inside your computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge. CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer.
After Working Inside Your Computer After you complete replacement procedures, ensure the following: • Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer • Connect any external devices, cables, cards, and any other part(s) you removed before working on your computer •...
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Switch Slide the switch release latch to the side.
Replacing the Switch Align the tabs at the bottom of the switch with the slots on the display cover and snap the switch into place. NOTE: Ensure that the tabs on the switch are secured in the slots on the display cover.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Battery Close the display and turn the computer over.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Keyboard Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure CAUTION: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard. Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Using a plastic scribe, release the keyboard from the tabs on the palm rest and ease the keyboard up until it clears off the palm rest.
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Carefully turn the keyboard over and place it on the palm rest. Lift the connector latch and pull the pull-tab to disconnect the keyboard cable from the system-board connector. Lift the keyboard away from the computer. 1 keyboard cable 2 connector latch 3 tabs (6) Keyboard...
Replacing the Keyboard Procedure Slide the keyboard cable into the system-board connector and press down on the connector latch to secure the cable. Slide the tabs at the bottom of the keyboard into the slots on the palm rest and place the keyboard on the palm rest.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Base Cover Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
Replacing the Base Cover Procedure Slide the tabs on the base cover into the slots on the computer base and snap the base cover into place. Tighten the captive screws that secure the base cover to the computer base. Postrequisites Replace the battery.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Memory Module(s) Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
Replacing the Memory Module(s) Procedure CAUTION: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMM A" before you install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMM B." Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module connector.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the hard drive while the computer is On or in Sleep state.
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Procedure Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the computer base. Slide the hard-drive assembly toward the side of the computer to disconnect it from the system-board connector. Lift the hard-drive assembly off the computer base. Inspiron 17R-7720 screws (4) hard-drive assembly Inspiron 17R-5720/Inspiron 17R-7720...
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Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive. Lift the hard-drive bracket off the hard drive. Inspiron 17R-7720 screws (4) hard drive hard-drive bracket Inspiron 17R-5720/Inspiron 17R-7720 screws (4) hard drive hard-drive bracket Hard Drive(s)
Replacing the Hard Drive(s) Procedure Remove the new hard drive from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive. Align the screw holes on the hard drive-bracket with the screw holes on the hard drive. Replace the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Optical Drive Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Carefully pry the optical-drive bezel and remove it from the optical-drive assembly. Remove the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. Remove the optical-drive bracket. optical-drive bezel optical drive optical-drive bracket screws (2) Optical Drive...
Replacing the Optical Drive Procedure Align the screw holes on the optical-drive bracket with the screw holes on the optical drive. Replace the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. Align the tabs on the optical-drive bezel with the slots on the optical-drive assembly and snap the optical-drive bezel into place.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for wireless Mini-Cards from sources other than Dell. If you ordered a wireless Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed.
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Procedure Disconnect the antenna cables from the connectors on the Mini-Card. Remove the screw that secures the Mini-Card to the system-board connector. antenna cables (2) Mini-Card screw system-board connector Lift the Mini-Card out of the system-board connector. CAUTION: When the Mini-Card is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging.
Replacing the Wireless Mini-Card Procedure Remove the new Mini-Card from its packaging. Align the notch on the Mini-Card with the tab on the system-board connector. CAUTION: Use firm and even pressure to slide the Mini-Card into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector. CAUTION: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for mSATA cards from sources other than Dell. If you ordered a mSATA card with your computer, the card is already installed.
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Procedure Remove the screw that secures the mSATA card to the system-board connector. Lift the mSATA card out of the system-board connector. mSATA card screw system-board connector CAUTION: When the mSATA card is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging.
Replacing the mSATA Card Procedure Remove the new mSATA card from its packaging. Align the notch on the mSATA card with the tab on the system-board connector. CAUTION: Use firm and even pressure to slide the mSATA card into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Palm Rest Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Remove the screws that secure the palm rest to the computer base. Lift the connector latches and pull the pull-tabs to disconnect the hot-key board cable, power-button board cable, and touch-pad cable from the connectors on the system board.
