Difficulty
Difficult
Steps
16
Time Required
30 - 45 minutes
Sections
6
- Back Cover
- 2 steps
- Battery
- 1 step
- RAM (Memory)
- 1 step
- USB Port
- 5 steps
- Fan
- 3 steps
- Keyboard
- 4 steps
Flags
1
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BackDell Precision M3800
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Introduction
Before using this guide, check for foreign objects under the keys that can cause underperformance. You may be able to fix this issue by dislodging said objects with an ESD-safe brush or small dust blower, instead of replacing the equipment.
Before beginning, be sure to power down the laptop, and unplug from the external power source(s).
Note Before Beginning: You can perform the removal of the fans, RAM, and USB Ports in any order. You might notice some of the later steps have photos that still include parts that were removed previously, this is because you can remove these parts in any order.
What you need
Step 1
Back Cover
- Be sure to power off and unplug your device before you begin your repair.
- Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to unscrew the ten 3mm screws on the laptop back cover.
- iFixit’s magnetic project mat is great for keeping the screws in one place.
- Lift up the silver cover from the back panel to reveal two screws.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws underneath the silver cover.
Be sure to power off and unplug your device before you begin your repair.
Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to unscrew the ten 3mm screws on the laptop back cover.
iFixit’s magnetic project mat is great for keeping the screws in one place.
Lift up the silver cover from the back panel to reveal two screws.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws underneath the silver cover.
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Step 2
- Use an opening tool to pry around the edges of the back panel to loosen the panel.
- Remove the back panel.
Use an opening tool to pry around the edges of the back panel to loosen the panel.
Remove the back panel.
Step 3
Battery
- Disconnect the battery cable from the system board [1].
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the battery to the laptop.
- Lift the battery off the computer [2].
Disconnect the battery cable from the system board [1].
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the battery to the laptop.
Lift the battery off the computer [2].
Step 4
RAM (Memory)
- Pull the small silver RAM tabs outwards to pop it out of its place in the laptop body.
- Remove the RAM from the laptop body (it should easily come out after pulling the silver tabs).
Pull the small silver RAM tabs outwards to pop it out of its place in the laptop body.
Remove the RAM from the laptop body (it should easily come out after pulling the silver tabs).
Step 5
USB Port
- Disconnect the orange wire with the two pull tabs by pulling upwards on the pull tabs.
Disconnect the orange wire with the two pull tabs by pulling upwards on the pull tabs.
Step 6
- Remove the single 3.5 mm screw at the top of the left side holding the silver bracket using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- Remove the LAN chip by pulling from the top away from the connector.
Remove the single 3.5 mm screw at the top of the left side holding the silver bracket using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Remove the LAN chip by pulling from the top away from the connector.
Step 7
- Disconnect the wires that are connected to left side of the motherboard with a hooked prying tool.
Disconnect the wires that are connected to left side of the motherboard with a hooked prying tool.
Step 8
- Disconnect the black wire that is connected to left side of the motherboard.
Disconnect the black wire that is connected to left side of the motherboard.
Step 9
- Unscrew the three 3.5 mm screws that secure the circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- Remove the circuit board by lifting upward.
- To fully remove the USB ports from the circuit board, you’ll need to desolder the points. Use the How to Solder and Desolder Connections guide for more information on soldering and desoldering connections.
Unscrew the three 3.5 mm screws that secure the circuit board using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Remove the circuit board by lifting upward.
To fully remove the USB ports from the circuit board, you’ll need to desolder the points. Use the How to Solder and Desolder Connections guide for more information on soldering and desoldering connections.
Step 10
Fan
- Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to unscrew the two 3.5mm screws that are holding the fans in place.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to unscrew the two 3.5mm screws that are holding the fans in place.
Step 11
- Using a nonmetal prying tool, unplug the cord connecting the fan to the motherboard.
- If replacing the right fan, this cord is located underneath the fan.
- If replacing the left fan, this cord is located on the left of the fan.
Using a nonmetal prying tool, unplug the cord connecting the fan to the motherboard.
If replacing the right fan, this cord is located underneath the fan.
If replacing the left fan, this cord is located on the left of the fan.
Step 12
- Use nonmetal prying tool to lift the bottom of the fan from the laptop body (this will require some force and you will hear an adhesive pulling sound).
- Repeat the steps for the second fan if needed .
Use nonmetal prying tool to lift the bottom of the fan from the laptop body (this will require some force and you will hear an adhesive pulling sound).
Repeat the steps for the second fan if needed .
Step 13
Keyboard
- Disconnect the 6 wires that are attached to the motherboard.
- Three of the six wires have a clasp holding the wire. Pull up on the tab and remove the wire.
- The other three wires have pull tabs and can be removed by pulling from the connector of the wire.
Disconnect the 6 wires that are attached to the motherboard.
Three of the six wires have a clasp holding the wire. Pull up on the tab and remove the wire.
The other three wires have pull tabs and can be removed by pulling from the connector of the wire.
Step 14
- Unscrew the six 3.5mm screws using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- Lift the motherboard out of the laptop body to expose the backing of the keyboard.
Unscrew the six 3.5mm screws using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Lift the motherboard out of the laptop body to expose the backing of the keyboard.
Step 15
- Remove the black piece of tape at the top of the keyboard.
- Unscrew the fifteen screws with a 2 millimeter 000 Philips Head.
Remove the black piece of tape at the top of the keyboard.
Unscrew the fifteen screws with a 2 millimeter 000 Philips Head.
Step 16
- Using a prying tool, place wedges underneath the keyboard until the entire keyboard is removed.
Using a prying tool, place wedges underneath the keyboard until the entire keyboard is removed.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Author
with 4 other contributors
Brianna Hitchcock
Member since: 09/17/2019
857 Reputation
7 Guides authored
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Team
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Team S12-G2, Lamothe Fall 2019
Member of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Team S12-G2, Lamothe Fall 2019
ERAU-LAMOTHE-F19S12G2
4 Members
7 Guides authored
Felipe - Nov 10, 2020
Reply
Reminder: There are more than 15 screws to unscrew on the keyboard (Step 14). They’re hidden under the “K”s.
You shouldn’t apply force to remove the keyboard.
