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Before You Begin
Dell Inspiron M5040/15-N5040/15-N5050 Owner's Manual
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
This manual provides procedures for removing and installing components in your computer. Before you begin any procedure in this book, ensure that:
l
You have performed the steps in
Turning Off Your Computer
and
Before Working Inside Your Computer
.
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You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer
.
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A component can be replaced or
—
if purchased separately
—
installed by performing the removal procedure in the reverse order.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
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Small flat-blade screwdriver
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Phillips screwdriver
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Plastic scribe
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BIOS executable update program available at
support.dell.com
Turning Off Your Computer
1.
Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
2.
Click
Start
and then click
Shut Down
.
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is completed.
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.
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to ensure your own personal safety.
1.
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched.
CAUTION:
To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer.
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.
