Dell XPS 12 Owner’s Manual Computer model: XPS 9Q33/9Q34 Regulatory model: P20S Regulatory type: P20S002
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. ____________________ © 2013 Dell Inc. Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, and XPS™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Contents Before Working Inside Your Computer Before You Begin . . . Recommended Tools . Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . After Working Inside Your Computer . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Replacing the Base Cover Procedure 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Base Cover . Procedure . . . .
Removing the Speakers . Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the Speakers . Procedure . . . Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Coin-Cell Battery . Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . .
Removing the Power-Adapter Port Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the Power-Adapter Port Procedure . . . Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the System Board . Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the Windows-Button Board Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the Windows-Button Board Procedure . . . Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Display Panel Prerequisites. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . .
Before Working Inside Your Computer Before You Begin CAUTION: To avoid data loss, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before turning off your computer. 1 Save and close all open files, exit all open programs, and turn off your computer. Microsoft Windows 8: Point to the lower/upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms sidebar and click Settings→ Power→ Shut down.
Safety Instructions Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and ensure your personal safety. WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels.
After Working Inside Your Computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2 Connect any cables, peripherals, and other parts you removed before working on your computer. 3 Connect your computer to the electrical outlet. 4 Turn on your computer.
Removing the Base Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Close the display, and turn the computer over.
3 Remove the screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest assembly. 1 2 1 screws (11) 2 base cover 4 Place the computer with the rear side facing you, and starting from the right side, gently pry up the base cover. 5 Lift the base cover at an angle and slide it to release the power-switch slot from the power switch.
Replacing the Base Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Wireless Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Wireless Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the mSATA Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the mSATA Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Align the notch on the mSATA card with the tab on the mSATA-card connector.
Removing the Speakers WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Speakers WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default.
2 Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board. 3 Note the routing of the coin-cell battery cable and remove the cable from the routing guides. 4 Peel off the coin-cell battery from the keyboard. 5 Lift the coin-cell battery, along with its cable, off the keyboard.
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The battery may explode if installed incorrectly.
Removing the I/O Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the I/O Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
2 Note the routing of the coin-cell battery cable and remove the cable from the routing guides on the fan. 3 Disconnect the fan cable from the system board. 4 Remove the screws that secure the fan to the keyboard. 5 Slide and lift the fan, along with its cable, away from the keyboard.
Replacing the Fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Heat Sink WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Heat Sink WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Power-Adapter Port WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Power-Adapter Port WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Slide the power-adapter port cable under the display hinge.
Removing the System Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
3 Lift the connector latches, and using the pull tabs, disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable, the NFC cable, and the touchpad cable from the system board.
4 Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board. 5 Remove the screws that secure the system board to the palm-rest assembly. 6 Carefully lift the system board and turn it over. 2 1 3 7 1 screws (4) 3 coin-cell battery cable 2 system board Lift the connector latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the system board. 1 2 1 8 keyboard cable 2 connector latch Lift the system board off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the System Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Display Assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
5 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the palm-rest assembly. 1 1 6 screws (6) Carefully rotate the palm-rest assembly up, and then slide the palm-rest assembly to release the tabs on the palm-rest assembly from the display hinges.
Replacing the Display Assembly WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Display Back-Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
3 Rotate the display and remove the screws that secure the display back-cover to the display panel. 1 2 1 4 screws (8) 2 display panel Starting from the corners, gently pry the display back-cover from the display panel.
Replacing the Display Back-Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Camera Module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
Replacing the Camera Module WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1 Connect the camera cable to the camera module.
Removing the Windows-Button Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover.
Replacing the Windows-Button Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Display Panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
CAUTION: Do not remove the display cable from the display bezel. 2 Peel off the display cable from the display panel. 1 3 2 1 display panel 3 display cable 2 display bezel 3 Remove the screws that secure the display panel to the display bezel. 4 Slide and lift the display panel off the display bezel.
Replacing the Display Panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Removing the Keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1 Remove the base cover. See "Removing the Base Cover" on page 10.
3 Lift the connector latches, and using the pull tabs, disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable, the NFC cable, and the touchpad cable from the system board. 1 2 3 7 6 5 4 1 display cables (2) 2 power-adapter port cable 3 antenna cables (2) 4 keyboard-backlight cable 5 NFC cable 6 touchpad cable 7 connector latches (3) 4 Remove the screws that secure the system board to the palm-rest assembly. 5 Carefully lift the system board and turn it over.
6 Lift the connector latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the system board, and then lift the system board off the palm-rest assembly. 1 2 3 7 1 keyboard cable 3 keyboard 2 connector latch Remove the screws that secure the mSATA bracket to the palm-rest assembly and remove the bracket.
CAUTION: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard. 8 Remove the screws that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly. 9 Lift the keyboard off the palm-rest assembly.
Replacing the Keyboard WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 7. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: Make sure that no cables are placed under the keyboard.
Postrequisites 1 Replace the mSATA card. See "Replacing the mSATA Card" on page 18. 2 Replace the fan. See "Replacing the Fan" on page 28. 3 Replace the coin-cell battery. See "Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery" on page 23. 4 Replace the I/O board. See "Replacing the I/O Board" on page 25. 5 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 14. 6 Replace the base cover. See "Replacing the Base Cover" on page 12.
Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. To flash the BIOS: 1 Turn on the computer. 2 Go to dell.com/support. 3 If you have your computer's Service Tag, type your computer's Service Tag and click Submit. If you do not have your computer's Service Tag, click Detect Service Tag to allow automatic detection of the Service Tag.