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# Before You Begin

Dell™ Latitude™ C400 Service Manual

Preparing to Work Inside the Computer

Recommended Tools

Screw Identification

## Preparing to Work Inside the Computer

| NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.

| NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.

1. Make sure that the work surface is clean to prevent scratching the computer cover.
2. Save any work in progress and close all open application programs.
3. Turn off the computer and all attached devices.

| NOTE: Make sure the computer is turned off and not in suspend-to-disk or hibernate mode. If you cannot shut down the computer using the computer's operating system, press and hold the power button for 4 seconds.

1. Make sure the computer is undocked.
2. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet.
3. To avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 10 to 20 seconds and then disconnect any attached devices.
4. Disconnect all other external cables from the computer, including the IDE modular bay cable (if connected).
5. Remove any installed PC Cards or plastic blanks from the PC Card slot.
6. Close the display and turn the computer upside down on a flat work surface.

| NOTICE: To avoid damaging the system board, you must remove the battery before you service the computer.

1. Remove the battery from the battery bay.
2. To dissipate any static electricity while you work, use a wrist grounding strap or periodically touch an unpainted metal surface.
3. Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by it edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold internal components by their edges, not by their pins.

## Recommended Tools

The procedures in this manual require the following tools:

- #1 magnetized Phillips screwdriver
- Small flat-blade screwdriver
- 5-mm nut driver
- 7-mm nut driver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Flash BIOS update program floppy disk or CD

Computer Orientation

1 | back
2 | right
3 | front
4 | left

## Screw Identification

When you are removing and replacing components, photocopy the placemat as a tool to lay out and keep track of the screws. The placemat provides the number of screws and their sizes.

Screw Identification

| NOTICE: When reinstalling a screw, you must use a screw of the correct diameter and length. Make sure that the screw is properly aligned with its corresponding hole, and avoid overtightening.

Hard Drive Door: (1 each) | Modem Daughter Card: (1 each)
Keyboard: (4 each) | Display Assembly:
Display Bezel: (6 each) Rubber screw covers: 6 each | Palm Rest to Bottom Case:
Critical Component Shield: (6 each) | Palm Rest to System Board: (6 each)
Cooling Fan: (3 each) | Audio Board: (2 each)
System Board: (1 each) Guide pins: 2 each 5-mm hex nuts: 4 each 7-mm hex nuts: 2 each |

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