Taking Apart Dell Vostro 1510

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How to take apart Dell Vostro 1510 notebook

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.

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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.


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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.


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Remove and lift up the cooling fan.

STEP 5.

Loosen four screws securing the heat sink.


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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.


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STEP 7.

Lift up the keyboard cover with a small screwdriver or another sharp object.

Remove the keyboard cover.


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STEP 8.

Remove two screws securing the keyboard.

Lift up the keyboard so you can access the keyboard cable connector underneath.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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Continue separating the top cover assembly with your fingers.

Remove the top cover.


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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.


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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.


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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 isa small screw on the side of the socket. This screw locks/unlocks the socket.


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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.

Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal

parts of your laptop.

If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!

63 Responses to “How to take apart Dell Vostro 1510 notebook”

Pages: [3] 2 1 » Show All

63Laptop Tech Says:

October 7th, 2010 at 7:53 am

MaddScienstist98,


16 of 24 10/17/2010 4:08 AM

I am not 100% on laptops, but with most desktop computer there is a set of jumpers or DIP switches on

the motherboard that you can switch to reset the BIOS password.

It’s different with laptops. On most newer laptops there are no DIP switches or jumpers.You have to short some hiddent pads somewhere on the motherboard or call directly to the manufacturer tech support

to get an unlock code.

62

MaddScienstist98 Says:


khosrow — I am not 100% on laptops, but with most desktop computer there is a set of jumpers or DIP switches on

the motherboard that you can switch to reset the BIOS password. Hope this helps!

61

MaddScienstist98 Says:


Hello,I would like to thank you for this amazing website! After searching through many junk website looking for a nice

detailed set of instructions I found this gem. This is the first laptop I’ve had to work on so extensively and it has been a

complete nightmare. After finally giving in and replacing the hard drive and reinstalling xp sp3 the dvd drive quit

working. (not due to a driver) So now I am replacing the dvd drive, which is MUCH more complicated than it shouldbe. Thanks to these instructions I can accomplish this task without feeling like I’m about to break something. So thanks

again. By the way, this MATCHES the DELL VOSTRO 1310 EXACTLY.

60

Laptop Tech Says:

September 29th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Kelly,

My power port is damaged and the plug keeps falling out. Dell wants almost $400 to fix it so I was hoping

to see if you had instructions for this particular model Dell Vostro 1510 to replace the power port/jack?

In your Dell Vostro 1510 the power jack soldered to the motherboard.

Here’s what you do in order to replace the jack. Beware! Some soldering experienced needed.

1. You remove the motherboard as it show in this guide.2. You purchase a new DC jack for Dell Vostro 1510 laptop.

3. You desolder the failed jack and solder a new one. Here’s the power jack replacement guide.

If you don’t know how to solder, you can remove the motherboard yourself and find a technician who can replace the

jack.

59

Kelly Says:September 29th, 2010 at 1:18 pm

My power port is damaged and the plug keeps falling out. Dell wants almost $400 to fix it so I was hoping to see if you

had instructions for this particular model Dell Vostro 1510 to replace the power port/jack? Thanks!

58

Adam Says:September 19th, 2010 at 7:36 am

I have a Vostro 1510 it is also conntec to an external montor (extended) It was on today I had left it and the screens

‘went to sleep’ I moved the mouse and the extended screen came live but not the laptop screen. I did a hard reset and

re-booted – the dell windows logo appeared on the extended monitor as usual which then went blow but the laptop

screen still black. I moved the screen and the display came on and the off a couple of times. I can just make out theMSN box very faintly on the screen….is there anything I can do…can I change desktop display to the extended


17 of 24 10/17/2010 4:08 AM

monitor?

57

Pradeep Says:September 18th, 2010 at 3:32 am

My vostro 1510 is not showing anything on the screen when I switch it on. The three lights glow on the keyboard with

numlock key continuously blinking. Recently I had problem with my NVIDIA GeForce driver which I disabled and

soon after I got vertical coloured lines on screen and finally this problem (nothing on screen not even bios on pressing

delete on startup).

How can I confirm that the problem is with motherboard or graphics card?

Will it be possible to replace graphics card?

Where exactly it is located?

