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In this guide I explain how to disassemble a Dell Inspiron E1505 or Inspiron 6400 laptop. These are two identical laptops with different names.
The main purpose of my repair is removing and replacing the cooling fan which started making lots of noise.
The cooling fan mounted inside of laptop case, so the whole thing has to be disassembled.
Make sure the laptop is turned off before you start taking it apart.
STEP 1.
Remove the battery.
Remove two screws securing the hard drive assembly and pull it out.
Remove two screws securing memory cover and remove the cover.
STEP 2.
Remove all screws from the bottom.
STEP 3.
Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive.
Push the drive from the laptop with a screwdriver.
Pull the optical drive from the laptop.
STEP 4.
Remove two screws on the back of the laptop.
These screws are hidden under screw seals.
On the following 7 steps I’ll be removing the keyboard.
By the way, it’s not necessary to go through all previous steps in order to remove the keyboard. Simply follow steps 5-11.
STEP 5.
Lift up the right side of the power button board cover with a screwdriver.
STEP 6.
Remove the power button board cover.
STEP 7.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 8.
Lift up the keyboard and carefully remove it from the laptop.
STEP 9.
Access the keyboard cable connector underneath.
STEP 10.
Unlock the connector and remove the keyboard cable.
On the following picture the connector is shown in unlocked state.
STEP 11.
Now you can remove the keyboard.
Need a new keyboard for Dell Inspiron E1505/6400? You’ll find it here.
STEP 12.
Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard. Remove one screw securing the video cable.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card.
Remove two screws securing display hinges.
STEP 13.
Remove the display assembly.
STEP 14.
Remove two screws securing the power button board.
STEP 15.
Carefully lift up and disconnect the power button board from the motherboard.
STEP 16.
Disconnect the lid close switch cable from the motherboard.
Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.
Remove one screw securing the top cover assembly.
On the following picture the touch pad connector shown in unlocked state.
STEP 17.
Separate the top cover assembly from the laptop base.
STEP 18.
Remove the top cover assembly.
The top cover has been removed.
STEP 19.
Remove two screws securing the cooling fan.
Unplug the cooling fan cable from the motherboard.
STEP 20.
Now you can remove the cooling fan and replace it with a new one.
Looking for a replacement fan for Dell Inspiron E1505/6400 laptop? You’ll find it here.
April 9th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I tried the steps above (thru #11), however after putting the laptop back together, now it will not start. The green light comes on where the power is connected, but it doesn’t sound like it is getting power at all, and nothing happens.
The parts that I had to re-connect (and I double checked all these), the keyboard and touchpad ribbons, lid close switch, wi-fi card cables, and the video cable connector. I did not remove the fan or anything from step 12 beyond.
My question is: is it possible I may have neglected to re-connect something (power-related) that would cause this? Or is it more likely that I fried something while messing around in there?
Appreciate any advice you can offer, I made the mistake of trying to help a friend with his laptop, and now I am going to have to figure out how to fix this myself (including any costs I will incur if it needs to be repaired). You know what they say, “no good deed goes unpunished”. :-\
Thanks in advance!
March 29th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Thank you great info. I need to replace my sound card looks like fun getting into the computer..
February 17th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Kris,
Take a look at this service manual for Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop.
It has very clear step-by-step instructions.
Yes, you’ll have to remove the keyboard in order to remove the display panel.
The bezel secured to the back cover with a few screws. After all screws are removed, you should be able to separate the bezel.
February 16th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Hi!
I just found your website, which I thought is very clear and well done (the picture are very usefull!)
I’m looking to change the back cover (of the screen) of my Dell Inspiron 6400 and I can’t seems to find clear instructions, even on Dell site. The problem is quite common : the back cover is splitting from the bezel at the bottom of the display assembly. I got a new cover from Dell but I’m not sure that I got all the replacing pieces (do I need separate hinges or the ones attached to the cover are the only ones needed ?) and also, I’m not sure if I need to remove the keyboard and how I can separate the back cover from the bezel (is it just “snapped” ?).
I can send pictures of the problem is needed.
I need my laptop every day for work so I’m hoping to be able to do it myself…
Thank you very much in advance for the help !
Kris
p.s: Hope my english is ok and things are clear.. .I usually write in french
January 25th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hey! great post!!!!
Do you happen to know where I can get a new LCD cable? My brightness is nonexistant and they told me that’s what was faulty….
thanks!
Guillermo
January 5th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Thanks, This was very helpful
October 10th, 2010 at 10:38 am
This is awesome thank you! I was trying to figure out to get in there!
October 5th, 2010 at 4:23 am
That was just exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much for this guide. Saves me from buying a new laptop just to avoid the noise
September 10th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Neill,
September 10th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Thanks so much for posting this. I was finally able to disassemble my E1505 and get that nasty heat sink cleaned out. Reassembly was a snap and it’s running much cooler now.