Upgrade your Dell Inspiron 537 desktop's hardware.
The Dell Inspiron 537 is part of Dell's line of desktop computers. Upgrading hardware is one way to keep your computer up-to-date. Some commonly upgraded hardware devices include the system's memory, hard drive and processor chip. This is because these three devices have the biggest impact on your desktop's overall performance. Replacing any hardware device in your Dell Inspiron 537 computer requires taking it apart to some degree.
Instructions
Upgrading the Hard Drive
1. Shut down your computer. Unplug the power cord, and any other cables and/or external devices. Rotate the computer so the back panel is facing you. Lay the computer on its left side. Remove the two Phillips-head thumb screws fastening the right-side access panel to the computer. Grasp the side panel's molded grip, and remove the panel from the computer to reveal the motherboard.
2. Locate the hard drive inside the drive bay attached to the computer's front panel. Disconnect the data and power cables from the connectors on the rear of the hard drive. Remove four Phillips-head screws fastening the top of the drive to the drive bay. Pull the hard drive out of its slot, and remove it from the computer.
3. Place the new hard drive in the hard drive slot inside the drive bay. Align the screw holes on the top of the drive with the screw holes on the drive bay. Replace the four retaining Phillips-head screws. Reconnect the data and power cables to the back of the new drive.
Upgrading Memory
4. Locate the memory slots near the center of the motherboard. Spread apart the retaining clips on each side of the memory module you want to replace. Lift the memory module out of its slot, and set it aside.
5. Align the notches on the new memory module with the notches inside the empty memory slot. Press down on the memory module until the memory slot's retention clips snap the module into place.
6. Repeat this for every memory module you want to replace.
Upgrading the Processor
7. Locate the processor cooling fan near the center of the motherboard. The processor fan sits directly on top of the processor. Disconnect the cooling fan's cable from the motherboard. Remove the four Phillips-head screws fastening the fan assembly to the motherboard. Lift the fan assembly off of the processor, and remove it from the computer.
8. Disengage the the retention clip securing the processor's metal cover in place. Rotate the cover away from the processor so it is in the upright position. Lift straight up on the processor's locking lever. Carefully lift the old processor out of its motherboard socket, and remove it from the computer.
9. Align the pins on the new processor chip with the pin holes inside the processor's motherboard socket. Place the processor inside the socket, and pull down on the lever to lock the processor inside the socket.
10. Place the cooling fan assembly back on top of the processor. Replace the four Phillips-head screws to fasten the cooling fan to the motherboard. Reconnect the cooling fan's cable to its connector on the motherboard.
11. Replace the side access panel, and its two retaining screws. Place the computer vertically, and reconnect all cables and devices.
Tags: hard drive, memory module, from computer, Phillips-head screws, Dell Inspiron, four Phillips-head