The Dell Dimension 4550 desktop computer uses a motherboard that is compatible with the Intel D845PESV motherboard. If your 4550's original motherboard fails, you can purchase a replacement board and transfer the motherboard components to the new board. Though the process isn't complicated, you will be working with delicate components, such as the CPU and memory modules, and you will need to be cautious to avoid damaging the system.
Instructions
1. Turn off the computer and disconnect all external devices and cables. Press the power button to ground the system board.
2. Lay the computer on its left side as you are facing the rear panel. Press the cover release buttons on the top and bottom of the computer case and lift the cover up, rotating it toward the front of the computer.
3. Attach an anti-static wrist strap to your arm and to an unpainted metal part on the computer chassis.
4. Use a digital camera to take a photograph of the motherboard so you can reconnect the cables correctly to the new board. If you don't have access to a camera, make a diagram and label all of the cables. Detach the power cables and any other connections from the motherboard.
5. Press the tab on the card retention arm and lift the arm to unlock any PCI or AGP cards from the rear panel. Lift the retainer tab on the front edge of the motherboard and slide the motherboard toward the front of the computer so the rear connectors clear the case. Lift the motherboard, attached to its metal tray, out of the computer.
6. Lay the old and new motherboards side-by-side on a table. Remove the screws that attach the old motherboard to the metal tray and remove the motherboard. Place the new motherboard into the tray and replace the screws. Configure the jumper settings on the new motherboard so they match those on the old one.
7. Remove the AGP graphics card from the old board, if present, by pressing the metal clip toward the card slot and pulling the card up and out of the slot. Press the metal clip and insert the card into the AGP slot on the new motherboard. Release the clip to lock the card into place. If the card has a cable connection, connect it to the motherboard.
8. Remove any PCI cards from the old motherboard by pulling them straight up out of their slot. Don't forget to disconnect any cables that attach the cards to the motherboard, if present. Insert the cards into the new motherboard by pressing them straight down into their slots. Reconnect the cables, if present.
9. Spread the metal clips on the memory module slots outward to unlock the modules. Lift the modules straight up out of the slots. Insert the modules into the slots on the new motherboard and press them straight down until the metal tabs engage, locking the modules into place.
10. Rotate the green lever next to the heat sink so its parallel to the motherboard. Lift the heat sink up off the motherboard. you may have to gently rock the heat sink assembly back and forth to break the seal formed by the heat transfer grease. Clean any heat transfer grease residue from the bottom of the heat sink and the top of the processor.
11. Lift the CPU locking lever so it points straight up and gently pull the CPU out of its socket. Insert the CPU into its slot on the new motherboard and rotate the lever down to lock it into place.
12. Apply a thin layer of heat transfer grease to the top of the processor and seat the heat sink assembly on the CPU. Rotate the green lever up to lock the heat sink in place.
13. Slide the motherboard assembly into the computer from the front to the rear. There are tabs on the bottom of the tray that should slide into notches on the computer case. Make sure the connectors on the motherboard fit into the openings on the rear of the computer and that the AGP and PCI cards line up with the slots on the rear panel. When the motherboard is fully seated, the metal tab will click into place, securing the board. Rotate the card retention arm down to secure the cards to the rear panel.
14. Reconnect the power cables and other connectors to the motherboard. Rotate the computer cover down into place.
15. Reconnect the power cables and external devices.
Tags: heat sink, into place, rear panel, heat transfer, heat transfer grease, power cables, them straight