Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

If your Dell Inspiron 16-7610 begins to have random freezing, blue screens, restarting, or beeping noise your motherboard may be wearing out and need replaced. Motherboards tend to wear out over time or can be damaged from water, power surges, and other foreign objects getting inside your laptop.

Before beginning your motherboard replacement, be sure to properly diagnose that the motherboard is faulty. This can be done by taking it to a local computer shop or if your laptop shows the above issues.

After properly diagnosing the motherboard is faulty you may begin the repair, be sure to purchase the proper motherboard. Motherboards that will work for the Dell Inspiron 16-7610 include the 0FHWFDFHWFD CN-0FHWHFD motherboard. You may also do your own research to find different motherboards that will work.

Warning: Be sure to power off the laptop and disconnect it from the AC adaptor before repairs begin

What you need

Step 1 Back Case

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Back Case: step 1, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Back Case: step 1, image 2 of 2

Flip the device over, so the backside is facing up.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove seven 4.00 mm screws.
Use the Phillips #00 screwdriver to unscrew or loosen two captive screws at the right and left corner near the hinges.
The last two screws should remain in the back case and can't be removed.

Edit

Step 2

-Use the opening tool between the seams of the top and bottom case to pry the back case off of the laptop.
Undo the clips gently as you pry the back of the device to avoid breaking them when removing the back case.
Remove the back case from the device.

Edit

Step 3 Battery

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 3

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 2 of 3

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 3 of 3

Use a Phillips #00 to remove the five screws securing the battery to the laptop.
Pull the bundled cable away from the connector in the same direction as the wires are running.
Pull evenly on the full width of the cable so that no individual wires are overly strained.
Use both hands to life the battery up and remove it from the laptop.

Edit

Step 4 Wi-Fi Card

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Wi-Fi Card: step 4, image 1 of 2

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Wi-Fi Card: step 4, image 2 of 2

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the screw that secures the Wi-Fi card bracket to the system board.
Lift the Wi-Fi card bracket off of the Wi-Fi card.

Edit

Step 5

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Buy

Slide a thin, ESD-safe pry tool or tweezers under the wire until it's snug against the connector, and pry straight up from the board to disconnect the coaxial cables from the Wi-Fi card.
Slide the Wi-Fi card from the slot to remove it from the device.

Edit

Step 6 RAM

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 6, image 1 of 3

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 6, image 2 of 3

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, RAM: step 6, image 3 of 3

Flip the plastic cover over to reveal the RAM stick. Do not pull the plastic cover off.
Pull the two RAM retaining arms away from the center of the RAM stick.
The RAM stick should "pop" up slightly from its socket.
Pull the RAM stick out of the socket. Repeat for each of the RAM sticks you are replacing.
Align your new RAM sticks on to the sockets when installing them to prevent any damage to the pins below.

Edit

Step 7 Motherboard

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 7, image 1 of 1

Double check that every component is removed from the motherboard.
Disconnect all the pin and ribbon cables from the motherboard.
Locate and remove all the screws that are holding the motherboard in place.

Edit

Step 8

Dell Inspiron 16-7610 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

Remove the screws and cables connecting the fans to the motherboard.
Lift the fans off of the board to remove.

Edit

Step 9

Use the Phillips #00 screwdriver to loosen the four screws from the heat sink.
Use both hands to gently lift the heatsink up.
Be mindful of the thermal paste on both the motherboard and the heatsink.
We recommend reapplying thermal paste on the heatsink before installing the new motherboard.