How to Replace a Dell 5100 Motherboard

Learn to replace a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop's motherboard.

Motherboard replacement is a risky procedure, especially if you have never dismantled a laptop. In the case of a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop, all hardware devices and components are connected to the computer through the laptop. To remove the motherboard, you have to take apart the outer casing of the laptop and remove all hardware from the computer. If you're not extremely careful, you can cause serious damage to the laptop.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Hex screwdriver
• Anti-static strap

Instructions

1. Shut down the laptop through its current operation system. Fold down the display panel until it snaps shut. Disconnect the power plug from its connector on the laptop, and from the nearest electrical outlet. Disconnect all external devices from the computer.

2. Place the laptop face down. Rotate the computer until the front opening edge is facing toward you. Press on the battery's release button. Pull the battery pack from its compartment in the laptop's lower left corner.

3. Remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the hard drive to the laptop's bottom left corner. Pull the drive out of its compartment.

4. Remove the Phillips-head screw labeled "M" on the bottom casing. This screw secures the memory compartment cover in place. Remove the cover from the laptop. Unlock the retaining clips on each side of the memory module inside the compartment. Lift up on the module until it is in the 45-degree position. Pull the module out of the memory compartment. Repeat this procedure for each module removed.

5. Remove the Phillips-head screw labeled "O" next to the memory compartment. This screw secures the CD/DVD drive in place. Slide the small, black lever inside the memory compartment to the right to release the CD/DVD drive from its compartment. Remove the drive from the laptop.

6. Remove the modem card compartment cover and its retaining screw from the lower right corner of the laptop. Remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the modem in place. Disconnect the cable from the modem, and remove the card from the laptop.

7. Disconnect the two antenna cables from the wireless card inside the modem compartment. Spread the clips on each side of the modem card. Tilt the card upward, and pull it from its slot. Place the laptop vertically with the back panel facing upward. Remove the two Phillips-head screws from the back panel. Remove all remaining screws from the bottom casing assembly.

8. Place the laptop face up, and open the display panel. Pry the keyboard bezel from the laptop with a flat-head screwdriver. The keyboard bezel is a thin, plastic strip situated above the keyboard.

9. Remove the four Phillips-head screws from behind the top row of keys. Place the keyboard face down on the palm rest. Disconnect the ribbon cable extending from the keyboard to the motherboard. Remove the keyboard from the laptop completely.

10. Trace the LCD ribbon cable extending from the left side of the display assembly to its motherboard connector. Grasp the black tab protruding from the LCD cable. Lift straight up on the cable to disconnect it from the motherboard. Remove the two Phillips-head screws from each display hinge. Lift the display panel from the laptop's base.

11. Remove the single Phillips-head screw securing the EMI shield in place. The EMI shield is a thin metal sheet that covers the motherboard. Remove the shield from the laptop's base.

12. Remove the two Phillips-head screws securing the video cable to the center of the motherboard. Grasp the pull-tab protruding from the video card. Pull it straight up and out of the laptop.

13. Disconnect all cables from their motherboard connectors, which are accessible through the access holes on the top casing. Remove the remaining Phillips-head screws securing the top casing in place. The top casing is the main plastic casing on the top side of the laptop. Remove the top casing from the laptop's base.

14. Loosen the four Phillips-head screws securing the cooling fan assembly to the upper left corner of the laptop. The screws are labeled one through four. Loosen the screws in consecutive order. Disconnect the fan's power cable from the motherboard. Lift the cooling fan out of the laptop.

15. Turn the processor's flat-head locking screw--revealed by the cooling fan--in a counterclockwise direction one-half turn. Lift the processor out of its socket. Store the processor in a static-free plastic bag.

16. Remove the single Phillips-head screws securing each speaker to the upper right and left corners of the motherboard. Disconnect the speaker's power cable from the motherboard. Remove the speaker assembly from the laptop.

17. Remove the plastic battery shield and its retaining screws from the lower left corner of the motherboard. Remove all hex screws securing data ports in place on the laptop's back panel. Remove all remaining Phillips-head screws securing the motherboard in place. Disconnect all cables from the motherboard.

18. Lift the front side of the motherboard out of the laptop. Lift the rest of the motherboard out of the laptop. Reverse this entire procedure to install the new motherboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an anti-static strap to prevent serious electrical damage to the motherboard.

References

• Dell Support: Dell Inspiron 5100 Service Manual

Resources

• Dell Computers