XPS 8900 Service Manual Computer Model: XPS 8900 Regulatory Model: D14M Regulatory Type: D14M002
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2016 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Before working inside your computer............................11 Before you begin ......................................................................................11 Safety instructions....................................................................................11 Recommended tools................................................................................ 12 After working inside your computer..............................14 Technical overview......................................
Removing the chassis fan............................................ 24 Prerequisites........................................................................................... 24 Procedure............................................................................................... 24 Replacing the chassis fan............................................ 26 Procedure............................................................................................... 26 Post-requisites...........................
Removing the wireless card......................................... 36 Prerequisites........................................................................................... 36 Procedure............................................................................................... 36 Replacing the wireless card......................................... 38 Procedure............................................................................................... 38 Post-requisites.............................
Removing the hard-drive cage.....................................50 Prerequisites........................................................................................... 50 Procedure............................................................................................... 50 Replacing the hard-drive cage..................................... 52 Procedure............................................................................................... 52 Post-requisites..................................
Removing the top cover...............................................64 Prerequisites........................................................................................... 64 Procedure............................................................................................... 64 Replacing the top cover...............................................66 Procedure............................................................................................... 66 Post-requisites...........................
Removing the front USB-panel.................................... 77 Prerequisites............................................................................................77 Procedure................................................................................................77 Replacing the front USB-panel.................................... 79 Procedure............................................................................................... 79 Post-requisites...................................
Removing the coin-cell battery.................................... 91 Prerequisites............................................................................................ 91 Procedure................................................................................................ 91 Replacing the coin-cell battery.................................... 93 Procedure............................................................................................... 93 Post-requisites.............................
Post-requisites................................................................................ 103 Clearing CMOS settings........................................................................ 103 Prerequisites....................................................................................104 Procedure........................................................................................104 Post-requisites................................................................................
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 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2 Shut down your computer. The shut-down instruction varies depending on the operating system installed on your computer. – Windows 10: Click Start → Power → Shut down. – Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, click the power icon → Shut down. – Windows 7: Click Start → Shut down.
WARNING: 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. WARNING: 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.
• Flat-head screwdriver • Plastic scribe 13
After working inside your computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1 Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer. 3 Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before working on your computer. 4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
Technical overview WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
System-board components 1 chassis-fan connector (FAN_SYS2) 2 power connector (ATX_CPU) 3 processor cover 4 processor-fan connector (FAN_CPU) 5 memory-module slot (DIMM3) 6 memory-module slot (DIMM1) 7 memory-module slot (DIMM4) 8 memory-module slot (DIMM2) 9 power-button connector (F_PANEL1) 10 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA 1) 11 main-power connector (ATX_SYS_2) 12 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA 2) 16
13 Front2-USB connector (F_USB4) 14 Front-USB connector (F_USB3) 15 Front-USB connector (F_USB2) 16 solid-state drive slot 17 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA 0) 18 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA 4) 19 SATA 6 Gbps drive connector (SATA 3) 20 password-reset jumper (PSWD) 21 front-panel audio connector (F_AUDIOINT_SPKR) 22 CMOS-reset jumper (CMCLR) 23 PCI-Express x16 card slot (SLOT4) 24 PCI-Express x1 card slot (SLOT3) 25 PCI-Express x16 card slot (SLOT1) 26 wireless-card slot (
Removing the computer cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Lay the computer on its side with the computer cover facing up.
Replacing the computer cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer.
Removing the memory modules WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover. Procedure 1 Locate the memory-module slot on the system board.
3 Remove the memory module out of the memory-module slot.
Replacing the memory modules WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 22 Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot.
2 Insert the memory module into the memory-module slot, and press the memory module down until it snaps into position and the securing clips lock in place. NOTE: If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it. 1 securing clips (2) 2 memory module 3 memory-module slot 4 notch Post-requisites Replace the computer cover.
Removing the chassis fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover.
3 Slide and lift the chassis fan off the computer.
Replacing the chassis fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the chassis fan with the screw holes on the chassis.
Removing the front bezel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover. Procedure 1 Place the computer in an upright position.
3 28 Rotate and pull the front bezel away from the front of the computer to release the front-bezel clamps from the front-panel slots.
Replacing the front bezel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align and insert the front-bezel clamps into the front-panel slots.
Removing the graphics-card bracket (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover.
2 Lift the graphics-card bracket off the chassis.
Replacing the graphics-card bracket (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the graphics card (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the graphics-card bracket.
5 34 Press and hold the securing tab on the card connector and then ease the card out of the card slot.
Replacing the graphics card (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Locate the PCI-Express x16 card slot on the system board.
Removing the wireless card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover. Procedure 1 Locate the wireless-card slot on the system board.
5 Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 1 screw 2 wireless-card bracket 3 antenna cables (2) 4 wireless card 5 wireless-card slot (M.
Replacing the wireless card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless mini-card, do not place any cables under it.
Removing the solid-state drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
2 40 Slide and lift the solid-state drive off the system board.
Replacing the solid-state drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
3 Press the other end of the solid-state drive down and replace the screw that secure the solid-state drive to the system board. 1 notch 2 tab 3 solid-state drive slot 4 screw 5 solid-state drive Post-requisites Replace the computer cover.
Removing the solid-state drive board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
2 44 Slide and lift the solid-state drive board off the system board.
Replacing the solid-state drive board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive.
