Back to Contents Page
Dell OptiPlex GX260
Service Manual
Small Form-Factor
and Small Desktop
Computers
Small Mini-Tower
Computer
- Disconnect the cooling fan power cable from the FAN connector on
the system board.
- Disconnect the 12-volt power cable from the 12VPOWER connector
on the system board.
- Remove the heat sink/blower assembly.
- The heat sink is attached to the blower. Press and lower the green
lever on the retention mechanism until it is parallel to the system
board.
- Gently rock the heat sink, and then slightly twist it as you lift it
from the microprocessor.
 |
NOTICE: Lay the heat sink down with the thermal solution facing upward.
|
Heat Sink/Blower Assembly Removal
1 | blower | 4 | retention base |
2 | screws (2) | 5 | heat sink |
3 | lever | | |
- Lift the heat sink/blower assembly away from the microprocessor.
- Remove the two screws on the blower to remove it from the heat sink.
 |
NOTICE: Do not discard the blower. You will reuse it. If you are installing a
microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell, discard the original heat sink. If you are
not installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat
sink when you install your new microprocessor.
|
 |
NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you remove the
microprocessor. Bending the pins can permanently damage the microprocessor.
|
- Pull the release lever straight up until the microprocessor is released,
and then remove the microprocessor from the socket.
Microprocessor Removal
1 | release lever |
2 | microprocessor |
3 | socket |
 |
NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the
back of the computer.
|
 |
NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you unpack the
microprocessor. Bending the pins can permanently damage the microprocessor.
|
- Unpack the new microprocessor.
Microprocessor Installation
1 | pin-1 corners of microprocessor and socket aligned |
 |
NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor correctly in the socket to
avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer when you
turn on the computer.
|
- If the release lever on the socket is not fully extended, move it to that
position.
- Align the pin-1 corners of the microprocessor and socket.
 |
NOTICE: When you place the microprocessor in the socket, ensure that all of
the pins fit into the corresponding holes on the socket. Be careful not to bend
the pins.
|
- Set the microprocessor lightly in the socket and make sure that all pins
are headed into the correct holes. Do not use force, which could bend
the pins if the microprocessor is misaligned. When the microprocessor
is positioned correctly, press it with minimal pressure to seat it.
- When the microprocessor is fully seated in the socket, pivot the release
lever back toward the socket until it snaps into place to secure the
microprocessor.
 |
NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the
back of the computer.
|
 |
NOTICE: If you are not installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell,
reuse the original blower/heat-sink assembly when you replace the
microprocessor.
|
If you are installing a microprocessor replacement kit from Dell, return the microprocessor to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent.
- Reinstall the two screws that attach the blower to the heat sink.
- Lower the heat sink/blower assembly to the microprocessor so that the
heat sink fits in the retention base.
- Raise the retention lever and press until the heat sink is secured. You
will feel the lever pause once it is at a 90-degree angle. Keep pressing
the lever another 30 degrees, ensuring that it is in the locked position.
Heat Sink/Blower Assembly Replacement
1 | heat sink/blower assembly |
2 | lever |
3 | retention base |
- Plug the fan cable into the FAN connector on the system board.
- Plug the 12-volt power cable into the 12VPOWER connector on the
system board.
- Disconnect the cooling fan power cable from the FAN connector on
the system board.
- Disconnect the 12-volt power cable from the 12VPOWER connector
on the system board.
- Rotate the airflow shroud.
Airflow Shroud Rotation
- Remove the heat sink.
- Press and lower the green lever on the retention mechanism until
it is parallel to the system board.
- Gently rock the heat sink, and then slightly twist it as you lift it
from the microprocessor.
Heat Sink Removal
1 | heat sink |
2 | lever |
3 | retention base |
 |
NOTICE: Lay the heat sink down with the thermal solution facing upward.
|
 |
NOTICE: If you are installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell,
discard the original heat sink. If you are not installing a microprocessor
upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink and blower when you install
your new microprocessor.
|
- Pull the release lever straight up until the microprocessor is released.
 |
NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you remove the
microprocessor from the socket. Bending the pins can permanently damage the
microprocessor.
|
Microprocessor Removal
1 | release lever |
2 | microprocessor |
3 | socket |
- Remove the microprocessor from the socket.
Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new microprocessor.
 |
NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor correctly in the socket to
avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer.
|
- If the release lever is not extended to the release position, move it to
that position.
- Align pin 1 (the imprinted corner) of the microprocessor and pin 1 of
the socket.
Microprocessor Installation
1 | pin-1 corners of microprocessor and socket aligned |
 |
NOTICE: Microprocessor pins are delicate. To avoid damage, ensure that the
microprocessor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force
when you install the processor.
|
- Carefully set the microprocessor in the socket and press it down lightly
to seat it.
- Rotate the release lever back toward the system board until it snaps
into place, securing the microprocessor.
- Install the heat sink.
- Insert the notched end of the heat sink onto the end of the
retention base that is opposite the hinge.
- Lower the heat sink until it fits securely in the base.
- Raise the retention lever and press until the heat sink is secured. You
will feel the lever pause once it is at a 90-degree angle. Keep pressing
the lever another 30 degrees, ensuring that it is in the locked position.
Heat Sink Replacement
1 |
heat sink |
2 |
lever |
3 |
hinge |
4 |
retention base |
5 |
notch |
- Lower the airflow shroud over the heat sink.
If you installed a microprocessor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat-sink assembly and microprocessor to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent.
- Reconnect the cooling fan power cable to the FAN connector on the
system board.
- Reconnect the 12-volt power cable to the 12VPOWER connector on
the system board.
Back to Contents Page