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Inspiron 15 3521 Service Manual

PDF

Removing the system board

Prerequisites

  1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.
  2. Remove the secure digital card.
  3. Remove the base cover.
  4. Remove the memory module.
  5. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive or the M.2 2280 solid-state drive, whichever applicable.
    NOTE: This procedure applies only to systems shipped with a M.2 solid-state drive installed.
  6. Remove the wireless card.
  7. Remove the system board thermal plate, if required.
  8. Remove the display assembly.

About this task

The following image indicates the connectors on your system board.

Image of System board connectors of Inspiron 15 3521

  1. I/O daughter-board FFC connector
  2. eDP connector
  3. DC-in port connector
  4. Keyboard FFC connector
  5. Keyboard-backlight FFC connector
  6. Battery connector
  7. Memory module connector
  8. Touchpad FFC connector
  9. Hard-drive FFC connector
  10. Wireless card connector
  11. Speaker cable connector
  12. Solid-state drive connector
NOTE: When removing the system board to replace/access other parts, the system board can be removed with the system board thermal plate attached to it in order to simplify the procedure and preserve the thermal bond between the system board and system board thermal plate.
Image of removing the system board with system board thermal plate

The following images indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure.

Image of removing the system board

Steps

  1. Disconnect the following cables from the system board:
    1. I/O daughter-board FFC
    2. Power-adapter port cable
    3. Keyboard FFC
    4. Keyboard-backlight FFC, if applicable
      NOTE: This step applies only to systems shipped with a keyboard backlight installed.
    5. Touchpad FFC
    6. Hard-disk drive FFC, if applicable
      NOTE: This step applies only to systems shipped with a 2.5-inch hard-disk drive installed.
  2. Remove the screw (M2x2) and the three screws (M2x3.5) that secure the system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
    NOTE: When removing the system board with the system board thermal plate, remove the two screws (M2x5) that secure the system board thermal plate to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

    Image of removing the system board thermal plate screws

  3. Carefully lift and remove the system board away from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

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