How to upgrade a Dell laptop video card?

How to Upgrade a Video Card on a Dell Inspiron 9300 Laptop

• Answer:

  Upgrading the video card on the Dell Inspiron 9300 improves the graphics display capabilities, making images sharper and crisper while preventing glitches during videos or playing video games. The video card mounts on top of the motherboard as part of an assembly with the processor thermal-cooling unit. You have to remove all the upper components, including the display screen, the keyboard and the top cover, to get to it. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need Screwdrivers Instructions Shut down the computer and detach all the cables and external devices connected to its ports. Close the display screen and turn the computer base side up, with the hinged side of the computer at the top. Locate the battery at the bottom of the base. Press the battery release latch, and remove the battery from the computer. Locate the Mini PCI card compartment at the top left corner of the base. Extract the two screws from it with a screwdriver, and remove the cover. Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini PCI card. Turn the computer top side up, and open the display screen. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the indentation on the right side of the hinge cover (the plastic strip that runs between the keyboard and the display screen). Lift the hinge cover with the screwdriver, and remove it by pulling it up from right to left. Extract the two screws from the top of the keyboard. Lift the top of the keyboard, and move it toward the display screen just enough to gain access to the flat cable underneath the keyboard that connects to the motherboard. Disconnect the flat cable, and remove the keyboard from the computer. Extract the two screws on each display screen hinge. Disconnect the display cable from its connector just below the Dell logo on the bottom of the display screen. Lift the display screen off the computer, carefully guiding the antenna cables through the channel in which they're situated so you don't damage them. Extract the seven screws labeled with a "P," and remove the palm rest from the computer. Locate the video card/thermal-cooling assembly at the top right corner of the computer; it has a copper conduit extending from it. Extract the four screws on the corners of the video card/thermal-cooling assembly, and lift the assembly out of the computer. Perform the procedure in reverse order to install the upgraded video card and assemble the computer. Tips & Warnings Warning: Always remove the static from your body by touching an unpainted metal surface or wearing a wrist grounding strap before working on a computer's internal components.