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Dell Inspiron M421R Owner's Manual

Owner's manual
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Dell Inspiron 14R/M421R
Owner's Manual
Computer model: Inspiron 5420/7420/5425
Regulatory model: P33G
Regulatory type: P33G001/P33G002
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Summary of Contents for Dell Inspiron M421R

  • Page 1 Dell Inspiron 14R/M421R Owner’s Manual Computer model: Inspiron 5420/7420/5425 Regulatory model: P33G Regulatory type: P33G001/P33G002...
  • Page 2 © 2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, and Inspiron™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.; ® ®...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Before You Begin ......Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices . . . Safety Instructions .
  • Page 4 11 Removing the Memory Module(s) ..Prerequisites ......Procedure .
  • Page 5 21 Removing the Power-Adapter Port ..Prerequisites ......Procedure .
  • Page 6 31 Removing the Display Bezel ....Prerequisites ......Procedure .
  • Page 7 41 Removing the System Board ....Prerequisites ......Procedure .
  • Page 8 Contents...

  • Page 9: Before You Begin

    Before You Begin Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer. Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. Follow the instructions to shut down your computer based on the operating system installed on your computer.

  • Page 10: Recommended Tools

    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 dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or panels.

  • Page 11: After Working Inside Your Computer

    After Working Inside Your Computer After you complete replacement procedures, ensure the following: • Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer • Connect any external devices, cables, cards, and any other part(s) you removed before working on your computer •...
  • Page 12 After Working Inside Your Computer...

  • Page 13: Removing The Switch

    WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the switch release latch to the side.
  • Page 14 Removing the Switch...

  • Page 15: Replacing The Switch

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the tabs at the bottom of the switch with the slots on the display cover and snap the switch into place.
  • Page 16 Replacing the Switch...

  • Page 17: Removing The Battery

    WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Close the display and turn the computer over.
  • Page 18 Removing the Battery...

  • Page 19: Replacing The Battery

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the tabs on the battery with the slots on the battery bay and snap the battery until it clicks into place.
  • Page 20 Replacing the Battery...

  • Page 21: Removing The Keyboard

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.

  • Page 22: Procedure

    Procedure CAUTION: The keycaps on the keyboard are fragile, easily dislodged, and time-consuming to replace. Be careful when removing and handling the keyboard. Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Using a plastic scribe, release the keyboard from the tabs on the palm rest and ease the keyboard up until it clears off the palm rest.
  • Page 23 Carefully turn the keyboard over and place it on the palm rest. Lift the connector latches and pull the pull-tabs to disconnect the keyboard cable and keyboard-backlight cable from the connectors on the system board. Lift the keyboard away from the computer. 1 keyboard cable 2 connector latch 3 keyboard-backlight cable...
  • Page 24 Removing the Keyboard...

  • Page 25: Replacing The Keyboard

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the keyboard cable and keyboard-backlight cable into the connectors on the system board and press down on the connector latches to secure the cables.
  • Page 26 Replacing the Keyboard...

  • Page 27: Removing The Base Cover

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 28 Removing the Base Cover...

  • Page 29: Replacing The Base Cover

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the tabs on the base cover into the slots on the computer base and snap the base cover into place.
  • Page 30 Replacing the Base Cover...

  • Page 31: Removing The Memory Module(S)

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 32 Removing the Memory Module(s)

  • Page 33: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: If you need to install memory modules in two connectors, install a memory module in the connector labeled "DIMM A"...

  • Page 34: Postrequisites

    Postrequisites Replace the base cover. See "Replacing the Base Cover" on page 28. Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 18. Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 10. Turn on the computer. As the computer boots, it detects the memory module(s) and automatically updates the system configuration information.

  • Page 35: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the hard drive while the computer is On or in Sleep state.

  • Page 36: Procedure

    Procedure Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system-board connector. Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the computer base. Make a note of the hard-drive cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides. Lift the hard-drive assembly along with its cable away from the computer base.
  • Page 37 Pull the interposer to disconnect the hard-drive cable from the hard-drive. hard-drive assembly interposer Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive. Slide the hard-drive off the hard-drive bracket. screws (4) hard-drive bracket hard drive Removing the Hard Drive...
  • Page 38 Removing the Hard Drive...

  • Page 39: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
  • Page 40 Replacing the Hard Drive...

  • Page 41: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 42 Carefully pry the optical-drive bezel and remove it from the optical-drive assembly. Remove the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to the optical drive. Remove the optical-drive bracket. screws (2) optical-drive bracket optical drive optical-drive bezel Removing the Optical Drive...

  • Page 43: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the optical-drive bracket with the screw holes on the optical drive.
  • Page 44 Replacing the Optical Drive...

  • Page 45: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 46 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Lift the connector latches and pull the pull-tabs to disconnect the power-button board cable, touchpad cable, and hot-key board cable from the connectors on the system board. Pull the pull-tab to disconnect the display cable from the connector on the system board.
  • Page 47 Make a note of the display cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides on the palm rest. Remove the screws that secure the palm rest to the computer base. CAUTION: Carefully separate the palm rest from the display assembly to avoid damage to the display assembly.
  • Page 48 Removing the Palm Rest...

  • Page 49: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Slide the display cable through the slot on the palm rest.
  • Page 50 Replacing the Palm Rest...

  • Page 51: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. If you ordered a wireless Mini-Card with your computer, the card is already installed.
  • Page 52 Lift the Mini-Card out of the system-board connector. system-board connector Mini-Card 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. Removing the Mini-Card...

  • Page 53: Procedure

    8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for Mini-Cards from sources other than Dell. Your computer has one half Mini-Card slot which supports a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) + Bluetooth combo card, Wi-Fi, and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax).

