Maintenance
Fan vent cleaning
In case of a laptop, the fan-vent needs to be cleaned periodically. CPU temperature can be monitored in the GUI using common applications.
Battery
If laptop is always connected, best to disconnect battery \chk.
Vostro 1000 disassembly procedure
Remove panel above keyboard. Disconnect keyboard, wires to monitor, trackpad. Remove screws in the front and in the back. Remove the panel from above the keyboard.
Upgrades
Understand needs
In order to understand what needs to be change, it is good to understand resource limitations: is working memory low, or is the CPU too slow. Hence, run a system monitor application.