Dell Vostro 3450 Palm Rest Replacement

Written By: Johnathan Hammond

Comments: 4

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 40 minutes

Introduction

In this guide, we will be showing you how to remove and replace the Palm Rest.

Tools

Step 1

Slide the left and the right battery release latches to the unlock position.

Step 2

Slide the battery and remove it from the computer.

Step 3

Loosen the screw that secures the memory door.

Step 4

Pry up the memory door near the screw hole, lift and remove it.
If this is all you are doing Follow Step In Reverse if not Go to Next Step.

Step 5

Remove the screw that secures the optical drive to the computer.

Step 6

Gently pry the optical drive out of the computer.

Make sure you have loosen the screw beside the keyboard cable latch, mentioned in the comments of Step 8.

fernandolordao - 29/11/18

Step 7

Remove the screws that secure the optical drive bracket.

You can skip this step when replacing the HDD, it isn’t necessary at all.

BorpoIT - 28/05/20

Step 8

Remove the optical drive bracket from the optical drive module.

You can skip this step when replacing the HDD, it isn’t necessary at all.

BorpoIT - 28/05/20

Step 9

Remove the screws in the battery compartment.

Step 10

Remove the screws in the optical drive compartment.

Step 11

Remove the rubber from the bottom base on the right side.

Step 12

Remove the rubber from the bottom base on the left side.

Step 13

Remove all the screws from the bottom base.

Step 14

Flip the computer around and remove the screws that secures the palm rest.

Step 15

Release the latches on the system board connector, then disconnect the touch pad cable and the finger printer cable.

Step 16

Release the latch on the system board connector and then disconnect the power button cable.

Step 17

Release the latch on the system board connector and then disconnect the hot key cable.

There are a couple of latches on the front of the palm rest which should be released before you move on to the sides. I think one of those latches is released in the picture above. The iFixit opening tool was helpful here, and I used some of the iFixit opening picks to stop the corner latches from closing while I worked on others.

BorpoIT - 28/05/20