Dell XPS 15 User manual

XPS 15
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: P56F
Regulatory Type: P56F001

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use
of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of
data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal
injury, or death.
Copyright © 2016 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and
international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell™ and the Dell logo are trademarks
of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names
mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Updated - 2015–09
Rev. A00

Contents
1 Before working inside your computer.............................8
Before you begin ......................................................... 8
Safety instructions........................................................ 9
Recommended tools...................................................... 9
After working inside your computer.................................. 10
2 Removing the base cover.......................................... 11
Procedure.................................................................11
3 Replacing the base cover...........................................14
Procedure.................................................................14
4 Removing the battery...............................................15
Prerequisites............................................................. 15
Procedure.................................................................15
5 Replacing the battery............................................... 17
Procedure.................................................................17
Post-requisites........................................................... 17
6 Removing the hard drive........................................... 18
Prerequisites............................................................. 18
Procedure.................................................................18
7 Replacing the hard drive........................................... 22
Procedure.................................................................22
Post-requisites........................................................... 22
8 Removing the solid-state drive (half-length)...................23
Prerequisites............................................................. 23
Procedure.................................................................23
3

9 Replacing the solid-state drive (half-length)................... 26
Procedure.................................................................26
Post-requisites........................................................... 26
10 Removing the solid-state drive (full-length).................. 27
Prerequisites............................................................. 27
Procedure.................................................................27
11 Replacing the solid-state drive (full-length).................. 30
Procedure.................................................................30
Post-requisites........................................................... 30
12 Removing the speakers........................................... 31
Prerequisites............................................................. 31
Procedure.................................................................31
13 Replacing the speakers........................................... 33
Procedure.................................................................33
Post-requisites........................................................... 33
14 Removing the wireless card......................................34
Prerequisites............................................................. 34
Procedure.................................................................34
15 Replacing the wireless card...................................... 36
Procedure.................................................................36
Post-requisites........................................................... 37
16 Removing the fans................................................. 38
Prerequisites............................................................. 38
Procedure.................................................................38
17 Replacing the fans................................................. 41
4

Procedure.................................................................41
Post-requisites........................................................... 42
18 Removing the heat-sink assembly.............................. 43
Prerequisites............................................................. 43
Procedure.................................................................43
19 Replacing the heat-sink assembly.............................. 45
Procedure.................................................................45
Post-requisites........................................................... 45
20 Removing the memory modules.................................46
Prerequisites............................................................. 46
Procedure.................................................................46
21 Replacing the memory modules.................................48
Procedure.................................................................48
Post-requisites........................................................... 49
22 Removing the system board......................................50
Prerequisites............................................................. 50
Procedure.................................................................51
23 Replacing the system board......................................54
Procedure.................................................................54
Post-requisites........................................................... 55
24 Removing the coin-cell battery................................. 56
Prerequisites............................................................. 56
Procedure.................................................................57
25 Replacing the coin-cell battery..................................58
Procedure.................................................................58
Post-requisites........................................................... 58
5

26 Removing the keyboard...........................................59
Prerequisites............................................................. 59
Procedure.................................................................59
27 Replacing the keyboard........................................... 63
Procedure.................................................................63
Post-requisites........................................................... 63
28 Removing the display assembly................................. 64
Prerequisites............................................................. 64
Procedure.................................................................64
29 Replacing the display assembly................................. 68
Procedure.................................................................68
Post-requisites........................................................... 68
30 Removing the power-adapter port..............................69
Prerequisites............................................................. 69
Procedure.................................................................69
31 Replacing the power-adapter port..............................71
Procedure.................................................................71
Post-requisites........................................................... 71
32 Removing the antenna cover.................................... 72
Prerequisites............................................................. 72
Procedure.................................................................72
33 Replacing the antenna cover.................................... 74
Procedure.................................................................74
Post-requisites........................................................... 74
34 Removing the display hinges.....................................75
6

