2. Take precautions before working
inside your PC
Before working inside
your computer, read the
safety information that
shipped with your
computer.
To avoid damaging your
computer, perform the
following steps before
you begin working inside
the computer
Ensure that your work
surface is flat and clean
to prevent the computer
cover from being
scratched.
Turn off your computer
(see Turning Off Your
Computer).
Disconnect all network
cables from the
computer.
Disconnect your
computer and all
attached devices from
their electrical outlets.
Press and hold the
power button while the
computer is unplugged
to ground the system
board.
Remove the cover.
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.
Many repairs may only be done by a
certified service technician. You
should only perform troubleshooting
and simple repairs as authorized in
your product documentation, or as
directed by the online or telephone
service and support team.
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 the back of
the computer.
3. How do I open my computer case?
Before opening the case,
disconnect all the cables
from the back of the
computer and place it on
a table. Next,
identify the chassis
you're working with.
Below is a short list
of different ways a
computer case cover
is held on.
Screw - Case
held on with
screws.
thumbscrew-
Case with screws
that require no
special tools and
can be tightened
and loosened
with your fingers.
Often, these
screws also have
indents that allow
them to also work
with tools if
needed.
Screwless -
Case that has
no screws, only
held on with
metal or plastic
clamps that
can release
from the case
by pressing
buttons or
switches.
4. Screw / Thumbscrew computer casesStep#1
The screws, buttons, or
other mechanisms to
open a computer case
are almost always located
on the back edges of a
computer. If the case has
screws, these will need to
be removed before the
case cover can be
removed.
Step#2
Once screws have been
removed from the back
of the case, push the side
cover of the computer
case towards the back of
the computer. Either the
side of the computer
case will slide off, or the
complete cover will be
removed.
Step#3
Finally, some computer
cases use a combination
of thumbscrews and
screwless mechanisms to
hold on the side of a
computer case. If you
only needed to remove
one on the back of the
computer, it's likely
you're working with this
case.
5. Screwless computer cases
As mentioned earlier, screwless computer cases work by using buttons,
levers, or push arms. For example, NEC, Dell, and other major computer
manufacturers used a popular screwless entry case where a single
thumbscrew is removed from the back right side of the computer case, and
while the computer is on its side, press and hold in two small levers on the
top and bottom and push the side towards the back of the case.
In addition to the above example, a screwless computer case may have
similar levers that may be located in other locations such as the bottom of
the computer case or the front of the computer.
Finally, there are also several other screwless computer cases that utilize
buttons often located on the front bottom portion of the computer case.
pressing this button will release the side of the case, allowing it to be
removed.
6. ESD Precautions and Proper Handling
Procedures
Avoid carpets in cool, dry
areas. Leave PC cards and
memory modules in their
anti-static packaging until
ready to be installed.
Dissipate static electricity
before handling any system
components (PC cards,
memory modules) by
touching a grounded metal
object, such as the system
unit unpainted metal chassis.
If possible, use antistatic
devices, such as wrist straps
and floor mats.
Always hold a PC card or
memory module by its edges.
Avoid touching the contacts
and components on the
memory module.
Take care when connecting or
disconnecting cables. A
damaged cable can cause a
short in the electrical circuit.
Prevent damage to the
connectors by aligning
connector pins before you
connect the cable. Misaligned
connector pins can cause
damage to system
components at power-on.
When disconnecting a cable,
always pull on the cable
connector or strain-relief
loop, not on the cable itself.
