Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

							
	




	




	






 
 
						

							____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1999 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, BE DIRECT, DualPoint, ExpressCharge, and Inspiron are trademarks and DellWare 
is a service mark of Dell Computer Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT a r e  r e g i s t e r e d  t r a d e m a r k s  o f  M i c r o s o f t                       
Corporation; Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or       
their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietar y interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
September 1999     P/N 2526T  Rev. A00 
						

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As you use your computer, observe the following safety guidelines:

	
	
			
	
	
	
	
	
		

	
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Do not attempt to ser vice the computer yourself. Always follow installation 
instructions closely.

Do not carry a battery pack in your pocket, purse, or other container where metal 
objects (such as car keys) could short-circuit the battery terminals. The resulting 
excessive current flow can cause extremely high temperatures and may result in 
damage from burns.

Be sure that nothing rests on your AC adapter’s power cable and that the cable is 
not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on.

Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the floor, when 
you use it to run the computer or to charge the batter y. Do not cover the AC 
adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling; also, do not use the 
AC adapter inside a carrying case.

Do not use your computer in a wet environment, for example, near a bathtub, 
sink, or swimming pool or in a wet basement.

Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your computer. Doing so can 
cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

Use only the AC adapter and batteries that are approved for use with this        
computer as indicated in this document. Use of another type of battery pack or 
AC adapter may risk fire or explosion.

Before you connect the computer to a power source, ensure that the voltage    
rating of the AC adapter matches that of the available power source:
— 115 volts (V)/60 hertz (Hz) in most of North and South America and some   
Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan
— 100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in western Japan
— 230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East 
						

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To help prevent electric shock, plug the AC adapter and peripheral power cables 
into properly grounded power sources. These cables are equipped with 3-prong 
plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the 
grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire 
cable with properly grounded plugs.

If you use an extension cable with your AC adapter, ensure that the total ampere 
rating of the products plugged in to the extension cable does not exceed the 
ampere rating of the extension cable.

To remove power from the computer, turn it off, remove the batter y pack, and  
disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet.

If your computer includes an integrated or optional (PC Card) modem, disconnect 
the modem cable during an electrical storm to avoid the remote risk of electric 
shock from lightning via the telephone line.

To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect 
any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an 
electrical storm.

PC Cards may become very warm during normal operation. Use care when 
removing PC Cards after their continuous operation.

Do not dispose of battery packs in a fire. They may explode. Check with local 
authorities for disposal instructions.

When traveling, do not check the computer as baggage. You can put your       
computer through an X-ray security machine, but never
 put your computer 
through a metal detector. If you have the computer checked by hand, be sure to 
have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the computer.

When traveling with the hard-disk drive removed from the computer, wrap the 
drive in a nonconducting material, such as cloth or paper. If you have the drive 
checked by hand, be ready to install the drive in the computer. You can put the 
hard-disk drive through an X-ray security machine, but never
 put the drive through 
a metal detector. 

When traveling, do not place the computer in overhead storage compartments 
where it could slide around. Do not drop your computer or subject it to other 
mechanical shocks.

Protect your computer, batter y, and hard-disk drive from environmental hazards 
such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to 
sunlight.

When you move your computer between environments with very different     
temperature and/or humidity ranges, condensation may form on or within the 
computer. To avoid damaging the computer, allow sufficient time for the moisture 
to evaporate before using the computer.      

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When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not 
on the cable itself. As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid 
bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable make sure both 
connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

Handle components with care. Hold a component such as a memory module by 
its edges, not its pins.

When removing a memory module from the system board or disconnecting         
a peripheral device from the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the       
computer before removing the memor y module or disconnecting the device      
to help avoid possible damage to the system board.

Before you clean your computer, turn it off, unplug it from its power source, and 
remove the batter y pack(s). 

Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water rather than with    
liquid or aerosol cleaners.

Clean the display with a soft, clean cloth and commercial window cleaner that 
does not contain wax or abrasives. Apply the cleaner to the cloth; then stroke the 
cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the 
bottom. If the display contains grease or some other contaminant, use isopropyl 
alcohol instead of commercial window cleaner.

If your computer gets wet or is damaged, follow the procedures described in 
Chapter 3, “Basic Troubleshooting.” If, after following these procedures, you  
confirm that your computer is not operating properly, contact Dell Computer   
Corporation. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for the appropriate telephone 
number.)

	

	
	

							
		 

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							viii
For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergonomic guidelines when setting 
up and using your computer:

When setting up the computer for work, place it on a level surface.

Position your computer directly in front of you as you work.

