crwdns2942213:0crwdne2942213:0
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Slide the left and the right battery release latches to the unlock position.
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Slide the battery and remove it from the computer.
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Press the ExpressCard to release it from the computer.
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Slide the ExpressCard out of the computer.
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Press the keyboard down. Pry the keyboard with the use of a flat-head screwdriver towards the display to reveal the first keyboard retainer.
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Pry up the second keyboard retainer.
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Pry up the third keyboard retainer.
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Pry up the fourth keyboard retainer.
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Pull up the keyboard from the palm rest.
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Release the latch on the system board connector, then disconnect the keyboard cable.
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Loosen the screw that secures the memory door.
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Pry up the memory door near the screw hole, lift and remove it.
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Remove the screw that secures the optical drive to the computer.
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Gently pry the optical drive out of the computer.
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Remove the screws that secure the optical drive bracket.
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Remove the optical drive bracket from the optical drive module.
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Remove the screws in the battery compartment.
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Remove the screws in the optical drive compartment.
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Remove the rubber from the bottom base on the right side.
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Remove the rubber from the bottom base on the left side.
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Remove all the screws from the bottom base.
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Flip the computer around and remove the screws that secures the palm rest.
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Release the latches on the system board connector, then disconnect the touch pad cable and the finger printer cable.
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Release the latch on the system board connector and then disconnect the power button cable.
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Release the latch on the system board connector and then disconnect the hot key cable.
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Pry up the right side of the palm rest.
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Pry up the left side of the palm rest.
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Pry up the sides of the palm rest and remove it from the computer.
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Remove the screws that secure the hinge cover.
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Press down on the hooks highlighted in the image.
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Flip the computer around and remove the hinge cover from the side.
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Remove the screws that secure the display hinge.
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Loosen the screw that secures the low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) cable.
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Disconnect the LVDS cable from the system board.
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Disconnect the wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna cable.
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Remove the screws that secure the left hinge.
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Remove the screws that secure the right hinge.
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Lift the display assembly and remove it from the computer.
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Remove the screw that secures the WLAN card.
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Pull the WLAN card straight out of its socket and remove it.
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Release the latch on the system board and then disconnect the VGA cable.
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Remove the screw that secures the VGA board.
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Remove the VGA board from the chassis.
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Disconnect the system fan cable from the system board.
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Remove the screw that secures the system fan.
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Remove the system fan from the bottom base module.
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Disconnect the DC-in cable connector from the system board.
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Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board.
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Remove the screws that secures the system board.
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Disconnect the system board from the Input/Output panel.
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Lift and remove system board from the chassis.
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Remove the screws that secures the hard drive bracket
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Slide the hard-drive module to release it from the system board
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Remove the hard drive module from the system board.
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Remove the screws that secures the hard-drive bracket on one side.
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Remove the screws that secures the hard-drive bracket on the other side
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Slide the hard drive from the hard-drive bracket.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
crwdns2935221:0crwdne2935221:0
crwdns2935229:04crwdne2935229:0
crwdns2947412:04crwdne2947412:0
Stupidest HDD location EVER! You have to fully disassemble your device for the simple operation.
Who the !&&* designs a hard drive location that requires complete disassembly of the motherboard and the laptop to replace. Horrible, horrible design.
It’s possible to skip removing the display and the WLAN card, which saves a bit of time and trouble. I think I understand why this guide and Dell’s user guide recommend removing these parts, it makes other steps a _little_ easier, but I didn’t find it was worthwhile.
I’ve done this upgrade twice now, and I think the iFixit Opening Tool (along with the spudger) makes this job easier. Besides releasing latches for the palm rest and the memory door, it was very helpful to pry up the System Board from the Input/Output Panel.