Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in
bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, notices, cautions, and warnings,
and they are used as follows:
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your computer system.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss
of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron,
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform the procedures
for removing and replacing parts. The warranty on the computer becomes
void if anyone other than a certified technician performs these procedures.
Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes the following:
•You have the recommended tools.
•You have performed the steps in Precautionary Measures.
•The computer and any attached peripherals are turned off and the peripherals are
disconnected from the computer's input/output (I/O) panel.
•You can replace or reinstall a part by performing the removal procedure in reverse
order unless additional information is provided.
Precautionary Measures
NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform the procedures
for removing and replacing parts. The warranty on the computer becomes
void if anyone other than a certified technician performs these procedures.
WARNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE
EQUIPMENT
Before you start to work on the computer, perform the following steps in
the sequence indicated:
1.Ground yourself by attaching an antistatic grounding strap to your wrist
and to an unpainted metal surface on the computer’s I/O panel. If an antistatic grounding strap is not available, periodically discharge static
electricity from your body by touching one of the connectors on the I/O
panel.
2.Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals.
3.Disconnect the computer and any attached peripherals from electrical outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock.
support.dell.comRemoving and Replacing Parts1
Precautionary measures include disconnecting the computer from the AC adapter and
port replicator and removing the main battery, PC Cards, hard-disk drive, memory
module cover, memor y modules, and devices in the media bay.
To take these precautionar y measures, perform the following steps:
1.Determine the power state of the computer.
If the system is on, go to step 2. If you are unsure whether the system is on, shut
down and restart the system, and then go to step 2.
2.Turn off any attached peripherals, and then shut down the computer.
3.Disconnect the computer and any attached peripherals from electrical outlets to
reduce the potential for personal injury or shock.
If the computer has an AC adapter, disconnect the AC power cable (see Figure 1)
from the electrical outlet and then from the AC adapter; then disconnect the AC
adapter from the computer or from the Inspiron Port Replicator.
Figure 1. AC Adapter
AC p owe r c a ble
1
AC adapter
2
AC adapter cable
3
AC adapter connector
4
4.If the computer is connected to a port replicator (see Figure 2), pull both release
handles on the sides of the replicator to undock the computer.
2Dell Inspiron 7500 — Removing and Replacing Parts
Figure 2. Port Replicator
Release handles
1
5.Remove the main battery from the battery compartment (see Figure 3).
Unlock the latch lock on the bottom of the computer by flipping it toward the back
of the computer. Slide the latch release in the direction of the arrow. Keep holding
the latch release with one hand while pulling the battery out of the compartment
with the other.
support.dell.comRemoving and Replacing Parts3
Figure 3. Battery Compartment
Latch lock (unlocked position)
1
Batter y
2
Latch release
3
6.Remove PC Cards (see Figure 4).
NOTICE: Use the PC Card configuration utility on the taskbar to select
and stop a card before removing it from the computer. If you do not
remove the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data from
open application programs.
To remove PC Cards from the top connector, press the top eject button. When
the button slides out, press it again to release the card. Gently remove the card.
Press the eject button again until it is flush with the computer casing. Grasp the
end of the card, and pull it completely from the slot.
To remove PC Cards from the bottom connector, follow the same procedure.
4Dell Inspiron 7500 — Removing and Replacing Parts
Figure 4. PC Card Removal
7.Remove the hard-disk drive assembly (see Figure 5).
Loosen the two captive screws that secure the hard-disk drive into the bottom of
the computer. The front edge of the cover pops up slightly. Slide the hard-disk
drive toward the front of the computer and then lift the drive out of the computer.
NOTICE: When the hard-disk drive is not in the computer, store it in a
hard-disk drive case to protect it from exposure to static electricity.
NOTICE: Handle the hard-disk drive gently and don’t bump or drop the
drive. Rough handling of the drive could induce failure or loss of data.
Figure 5. Hard-Disk Drive Assembly Removal
Hard-disk drive
1
Hinge
2
Captive screws (2)
3
support.dell.comRemoving and Replacing Parts5
8.Remove the memory module covers (see Figure 6).
Slide the memory module cover as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow,
and then remove the cover.
1
bottom of computer
2
Figure 6. Memory Module Covers
Video card cover
1
Memory module cover
2
To replace a cover, place it over the opening, leaving a small gap along the
rounded edge, and then slide the cover toward the outside of the computer until
it snaps into place.
9.Remove the memory modules (see Figure 7).
Carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the memory module socket to disengage the module from the socket. The module should pop up slightly. Then pull
the memory module out of the socket.
6Dell Inspiron 7500 — Removing and Replacing Parts
Figure 7. Memory Modules
Slot 1
1
Memory module
2
Slot 2
3
support.dell.comRemoving and Replacing Parts7
10. Remove the video card (see Figure 8).
Remove the two 3-mm screws securing the video card. Gently pull the video card
off of the connectors on the bottom of the system board by lifting it at the
notches located between the screws. Do not rock the card to remove it because
this may damage the connectors.
Inspect the two thermal pads on the bottom of the system board and replace
them if necessary.
1
2
bottom of computer
3
Figure 8. Video Card Removal
3-mm screws (2)
1
Video card
2
Video card
3
connectors (2)
8Dell Inspiron 7500 — Removing and Replacing Parts
11. If present, remove the module from the MegaBay™ (see Figure 9).
Unlock the latch lock by flipping it toward the back of the computer. Slide the latch
release in the direction of the arrow. Keep holding the latch release with one hand
while pulling the combo module or second battery straight out of the MegaBay
with the other.
Figure 9. Media Bay Module Removal
Latch release
1
Media bay module
2
Latch lock (unlocked position)
3
Recommended Tools
NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform the following
procedures for removing and replacing parts. The warranty on the computer becomes void if anyone other than a certified technician performs
these procedures.
support.dell.comRemoving and Replacing Parts9
Most of the procedures require the use of one or more of the following tools:
•Small flat-blade screwdriver
•Number 1 Phillips-head screwdriver
•Antistatic grounding strap
•Dental pick
•Small scribe or nylon flat blade
•Nut drivers (5 mm and 5.5 mm)
Screw Identification and Tightening
NOTICE: The correct-length screw must be used when reinstalling a screw.
Otherwise, hardware damage could result. Make sure that the screw is
properly aligned with its corresponding hole, and avoid overtightening.
NOTICE: During the removal and replacement procedures, you will see
Kapton tape in many places on the computer. When reinstalling or replacing parts, be sure to replace the Kapton tape correctly to retain the
electrical protection and noise reduction the tape provides.
Be careful not to scratch the computer plastic case by allowing screws to get
between the disassembly surface and the plastic case. Dell suggests a soft padded
work surface.
The Inspiron 7500 contains many screws of various sizes. To help keep track of the
screws, use a tackle or pill box as a storage device. Use Table 1 as a location template
to store the screws during disassembly.
10Dell Inspiron 7500 — Removing and Replacing Parts