Steps to replace the motherboard on a Dell Diminsion 4600 computer.
The Dell Dimension 4600 is a series of home desktop computers no longer produced by Dell. The motherboard, sometimes called a circuit or system board, holds many essential components of the computer. Essentially, it is the body of your system. Located on the motherboard are memory, microprocessor and connections to all hardware. Replacing the motherboard is not difficult; however, it can be tricky. Because this is such a vital part of your computer system, you should be experienced in computer repair before attempting to replace a motherboard.
Instructions
Getting Started
1. Shut down your computer and unplug all cables, such as keyboard, mouse, network and AC adapter.
2. Remove the front cover of the computer. With the front panel facing you, locate and press the release lever on the top-left of the computer. With the lever pressed, the cover will open at the top. Slide your fingers down the open side and locate the bottom-release tab. Press the tab inward and pull the cover off.
3. Put on a static-resistant wristband and touch your hand to unpainted metal. Touch the unpainted metal frequently while working inside your computer. This will ground you so you do not produce a static charge and short out the components of your computer.
4. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the floppy drive in place. Disconnect the cables from the floppy drive to the system board and pull the floppy drive out.
Removing the Motherboard
5. Remove any cards installed on the motherboard. This includes sound cards, video cards and memory. Most cards either pop out of place when you remove the screw and pull up or will have a plastic lever that will pop them out of the port. Remove any connections the cards have to the motherboard.
6. Disconnect all cables from the motherboard. This includes hard drive connections, DVD players and the power.
7. Lift up the heat-sink shroud. This plastic piece sits over a portion of the motherboard. It will lift out.
8. Remove the fan assembly. Disconnect the fan from the power source. Remove the screws securing the fan to the board and pull the unit off.
9. Remove the twelve screws that secure the motherboard to the frame of the computer. Put the screws aside in a safe location. Lift the board off the frame of the computer.
10. Lay the old board next to the replacement board and compare the two devices. This will ensure you have purchase the correct board for your computer. Check to be sure all ports and card slots are the same.
11. Remove the microprocessor package from the old board to use on the new board if necessary. Some boards will come with a preinstalled microprocessor. Twist the heat sink on top of the microprocessor package on the old board from side to side. The heat sink will look like a vertical file holder. Pull the release tab out of the front of the heat sink and lift off the heat sink.
12. Locate the retention module clip on the front end of the package. This will appear as a lever. Press in on the tab and pull the retention clip up. Remove the package.
13. Set the module down into the microprocessor socket on the new board. The socket is a small platform on the board with pinholes in it. Set the package down on the socket and align the pins on the package to the holes on the socket. When correctly seated, the lever will be upright. Press the lever down until it snaps into place.
14. Insert the heat sink on top of the microprocessor and press down the retention lever.
Installing the New Motherboard
15. Set the new board down onto the computer frame and secure it with the twelve screws.
16. Install the components from the old board onto the new board, such as memory modules, cards and fan assembly.
17.Set the jumpers on the replacement board so that they are identical to the ones on the old board.
18. Reconnect all cables, such as power cable and hard drive.
19. Replace the floppy drive. Close the cover and reconnect your computer.
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