Removing Dell Inspiron 1150 Optical drive

Place the laptop upside down on a clean, flat surface.

Locate the battery release button with the padlock symbol above it.

Slide the battery release button towards the padlock symbol and hold it there. Note that the button is spring loaded and will return if released.

Gently remove the battery from the side of the laptop.

Position the computer upside down.

Remove the twelve M2.5 x 8-mm screws.

Remove the M2.5 x 4-mm screw from the battery bay

Position the computer keyboard side up.

Remove the two M2.5 x 5-mm screws from the top of the palm rest.

Disconnect the mouse pad cable from the main board.

Separate the palm rest from the base by lifting its inside edge. Start at the back center.

Locate the optical disk drive on the bottom left hand side of the laptop.

Remove the single screw holding the optical disk drive in the chassis.

Remove the optical disk drive by gently pulling on the outer edge.