Dell Inspiron 3668 Not Powering On Motherboard Replacement

Motherboard Replacement Guide for Dell Inspiron 3668 Desktop

Introduction: Hi there, Simon here! In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of replacing a motherboard in a Dell Inspiron 3668 desktop. This step is often necessary when your computer fails to power on after incidents like a power outage, as was the case with this desktop.

Identifying the Problem:

• Our Dell Inspiron 3668 desktop stopped turning on after a power outage.
• Initial suspicion fell on the power supply, but tests confirmed it was functioning correctly, indicating the issue likely lay with the motherboard.

Preparation:

1. Removing the Side Panel:
   • Start by unscrewing the two screws on the side panel.
   • Slide the panel towards yourself to remove it and access the internals.
2. Checking the Power Supply:
   • The power supply can be identified as the point where the power cable connects.
   • A light indicator on the power supply helps confirm its operational status.
   • In our case, the power supply was functioning well, so we moved on to the motherboard.

Motherboard Replacement Process:

1. Removing the Front Panel:
   • Gently lift the clips to slide out the front panel.
2. Accessing the Motherboard:
   • Lift the internal tray to expose the motherboard.
3. Disconnecting Components:
   • Start by disconnecting the SATA cables and power cables from the motherboard.
   • Remove the DDR4 RAM by opening the side clips and sliding out the RAM sticks.
4. Removing the CPU Fan and Heatsink:
   • Unscrew and carefully remove the CPU fan and heatsink.
   • This is a good opportunity to clean and apply new thermal paste.
5. Extracting the CPU:
   • Open the CPU latch and gently remove the CPU. Clean it using alcohol wipes.
6. Unscrewing the Motherboard:
   • There are eight screws in total to be removed for freeing the motherboard.
   • Carefully slide out the old motherboard.
7. Installing the New Motherboard:
   • Place the new motherboard into the case, ensuring proper alignment.
   • Screw in all eight screws to secure the motherboard.
8. Reinstalling Components:
   • Reinsert the CPU and apply new thermal paste.
   • Reattach the CPU fan and heatsink.
   • Put the RAM sticks back into their slots.
   • Reconnect all power and SATA cables.
9. Final Assembly:
   • Reattach the front panel and slide the side panel back into place.
   • Ensure all screws are tightened.

Conclusion: Motherboard replacement in a Dell Inspiron 3668 is straightforward if you follow the steps carefully. Remember, it’s crucial to get the exact model of the motherboard for a successful replacement. Check out the links in the description for parts like the power supply, RAM, and thermal paste. If you found this video helpful, please hit the like button, subscribe for more, and drop your comments or questions below. Hope you learned something valuable today. Take care and goodbye!