Dell Dimension 4700: Motherboard replacement
Replacing the motherboard on the Dell Dimension 4700 is a fairly difficult procedure because you have to disassemble the computer completely in order to get it done. It's not as difficult as doing it in a laptop, but it's still a tedious task, especially for a person who doesn't have experience with computer repairs. Don't let the idea of replacing a motherboard intimidate you--it's far less intimidating than having Dell tell you that you're better off reaching into your pockets and buying a new computer.
Instructions
1. Back up all the important information on your hard drive on a removable media device (CD or USB drive).
2. Restart the computer and press the "F2" key when the Dell logo appears on-screen to enter the System BIOS. Go through each screen and jot down the the settings for the current hardware configuration of the computer. You'll need this information when you install the new motherboard.
3. Exit the System BIOS and shut down the computer.
4. Remove the power cable and strip the computer of all its external components.
5. Move the computer to an open, flat space and locate the cover release latch on the back wall of the computer.
6. Press the latch down and slide the left cover back to release it and then remove the cover from the computer.
7. Lay the computer on its right side so that the internal components are accessible.
Touch an unpainted metal object to release the static from your body. Do so periodically throughout the procedure.
8. Locate the front panel release lever on the side of the drive cages and press it in to release the front panel. If there isn't a release lever on the computer, locate the top front panel tab and press it in.
9. Press in the middle front panel tab and then swing out the panel. You can then pull off the front panel to access the optical and floppy drives.
10. Disconnect the cables from the back of the optical and floppy drives.
11. Extract the screws on the drive bracket and on the sides of the drives and slide the drives out of the computer.
12. Locate the hard drive at the bottom of the front of the computer and disconnect the cables on it.
13. Extract the screws that secure it and its bracket to the motherboard. There's one hard drive bracket screw on the base of the computer.
14. Remove the hard drive from the bracket.
15. Locate the memory module compartment. Spread the tabs on a memory module and pull it straight out of its connector. Do this for each memory module installed (there are up to four on this computer).
16. Locate the expansion card area and remove the cables from any expansion card that is present.
17.Extract the screw on the expansion card bracket and lift the expansion card straight out of its port. Do this for all expansion cards on the computer.
18. Locate the cooling fan on the back wall of the computer and disconnect the cable from the motherboard.
19. Lift the fan shroud, press in on the fan release tab on the side of the fan, and remove it from the computer. The heat sink is exposed now.
20. Press the tabs on the heat sink retention module and remove it.
21. Pull out the tab on the heat sink retainer and the heat sink will pop up. Lift the heat sink out of the computer and lay it on its side. The processor is now exposed.
22. Pull down on the processor release lever and lift the cover on the processor.
23. Lift the processor straight off its connector.
24. Extract the four screws around the power connector on the back of the computer and remove the power supply, which is on the opposite side of the back wall from the connector.
25. Locate the coin-cell battery near the expansion card connectors. The coin-cell battery is shaped like a coin. Remove it from the computer.
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Disconnect the cables from the motherboard.
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Extract the 12 screws from all around the motherboard and remove the motherboard from the computer.
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Install the replacement motherboard by following the procedure in reverse order until the computer is completely assembled.
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Start up the computer and go back into the System BIOS. Go through all the screens and input all the information you jotted down in Step 2.
Tags: expansion card, front panel, heat sink, from computer, hard drive, back wall