Disassembling the XPS M1330 display module [56K warning]

Alright, a few people were wondering how to go about swapping displays on the M1330, and I watched the tech do this for the two M1330s I was in possession of. It's a relatively simple procedure, so I thought I'd outline it. It also has the added benefit of potentially reducing the keyboard bulge, so read on.

1. The first step is to remove the battery as well as the bottom panel covers.



2. Once you've removed the battery, you'll notice that there are two screws there. These hold down the media key bar, which you will have to remove.



3. Turn the laptop over and remove the two hinge covers. The easiest way to do this is to slide your thumbnail into the crack between the cover and the media key bar, then pull outwards. They should come off without too much trouble.



Now, remove the media key bar. This may be slightly difficult as there are quite a few clips holding it down. It's fairly flexible, so you can afford to put a bit of force into it, but don't crack the thing! Don't pull upwards too forcefully as there is a fragile ribbon cable attaching it to the mainboard. Once you've removed the bar, you'll see the two screws holding down the keyboard. Remove those.



The keyboard can now be opened up. There's a catch on the top left corner and tabs that hold it in at the bottom. Slide the keyboard upwards and away from the laptop. There's another ribbon cable here, attaching the keyboard to the motherboard. You'll also notice the 'spill-proof' design. There's a plastic sheet underneath the keyboard that prevents liquid from seeping through the key joints.

Also, the cause of any keyboard bulge may be found here. There are wires coming from the display module, and include some wireless antenna from the right side. This set of wires makes several turns across the metal shielding (circled in red) and it's at these turns that they may bundle up as opposed to lying flat on the surface of the shield. It took me quite a while to rejig the wires so that they lay flat, but it definitely reduced the bulge in the keyboard.

There are also other wireless antenna coming from the left side of the display module, as well as power and the output connector. You'll need to remove the power and output from the mainboard.

Detach the wireless antenna from the wireless card(s) and then feed them through the channels where they cross to the underside of the laptop.



Turn the laptop around and you'll notice two screws holding the display, one on either side of the laptop. Unscrew these, turn the laptop back around and you'll be able to remove the display module.



Have fun, and remember, don't blame me if you break something.

 

Nice guide, i guess it'll help those who want to replace their screens themselves.

 

Very nice guide, and thanks. I was going to switch out my LCD's but decided not to. Now, if I knew how to switch out the palmrest. My replacement is creaking!

 

For the removal of the palmrest, you can continue it after the display is removed. There are 6 screws on the bottom of the system that you need to remove. Then after that flip over the system and then remove 7 securing screws on the palmrest. Then remove the central control cover cable from the routing channel. Then carefully lift the edges of the palmrest to detach it from the chassis, then you have it. To check further info about the XPS M1330, you can click on this link: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1330/en/om/index.htm

 

So you have to remove the keyboard and everything else to even get the palmrest off? It's such a small piece. I'm beginning to dislike this laptop. I don't want to take my display off anymore. Do you have anything that shows the location of all these screws? I can't find anything in a service manual

 

errr. u remove the display to upgrade to what? a 1440 x900 one or ur display have a problem?

Thanks for the pics so i can help my friend upgrade CPU on this one fairly easy.

 

I took one apart to change the motherboard and now i dont know which screws go where
still looking around to see if i get some sort of guide for the screws
they are too many!!!

 

Let's see, for the display...
Two screws under the battery.
Two screws holding the keyboard down.
Two screws holding the display, one on either side of the laptop.

and if you go beyond that, there are...
6 screws on the bottom of the system...
Turn the computer over and there are 7 securing screws on the palmrest.

And still more if you go beyond the palmrest.
Sure is a lot of screws to keep track of.

Dell has a Service Manual here
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1330/en/sm/index.htm

The DCSE service manual has more detailed pictures.
https://dcse.dell.com/ifr/Portables/XPS_M1330.zip
Unzip the file and open the index.htm file with your web browser.

You can register for DCSE yourself if you have a Dell Customer Number.
Then you can view the manuals for all the models online at
https://dcse.dell.com/ifr/Portables/

 

Nice guide+Nice pics.

 

I've seen the service manual already
It says M2.5 x 5-mm but doesn't an image of the screw size and i took it apart before i realized how many different screws they were
I should have waited for the motherboard from ebay before taking it apart but i did it the other way around
I'll try googling a little more