Dell XPS L501 User manual
Dell™ XPS™ L501X Service
Manual
Regulatory model: P11F series Regulatory type: P11F001
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.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2010 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, and XPS™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.;
Microsoft®, Windows®, and the Windows start button logo are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries; Bluetooth® is a
registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell Inc. under license.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Regulatory model: P11F series Regulatory type: P11F001
October 2010 Rev. A00
Contents
1 Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Recommended Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Removing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Replacing the Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3 Module Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Removing the Module Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Replacing the Module Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4 Memory Module(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Removing the Memory Module(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Replacing the Memory Module(s)
. . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5 Wireless Mini-Card(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Removing the Mini-Card(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Contents 3
Replacing the Mini-Card(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6 Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Removing the Optical Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Replacing the Optical Drive
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7 Palm-Rest Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Replacing the Palm-Rest Assembly
. . . . . . . . . . . 32
8 Power-Button Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Removing the Power-Button Board . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Replacing the Power-Button Board . . . . . . . . . . . 36
9 Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
10 Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4 Contents
Removing the Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Replacing the Hard Drive
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
11 Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Removing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Replacing the Keyboard
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
12 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Display Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Removing the Display Assembly
Replacing the Display Assembly . . . . . . . . . . 52
Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Removing the Display Bezel
Replacing the Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Display Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Removing the Display Panel
Replacing the Display Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Display Cable
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Removing the Display Cable
Replacing the Display Cable
Display-Panel Brackets
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Removing the Display-Panel Brackets
Replacing the Display-Panel Brackets
. . . . . . . . . . 49
. . . . . . . . . . . . 53
. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . 58
. . . . . . . 59
. . . . . . . 60
13 Camera Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Removing the Camera Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Replacing the Camera Module
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Contents 5
14 Top Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Removing the Top Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Replacing the Top Cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
15 Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Removing the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Replacing the Fan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
16 Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Removing the Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Replacing the Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
17 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
79
Removing the Bluetooth Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Replacing the Bluetooth Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
18 AC-Adapter Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
19 USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
6 Contents
Removing the AC-Adapter Connector . . . . . . . . . . 83
Replacing the AC-Adapter Connector
Removing the USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
. . . . . . . . . . 84
Replacing the USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
20 TV Tuner Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Removing the TV Tuner Connector . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Replacing the TV Tuner Connector
. . . . . . . . . . . 92
21 Heat Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Removing the Heat Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Replacing the Heat Sink
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
22 Processor Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Removing the Processor Module . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Replacing the Processor Module . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
23 System Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Removing the System Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Replacing the System Board
Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
. . . . . . . . . . 106
24 Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Removing the Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Replacing the Speakers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Contents 7
25 Flashing the BIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
8 Contents
1
Before You Begin
This manual provides procedures for removing and installing the components
in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the
following conditions exist:
• You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 9
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 reverse order.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
•Phillips screwdriver
•Plastic scribe
• BIOS executable update program available at
support.dell.com
.
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
To shut down the operating system, click
Down
.
3
Ensure that the computer is turned off. If your computer did not automatically turn off when you shut down the operating system, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off.
Start
and then click
Before You Begin 9
Shut
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from
potential damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety.
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 (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components
or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket.
Hold a component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins.
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. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to
avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that
both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before
you begin working inside the computer.
1
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
2
Turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 9) and all attached devices.
CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.
3
Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the computer.
4
Press and eject any installed cards from the Media Card Reader.
5
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
10 Before You Begin
6
Disconnect all attached devices from your computer.
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery
(see "Removing the Battery" on page 13) before working inside the computer.
7
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
8
Turn the computer top-side up, open the display, and press the power button to ground the system board.
CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by
touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the
computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to
dissipate static electricity, which could harm internal components.
Before You Begin 11
12 Before You Begin
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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for
this particular Dell computer. Do not use batteries designed for other Dell
computers.
Removing the Battery
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Turn the computer over.
3
Slide the battery release latch to the side.
4
Lift the battery up at an angle and remove it from the battery bay.
2
Battery 13
1 battery 2 battery release latch
1
2
Replacing the Battery
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for
this particular Dell computer.
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Align the tabs on the battery with the slots in the battery bay and press the battery down until it clicks into place.
14 Battery
Module 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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for
this particular Dell computer. Do not use batteries designed for other Dell
computers.
Removing the Module Cover
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
3
Loosen the three captive screws that secure the module cover to the base cover.
4
Using your fingertips, release the tabs on the module cover from the slots on the base cover.
5
Lift the module cover off the base cover.
3
Module Cover 15
1 screws (3) 2 module cover
2
3
1
4
3 tabs (4) 4 base cover
Replacing the Module Cover
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for
this particular Dell computer.
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Align the tabs on the module cover with the slots on the base cover and snap the module cover into place.
3
Tighten the three captive screws that secure the module cover to the base cover.
4
Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 14).
16 Module Cover
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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery
(see "Removing the Battery" on page 13) before working inside the computer.
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on
the system board. See "Specifications" in the Setup Guide that shipped with
your computer or at support.dell.com/manuals for information on the type of
memory supported by your computer.
