Dell OptiPlex SX280 Operating and safety instructions

Replacing Dell Optiplex SX280 Motherboard
Tools used in this guide
Phillips #2 Screwdriver (1)
Remove the Motherboard from the computer.
Replacing Dell Optiplex SX280 Motherboard
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Step 1 - disassembly Panel Cover
Make sure the computer is turned off, by
selecting the start menu and choosing “Shut Do
wn”.
Ensure all cables, speakers and other
devices are unplugged and turned off before
opening the computer case.
Step 2
Lay the computer on its side; you will see a blue knob.
Turn this knob 90 deg clockwise.
Replacing Dell Optiplex SX280 Motherboard
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Step 3
Slide the panel case forward about 1/2 inch while knob
is turned.
Lift panel case off computer.
Step 4 - Heat Sink
Remove the large blue cover from the computer, there
are no screws or tabs keeping it in place.
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Step 5
Press down on the release tab above the heat sink.
Step 6
Pull the heat sink out of the computer while pressing on
the release tab.
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Step 7 - Upper Fan
Remove the power supply that connects the upper fan
to the motherboard. The power supply has black, red,
green and yellow wires.
Step 8
Remove the rubber grommets from the base of the fan.
A spudger may be useful.
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Step 9
Press on the blue release tab and pull the upper fan out
of the computer.
Step 10 - Lower Fan
Remove the power supply that connects the lower fan
to the motherboard, distinguished by it's black, red,
green and yellow wires.
Make sure to press on the release tab while
removing the power supply.
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Step 11
Remove the rubber grommets from the base of the fan.
A spudger may be useful.
Step 12
Press on the blue release tab and remove the fan.
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Step 13 - RAM
The RAM are the two green cards in the corner of the
computer.
At each end of the card, there are two white clips
securing the RAM to the Motherboard.
Step 14
Push down both white clips with your thumbs until you
hear a click.
The RAM cards can now be removed.
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Step 15 - Hard Drive
Unplug the blue cable that connects the hard drive to
the motherboard.
Step 16
Unplug the power supply, distinguished by its red and
yellow wires.
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Step 17
Squeeze the release tabs on either side of the hard
drive.
Then slide the hard drive out of the computer while
squeezing the tabs.
Step 18 - Motherboard
Unplug the cable that connects the hard drive to the
Motherboard.
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Step 19
Press on the release tab and remove the motherboard
speaker which is attached to the side of the tower.
Step 20
Unplug the power cable attached to the motherboard
speaker.
Make sure to press on the release tab while
removing the power cable.
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Step 21
Remove four screws located at the back of the
computer tower.
Step 22
Carefully detach the motherboard from the computer
case.
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Step 23
Lift the motherboard from the rest of the computer case.
Step 24
Unplug the cable that powers the hard drive, which has
orange, red and yellow wires.
Make sure to press the release tab while
removing the cable.
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Step 25
Unplug the cable that powers the emergency shut off,
distinguished by its red wires.
Make sure to press on the release tab while
removing the emergency shut off.
Step 26
Remove two screws from the Hard Drive Stand.
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Step 27
Slide the Hard Drive Stand to left side.
Remove the stand from the rest of the rear panel.
Step 28
Remove the studs that support the Hard Drive Stand
from the motherboard.
The studs can be removed by hand.
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Step 29
Remove the four screws located on heat sink stand.
The heat sink stand can now be lifted from the
motherboard.
Step 30
Remove the four screws holding the motherboard to the
rear computer panel.
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Step 31
The motherboard can now be removed from the
remaining panel.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
This document was last generated on Dec 15, 2010.
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