Dell Inspiron 1526 (PP29L) CPU Cooling Fan Removal Tutorial


In this Dell laptop tutorial we are going to show you how to install and replace the CPU Cooling Fan on your Dell Inspiron 1526 laptop. These installation instructions have be made into 30 easy to follow printable steps. We have also create a video tutorial that shows you how to install your Dell Inspiron 1526 CPU Cooling Fan.

Before you begin

Please take the time read the following safety guidelines when working on static sensitive electrical components.
Dell repair manual service precautions

Tools needed for this laptop repair

  • 1 x small phillips head screw driver
  • 1 x small plastic scribe
Inspiron 1526 CPU Fan

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

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Inspiron 1526 CPU Cooling Fan

Video tutorial repair manual



Installation and Removal Instructions
Dell Inspiron 1526 CPU Cooling Fan

Remove the battery.

Step 1

  • Remove the battery.
Access Door

Step 2

  • Access Door
  • Unscrew the 8 screws holding the Access Door Cover.
  • Remove the cover, starting from right to left.
Access DoorUnscrew the 8 screws holding the Access Door Cover.
Heatsink & CPU

Step 3

  • Heatsink & CPU
  • Loosen the 5 retaining screws on the 1525/1526 heat sink.
  • Remove the heat sink from the motherboard.
Heatsink & CPULoosen the 5 retaining screws on the 1525/1526 heat sink.
Using a small flat head screw driver, turn the CPU processor’s locking screw counterclockwise, approximately 180 degrees, to unlock the CPU.

Step 4

  • Using a small flat head screw driver, turn the CPU processor’s locking screw counterclockwise, approximately 180 degrees, to unlock the CPU.
  • Lift out the CPU processor.
Using a small flat head screw driver, turn the CPU processor’s locking screw counterclockwise, approximately 180 degrees, to unlock the CPU. Lift out the CPU processor.
Installation note 1: Make sure to replace thermal compound or thermal pads on the CPU and heatsink.

Step 5

  • Installation note 1: Make sure to replace thermal compound or thermal pads on the CPU and heatsink.
  • Installation note 2: Tighten the heatsink screws in the order listed on the heatsink.
  • **This image is used only as an example.**
RAM Memory

Step 6

  • RAM Memory
  • With your fingers, separate the clips on each side of the 1525/1526 memory stick until the memory lifts up.
  • Gently pull the 1525/1526 memory stick out of the memory slot.
  • **Images are examples only.**
RAM MemoryWith your fingers, separate the clips on each side of the 1525/1526 memory stick until the memory lifts up.Gently pull the 1525/1526 memory stick out of the memory slot.
WLAN Wireless Card

Step 7

  • WLAN Wireless Card
  • Unhook the antenna wires.
  • Unscrew the 2mm x 3mm retaining screw.
  • Remove the wireless mini PCI card.
WLAN Wireless CardUnhook the antenna wires. Unscrew the 2mm x 3mm retaining screw.
Hard Drive

Step 8

  • Hard Drive
  • Unscrew the (2) 3mm x 3mm hard drive screws that secure the hard drive to the base assembly and slide out the hard drive and caddy.
DVD CD Optical Drive

Step 9

  • DVD CD Optical Drive
  • On the bottom of the laptop, unscrew the single 2.5mm x 5mm retaining screw.
  • Use a screw driver to slide the optical drive out of the bay by pushing on the metal bracket where the screw was.
Take out the (7) 2.5mm x 5mm screws.

Step 10

  • Take out the (7) 2.5mm x 5mm screws.
  • Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 6mm screws that are holding the Touchpad Palm rest to the base.
Take out the (7) 2.5mm x 5mm screws.Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 6mm screws that are holding the Touchpad Palm rest to the base.
Power Button Cover

Step 11

  • Power Button Cover
  • Remove two 2mm x 3mm screws that hold the 1525/1526 center control power button cover to the base of the computer.
Turn the computer over (as if you were typing on it), and fully open the display (approximately 180 degrees, or as far as possible).

Step 12

  • Turn the computer over (as if you were typing on it), and fully open the display (approximately 180 degrees, or as far as possible).
  • Lift and unsnap the 1525/1526 center control power button cover using a small flat head screw driver or a plastic scribe from the backside of the computer, from right to left. (Be very careful removing it because the plastic can be fragile. (Use caution lifting the power button cover off of the laptop, a cable is attached beneath it that can break easily.)
Disconnect the media control cable under the power button cover and lift off the power button cover.

