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Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement

What you need

  1. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Slide the latches outward to release the battery.

    • Pull the battery outward to remove.

    • The latches should lock in place, allowing for easy removal.

    • The battery must be removed for safety reasons when replacing other components of the laptop.

  2. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Keyboard: step 2, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Keyboard: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Unscrew three black 1mm screws using the PH1 Phillips-head screwdriver on the bottom of the laptop around the battery.

  3. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the laptop over and open it to expose the keyboard.

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry up the keyboard, starting in the upper corner and working your way around.

    • Once the keyboard is pried up, do not remove the keyboard. There is still a ribbon attaching the keyboard to the laptop.

  4. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the keyboard to expose the ribbon attaching the keyboard to the laptop.

    • Flip up the black retaining flap on the ZIF connector and then pull the ribbon cable away.

    • Remove the keyboard from the laptop.

  5. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Fan: step 5, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement, Fan: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Start by prying the outer casing of the laptop using the plastic opening tool. Start from the bottom and work your way around the edges.

  6. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the outer casing to expose the motherboard.

    • Remove five .75 mm screws using a PH1 screwdriver.

    • Make sure to keep track of your screws.

  7. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Remove wireless wide area network (WWAN) card by sliding it out of position.

    • Make sure the wires attached to the WWAN card are not detached when doing this step.

  8. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Unscrew the two 0.9 mm screws that are holding down the screen.

    • Lift the screen up and towards yourself to detach the screen from the laptop.

  9. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Lay the screen down and pry the left corner of the plastic casing that is located behind the screen.

  10. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • While holding screen, remove the motherboard by wiggling it around and pulling outwards.

    • In this step you are trying to pull the motherboard out from the VGA socket it is attached to in the back left corner of the laptop.

  11. Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 11z-1121 Fan Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Unscrew the two black 0.5 mm screws holding the fan in place.

    • Remove the fan by gently lifting the component upwards.

Conclusion

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

Cassidy Chen

Member since: 10/04/16

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USF Tampa, Team 1-5, Nance Fall 2016 Member of USF Tampa, Team 1-5, Nance Fall 2016

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One Comment

I see there are a few more screws on the bottom. Can't we just unscrew those and take off the bottom panel?

bluejedi - Reply

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