Prerequisites............................................................. 75
Procedure.................................................................75
35 Replacing the display hinges..................................... 78
Procedure.................................................................78
Post-requisites........................................................... 78
36 Removing the antenna module.................................. 79
Prerequisites............................................................. 79
Procedure.................................................................79
37 Replacing the antenna module.................................. 81
Procedure.................................................................81
Post-requisites........................................................... 81
38 Removing the palm-rest assembly.............................. 82
Prerequisites............................................................. 82
Procedure.................................................................82
39 Replacing the palm-rest assembly.............................. 84
Procedure.................................................................84
Post-requisites........................................................... 84
40 Flashing the BIOS...................................................85
41 Getting help and contacting Dell................................86
Self-help resources...................................................... 86
Contacting Dell.......................................................... 87
7

Before working inside your
computer
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending
on the configuration you ordered.
Topics:
• Before you begin
• Safety instructions
• Recommended tools
• After working inside your computer
Before you begin
1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.
2 Shut down your computer.
• Windows 10: Click or tap Start > Power > Shut down.
• Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, click or tap the power icon > Shut
down.
• Windows 7: Click or tap Start > Shut down.
NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the
documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions.
3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical
outlets.
4 Disconnect all cables such as telephone cables, network cables and so on, from
your computer.
5 Disconnect all attached devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse,
monitor, and so on, from your computer.
6 Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.
1
Before working inside your computer 8

Safety instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage
and ensure your personal safety.
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer. For more safety best practices, see the
Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover
or panels. After you finish working inside the computer, replace all covers,
panels, and screws before connecting to the electrical outlet.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, ensure that the work surface is
flat and clean.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle them by
their edges, and avoid touching pins and contacts.
CAUTION: You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized
or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing
that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety
instructions that shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/
regulatory_compliance.
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.
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 or
thumb-screws that you must disengage before disconnecting the cable. When
disconnecting cables, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any
connector pins. When connecting cables, ensure that the ports and
connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-card reader.
Recommended tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
Before working inside your computer 9

• Philips screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Torx #5 (T5) screwdriver
• Plastic scribe
After working inside your computer
CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely
damage your computer.
1 Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your
computer.
2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before
working on your computer.
3 Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before
working on your computer.
4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
5 Turn on your computer.
Before working inside your computer 10

Removing the base cover
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in
Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer,
follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more
safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Procedure
Procedure
1 Close the display and turn the computer over.
2 Turn the system badge over and place it on the base cover.
3 Remove the screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest assembly.
2
Removing the base cover 11

1 base cover 2 system badge
3 screws (12)
4 Using your fingertips, gently pry the base cover off the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the base cover 12

1 base cover
Removing the base cover 13

Replacing the base cover
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in
Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer,
follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more
safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Procedure
Procedure
1 Place the base cover on the palm-rest assembly and snap it into place.
2 Replace the screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest assembly.
3 Turn the system badge over and snap it into place.
4 Turn the computer over.
3
Replacing the base cover 14

Removing the battery
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in
Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer,
follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more
safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Prerequisites
• Procedure
Prerequisites
Remove the base cover.
Procedure
NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending
on the configuration you ordered.
1 Remove the screws that secure the battery to the palm-rest assembly.
2 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.
3 Lift the battery off the palm-rest assembly.
4
Removing the battery 15

1 battery cable 2 screws (4)
3 battery 4 palm-rest assembly
4 Turn the computer over, open the display, and press the power button for five
seconds to ground the system board.
Removing the battery 16

Replacing the battery
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in
Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer,
follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more
safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Topics:
• Procedure
• Post-requisites
Procedure
1 Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest
assembly.
2 Replace the screws that secure the battery to the palm-rest assembly.
3 Connect the battery cable to the system board.
Post-requisites
Replace the base cover.
5
Replacing the battery 17

Removing the hard drive
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in
Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer,
follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more
safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at
www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard
drive.
CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the hard drive while the
computer is in sleep or on state.
Topics:
• Prerequisites
• Procedure
Prerequisites
1 Remove the base cover.
2 Remove the battery.
Procedure
1 Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive assembly to the palm-rest
assembly.
2 Lift the hard-drive cage off the hard-drive assembly.
6
Removing the hard drive 18

1 screws (4) 2 hard-drive cage
3 hard-drive assembly
3 Using the pull tab disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board.
4 Lift the hard-drive assembly off the palm-rest assembly.
Removing the hard drive 19

1 pull tab 2 hard-drive assembly
5 Disconnect the hard-drive interposer from the hard-drive assembly.
Removing the hard drive 20