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In the following guide I will take apart a Dell Vostro 1510 notebook. You can use this guide for removing almost all internal parts from the notebook base. I think these instructions might work for some other Dell Vostro notebooks, not just a Vostro 1510. If it fits your laptop, please mention the model in the comments below.
If you need spare parts for your Vostro 1510 laptop, you can search for used and new parts here.
Before you start the disassembly process do not forget to unplug the power adapter and battery.
STEP 1.
Remove hard drive and memory covers.
STEP 2.
Pull the hard drive to the left and disconnect it from the motherboard.
Remove the hard drive. As you see it’s a SATA hard drive. If you are replacing the hard drive, any large 2.5″ SATA hard drive should work just fine.
STEP 3.
Remove both memory modules. In a Dell Vostro 1510 you can install up to 4GB RAM (2GB module into each slot). You should use DDR2-667 modules.
STEP 4.
Remove three screws securing the cooling fan. Unplug the cooling fan cable from the motherboard.
Remove and lift up the cooling fan.
STEP 5.
Loosen four screws securing the heat sink.
Carefully lift up and remove the heat sink.
STEP 6.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. Grab the golden connector on the end of the antenna cables with your fingers and pull it up.
Remove one screw securing the wireless card and remove the card.
STEP 7.
Lift up the keyboard cover with a small screwdriver or another sharp object.
Remove the keyboard cover.
STEP 8.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard.
Lift up the keyboard so you can access the keyboard cable connector underneath.
Very carefully unlock the connector and release the keyboard cable.
Now you can remove the keyboard.
If you are replacing the keyboard, you don’t have to through steps 1-6. Simply remove and replace the keyboard as it shown in steps 7 and 8.
STEP 9.
In the following three steps I’ll remove the display panel assembly.
Remove one screw securing the right hinge.
STEP 10.
Disconnect the video cable from the motherboard.
Pull both wireless antenna cables through the opening.
Remove five screws securing both display hinges.
STEP 11.
Remove the display assembly.
If you would like to know how to take apart the display panel and remove the LCD with inverter, check out other disassembly guides in the Dell category. The LCD screen removal instructions will be similar for most Dell (and other ) laptops.
STEP 12.
Disconnect three cables and remove three screws from the top cover assembly.
STEP 13.
Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook.
STEP 14.
Start separating the top cover assembly from the base assembly. You can use a small flathead screwdriver.
Continue separating the top cover assembly with your fingers.
Remove the top cover.
STEP 15.
The CD/DVD drive is mounted inside the base and can be removed only after you remove the top cover.
Disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable from the connector on the motherboard.
Lift up and remove the CD/DVD drive.
STEP 16.
Remove three screws securing the motherboard.
Unplug the USB board cable from the motherboard.
Lift up the motherboard as it shown on the picture below.
Remove the motherboard.
The processor (CPU) is locked in the socket. In order to remove the processor, you’ll have to unlock the socket first. There is a small screw on the side of the socket. This screw locks/unlocks the socket.
In this notebook the CMOS (RTC) battery is replaciable. You can unlug the old CMOS battery from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.
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August 25th, 2010 at 2:29 am
plz. advice me howto put a new BIOS password because I forgotten my password thanks.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:37 am
Hi,
I have problem with my Dell Vostro 1510. I look to BIOS and maybe I click on something (I don’t know). When I want start my laptop, then write me “No TPM or TPM has problem”. When Windows starts, then go to the “blue death” and restart. Where is a problem???
August 5th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Hello. I have a Dell Vostro 1510 that wouldn’t turn on. I’m thinking it’s a hard drive problem (Geeksquad said it’s either hard drive or motherboard). I’m planning to take out the hard drive as instructed and do a data transfer to another laptop. Does anyone know if I need a specific hard drive dock in order to do this, and if so, where can I buy this? This is my first time doing it so I appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!
July 14th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I did this yesterday lol, except my motherboard was green and I have a graphics chip with the extended heatsink.
June 27th, 2010 at 1:22 am
Guys i had the same problem too but i replaced the motherboard, lcd display, harrd drive, vedio card and ram.
now it works fine but the internal microphone is not working please help me with it.
April 11th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Hi,
A problem started with my 1510 a few days ago. When I switch on the screen is grey (when starts the bios). I have to switch on and switch off many times that this problem stop. It works by hours. After some hours the screen start to vibrate, disintegrate and freeze. Maybe the inverter?
Thank you.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Hi, My dell vostro 1510 dvd is not recognizing any DVD/CD i put in. Please advice.
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
PointBlanC,
I doubt you can do that.
In order to an an external video card your laptop (motherboard) has to be designed for that.
Does your motherboard has a connector for the external video card?
April 1st, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I need to know how to add the geforce 8400 gpu into this vostro 1510…help anyone?
