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OptiPlex 3050 Mini Tower: Teardown removal guide for customer replaceable units (CRUs)

Summary: This article is a guide to those parts Dell believe is possible for a customer to remove on the Mini Tower version of the OptiPlex 3050 system.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

These guides will take you through each step of the safe removal of what are considered to be the Customer Replaceable Unit (CRU) parts of an OptiPlex 3050 MT system. (CRUs are the parts of the system that shouldn't need an engineer to remove or replace.) The guides will also include pictures to reference what's involved.

Table of Contents:

  1. CRU Removal Guide
  2. Removal Instructions

 

Removal Guide

 

If these guides do not cover what you are looking to do, then you will want to reference your System Manual.

The article below provides information on safe practises you should be taking into consideration before working with electrical equipment.


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Removal Instructions

 

Note: Please click on the title of the section you want to open below, to see the contents.

 

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SLN305140_en_US__1ReqTools_E7450_BKeith_01

 

1 Small Phillip's head screwdriver 2 Plastic Scribe
3 Small Flathead screwdriver    
 
Note: Be aware that using a large Phillips or Flat Head screwdriver may result in damage to the head of the screws. This would make their removal impossible without speciality tools, that aren't available to our onsite engineers.

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the System Cover :

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

  2. To remove the PCs access panel put the system on its side opposite the access panel and loosen the two (2) captive thumbscrews that secure the cover to the system. [1].

SLN305140_en_US__23050_MT_BackCover_BK_01

  1. Pull the cover towards the back of the system. [2] Lift the cover up and away from the PC when it disengages the securing lugs on the chassis.

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Front Bezel :

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover

  2. To remove the front bezel lift the three (3) tabs that secure the edge of the bezel to the system. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__33050_MT_Bezel_BK_01

  1. The bezel rests on hooks along the bottom edge of the bezel (as it sits on its side with the access panel removed.) Push the bezel away from the front of the chassis to lift it away from the PC. [2]

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) :

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

3.5" Hard Disk Drive

  1. Disconnect the cables in the rear of the HDD.

SLN305140_en_US__43050_MT_HDD_BK_01

  1. Tilt the drive cage out the front of the PC and press the blue tab in and pull the drive out the front of the cage.

  2. To remove the HDD bracket pull one side of the bracket away from the HDD to disengage the pins in the bracket from the slots in the drive. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__53050_MT_HDD_BK_02

  1. Lift the HDD out of the bracket.

SLN305140_en_US__63050_MT_HDD_BK_03

2.5" Hard Disk Drive

  1. Disconnect the cables in the rear of the HDD. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__73050_MT_HDD_BK_04

  1. Tilt the drive cage out the front of the PC and press the blue tabs either side of the drive bracket towards the middle of the drive [2] and pull the drive out of the cage. [3]

  2. To remove the HDD bracket pull one side of the bracket away from the HDD to disengage the pins in the bracket from the slots in the drive. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__83050_MT_HDD_BK_05

  1. Lift the HDD out of the bracket. [2]

SLN305140_en_US__93050_MT_HDD_BK_06

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Solid State Drive (SSD):

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. Tilt the drive cage out the front of the PC and pull the blue tab that secures the PCI-E SSD to the motherboard. [1] Lift the SSD at a 45° angle and pull it out of the connector and the PC. [2]

SLN305140_en_US__103050_MT_SSD_BK_01

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Optical Disc Drive (CD-ROM / DVD / ODD):

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. Tilt the drive cage towards the front of the PC to disconnect the cables from the rear of the drive. [1] Pull the drive cage back in place to access the front of the drive. [2]

SLN305140_en_US__113050_MT_ODD_BK_01

  1. Press the blue release tab at the rear of the drive. [1] Pull the drive out of the front of the PC. [2]

SLN305140_en_US__123050_MT_ODD_BK_02

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Memory :

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. Tilt the drive cage towards the front of the PC to access the memory modules in the motherboard. Push down on the tabs on either side of the DIMM card to lift the module out of the memory slot.

SLN305140_en_US__133050_MT_Memory_BK_01

  1. Lift the memory module up and out of the memory slot and out of the PC.

SLN305140_en_US__143050_MT_Memory_BK_02

Note: Please repeat Steps 2 and 3 for any additional Memory DIMMs located in the system.

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Expansion Cards :

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. To remove an expansion card tilt the drive cage towards the front of the PC to access the optional cards in the motherboard. Pull the release tab on the rear of the chassis to unlock the cards. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__153050_MT_PCI_BK_01

  1. Press the release tab at the rear of the card [2] and lift the card up and out of the connector and the PC. [3]

Note: Repeat steps 2 and 3 to remove any additional cards.

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Coin Cell Battery:

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. Tilt the drive cage towards the front of the PC to access the coin cell battery on the motherboard between the PCI cards and the system fan. Press the release latch until the coin cell battery pops up. [1].

SLN305140_en_US__163050_MT_CoinCell_BK_01

  1. Lift the coin cell battery up and out of the system. [2]

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the VGA Daughter Card:

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover and Front Bezel

  2. To remove the daughterboard, start by removing the two (2) standoff from the port on the rear of the PC [1] and slide the connector out from under the rear fan.

SLN305140_en_US__173050_MT_VGA_BK_01

  1. Remove the securing screw from the daughterboard [2] and lift the VGA daughter board by using the handle on top to remove it from the motherboard and PC. [3]

 

  1. Pre-Removal Instructions before removing the Power Supply Unit (PSU):

    1. During installation or removal of any hardware always ensure all data is backed up properly

    2. Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer

    3. Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets

    4. Please remove the System Cover

  2. Disconnect the power cables from the motherboard [1][2] and undo the release clip [3] and un-route and disconnect the power cables from the clip and the drives. [4]

SLN305140_en_US__183050_MT_PSU_BK_01

  1. Remove the three (3) screws securing the PSU to the rear of the chassis. [5]

  2. Press down on the release tab at the rear of the PC. [1]

SLN305140_en_US__193050_MT_PSU_BK_02

  1. Slide the PSU towards the front of the PC and lift it out of the system. [2]

If you require further assistance, please contact technical support.
Contact Us Go Back to the OptiPlex 3050 Desktop Teardown Contents Page

Cause

N/A

Resolution

N/A

Affected Products

OptiPlex 3050 Tower
Article Properties
Article Number: 000136831
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 29 Sept 2023
Version:  7
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