Replacing the Palm Rest Procedure Align the palm rest with the computer base and gently snap the palm rest into place. Slide the hot-key board cable, power-button board cable, and touch-pad cable into the connectors on the system board and press down on the connector latches to secure the cables.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The battery may explode if installed incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Procedure CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default. It is recommended that you note the BIOS settings before removing the coin-cell battery. Using a plastic scribe, gently pry out the coin-cell battery out of the battery socket on the system board. plastic scribe 2 coin-cell battery battery socket...
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery Procedure With the positive-side facing up, snap the coin-cell battery into the battery socket on the system board. Postrequisites Replace the palm rest. See "Replacing the Palm Rest" on page 41. Follow the instructions from step 4 to step 5 in "Replacing the Optical Drive" on page 29.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Fan Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
Replacing the Fan Procedure Align the screw holes on the fan with the screw holes on the computer base. Replace the screws that secure the fan to computer base. Connect the fan cable to the system-board connector. Postrequisites Replace the palm rest. See "Replacing the Palm Rest" on page 41. Follow the instructions from step 4 to step 5 in "Replacing the Optical Drive"...
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the LAN Board Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Remove the screws that secure the LAN board to the computer base. Carefully turn the LAN board over. Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the LAN-board cable from the LAN-board connector. Remove the LAN board away from the computer base. 1 screws (2) 2 LAN board 3 LAN-board cable...
Replacing the LAN Board Procedure Connect the LAN-board cable to the LAN-board connector. Carefully turn the LAN board over and align the screw holes on the LAN board with the screw holes on the computer base. Replace the screws that secure the LAN board to the computer base. Postrequisites Replace the palm rest.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the LAN-USB Cable Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the USB-board cable from the USB-board connector. Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the LAN-USB cable from the system-board connector. Make a note of the LAN-USB cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides on the computer base.
Replacing the LAN-USB Cable Procedure Adhere the LAN-USB cable to the computer base. Route the LAN-USB cable through the routing guides on the computer base. Connect the LAN-USB cable to the system-board connector. Connect the USB-board cable to the USB-board connector. Postrequisites Replace the LAN board.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the USB Board Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the USB-board cable from the USB-board connector. Remove the screw that secures the USB board to the computer base. Lift the USB board away from the computer base. 1 USB-board cable 2 USB board 3 pull-tab 4 screw USB Board...
Replacing the USB Board Procedure Align the screw hole on the USB board with the screw hole on the computer base. Replace the screw that secures the USB board to the computer base. Connect the USB-board cable to the USB-board connector. Postrequisites Replace the palm rest.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Display Assembly Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Close the display and turn the computer over. Disconnect the antenna cables from the connectors on the Mini-Card. See "Removing the Wireless Mini-Card" on page 31. Make a note of the antenna cables routing and remove the cables from the routing guides.
Replacing the Display Assembly Procedure Place the display assembly in position and replace the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. Route the display cable through the routing guides and connect the display cable to the system-board connector. Route the antenna cables through the routing guides and slide the cables through the slot on the computer base.
Removing the Display Bezel Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13. Remove the keyboard. See "Removing the Keyboard" on page 15. Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 19. Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in "Removing the Optical Drive" on page 27.
Replacing the Display Bezel Procedure Align the display bezel over the display panel and gently snap it into place. Postrequisites Replace the display assembly. See "Replacing the Display Assembly" on page 63. Replace the palm rest. See "Replacing the Palm Rest" on page 41. Follow the instructions from step 4 to step 5 in "Replacing the Optical Drive"...
Removing the Display Panel Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13. Remove the keyboard. See "Removing the Keyboard" on page 15. Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 19. Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in "Removing the Optical Drive" on page 27.
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Peel and lift the tape that secures the display cable to the display-board connector and then disconnect the display cable. Peel the display cable from the back of the display panel. 1 tape 2 display-board connector 3 display cable Display...
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Turn the display panel over and place it on a clean surface. Remove the screws that secure the display-panel brackets to the display panel. 1 display-panel brackets (2) 2 screws (4) 3 display panel Display...
Replacing the Display Panel Procedure Align the screw holes on the display-panel brackets with the screw holes on the display panel and replace the screws that secure the display-panel brackets to the display panel. Turn the display panel over. Adhere the display cable to the back of the display panel. Connect the display cable to the display-board connector and secure it with the tape.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Camera Module Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Remove the screws that secure the display panel to the display cover. Carefully lift the display panel and turn it over. 1 screws (10) 2 display panel 3 display cover Camera Module...