  • Page 54: Postrequisites

    Postrequisites Replace the palm rest. See "Replacing the Palm Rest" on page 48. Replace the keyboard. See "Replacing the Keyboard" on page 24. Replace the base cover. See "Replacing the Base Cover" on page 28. Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 18. Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer"...

  • Page 55: Removing The Power-Adapter Port

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 56 Removing the Power-Adapter Port...

  • Page 57: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw hole on the power-adapter port with the screw hole on the computer base.
  • Page 58 Replacing the Power-Adapter Port...

  • Page 59: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The battery may explode if installed incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type.

  • Page 60: Procedure

    Procedure Turn the system board over. Using a plastic scribe, gently pry the coin-cell battery out of the battery socket on the system board. plastic scribe 2 coin-cell battery battery socket Removing the Coin-Cell Battery...

  • Page 61: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: The battery may explode if installed incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type.
  • Page 62 Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery...

  • Page 63: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 64 Removing the Fan...

  • Page 65: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the fan in the slot on the computer base.
  • Page 66 Replacing the Fan...

  • Page 67: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 68 Removing the Speakers...

  • Page 69: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Use the alignment posts on the computer base to place the speakers in position.
  • Page 70 Replacing the Speakers...

  • Page 71: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 72 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible. Disconnect the antenna cables from the connectors on the Mini-Card. 1 antenna cables (2) 2 Mini-Card Removing the Display Assembly...
  • Page 73 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base. Lift the display assembly off the computer base. 1 display assembly 2 screws (4) Removing the Display Assembly...
  • Page 74 Removing the Display Assembly...

  • Page 75: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the display assembly in position and replace the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base.
  • Page 76 Replacing the Display Assembly...

  • Page 77: Removing The Display Bezel

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 78 Removing the Display Bezel...

  • Page 79: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the display bezel with the display cover and gently snap the display bezel into place.
  • Page 80 Replacing the Display Bezel...

  • Page 81: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 82 Carefully lift the display panel and turn it over. Peel and lift the tape that secures the display cable to the display-board connector and then disconnect the display cable. 1 display cable 2 display-board connector 3 tape Lift the display panel away from the display cover. Removing the Display Panel...

  • Page 83: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Connect the display cable to the display-board connector and secure it with the tape.
  • Page 84 Replacing the Display Panel...

  • Page 85: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the switch. See "Removing the Switch" on page 12.
  • Page 86 Turn the display assembly over. Remove the screws that secure the display hinges to the display cover. Lift the display hinges off the display cover. 1 display panel 2 screws (10) 3 display hinges (2) Removing the Display Hinges...

  • Page 87: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the display cover.
  • Page 88 Replacing the Display Hinges...

  • Page 89: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 90 Turn the camera module over. Peel and lift the tape that secures the camera cable to the camera module. 1 tape 2 camera cable Removing the Camera Module...
  • Page 91 Disconnect the camera cable from the connector on the camera module. 1 camera cable connector 2 camera module 3 camera cable Removing the Camera Module...
  • Page 92 Removing the Camera Module...

  • Page 93: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Connect the camera cable to the connector on the camera module and secure it with the tape.
  • Page 94 Replacing the Camera Module...

  • Page 95: Removing The Processor Heat-Sink

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.

  • Page 96: Procedure

    Procedure To loosen the ZIF socket, use a small, flat-blade screwdriver and rotate the ZIF- socket cam screw counterclockwise until it comes to the cam stop. CAUTION: To ensure maximum cooling for the processor, do not touch the heat transfer areas on the processor thermal cooling assembly. The oils in your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal pads.

  • Page 97: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure NOTE: If you install a new processor, a new thermal cooling assembly including an affixed thermal pad or a new thermal pad along with documentation to illustrate proper installation is shipped.
  • Page 98 Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 18. Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 10. Replacing the Processor...

  • Page 99: Removing The System Board

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.

  • Page 100: Procedure

    Procedure NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS after you replace the system-board assembly. NOTE: Before disconnecting the cables from the system board, note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect them correctly after you replace the system-board assembly.
  • Page 101 Lift the system board at an angle and release the connectors on the system board from the slots on the computer base. Remove the processor. See "Removing the Processor" on page 94. Remove the processor heat-sink. See "Removing the Processor Heat-Sink" on page 104.
  • Page 102 Removing the System Board...

  • Page 103: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Replace the screws that secure the daughter board to the system board.
  • Page 104 Entering the Service Tag in the BIOS Turn on the computer. Press during POST to enter the system setup program. Navigate to the main tab and enter the Service Tag in the Service Tag Setting field. Replacing the System Board...

  • Page 105: Prerequisites

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 16.
  • Page 106 Procedure Turn the system-board assembly over. In sequential order (indicated on the processor heat-sink), loosen the captive screws that secure the processor heat-sink to the system board. Lift the processor heat-sink off the system board. 1 processor heat-sink 2 captive screws (6) Removing the Processor Heat-Sink...

  • Page 107: Procedure

    "Before You Begin" on page 8. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Procedure Align the captive screws on the processor heat-sink with the screw holes on the system board.
  • Page 108 Replacing the Processor Heat-Sink...

  • Page 109: Flashing The Bios

    • Choose from My Products and Services List • Choose from a list of all Dell products Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen. A list of results appears on the screen. Click BIOS. Click Download File to download the latest BIOS file.
  • Page 110 Flashing the BIOS...

This manual is also suitable for:

Inspiron 5420Inspiron 7420Inspiron 5425Inspiron 14r

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