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System Board

Dell™ Inspiron™ 9400 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 help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery (see Before Working Inside Your Computer) before 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 (see Removing the Hard Drive).
   
   
3. Remove the optical drive (see Optical Drive).
   
   
4. Remove the memory module(s) (see Removing the Memory Module(s)).
   
   
5. Remove the modem (see Removing the Modem).
   
   
6. Remove the Mini-Card (see Mini-Card).
   
   
7. Remove the hinge cover (see Removing the Hinge Cover).
   
   
8. Remove the keyboard (see Keyboard).
   
   
9. Remove the display assembly (see Removing the Display Assembly).
   
   
10. Remove the palm rest (see Removing the Palm Rest).
    
    
11. Disconnect the ExpressCard connector from the connector on the system board.
    
    

1

ExpressCard connector

2

ExpressCard connector on system board

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

12. Disconnect the speaker connector from the system board.
    
    
13. Disconnect the connector for the internal card with Bluetooth® wireless technology from the system board.
    
    
14. Disconnect the subwoofer connector from the system board.
    
    
15. Disconnect the USB-port-board connector from the system board.
    
    
16. Disconnect the fan connector(s) from the system board.
    
    

NOTE: It is not required but is highly recommended that you remove the system fan(s) (see System Fan(s)) to allow easier access to the system board.

17. Remove the video card/thermal-cooling assembly, if present (see Removing 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.

NOTE: Based on the selections that you made when purchasing your computer, the computer may have different video controller configurations. Configurations with a discrete video card include a video card/thermal-cooling assembly. Configurations with an integrated video card do not include a video card/thermal-cooling assembly.

18. Remove the processor thermal-cooling assembly (see Removing the Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly).
    
    
19. Remove the processor (see Removing the Processor Module).
    
    
20. Remove the four M2.5 x 5-mm screws from the system board.
    
    

1	system board M2.5 x 5-mm screws (4)

21. 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 assembly

Replacing the System Board

1. Replace in reverse order all of the components removed in Removing the System Board.
   
   

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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