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Pry the camera module from the display cover. Turn the camera module over. Peel and lift the tape that secures the camera cable to the camera module. Disconnect the camera cable from the camera-module connector. Lift the camera module off the display cover. 1 camera module 2 camera cable 3 tape...
Replacing the Camera Module Procedure Connect the camera cable to the camera-module connector and secure it with the tape. Use the alignment posts on the display cover to place the camera module in position and adhere the camera module to the display cover. Align the screw holes on the display panel with the screw holes on the display cover.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the System Board Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS after you replace the system board. NOTE: Before disconnecting the cables from the system board, note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect them correctly after you replace the system-board assembly.
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Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the display cable and LAN-USB cable from the connectors on the system board. Disconnect the speakers cable from the system-board connector. Remove the screws that secure the system-board assembly to the computer base.
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Turn the system-board assembly over along with the power-adapter port cable. Disconnect the power-adapter port cable from the system-board connector. 1 power-adapter port 2 power-adapter port cable Remove the heat sink. See "Removing the Heat Sink" on page 81. Remove the processor. See "Removing the Processor" on page 85. System Board...
Replacing the System Board Procedure Replace the processor. See "Replacing the Processor" on page 87. Replace the heat sink. See "Replacing the Heat Sink" on page 83. Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system-board connector. Turn the system-board assembly over. Slide the connectors on the system-board assembly into the slots on the computer base.
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS Turn on the computer. Press <F2> during POST to enter the system setup program. Navigate to the main tab and enter the Service Tag in the Service Tag Setting field. System Board...
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Heat Sink Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure In sequential order (indicated on the heat sink), loosen the captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board. Lift the heat sink off the system board. 1 heat sink 2 captive screws (4) Heat Sink...
Replacing the Heat Sink Procedure NOTE: The original thermal grease can be reused, if the original system board and heat sink are reinstalled together. If either the system board or the heat sink is replaced, use the thermal pad provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Processor Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure To loosen the ZIF socket, use a small, flat-blade screwdriver and rotate the ZIF- socket cam screw counterclockwise until it comes to the cam stop. CAUTION: To ensure maximum cooling for the processor, do not touch the heat transfer areas on the processor thermal cooling assembly. The oils in your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal pads.
Replacing the Processor Procedure NOTE: If you install a new processor, a new thermal assembly including an affixed thermal pad or a new thermal pad along with documentation to illustrate proper installation is shipped. Align the pin-1 corner of the processor module with the pin-1 corner of the ZIF socket, then insert the processor module.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Power-Adapter Port Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Disconnect the power-adapter port cable from the system-board connector. 1 power-adapter port 2 power-adapter port cable Power-Adapter Port...
Replacing the Power-Adapter Port Procedure Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system-board connector. Postrequisites Follow the instructions from step 4 to step 11 in "Replacing the System Board" on page 79. Replace the fan. See "Replacing the Fan" on page 48 Replace the palm rest.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Speakers Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Make a note of the speakers cable routing and remove it from the routing guides on the computer base. Lift the speakers along with its cable away from the computer base. 1 speakers (2) 2 speakers cable routing Speakers...
Replacing the Speakers Procedure Route the speakers cable through the routing guides on the computer base. Use the alignment posts on the computer base to place the speakers in position. Postrequisites Follow the instructions from step 5 to step 11 in "Replacing the System Board" on page 79.
"Before You Begin" on page 7. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Removing the Subwoofer Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 13.
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Procedure Make a note of the subwoofer cable routing and remove it from the routing guides on the computer base. Lift the subwoofer along with its cable away from the computer base. 1 subwoofer Subwoofer...
Replacing the Subwoofer Procedure Use the alignment posts on the computer base to place the subwoofer in position. Route the subwoofer cable through the routing guides on the computer base. Postrequisites Follow the instructions from step 5 to step 11 in "Replacing the System Board" on page 79.
• Choose from My Products and Services List • Choose from a list of all Dell products Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen. A list of results appears on the screen. Click BIOS. Click Download File to download the latest BIOS file.