Step 13

  • Disconnect the media control cable under the power button cover and lift off the power button cover.
Keyboard Removal

Step 14

  • Keyboard Removal
  • Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 5mmscrews above the keyboard and gently lift up the keyboard to reveal the ribbon cable. Be careful lifting the keyboard because it is very easy to cause damage to the ribbon cable or the motherboard connector. (If the motherboard connector breaks, it is very hard to find replacements for them without replacing the entire motherboard.)
Lift the keyboard cable connector latch and remove the keyboard ribbon cable and keyboard.

Step 15

  • Lift the keyboard cable connector latch and remove the keyboard ribbon cable and keyboard.
Bluetooth Card

Step 16

  • Bluetooth Card
  • Remove the Bluetooth card by unscrewing the 2mm x 3mm retaining screw.
  • Unplug the cable.
  • Slide the cable out and unhook it from the motherboard.
Bluetooth CardRemove the Bluetooth card by unscrewing the 2mm x 3mm retaining screw. Unplug the cable.
LCD Display Assembly

Step 17

  • LCD Display Assembly
  • Unplug the display cable from the motherboard.
  • Unplug the camera cable from the motherboard.
LCD Display AssemblyUnplug the display cable from the motherboard.
Slide antenna wires out of the motherboard and loosen them from the top of the laptop.

Step 18

  • Slide antenna wires out of the motherboard and loosen them from the top of the laptop.
Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10 mm wafer hinge screws from the left display hinge.

Step 19

  • Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10 mm wafer hinge screws from the left display hinge.
  • Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10 mm wafer hinge screws from the right display hinge.
Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10 mm wafer hinge screws from the left display hinge. Unscrew the (2) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10 mm wafer hinge screws from the right display hinge.
Lift the 1525/1526 LCD display assembly up away from the base.

Step 20

  • Lift the 1525/1526 LCD display assembly up away from the base.
Power Button Circuit Board

Step 21

  • Power Button Circuit Board
  • Unplug the power button circuit board cable from the motherboard and lift the board off of the base. The power button board may have glue on it so be careful prying it up.
Unplug the Speaker cable from the motherboard.

Step 22

  • Unplug the Speaker cable from the motherboard.
Remove the remaining (2) 2.5mm x 5mm and the (1) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10mm wafer screws.

Step 23

  • Remove the remaining (2) 2.5mm x 5mm and the (1) 2.5mm x 3mm – 10mm wafer screws.
Unplug the LED light cable.

Step 24

  • Unplug the LED light cable.
  • Unplug the touchpad cable from the motherboard.
Unplug the LED light cable. Unplug the touchpad cable from the motherboard.
Carefully lift the touchpad palm rest off of the base, starting from the upper left corner, unsnapping it along the edges.

Step 25

  • Carefully lift the touchpad palm rest off of the base, starting from the upper left corner, unsnapping it along the edges.
Unscrew (3) 2mm x 3mm screws on the express card slot.

Step 26

  • Unscrew (3) 2mm x 3mm screws on the express card slot.
  • Pull the express card slot assembly away form the base and it’s motherboard connector.
Unscrew (3) 2mm x 3mm screws on the express card slot.Pull the express card slot assembly away form the base and it’s motherboard connector.
Unplug the CPU Cooling Fan.

Step 27

  • Unplug the CPU Cooling Fan.
Unplug the WiFi Catcher Switch Cable.

Step 28

  • Unplug the WiFi Catcher Switch Cable.
Remove the 2.5mm x 5mm screw by the DC Jack.

Step 29

  • Remove the 2.5mm x 5mm screw by the DC Jack.
  • Remove the 2mm x 3mm screw by the WiFi Catcher Cable and by the S-video USB Board.
  • Separate the S-video/USB board connector from the motherboard while lifting the motherboard, starting on the right side, lift the motherboard out of the base assembly.
Remove the 2.5mm x 5mm screw by the DC Jack. Remove the 2mm x 3mm screw by the WiFi Catcher Cable and by the S-video USB Board.
Remove the (2) 2.5mm x 5mm screws the hold the 1525/1526 CPU Cooling Fan on the Base assembly.

Step 30

  • Remove the (2) 2.5mm x 5mm screws the hold the 1525/1526 CPU Cooling Fan on the Base assembly.
  • Lift the 1525/1526 CPU Cooling Fan away from the base.
Remove the (2) 2.5mm x 5mm screws the hold the 1525/1526 CPU Cooling Fan on the Base assembly. Lift the 1525/1526 CPU Cooling Fan away from the base.
Inspiron 1526 CPU Fan

Dell Laptop Replacement Parts Needed

DIY Discount - Parts-People.com offers 5% off to all DO-IT-YOURSELFERS!
Use this coupon code to save 5% off these parts
DIYM514
Inspiron 1526 CPU Cooling Fan

Topics: Dell Inspiron Repair Manuals Dell Laptop Repair Dell Repair Manuals CPU Cooling Fan Inspiron 1526

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