Dell Inspiron M5040/15-N5040/ 15-N5050/3520 Owner’s Manual Regulatory model: P18F Regulatory type: P18F001; P18F002; P18F003
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. ____________________ © 2011-2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, and Inspiron™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Contents 1 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Before Working Inside Your Computer 2 3 Battery . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Removing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 6 7 Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Replacing the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Wireless Mini-Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Replacing the Mini-Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Palm-Rest Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly . 9 4 Power Button Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Removing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 11 USB Board . Removing the USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Replacing the USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 12 Thermal Cooling Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Removing the Thermal Cooling Assembly . . . . . . .
15 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Display Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Replacing the Display Assembly . . . . . . . . . . 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Removing the Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Replacing the Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Removing the Display Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Replacing the Display Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 16 Camera Module . . . . .
Contents 7
Contents
1 Before You Begin This manual provides procedures for removing and installing components in your computer. Before you begin any procedure in this book, ensure that: • You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 10 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 10. • You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer. • A component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in the reverse order.
Turning Off Your Computer CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer. 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. 2 Shut down your computer. • Windows8 Move your mouse pointer to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to open the Charms sidebar, and then click Settings→ Power→ Shut down. • Windows7 Click Start and then click Shut Down.
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable.
Before You Begin
2 Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
3 2 1 1 battery release latch 3 battery lock latch 2 battery Replacing the Battery 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Slide the battery into the battery bay until it clicks into place. 3 Slide the battery lock latch to the lock position.
3 Keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 2 3 1 plastic scribe 3 keyboard 2 tabs (4) CAUTION: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard. 5 Carefully turn the keyboard over and place it on the palm rest assembly. 6 Lift the connector latch that secures the keyboard cable to the connector on the system board and remove the keyboard cable. 7 Lift the keyboard off the computer.
1 2 1 keyboard cable 2 keyboard Replacing the Keyboard 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Slide the keyboard cable into the connector on the system board. Press down on the connector latch to secure the keyboard cable to the connector on the system board. 3 Slide the tabs on the keyboard into the slots on the palm rest. 4 Gently press around the edges of the keyboard to lock the four tabs securing the keyboard. 5 Close the display and turn the computer over.
Keyboard
4 Memory Module(s) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 3 2 1 memory-module connector 3 memory module 2 securing clips (2) Replacing the Memory Module(s) CAUTION: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled “DIMM A” before you install a memory module in the connector labeled “DIMM B.” 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Align the notch in the memory module with the tab in the memory-module connector.
2 1 1 tab 2 notch 4 Replace the keyboard. See "Replacing the Keyboard" on page 17. 5 Replace the battery, see "Replacing the Battery" on page 14, or connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet. CAUTION: 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. 6 Turn on the computer.
Memory
5 Optical Drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 2 3 4 1 plastic scribe 2 screw 3 optical drive 4 notch Replacing the Optical Drive 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Slide the optical drive into the optical-drive compartment until it is fully seated. 3 Replace the screw that secures the optical drive to the computer base. 4 Replace the keyboard. See "Replacing the Keyboard" on page 17. 5 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Optical Drive" on page 24.
6 Wireless Mini-Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 3 2 1 screw 3 Mini-Card 2 antenna cables (2) 6 Lift the Mini-Card out of the connector on the system board.
CAUTION: When the Mini-Card is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging. For more information, see "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety information that shipped with your computer. Replacing the Mini-Card 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Remove the new Mini-Card from its packaging. CAUTION: Use firm and even pressure to slide the card into place. If you use excessive force, you may damage the connector.
4 Press the other end of the Mini-Card down into the slot on the system board and replace the screw that secures the Mini-Card to the system board. 5 Connect the appropriate antenna cables to the Mini-Card you are installing. The following table provides the antenna cable color scheme for the Mini-Cards supported by your computer. Connectors on the Mini-Card Antenna Cable Color Scheme WLAN (2 antenna cables) Main WLAN (white triangle) white Auxiliary WLAN (black triangle) black 6 Replace the keyboard.
