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These guides will take you step-by-step through the safe removal of the Customer Replaceable Unit (CRU) parts of a Dell Mini Tower OptiPlex XE3 system. (CRUs are the parts of the system that should not need an engineer to remove or replace.) The guides include pictures referencing what is involved. Table of Contents: CRU Removal GuideRemoval 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 about safe practices to consider before working with electrical equipment. Safety precautions when working with electrical equipment Back to Top
Removal Instructions Note: Click the title of the section you want to open below, in order to see the contents. Show all | Hide all Recommended Tools 1Small Phillip's head screwdriver2Plastic Scribe3Small Flat head 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 specialty tools, that are not available to our onsite engineers. System Cover Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the System Cover: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Slide the blue release catch on the back of the chassis towards the center of the PC [1]. Slide it towards the front of the chassis and lift it up and off of the system [2]. Front Bezel Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Front Bezel: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover With the system on its side, pry up the retention clips along the top edge of the bezel [1]. Rotate the bezel down towards the desk to release the bezel hooks at the bottom edge [2, 3]. Hard Disk Drive Assembly Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Assembly: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the 3 1/5" drive. Remove the HDD filler blank [1] from the front of the chassis. Press the blue button down [2] to pull the drive out the front of the chassis [3]. Pull one side of the bracket away from the 3 1/5" HDD to disengage the securing pins [1, 2]. Pull the HDD up and away from the bracket [3]. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the 2 1/5" drive [1]. Then pressing the blue tabs on either side of the drive towards each other [2] and pull the drive out the back of the cage [3]. Pull one side of the bracket away from the 2 1/5" HDD to disengage the securing pins [1]. Pull the HDD up and away from the bracket [2]. Optical Disc Drive (ODD) Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Optical Disc Drive (ODD): During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the ODD [1]. Unroute the cables from the chassis so you can close the front panel [2]. Squeeze and push the blue release latch on the back of the ODD [1]. Pull the Optical Disc Drive out the front of the chassis [2]. M.2 PCIe SSD Card Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the M.2 PCIe SSD Card: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel With the front panel pulled open, undo the single screw securing the card to the motherboard [1]. Then lift the card up and pull it out of the connector [2]. Memory Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Memory: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel With the front panel open, pull the plastic tabs on either side of the memory module away from each other [1]. Remove the module as it lifts up from it is connector on the motherboard [2]. Note: Repeat Step 2 for any additional Memory DIMMs located in the system. Coin Cell Battery Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Coin Cell Battery: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover Having opened the front panel, use a plastic scribe to press down on the release latch. When the battery pops up, [1] remove the battery from the system [2]. Heatsink Fan Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Heatsink and System Fans: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel Disconnect the heatsink fan cable from the motherboard [1] and remove the four (4) screws that secure the fan to the heatsink [2]. Lift the fan away from the computer [3]. Disconnect the system fan cable from the motherboard [1], then stretch the four (4) plastic grommets that secure the fan to the heat sink [2]. Pull the fan up and away from the system [3]. Expansion Card Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Expansion Card: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel Pull the metal tab on the rear of the chassis up and rotate it over the back of the chassis [1]. Press the release tab on the back of the expansion card [2]. Disconnect and lift the card up and away from the connector on the motherboard [3]. Power Supply Unit Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Power Supply Unit (PSU): During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel Disconnect the power cables from the motherboard and devices [1, 2, 3,]. Unroute the power cables from the retention clips on the chassis [4, 5, 6,]. Remove the three (3) screws securing the back of the PSU to the chassis [1], and press the blue release tab [2]. Push the PSU towards the front of the system [3] and lift the PSU out of the system. Internal Speaker Removal Pre-Removal Instructions Before removing the Internal Speakers: During installation or removals of any hardware always ensure that all data is backed up properly Disconnect any telephone, network, or USB cables from the computer Disconnect the computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets Remove the System Cover and Front Bezel With the front panel open, disconnect the speaker cable from the motherboard [1]. Press the release tab down [2] and pull the speaker away from the chassis [3]. If you require further assistance, please contact technical Support.Contact UsGo back to the OptiPlex XE3 teardown contents page.