First, I take no responsibility if you screw up your computer - DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK (even though it is very little)...I am a complete noob and this is my first mod. Installation of the 7900GS with the dual pipe in the E1705 was a 'snap' (no pun intended....
bad joke). OK...
First, go to dell.com and print out all the service manuals for optical drive, keyboard, hinge cover, lcd monitor, and palm rest...these instructions are very clear and have nice pics. Read them a couple times before starting so you know what you are getting into to....
Second, get an Nvidia driver and download it to your computer.
Third, uninstall all the ATI stuff (or old Nvidia stuff) using Add/Remove Programs
Fourth, run drivercleaner pro to remove anything left of the old driver
Fifth, reboot computer in normal fashing to complete uninstallation.
Before starting physical work, have a very small phyllip head screwdriver, lay out the 'screw identification sheets' from Dell website found in 'Before you work on your computer') - I used these to tape the screws to while working (they are tini and will disappear), have a pair of very small tweasers (used to grab some resessed screws), pair of needle nose pliars and a pair of 'breaking the tabs pliars' and a small plastic 'spatula like thing' (used to remove hinge cover), masking tape and a flashlight (to help look into some holes to make sure you got all the screws out). That should be all you need.
Now for physical work...follow steps outlined by Dell to the T. They are very clear and easy. I used needle nose pliers to GENTLY remove any connectors. They all pull straight up except the monitor cable which simply rests in place and is released when the tab is rotated up using a fingernail.
To remove the metal walls (which are very brittle) I simply used wire cutter type pliers that have a flat surface (used to crimp wires). I used masking tape to tape off everything around the walls like it was getting ready for surgery (it is). Patiently clip off small parts of the metal walls (it breaks off easily) until you get enough clearance). Use a couple strips of masking tape to remove metal debris. Take off masking tape used to protect everthing.
Put in new card (make sure the 2nd heat pipe is 'snapped' down all the way or the palm rest will not sit correctly). Put everything back together, boot up normal and install new Nvidia driver. Ready to rock. The pics in the 7900GTX in E1705 are exactly correct.....
bad joke). OK...First, go to dell.com and print out all the service manuals for optical drive, keyboard, hinge cover, lcd monitor, and palm rest...these instructions are very clear and have nice pics. Read them a couple times before starting so you know what you are getting into to....
Second, get an Nvidia driver and download it to your computer.
Third, uninstall all the ATI stuff (or old Nvidia stuff) using Add/Remove Programs
Fourth, run drivercleaner pro to remove anything left of the old driver
Fifth, reboot computer in normal fashing to complete uninstallation.
Before starting physical work, have a very small phyllip head screwdriver, lay out the 'screw identification sheets' from Dell website found in 'Before you work on your computer') - I used these to tape the screws to while working (they are tini and will disappear), have a pair of very small tweasers (used to grab some resessed screws), pair of needle nose pliars and a pair of 'breaking the tabs pliars' and a small plastic 'spatula like thing' (used to remove hinge cover), masking tape and a flashlight (to help look into some holes to make sure you got all the screws out). That should be all you need.
Now for physical work...follow steps outlined by Dell to the T. They are very clear and easy. I used needle nose pliers to GENTLY remove any connectors. They all pull straight up except the monitor cable which simply rests in place and is released when the tab is rotated up using a fingernail.
To remove the metal walls (which are very brittle) I simply used wire cutter type pliers that have a flat surface (used to crimp wires). I used masking tape to tape off everything around the walls like it was getting ready for surgery (it is). Patiently clip off small parts of the metal walls (it breaks off easily) until you get enough clearance). Use a couple strips of masking tape to remove metal debris. Take off masking tape used to protect everthing.
Put in new card (make sure the 2nd heat pipe is 'snapped' down all the way or the palm rest will not sit correctly). Put everything back together, boot up normal and install new Nvidia driver. Ready to rock. The pics in the 7900GTX in E1705 are exactly correct.....