7 Palm-Rest Assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
4 Remove the keyboard. See "Removing the Keyboard" on page 15. 5 Remove the two screws on the palm-rest assembly. CAUTION: Pull on the plastic tab on top of the connectors to avoid damaging the connectors. 6 Lift the connector latch that secures the power-button board cable and touch-pad cable to the connectors on the system board and remove the cables.
1 1 power-button board cable 2 2 touch-pad cable CAUTION: Carefully separate the palm rest from the computer base to avoid damage to the palm rest. 7 Using a plastic scribe, carefully pry out the palm-rest assembly and then ease the palm-rest assembly from the computer base 8 Lift the palm-rest assembly off the computer base.
2 1 1 palm-rest assembly 2 plastic scribe 9 Remove the power button board. See "Removing the Power Button Board" on page 35. Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Replace the power button board. See "Replacing the Power Button Board" on page 36. 3 Align the palm-rest assembly on the computer base and gently snap the palm-rest assembly into place.
7 Replace the 11 screws that secure the palm-rest assembly to the computer base. 8 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14. CAUTION: 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.
Palm-Rest Assembly
8 Power Button Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 5 4 2 3 1 alignment post 2 tabs (2) 3 power-button board cable 4 power button board 5 screw Replacing the Power Button Board 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Using the alignment post, place the power button board on the palm rest assembly and snap it into place. 3 Replace the screw that secures the power button board to the palm rest. 4 Turn the palm-rest assembly over. 5 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 7 in "Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 32.
9 Hard Drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer.
4 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 8 in "Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 29. 5 Slide the hard drive to the right to disconnect it from the connector on the system board. 6 Lift the hard drive out of the computer base.
1 1 hard drive Replacing the Hard Drive 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Remove the new hard drive from its packaging. Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive. 3 Place the hard drive on the computer base. 4 Push the hard drive towards the left to connect it to the connector on the system board. 5 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 7 in "Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 32. 6 Replace the two screws to the computer base.
Hard Drive
10 Coin-Cell Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
1 2 1 plastic scribe 2 coin-cell battery Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 With the positive side up, snap the coin-cell battery into the battery socket on the system board. 3 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 7 in "Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 32. 4 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14.
11 USB Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer.
1 2 3 1 USB-board cable 3 tabs (2) 2 USB board Replacing the USB Board 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Slide the connectors on the USB board into the slots on the computer base and snap the USB board into place. 3 Slide the USB-board cable into the connector on the USB board. Press down on the connector latch to secure the USB-board cable to the connector on the USB board. 4 Replace the hard drive. See "Replacing the Hard Drive" on page 39.
Thermal Cooling Assembly 12 WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
4 3 2 1 1 captive screws (4) 2 thermal cooling assembly 3 fan cable 4 display cable Replacing the Thermal Cooling Assembly 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Align the four captive screws on the thermal cooling assembly with the screw holes on the system board and tighten the screws in sequential order (indicated on the thermal cooling assembly). 3 Connect the fan cable to the connector on the system board.
13 Processor Module (For Inspiron 15-N5050/15-N5040 Only) WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: When removing the processor module, pull the module straight up. Be careful not to bend the pins on the processor module. 6 Lift the processor module from the ZIF socket. 3 1 1 processor module 3 ZIF-socket cam screw 2 2 ZIF socket Replacing the Processor Module 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2 Align the pin-1 corner of the processor module with the pin-1 corner of the ZIF socket, then insert the processor module. NOTE: The pin-1 corner of the processor module has a triangle that aligns with the triangle on the pin-1 corner of the ZIF socket. When the processor module is properly seated, all four corners are aligned at the same height. If one or more corners of the module are higher than the others, the module is not seated properly.
Processor Module (For Inspiron 15-N5050/15-N5040 Only)
14 Hinge Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
4 Turn the computer over. 5 Pry the hinge cover off the computer base.
1 hinge cover Replacing the Hinge Cover 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Align the tabs on the hinge cover with the slots on the computer base and snap the hinge cover into place. 3 Turn the computer over. 4 Replace the screw that secures the hinge cover to the computer base. 5 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14. CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer.
Hinge Cover
Display 15 WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
4 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 8 in "Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 29. 5 Remove the hinge cover. See "Removing the Hinge Cover" on page 51. 6 Disconnect the display cable from the connector on the system board.
