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Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement

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Time Required: 15 - 30 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement

Introduction

Go to step 1 ↓

First, this should be a last resort for if your computer is overheating and you have ruled out the other two options from the troubleshooting page. This guide is to help you find the thermal paste on your GPU and CPU for when the heat sink is removed.

What you need

Fix Kit

This kit contains all the parts and tools needed to complete this guide.

Parts

Tools

    1. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

      • Turn the computer upside down with the battery facing you.

      • Turn the computer off and disconnect the charging cable from the computer.

      • Failure to unplug the charging cable may result in electric shock.

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    2. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

      • Push the switch as far to the right as possible to unlock the battery.

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    3. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

      • Remove the battery using two hands and pull it away from the computer.

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    1. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement, Heat Sink: step 4, image 1 of 1

      • Unscrew the four Phillips #1 screws holding down the back panel. Then remove one 5.8mm Phillips #1 screw labeled "M" in the middle of the back panel.

      • Four 3.9mm Phillips #1 screws

      • One 5.8mm Phillips #1 screw

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    3. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

      • Using the highlighted indent, pull up and out to remove the back panel.

      • The indent should provide enough grip to remove the panel with ease.

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    4. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

      • First, unscrew the six screws that are holding down the fan and heat sink with a Philips #1 screwdriver. Then use a Phillips #1 to remove the single screw near the bottom of the heat sink.

      • Six Silver Chrome 5.8mm Phillips #1 screws

      • One 5.8mm Phillips #1 screw

      • Remove the four screws that are holding down the CPU (the four to the top left that form a rectangle in this image) first. Unscrew them in an X pattern (eg. top left screw, bottom right screw, top right screw, bottom left screw) to minimize risk of harming CPU.

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    5. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

      • Carefully lift the fan and heat sink from the laptop.

      • Be careful not to pull up too hard, because the power pin is still connecting the fan to the laptop.

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    6. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

      • Use your fingers or a spudger to remove the power pin connecting the fan to the laptop by pulling it straight up off the motherboard.

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    7. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

      • Remove the fan and heat sink from the laptop.

      • When installing the new heat sink, do not forget to replace the thermal paste underneath the heat sink. See iFixit's Applying Thermal Paste guide for further instructions.

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    1. Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement, Thermal Compound: step 10, image 1 of 2 Dell XPS M1530 Thermal Compound Replacement, Thermal Compound: step 10, image 2 of 2

      • Clean the CPU, GPU and heat sink with 90% isopropyl alcohol dabbed onto a paper towel.

      • CPU Compound

      • GPU Compound

      • Thermal Pad

      • Heat sink compound

      • It is not necessary to replace the thermal pad, it is the soft square material.

      • 70% isopropyl alcohol can also work if 90% is not available.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Tyler Scholz

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Cal Poly, Team 18-4, Maness Winter 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 18-4, Maness Winter 2015

CPSU-MANESS-W15S18G4

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