Learn to replace your Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop's motherboard.
Your laptop's motherboard is the main circuit board where all your hardware connects with the computer. Motherboard replacement is a task reserved for certified laptop technicians. However, if you feel you must replace your Dell Inspiron's motherboard, you should understand the risks involved. Removing your old motherboard requires that you disassemble the outer casing and remove all hardware. Dell's warranty agreement will not cover any damage caused to your computer in the disassembly procedure.
Instructions
1. Use your laptop's current operating system to shut down the computer. Close the LCD screen and disconnect all power cables and devices from the laptop. Flip the laptop over so it is facing downward over a flat surface.
2. Orient the computer so the front edge is facing you. Locate the battery compartment in the laptop's upper right corner. Press down on the battery release button and slide it to the left. Lift the battery pack out of its compartment.
3. Locate the hard drive situated beneath the empty battery compartment. Remove the two retaining Phillips-head screws from the drive. Grasp the face of the hard drive and pull it out of its compartment.
4. Remove the Phillips-head screw securing the CD/DVD drive to the laptop's bottom right corner. Insert a small, flat-head screwdriver into the screw hole. Use the screwdriver to disengage the metal indentation securing the drive in place. Grasp the drive's face plate and pull it out of the drive compartment.
5. Locate and remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the memory cover to the center of the laptop's bottom casing. Remove the cover from the laptop. There are two memory modules that sit side-by-side. Remove both modules by spreading the retaining latches on each side of the modules. Tilt each module at an angle, and then pull each module off their memory slots.
6. Locate the modem module cover in the upper left corner of the laptop. Remove the Phillips-head screws that are securing the cover in place. Remove the cover. Disconnect the modem cable from the left side of the modem. Then remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the modem module to the motherboard. Lift the modem out of its compartment. Disconnect the modem cable from the motherboard and remove it.
7. Locate the wireless card inside the modem compartment. Disconnect the two antenna cables from the card. Then spread the retaining latches on each side of the card. Tilt the card at an angle, and then pull it out of its compartment.
8. Place the laptop face up and open the LCD screen as far as it will go. Insert a small flat-head screwdriver into the right side of the keyboard bezel. The bezel is a small plastic strip situated above the keyboard assembly. Gently pry the bezel from the computer with the screwdriver.
9. Remove the two Phillips-head screws from the keyboard, and then place the keyboard face down over the laptop's surface. Disconnect the keyboard's ribbon cable from its connection on the motherboard. Remove the keyboard from the laptop completely.
10. Locate the LCD ribbon cable extending from the screen's left side. Disconnect the cable from the motherboard by pulling straight up on the black pull-tab. Remove the two Phillips-head screws from each LCD hinge screw. Carefully remove the screen from the laptop's base.
11. Flip the laptop's base over so it is facing downward. Remove the remaining Phillips-head screws from the bottom casing. Place the laptop's base face up again. Remove the remaining Phillips-head screws from the top casing. Disconnect the two visible cables from their motherboard connectors. Note where and how they are connected for when you reassemble the laptop. Remove the top casing from the laptop and set it aside.
12. Locate the heat sink assembly in the upper left corner of the motherboard. Remove its four retaining Phillips-head screws. Remove the heat sink from the motherboard. This reveals the processor. Turn the processors flat-head locking screw in the counter clockwise direction until it disengages from its socket. Remove the processor from its socket and set it aside.
13. Disconnect all visible cables from the motherboard and remove the remaining Phillips-head screws securing the motherboard to the bottom casing. Grasp the bottom edge of the motherboard and gently pull it forward to disengage the power and data ports from the access holes. Lift the old motherboard out of the bottom casing and set it aside.
14. Reverse this procedure to install the new motherboard.
Tags: Phillips-head screws, from laptop, Phillips-head screws from, screws from, bottom casing, cable from, from motherboard