1 1 display cable 7 Disconnect the Mini-Card antenna cables from the connectors on the Mini-Card. See "Removing the Mini-Card" on page 25. 8 Make a note of the display cable and Mini-Card antenna cables routing and remove the cables from the routing guides. 9 Remove the four screws (two on each side) that secure the display assembly to the computer base. 10 Lift and remove the display assembly out of the computer base.
1 2 1 display assembly 2 screws (4) Replacing the Display Assembly 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Place the display assembly in position and replace the four screws (two on each side) that secure the display assembly to the computer base. 3 Route the display cable and Mini-Card antenna cables through the routing guides. 4 Connect the Mini-Card antenna cables to the Mini-Card. See "Replacing the Mini-Card" on page 27.
8 Replace the two screws to the computer base. 9 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14. CAUTION: 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. Display Bezel Removing the Display Bezel 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Remove the display assembly. See "Removing the Display Assembly" on page 55.
Replacing the Display Bezel 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Realign the display bezel over the display panel and gently snap into place. 3 Replace the display assembly. See "Replacing the Display Assembly" on page 58. CAUTION: 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.
1 2 6 3 4 5 1 camera cable 2 screws (6) 3 display panel 4 display cover 5 display cable 6 Mini-Card antenna cables 7 Lift the display panel off the display cover. 8 Remove the four screws (two on each side) that secure the display-panel brackets to the display panel.
1 2 1 screws (4) 2 display-panel brackets (2) 9 Turn the display panel over and place it on a clean surface. 10 Peel and lift the tape that secures the display cable to the display-board connector and disconnect the display cable. 11 Make a note of the display cable routing and peel the cable from the back of the display panel.
1 2 3 1 tape 3 display cable 2 display-board connector Replacing the Display Panel 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Attach the display cable to the back of the display panel. 3 Connect the display cable to the display-board connector and secure it with the tape. 4 Align the screw holes on the display bracket with the screw holes on the display panel and replace the four screws (two on each side).
Display
16 Camera Module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
4 3 2 1 1 display cover 2 tabs (2) 3 camera module 4 camera cable Replacing the Camera Module 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Connect the camera cable to the connector on the camera module. 3 Use the alignment posts on the display cover to snap the camera module into position. 4 Replace the display bezel. See "Replacing the Display Bezel" on page 60. 5 Replace the display assembly. See "Replacing the Display Assembly" on page 58. 6 Replace the hinge cover.
17 System Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
10 Remove the processor. See "Removing the Processor Module" on page 47. 11 Remove the Mini-Card. See "Removing the Mini-Card" on page 25. 12 Disconnect the speakers cable, USB-board cable, microphone cable, and AC-adapter cable from the connectors on the system board. 4 3 2 1 1 speakers cable 2 USB-board cable 3 microphone cable 4 AC-adapter cable 13 Remove the two screws that secure the system board to the computer base.
1 2 1 screws (2) 2 system board Replacing the System Board 1 Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9. 2 Slide the connectors on the system board into the slots on the computer base. 3 Replace the two screws that secure the system board to the computer base. 4 Connect the speakers cable, USB-board cable, microphone cable, and AC-adapter cable to the connectors on the system board. 5 Replace the Mini-Card. See "Replacing the Mini-Card" on page 27. 6 Replace the processor.
9 Follow the instructions from step 3 to step 7 in "Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly" on page 32. 10 Replace the optical drive. See "Replacing the Optical Drive" on page 24. 11 Replace the memory module. See "Replacing the Memory Module(s)" on page 20. 12 Replace the keyboard. See "Replacing the Keyboard" on page 17. 13 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14. 14 Replace any removed cards or blanks in the 3-in-1 media card reader.
18 Flashing the BIOS The BIOS may require flashing when an update is available or when replacing the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on the computer. 2 Go to support.dell.com/support/downloads. 3 Locate the BIOS update file for your computer: NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located on a label at the bottom of your computer. If you have your computer’s Service Tag: a Click Enter a Tag.
8 Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the instructions on the screen.