Adjust the tilt of the computer’s display, its contrast and/or brightness settings, 
and the lighting around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the         
curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize reflections and glare on the 
display.

When using an external monitor with your computer, set the monitor at a        
comfortable viewing distance (usually 510 to 610 millimeters [20 to 24 inches] 
from your eyes). Make sure the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower 
when you are sitting in front of the monitor. 

Use a chair that provides good lower-back support.

Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position 
while using the keyboard, trackball, touch pad, or external mouse.

Always use the palmrest with the keyboard, touch pad, or trackball. Leave space 
to rest your hands when using an external mouse.

Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.

Sit erect with your feet resting on the floor and your thighs level.

When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on your feet and not on the 
front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair’s height or use a footrest, if necessar y, 
to maintain proper posture.

Var y your work activities. Tr y to organize your work so that you do not have to 
type for extended periods of time. When you stop typing, tr y to do things that 
use both hands.
arms at desk level computer positioned 
directly in front 
of userwrists relaxed 
and flat 
						

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Before removing or installing memory modules, perform the following steps in the 
sequence indicated. 

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1. Turn off your computer and any attached peripherals.
2. Disconnect 
your computer and peripherals from the electrical outlets to reduce 
the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or     
telecommunication lines from the computer.
3. Remove the main batter y from the batter y bay and, if necessar y, the second      
battery from the media bay. 
4. Ground yourself by touching the unpainted metal surface of the I/O panel on the 
back of the computer.
While you work, periodically touch the I/O panel to dissipate any static electricity 
that might harm internal components.


	
	



		
Static electricity can harm electronic components inside your computer. To prevent 
static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of 
your computer’s electronic components, such as a memory module. You can do so by 
touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer’s I/O panel.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an I/O connector to 
remove any static charge your body may have accumulated.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge 
(ESD):

When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not 
remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to 
install the component. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure 
to discharge static electricity from your body.

When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container 
or packaging.

Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic 
floor pads and workbench pads. 
						

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The following notice may appear throughout this document to remind you of these 
precautions:

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This guide is intended for anyone who uses a Dell portable computer. It can be used 
by both first-time and experienced computer users who want to learn about the      
features of the computer. This guide also provides basic troubleshooting procedures 
and instructions for using the Dell Diagnostics to test your computer and its 
components. 
Summaries of the chapters and appendixes of this guide follow:

Chapter 1, “Introduction,” provides an overview of the computer features and a 
list of available upgrades.

Chapter 2, “Options and Upgrades,” describes the installation procedures for the 
options and upgrades available from Dell for your computer.

Read Chapter 3, “Basic Troubleshooting,” for some initial checks and procedures 
that you can use to solve basic computer problems and for some general      
guidelines on analyzing software problems.

Chapter 4, “System Software Solutions,” provides detailed instructions for        
reinstalling system drivers and software.

Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” describes the help tools Dell provides to assist you if 
you have a problem with the computer. It also explains how and when to call Dell 
for technical assistance.

Appendix A, “Technical Specifications,” is intended primarily as reference    
material if you are interested in learning more about the details of your computer.

Read Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program,” to learn how to access 
the System Setup program, which allows you to change system settings, such as 
your computer’s power conservation features.

Appendix C, “Error Messages and Flash Codes,” defines system messages and 
error codes.

Appendix D, “Regulatory Notices,” is for users who are interested in which     
regulatory agencies have tested and approved your computer.

Appendix E, “Warranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance,” 
describes the warranty for your Dell computer, the “Total Satisfaction” Return 
Policy, and the year 2000 compliance of Dell-branded hardware products. 
						

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Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”) manufactures its hardware products from        
parts and components that are new or equivalent to new in accordance with         
industry-standard practices.
For information about the Dell warranty and return policy, see Appendix E, “Wa rr an t y,  
Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance.”

	
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In addition to this Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
, the following documentation is 
included with your computer:

The Setup Guide
 provides instructions for setting up a Dell Inspiron computer and 
for using your computer’s hardware. 

The system Help
 contains essential information you need to use your computer.
To open the Help
, click the Start button, point to Programs—> Dell Documents, 
and click Dell Inspiron 3700 System Help.
You may also have one or more of the following documents:

Information updates describing changes to your computer or software.
NOTE: Always read any included update 
before consulting any other                     
documentation because the updates contain the latest information.

Operating system documentation is included if Dell installed the operating 
system on your hard-disk drive. This documentation describes how to configure 
and use your operating system software.
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The following subsections list notational conventions used in this document.
	

	
Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in 
bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are 
used as follows:
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of 
your computer system.

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