Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Free Shipping on Domestic Orders $75+

Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement

Introduction

Replacing the touchpad on your Dell Inspiron 8600 can bring new life to an older laptop, especially if the cursor skips, drags, or simply fails to respond. This guide will walk you step-by-step through safely removing the palm rest and installing a new touchpad. With common tools and careful attention, you can complete this repair yourself and avoid the cost of professional service.

Before you begin, make sure the laptop is powered off, unplugged, and the battery is removed to prevent electrical damage or injury!

What you need

  1. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the battery from the bottom left of the laptop as shown.

    • Remove the battery before operating on the computer to avoid electrocution.

    Edit

  2. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Hinge Cover: step 2, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Hinge Cover: step 2, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Hinge Cover: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Insert a spudger into the notch at the far left side of the top blue panel and pry the hinge cover off.

    • You may need to pry the other side off as well. You can do this by inserting the spudger between the hinge and the top cover.

    • Be careful of the wire attached to the underside of the hinge cover.

    Edit

  3. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the small black tab on the right hand side of the laptop.

    • You have now removed the hinge cover.

    Edit

  5. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Keyboard: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Using the Phillips #1 remove the screws at the top of the keyboard as indicated.

    • Do not just lift up. There is a tab underneath the keyboard that is still connected to the mother board.

    • You will need to pull out the white tab underneath the keyboard upwards until it pops out of its socket.

    • The keyboard should be easily removable at this point.

    Edit

  6. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Display Module: step 5, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Display Module: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the laptop over and remove the indicated screws.

    • Flip the laptop back over.

    • Find the two places where the display module is attached to the base of the computer.

    Edit

  7. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the video card from the display module by gently lifting upwards on the black tab.

    Edit

  8. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the display module directly upwards from the base of the computer.

    Edit

  9. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Now remove the display module.

    Edit

  10. Dell Inspiron 8600 Touch Pad Replacement, Touch Pad: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the palm rest assembly that secures the touch pad from the device.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Author

with 10 other contributors

John Nesthus

Member since: 04/13/11

186 Reputation

6 Guides authored

Badges: 11

+8 more badges

Team

Cal Poly, Team 18-22, Garner Spring 2011 Member of Cal Poly, Team 18-22, Garner Spring 2011

CPSU-GARNER-S11S18G22

4 Members

16 Guides authored

1 Guide Comment

this is just the display guide with a footnote added, it doesn't tell you how to remove the touchpad

Tipsy The Cat - Reply Share

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 5

Past 7 Days: 17

Past 30 Days: 67

All Time: 3,392