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System Board

Dell™ Inspiron™ 9300 Service Manual

  Removing the System Board

  Replacing the System Board

Removing the System Board

CAUTION: Before you begin the following procedure, see the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as the back panel) on the computer.

NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the main battery before you begin working inside the computer.

The system board's BIOS chip contains the Service Tag, which is also visible on a barcode label on the bottom of the computer. The replacement kit for the system board includes a CD that provides a utility for transferring the Service Tag to the replacement system board.

1. Follow the instructions in "Before Working Inside Your Computer."
   
   
2. Remove the hard drive.
   
   
3. Remove the optical drive.
   
   
4. Remove the memory module(s).
   
   
5. Remove the modem.
   
   
6. Disconnect the modem cable from the system board.
   
   

1	modem cable connector on system board
2	modem cable

7. Remove the Mini PCI card.
   
   
8. Remove the hinge cover.
   
   
9. Remove the keyboard.
   
   
10. Remove the display assembly.
    
    
11. Remove the palm rest.
    
    

NOTE: It is not required but is highly recommended that you remove the system fans to allow easier access to the system board.

12. Disconnect the PC Card connector from the system board.
    
    
13. Remove the remaining M2.5 x 5-mm screw holding the stiffener bracket in place, and remove the stiffener bracket.
    
    

1	PC Card connector
2	M2.5 x 5-mm stiffener bracket screw
3	stiffener bracket
4	PC Card connector on system board

1	USB connector
2	cable connector for internal card with Bluetooth wireless technology
3	speaker connector
4	subwoofer connector

14. Disconnect the speaker connector from the system board.
    
    
15. Disconnect the connector for the internal card with Bluetooth® wireless technology from the system board.
    
    
16. Disconnect the subwoofer connector from the system board.
    
    
17. Disconnect the USB port board connector from the system board.
    
    
18. Disconnect both fan connectors from the system board.
    
    
19. Remove the video card/thermal cooling assembly.
    
    

NOTE: Remove the video card/thermal cooling assembly as a single unit. Do not separate the thermal cooling unit (heat sink) from the video card.

20. Remove the MCH heat sink.
    
    
21. Remove the microprocessor thermal-cooling assembly.
    
    
22. Remove the microprocessor.
    
    
23. Remove the three M2.5 x 5-mm screws from the system board.
    
    

1	system board M2.5 x 5-mm screws (3)

24. Remove the system board, slowly easing the connectors out of their access holes on the back and side of the computer base:
    
    
    1. With the back of the computer facing you, grasp the upper-right corner of the system board and lift it slightly.
       
       
    2. Pull the system board assembly away from you toward the front of the computer and slightly to the right; at the same time, use your left hand to release the audio connectors by pulling the side of the computer base slightly to the left.
       
       

1	system board

Replacing the System Board

1. Perform all of the steps in "Removing the System Board" in reverse order.
   
   

NOTICE: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.

2. Turn on the computer.
   
   

NOTE: If you use a BIOS update program CD to flash the BIOS, press <F12> before inserting the CD so that you can set up the computer to boot from a CD this one time only. Otherwise, you must enter the system setup program to change the default boot order.

3. Insert the flash BIOS update program CD that accompanied the replacement system board into the optical drive. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen. See "Flashing the BIOS" for further information.
   
   
4. Enter the system setup program to update the BIOS on the new system board with the computer Service Tag.
   
   

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