NOTE: Memory modules purchased from Dell are covered under your computer
warranty.
Your computer has two user-accessible SODIMM connectors.
Removing the Memory Module(s)
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
3
Remove the module cover (see "Removing the Module Cover" on page 15).
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the memory-module connector, do not use
tools to spread the memory module securing clips.
4
Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory-module connector until the memory module pops up.
Memory Module(s) 17
1 securing clip 2 memory-module connector
2
3
1
3 memory-module
5
Remove the memory module from the memory-module connector.
Replacing the Memory Module(s)
CAUTION: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a
memory module in the lower connector before you install a memory module in the
upper connector.
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.
18 Memory Module(s)
3
3
1
2
Slide the memory module firmly into the memory-module connector at a 45-degree angle, and press the memory module down until it clicks into place. If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module and reinstall it.
NOTE: If the memory module is not installed properly, the computer may not
boot.
1 tab 2 notch
3 memory-module connector
4
Replace the module cover (see "Replacing the Module Cover" on page 16).
5
Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 14).
6
Connect the AC adapter to your computer and an electrical outlet.
7
Turn on the computer.
As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically
updates the system configuration information.
To confirm the amount of memory installed in the computer:
Memory Module(s) 19
Click Start → Control Panel→ System and Security→ System.
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.
20 Memory Module(s)
5
Wireless Mini-Card(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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery
(see "Removing the Battery" on page 13) before working inside the computer.
NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for Mini-Cards
from sources other than Dell.
If you ordered a wireless Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already
installed.
Your computer has one full Mini-Card slot and one half Mini-Card slot:
• One full Mini-Card slot — supports Wireless Wide Area Network
(WWAN) or TV tuner module.
• One half Mini-Card slot — supports Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN) or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax)
NOTE: Depending on the configuration of the computer when it was sold, the
Mini-Card slot may or may not have a Mini-Card installed.
Removing the Mini-Card(s)
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
3
Remove the module cover (see "Removing the Module Cover" on page 15).
Wireless Mini-Card(s) 21
4
1
3
2
4
Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-Card(s).
5
Remove the screw that secures the Mini-Card to the system board.
NOTE: Your computer can only support either a WWAN Mini-Card or a TV tuner
module in the full Mini-Card slot at a time.
1 antenna cables (2) 2 Mini-Card
3 screw 4 system-board connector
6
Lift the Mini-Card(s) out of the system-board connector.
22 Wireless Mini-Card(s)
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(s)
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.
CAUTION: The connectors are keyed to ensure correct insertion. If you feel
resistance, check the connectors on the card and on the system board, and realign
the card.
Wireless Mini-Card(s) 23
CAUTION: To avoid damage to the Mini-Card, never place cables under the card.
3
Insert the Mini-Card connector at a 45-degree angle into the system-board 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)
Auxiliary WLAN (black triangle)
WWAN (2 antenna cables)
Main WWAN (white triangle)
Auxiliary WWAN (black triangle)
TV tuner (1 antenna cable) black
6
Replace the module cover (see "Replacing the Module Cover" on page 16).
7
Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 14).
white with gray stripe
black with gray stripe
white
black
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.
8
Install the drivers and utilities for your computer, as required.
NOTE: If you are installing a communication card from a source other than Dell,
you must install the appropriate drivers and utilities.
24 Wireless Mini-Card(s)
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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery
(see "Removing the Battery" on page 13) before working inside the computer.
Removing the Optical Drive
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
3
Remove the module cover (see "Removing the Module Cover" on page 15).
4
Remove the memory module(s) (see "Removing the Memory Module(s)" on page 17).
5
Remove the screw that secures the optical drive to the base cover.
6
Using a plastic scribe, push the optical drive bracket to slide the optical drive out.
7
Slide the optical drive out of the optical-drive bay.
6
Optical Drive 25
1
2
3
4
1 optical drive 2 screw
3 plastic scribe 4 optical-drive bracket
Replacing the Optical Drive
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the new optical drive from its packaging.
3
Slide the optical drive into the optical-drive bay until it is fully seated.
4
Replace the screw that secures the optical drive to the base cover.
5
Replace the memory module(s) (see "Replacing the Memory Module(s)" on page 18).
6
Replace the module cover (see "Replacing the Module Cover" on page 16).
7
Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 14).
26 Optical Drive
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.
Optical Drive 27
28 Optical Drive
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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist
grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a
connector on your computer).
CAUTION: To help prevent damage to the system board, remove the main battery
(see "Removing the Battery" on page 13) before working inside the computer.
Removing the Palm-Rest Assembly
1
Follow the instructions in "Before You Begin" on page 9.
2
Remove the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 13).
3
Remove the screw that secures the palm-rest assembly to the base cover.
4
Release and push the palm-rest assembly tabs off the base cover.
7
Palm-Rest Assembly 29
1
2
3
1 palm-rest assembly tabs (2) 2 screw
3 base cover
5
Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible.
6
Starting from the top, gently ease the palm-rest assembly from the top cover.
30 Palm-Rest Assembly
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