An updated motherboard allows your Dell Dimension 8100 to be configured with better hardware.
The motherboard on the Dell Dimension 8100 is the electronic component into which all the external ports and internal devices are directly connected. It's what makes the hardware work. An old motherboard can be replaced with a new one, which allows your computer to be configured with better hardware, such as updated graphics cards, sound cards and other devices. To replace the motherboard on most computers, you'll come very close to completely disassembling them, but on the Dimension 8100, you only have to remove a few items and you can maneuver it out of the computer.
Instructions
1. Restart the computer and press the "F2" key when the Dell logo appears on-screen to enter the System BIOS. Go to the Main screen and write down all the information. When you're done, exit the System BIOS and shut down the computer.
2. Disconnect all the cables and components attached to the computer and move it to an open work space.
3. Locate the computer cover release button at the bottom-left corner of the front panel. Press the cover release button and lift the left side of the computer. Lay the open computer on its right side so that the internal components are exposed.
4. Locate the expansion card area just inside the back wall. Disconnect any cables running from the installed expansion cards to the motherboard. Extract the screws on any installed cards and pull the cards straight out of their connectors. Make a note of where each component's cable connects on the motherboard for easier assembly and then disconnect all the cables.
5. Locate the plastic cooling fan shroud on the back wall of the computer. Press the two tabs on the top of the fan shroud down, and then lift the shroud out of the computer. The cooling fan, heat sink and processor are underneath the fan shroud. Press the plastic release tab on the side of the cooling fan and lift the fan out of the computer. Use a screwdriver to press down the folded sections of the clips on each side of the heat sink and then remove the clips. Lift the heat sink straight out of the computer. The processor is now exposed. Raise the processor release lever and lift the processor of its connector.
6. Locate the large motherboard mounting screw in the middle of the motherboard and extract it. Now the motherboard can be removed. Slide the motherboard toward the front of the computer to release it and then maneuver it past the drives to remove it from the computer. Locate the coin-cell battery (named after its coin shape) on the motherboard and remove it with your fingers. A metal object may damage the battery. Once the coin-cell battery is removed, transfer it to the new motherboard and ensure that the "+" sign faces upward.
7. Locate the memory modules on the motherboard. To remove a module, spread the clips on each side of a module and pull it straight out of its connector and transfer it to the new motherboard.
8. Maneuver the replacement motherboard around the drives and into the computer without bending or twisting it and insert the motherboard mounting screw to secure it.
9. Replace the processor by aligning the "pin-1" (marked with a triangle) on the processor with the pin-1 corner of the connector. Press the processor down so that it's flush with the connector and lower the processor release lever to lock the device into place. Place the heat sink on top of the processor and replace the retainer clips on the sides of the heat sink. To lock the clips in place, press down on the hinged side of them so they fit over edge of the processor connector. Replace the fan and snap the fan shroud in place on top of it.
10. Replace the expansion cards and lock them in place with their screws.
11. Locate the jumpers (small push-buttons that allow for password and device configuration) near the coin-cell battery on the motherboard and set them exactly as they were set on the old motherboard.
12. Connect all the cables from the devices to their respective connectors on the motherboard and assemble the computer.
Resetting the System BIOS
13. Start up the computer and press the "F2" key when the Dell logo appears on-screen to enter the System BIOS. If your new motherboard came with a software disc, you'll need it to upgrade the System BIOS. Go to the next step to do so.
14. Set the Boot Sequence so that your computer starts from the disc drive and restart the computer. Follow the instructions provided by the software installation wizard to upgrade the System BIOS and restart the computer.
15. Enter the System BIOS again and transcribe the values you wrote down to the Main screen. Be sure to appropriately set the time and date.
16. Set the Boot Sequence to the default values. The computer is ready for use. When you restart the system, the computer will boot as normal.
Tags: System BIOS, heat sink, coin-cell battery, Dimension 8100, allows your, appears on-screen