Dell Inspiron n5050 Optical Drive Replacement

Written By: Tyler
  • Comments: 5
Dell Inspiron n5050 Optical Drive Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

7

Time Required

15 minutes

Introduction

The optical drive is held in by a single screw. This guide will help you get to that screw and slide the optical drive out of its bay.

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    • Flip your laptop over to view the bottom and locate the two locks.

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    • Slide the two locks away from each other.

    • Sliding these locks will loosen the battery to allow removal.

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    • Pull battery out of the laptop.

    • Your laptop's battery should be completely removed.

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    • Flip the laptop right side up. Open the laptop.

    • Gently press in the four retaining tabs along the top of the keyboard with a spudger, one at a time.

    • After the first tab is released, gently lift up on the keyboard so it doesn't lock again. Finish the other three tabs while gently lifting up on the keyboard. The keyboard will hinge up along the bottom.

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    • Gently flip the data cable latch away from the data cable with flat side of spudger.

    • Lift the cable up and out.

    • When reinstalling cable, there are two retainer wings on the sides of the cable that the cable that lock onto the bottom of the cable latch area. When these are in place the cable is properly inserted.

    • For removing the optical drive you don't need to disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable.

    What do I do is i broke the cable retainer wings and the black thing?

    Wezley Joao Ferreira -

    If the connector on the motherboard is still attached and only the clip is broken you can try and find a new clip, or perhaps tape the keyboard in place with electrical tape.

    Tyler -

    I didn’t need to disconnect and remove the cable. I simply set the keyboard gently to the side. This gave me full access to the two RAM module slots for replacement. Hopefully this will make the procedure easier.

    Clemmitt Sigler -

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    • Unscrew the screw next to the wireless card.

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    • Stand laptop on its side.

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to unseat the optical drive.

    • It works best with a twisting motion of the spudger.

Conclusion

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

Author

Tyler

Member since: 20/06/12

4920 Reputation

2 comments

I am curious why the guide notes that you need to remove the keyboard ribbon? Removing and installing that cable weakens it and could damage it. I was able to remove the drive without taking out the ribbon cable; I just flipped the keyboard out of the way.

afterhourspc -

it says you don’t need

F2w -