Cleaning XPS M1210 Fans

So I tried to clean the fan blades, since its been a few months since I got it, and I thought there might be dust there. How do I get to the fan? I unscrewed every screw on the entire computer,expecting the black bottom half of the laptop to just pop off, but it didnt happen. I made sure every screw was out. I checked out the dell website, but they just had very specific instructions for replacing the HD, changing the wlan card etc. Any help?

 

You just need to read a little. Dell has all you will ever need on their site to take your system apart. Here is the link on how to get to the fan. Its to remove it, you wont need to do that, just get to this level and you will have total acesses to it.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1210/en/SM/fan.htm#wp1000550

To get to it you will need to remove the Hinge Cover, Keyboard, Display, and the palm rest. All the instructions on how to remove them is linked on that page.

 

won't opening your xps after only a few months void the rest of your warrenty?

 

I dont think so. How would they know you opened it to clean it?

 

No opening it wont void the warranty. Now if you were to do something like make some major changes to the internal workings such as a processor upgrade, that would void the warranty. Opening it to clean it wont.

 

Speaking from experience, opening up your Dell notebook shouldn't effect or void your warranty. As jtom pointed out, how would they know if you opened it up and cleaned it?

My old Inspiron 8200 was opened up a few times to install memory, swap/change out the HDD, and keyboard removed to clean out the dust, and I have had no problems arranging for a Dell representative to come on-site to replace a faulty fan (under warranty).
My friend's Latitude D610 was partway disassembled (keyboard removed) in order to get to one of the memory slots. None of the RAM module worked, we called Dell and turns out Slot #1 (which was under the keyboard and unpopulated originally) was faulty. Needless to say it was covered under warranty and the motherboard replaced.
In fact, I am going to have to have to disassemble my new M1210's keyboard to perform the memory upgrade which I just received today (one of the slot is under the keyboard).

Although, I also know its common practice, especially in Hong Kong, on Chinese/Taiwanese whitebox OEM/ODM rebranded notebooks, even on brand name machines such as Acer, ASUS (to name a few) that they put tiny "Warranty Void if damaged/removed" stickers over key screwdriver holes. So, they would know if you have tampered with the machine and will promptly, with no questions asked, void your warranty.

Thank goodness Dell doesn't do that. The fact that Dell even puts up each notebook's complete service manuals/disassembly diagrams on their website for all to download proves how "end-user/tweaker/hacker" friendly they are with people taking apart their machines.

 

so if i open up my dell and add some as5, then that won't void my warrenty?

 

No, adding AS5 shouldnt void it. Now if you changed the processor, that would because Dell says thats a core component to the system, and removing the processor will void your warranty. The funny thing is changing RAM wont void it, so its kinda complicated, but adding AS5 wont.