March 31st, 2010 at 2:41 pm
John,
Probably this is the video card failure error message. Most likely the video card is integrated into the motherboard and it means the whole motherboard has to be replaced.
There could be more than one type of motherboard available for the same model. The best way to search for a replacement motherboard is using the Dell part number.
Take a look in the memory compartment and search for a sticker with the part number. Most likely you’ll see a long string of letters and numbers, something like CN-0P446J-12976-96D-4334-A00 shown on this picture (this is sticker from a keyboard)
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/images/Dell-Inspiron-1545/remove-replace-laptop-keyboard-11.jpg
The second set in the string is the part number, in my example the part number is 0P446J. In your case it will be a different number.
Find this number and google it or search on eBay.
Probably not, but I cannot tell without looking at the laptop. In most laptops the graphics card is integrated into the motherboard.
Don’t know.
Also, before you replace the motherboard, try removing memory modules one by one. Test the laptop with only one module (try both) in place. If still nothing, I guess you’ll have to replace the motherboard.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Hi,
Thanks for an excellent guide! My Vostro 1510 died a few days ago. One long and two short beeps that’s all I have. The screen is black. It’s out of warranty, and the only advice I got is to replace the motherboard. So I started to look for a new board but as a newbie I’m a bit lost, so if anyone can help me to sort out the following questions its most appreciated:
1. Are there different versions of the motherboard? On the specs its only written VOSTRO 1510 : INTEL CORE 2 DUO T8300.
2. Is the graphic card separate from the motherboard? I had a 15.4 screen with WUXGA resolution and Nivida.
3. On e-bay there are some boards listed for Vostro 1510, all of them are refurbished.
Who is the manufacturer of these cards? Some claim Intel, but Intel does not list them. Intel only list the chipset.
Thanks
John
March 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Marco,
I think it’s possible but…
As you can see on the step 15 the CD/DVD drive is connected to the motherboard via ribbon cable.
Without removing the top cover assembly you’ll get very limited access to the connector. Take a look at the step 8, you can see the connector in there under the keyboard. Without removing the top cover assembly it’s still easy to disconnect the CD/DVD drive but it will be harder to connect it back, even though possible.
Here’s what you can try for removing the CD/DVD drive without taking the whole thing apart.
1. Remove the battery.
2. Remove keyboard. Step 7-8.
3. Disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable.
I don’t remember where CD/DVD drive screws are located. Could be on the bottom or under the keyboard.
Remove those screws and remove the drive.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:53 am
Are you sure that there is no faster way to remove the CD/DVD drive ? Is it necessary to remove all the components mentioned to have access to it ?
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:59 am
I have vostro 1510 with NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS graphics card in it. It gives me 1280×800 resolution. I want to increase it. Whats the best way to do it. Do I have to get a new graphics card to boost the resolution or can I do any setting change or install any software to do it. Please help.
Thx.
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Victor,
Do you mean shared memory for video? You cannot change it.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Hi,
Stunning guide! one question though, do you know if it is possible to change the amount of shared memory? I haven’t been able to do so…. thanks in advance!
Best regards.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
my power input that is inside the vostro 1510 has broken ( not the supply cord) what can i do? can i replace it? can i fix it and how do i get to it in the quickest steps? cheers and thanxs for your instructions.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
kosi,
I cannot tell what’s going on without looking at the DVD drive. Apparently something got stuck inside or it’s broken.
It’s necessary to remove the DVD drive and take it apart.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
hello. please i use dell vostro 1510, suddenly, the dvd stoped swallowing my cdsor dvds, it only goes half way, i dont knw wat is wrong with it, but it sounds just fine. Its as if a lens is blocking it from enetering…. pleaseeee helpp….. thankxx
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I had a vostro 1510. The DVD unit refused to liberate one DVD, resulting in the need to remove the unit. The little retainer/pressure clips on the keyboard and toch pad connectors were not released before removing the cables. Result: they now do not lock. How can i get replacements? David
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:36 am
Hey there, great guide. I am having a lot of trouble with my graphics card, it blue screens before login. Was thinking of replacing it. Is it somewhat possible or is it attached to the motherboard? You didn’t mention it on the guide.
January 10th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Hi,
I want to replace my optical DVD drive in my 1510 with a caddy that can house a hard drive. What is the model number or could you post a bigger picture of the DVD drive? I need to know what it is before I order the caddy so I only pull my laptop apart once.
In case you’re interested: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=388625&page=14
Thanks.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
kismet,
Not sure what is wrong with your laptop. Try reseating memory module, maybe one of them got knocked out of the slot.
Reconnect both memory modules and try turning it on again.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
i have a vostro 1510. something fell on it while it was open and put a kink on the right side to the right of the touchpad. now when i turn it on the dell screen comes up and it only gives me options for f12 setup or f2. i dont know what that is but does anyone know what could be damaged? and is it fixable? the comp is less than a year old. email me w a solution if possible…thanx…