56

Laptop Tech Says:September 17th, 2010 at 10:36 pm

Nils,

I took apart my vostro 1510 because the DVD Rom started to make funny noises and did not read any

more CDs or DVDs that I put in. Unfurtunately when I did step 15 the plastic that holds down the caple

broke and fell apart. I try to fix it with some tape but after I reassambled it, the system did not recognize

any DVD Rom anymore. DVD is not shown anymore in the EXPLORER. So I guess the connection withtape is not adequate. Do you have any idea what I can use instead. Or is it even possible to get this tiny

little spare part thing from Dell.

I don’t think you can buy this piece from Dell or anywhere else. This piece is a part of the DVD drive connector, it’s

not sold separately.

You can try to disassemble your laptop apart again and secure the connector with duct tape. If it doesn’t help,probably you’ll have to use an external DVD drive.

After reassembling the mousepad was not working anymore. I am sure I connected all cables. You know

which connection is responsible for the mousepad to work?

Is it connected properly?

55

Nils Says:September 17th, 2010 at 11:22 am

I took apart my vostro 1510 because the DVD Rom started to make funny noises and did not read any more CDs or

DVDs that I put in. Unfurtunately when I did step 15 the plastic that holds down the caple broke and fell apart. I try to

fix it with some tape but after I reassambled it, the system did not recognize any DVD Rom anymore. DVD is not

shown anymore in the EXPLORER. So I guess the connection with tape is not adequate. Do you have any idea what Ican use instead. Or is it even possible to get this tiny little spare part thing from Dell. Second

After reassembling the mousepad was not working anymore. I am sure I connected all cables. You know which

connection is responsible for the mousepad to work?

thank you in advance

Nils

54

khosrow Says:

August 25th, 2010 at 2:29 am

plz. advice me howto put a new BIOS password because I forgotten my password thanks.


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53

Dave Says: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???

52JT Says:

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 buythis? This is my first time doing it so I appreciate any help I can get. Thank you!

51

Owen.C Says:

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.

50Chamath Says:

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.

49

Laszlo Says: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.

48

Saurav Says:

April 8th, 2010 at 10:35 am

Hi, My dell vostro 1510 dvd is not recognizing any DVD/CD i put in. Please advice.

47Laptop Tech Says:

April 2nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm

PointBlanC,

I need to know how to add the geforce 8400 gpu into this vostro 1510…help anyone?

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?


19 of 24 10/17/2010 4:08 AM

46

PointBlanC Says:April 1st, 2010 at 10:56 pm

I need to know how to add the geforce 8400 gpu into this vostro 1510…help anyone?

45

Laptop Tech Says:

March 31st, 2010 at 2:41 pm

John,

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.

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.

Are there different versions of the motherboard? On the specs its only written VOSTRO 1510 : INTEL

CORE 2 DUO T8300.

There could be more than one type of motherboard available for the same model. The best way to search for areplacement 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.jpgThe 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.

Is the graphic card separate from the motherboard?

Probably not, but I cannot tell without looking at the laptop. In most laptops the graphics card is integrated into themotherboard.

Who is the manufacturer of these cards? Some claim Intel, but Intel does not list them. Intel only list the

chipset.

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.

44John Says:


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 lookfor 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.


20 of 24 10/17/2010 4:08 AM

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

43

Laptop Tech Says:

March 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am

Marco,

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 ?

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.

42

Marco Says:

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 componentsmentioned to have access to it ?

41

Antony Says:

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 anysetting change or install any software to do it. Please help.

Thx.

40

Laptop Tech Says:

March 2nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Victor,

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…

Do you mean shared memory for video? You cannot change it.

39

Victor Says:


21 of 24 10/17/2010 4:08 AM


Hi,

Stunning guide! one question though, do you know if it is possible to change the amount of shared memory? I haven’tbeen able to do so…. thanks in advance!

Best regards.

38

jesse Says:

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 ifix it and how do i get to it in the quickest steps? cheers and thanxs for your instructions.

37

Laptop Tech Says:

February 18th, 2010 at 1:49 pm

kosi,

please i use dell vostro 1510, suddenly, the dvd stoped swallowing my cdsor dvds, it only goes half way, idont knw wat is wrong with it, but it sounds just fine.

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.

36

kosi Says: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

35

David Says: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

34Matt Says:

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.

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