3 Press the other end of the solid-state drive board down and replace the screw that secures the solid-state drive board to the system board. 1 solid-state drive board 2 notch 3 tab 4 screw 5 solid-state drive board slot Post-requisites 1 Replace the solid-state drive. 2 Replace the computer cover.
Removing the primary hard-drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
3 48 Slide the primary hard-drive out of the chassis.
Replacing the primary hard-drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Removing the hard-drive cage WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the primary-hard drive.
3 Slide and lift the hard-drive cage off the chassis.
Replacing the hard-drive cage WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the secondary harddrive (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
2 54 Slide the secondary hard-drive out of the hard-drive cage.
Replacing the secondary harddrive (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Installing the tertiary hard-drive (optional) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
2 Pull the break-away metal plate away from the chassis.
3 Gently slide the tertiary hard-drive into the hard-drive bay through the front of the computer. 1 4 58 tertiary hard-drive Replace the screws that secure the tertiary hard-drive to the chassis.
5 Connect the power and data cables to the tertiary hard-drive.
Replacing the tertiary hard-drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
Replacing the optical drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel.
4 Push and slide out the optical drive through the front of the computer. NOTE: Repeat step 1 to step 3 to remove the secondary optical-drive, if applicable.
Removing the optical drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the optical drive into the optical-drive bay through the front of the computer.
Removing the top cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel.
1 retention clip 2 top cover 65
Replacing the top cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the top cover with the slots on the top panel.
Removing the antenna WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the top cover. 3 Remove the front bezel.
Procedure 1 Note the antenna-cable routing and remove the antenna cables from the routing guides on the chassis. 1 antenna cable 2 routing guide 2 Remove the screws that secure the antenna to the chassis 3 Peel off the tapes that secure the antenna cables to the chassis.
4 Using a plastic scribe, pry the antenna off the chassis.
Replacing the antenna WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Adhere the antenna to the chassis.
Removing the media-card reader WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel. 3 Remove the top cover.
3 72 Slide and lift the media-card reader off the top panel.
Replacing the media-card reader WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the tabs on the media-card reader into the slots on the top panel.
Removing the top I/O-panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel. 3 Remove the top cover.
4 Slide and lift the top I/O-panel from the top panel.
Replacing the top I/O-panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the top I/O-panel with the screw holes on the top panel.
Removing the front USB-panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel.
4 78 Remove the USB-panel cable from the slot on the chassis.
Replacing the front USB-panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the front USB-panel cable into the slot on the chassis.
Removing the power-button module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the front bezel. 3 Remove the top cover.
Procedure NOTE: Note the routing of the cable as you remove it so that you can reroute it correctly after you replace the power-button module. 1 Disconnect the power-button module cable from the system board. For more information, see “System-board components”. 1 2 power-button module 2 power-button module cable Note the power-button module cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides on the chassis.
3 82 Press the tabs on the power-button module and lift the power-button module from the top panel.
Replacing the power-button module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
3 Lift the processor fan and heat-sink assembly off the system board.
Replacing the processor fan and heat-sink assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the processor WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover. 2 Remove the processor fan and heat sink assembly.
3 88 Gently lift the processor and remove it from the processor socket.
Replacing the processor WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
4 Pivot the release-lever down and place it under the tab on the processor cover. 1 processor pin-1 indicator 2 processor 3 alignment tabs (2) 4 alignment post 5 processor-cover notch 6 processor cover 7 release lever Post-requisites 1 Replace the processor fan and heat-sink assembly. 2 Replace the computer cover.
Removing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS setup program’s settings to default.
3 92 Lift the coin-cell battery out of its socket.
Replacing the coin-cell battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the power-supply unit WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover.
4 Lift the power-supply unit off the chassis.
Replacing the power-supply unit WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Removing the system board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Procedure NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program 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. 1 Disconnect all the cables connected to the system board. For more information, see “System-board components”.
Replacing the system board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program 1 Turn on or restart your computer. 2 Press F2 when the Dell logo is displayed to enter the BIOS setup program. 3 Navigate to the Main tab and enter the Service Tag in the Service Tag Input field.
BIOS setup program BIOS Overview CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Before you change BIOS setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS setup program screen information for future reference. Use BIOS setup program to: • Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM, the size of the hard drive, and so on.
Clearing forgotten passwords WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the computer cover.
3 Wait for 5 seconds and then replace the jumper plug in its original location. 1 jumper plug 2 password jumper-pins Post-requisites Replace the computer cover. Clearing CMOS settings WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer.
Prerequisites Remove the computer cover. Procedure 1 Locate the CMOS reset jumper (CMCLR) on the system board. NOTE: For more information on the location of the CMOS jumper, see “System-board components”. 2 Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper-pins (PSWD) and connect it to the CMOS jumper-pins. 3 Wait for 5 seconds and then replace the jumper plug to the password jumperpins (PSWD). 1 jumper plug 3 CMOS jumper-pins Post-requisites Replace the computer cover.
Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on your computer. 2 Go to www.dell.com/support. 3 Click Product support, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the auto-detect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4 Click Drivers & downloads → Find it myself. 5 Select the operating system installed on your computer.
Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Dell Help & Support app Windows 10 Get started app Windows 8.1 Help + Tips app Accessing help in Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 In Windows search, type Help and Support, and press Enter. Accessing help in Windows 7 Click Start → Help and Support.
Contacting Dell To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your country. NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.
