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Removing the system board from an XPS 8960
Hi, in another post, @RoHe gave me a link https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-8960-desktop/xps-8960-service-manual/removing-the-system-board?guid=guid-f7ca7c99-622b-4ed6-8e23-068e01863fe4&lang=en-us for the instructions to removing the system board of my XPS 8960 because I had dropped a screw while trying to install an m.2 ssd.
Now, he did say not to remove the CPU but I think that can be true for the m.2 ssd, wireless card, RAM, and anything else on the motherboard. So I presume I can skip those steps. Would there be anything wrong with this approach? I take it the instructions are for isolating the motherboard not for retrieving a screw. This may be a stupid question but I am just making sure there isn’t something I missed as it will be my first time doing this. Thanks inadvance.
RoHe
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September 3rd, 2024 01:12
You need to be careful. You don't want to put stress/tension on the motherboard while you're lifting/removing it so you don't cause a crack or break a soldered connection on it, etc.
First thing is to remove motherboard battery and press/hold PC's power button for ~30 sec so there's no current stored on the board. Then remove front I/O connector as shown in the instructions.
You absolutely should disconnect all cable connections to the board, eg front panel cable, case fan cables, SATA power cable, power button cable etc. You probably should remove the add-in GPU, if any, and Graphic-card middle holder, too. Depending on which heat sink you have, removal may be necessary too, eg, liquid cooler or 125 W air cooler.
By my count, there are 9 mounting screws holding the board...
The fewer things installed/connected, the less chance of a disaster.
Your PC, your decisions...
Tom_XPS_owner
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September 3rd, 2024 12:27
@RoHe Thanks again for the insights. I see what you mean now, I thought that the parts merely attached by itself to the motherboard were ok to leave on but I understand now. Since my thermal paste kit won’t arrive until tonight or tomorrow, I have plenty of time to research. Would you know any good references?
Thanks!
(edited)
RoHe
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September 3rd, 2024 15:59
Read the XPS 8940 Service Manual. You may want to download on a different PC so you have it available while you take this one apart.
There are lots of youtubes about cleaning surfaces and applying fresh thermal paste.
No offense, but if this is beyond your DIY capabilities, find a friendly geek or take it into a PC shop. Don't make things any worse...
Tom_XPS_owner
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September 4th, 2024 12:25
@RoHe hi, no offense taken. Did I get that right? Did you write the XPS 8940 Service Manual? (Not the XPS 8960 Service Manual)? I am up to reading about BIOS and Drivers in the 8960 Service Manual. I am going to research as much as I can in a week and see if I am confident enough to try it. You are right, it WOULD be my decision!) I would be learning a lot as well even if I don’t make the attempt. Please clarify on if there’s important stuff in the 8940 Service Manual or if typo. Thanks!
thanks again