Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

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DELL CONFIDENTIAL - Preliminary     9/9/99
FILE LOCATION:
  D:\projects\cypress\ref\2526tbk0LOT.fm
Table 3-1. Boot Routine Indications 3-6
Table 3-2. IRQ Line Assignments 3-10
Table 5-1. International Dialing Codes 5-8
Table 5-2. Dell Contact Numbers 5-9
Table A-1. Technical Specifications  A-1
Table B-1. Page 1 Options B-3
Table B-2. Page 2 Options B-10
Table B-3. Page 3 OptionsB-17
Table B-4. Page 4 Options B-18
Table C-1. System Error Messages  C-1
Table C-2. Flash Codes and Corrective Actions  C-8 
						

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DELL CONFIDENTIAL - Preliminary     9/9/99 
						

							support.dell.comIntroduction 1-1
	

	
	
This chapter provides information about the major hardware and software features of 
your computer, as well as available upgrades.
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Your computer includes the following hardware features: 

An Intel® mobile microprocessor incorporating the latest processor technology. 

An internal, Level 1 (L1) cache consisting of 64 kilobytes (KBs) of high-speed 
memor y that resides in the processor core. The microprocessor has either a
128-KB or 256-KB (integrated) Level 2 (L2) cache. 

A minimum of 32 megabytes (MB) of synchronous dynamic random access 
memor y (SDRAM) system memor y, with support for a maximum of 512 MB. 

A media bay in which you can install a variety of modules, including a diskette 
drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive (on computers running Microsoft®       
Windows® 98 Second Edition), Zip drive, LS-120 drive, second batter y, or a     
second hard-disk drive.
NOTE: Your computer was shipped with a diskette drive in the media bay. For 
information on removing the diskette drive and installing a different device in the 
bay, see Using the Media Bay in Chapter 2.
Because the Microsoft Windows NT
® operating system does not support DVD 
technology, the DVD-ROM drive is available only on computers that use the    
Windows 98 Second Edition operating system. 

A 64-bit hardware-accelerated ATI Mobility-M video controller with 8 MB of video 
memor y, accelerated graphics port (AGP) 2X, 3D assist, motion compensation, 
extended desktop, OpenGL support, and a flicker-free TV-out S-video connector.

An active-matrix extended graphics array (XGA) or super extended graphics array 
(SXGA) thin-film transistor (TFT) color display.

ESS Maestro-2E audio controller with hardware wavetable support and 3D      
surround sound. 

Integrated stereo speakers and microphone. 
						

							1-2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

Connectors for connecting external speakers, headphones, or an external     
microphone to the computer.

A TV-out S-video connector and composite TV-out adapter cable that allows you 
to connect a television to your computer. You can obtain the latest video drivers 
on Dells World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com/filelib. 

Ultra direct memor y access (DMA)/33 data transfer protocol for Advanced     
Technology Attachment (ATA)/integrated drive electronics (IDE) hard-disk drive 
interface. Ultra DMA/33 allows data transfer rates of up to 33 MB/sec. 

An integrated keyboard that includes two special keys that support the Windows 
operating systems.

Dell™ DualPoint™ integrated pointing device, which provides a Personal System/
2 (PS/2)-compatible touch pad that provides full mouse functionality, and a track 
stick to control the cursor on the display screen. These pointing devices are   
positioned for both left- and right-handed users. The track stick is positioned in 
the keyboard to allow you to move the cursor while keeping your fingers in a   
typing position. Two sets of left and right buttons, located above and below the 
touch pad, mimic mouse buttons. You can also perform many pointing functions 
by tapping the touch pad or the track stick. Click-and-drag buttonless functions 
are also supported.

Universal serial bus (USB) capability, which simplifies connecting peripheral 
devices such as mice, printers, and computer speakers. The USB connector on 
your computers back panel provides a single connection point for multiple    
USB-compliant devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, and computer     
speakers. Also, you can connect and disconnect USB-compliant devices while 
the computer is running.
NOTES: Windows NT does not support USB functions. 
If you attach a USB device that was not included in your original system           
configuration, you may need to install a specific driver for that device to obtain   
its full functionality. Contact the USB device manufacturer for more information.

A lithium-ion battery in the batter y bay, with support for a second battery in the 
media bay. The Dell ExpressCharge™ technology charges a single battery in 
approximately 1 hour (when the computer is off or in save-to-disk suspend 
mode).

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An Infrared Data Association (IrDA) 1.1-compliant infrared port that permits you to 
transfer files without connecting cables.
NOTE: Windows NT does not support IrDA. 
						

							support.dell.comIntroduction 1-3

A PC Card slot with connectors for two 3.3- or 5-volt (V) cards. Both PC Card   
connectors support CardBus technology. In addition, the lower PC Card           
connector (slot 0) supports the use of a zoomed video (ZV) port card.
NOTES: The PC Card controller supports the CardBus standard for 32-bit data 
transfer on the PC Card.
Windows NT does not support zoomed video.

One high-performance serial port connector.

One parallel port connector that can be set to AT, PS/2, Enhanced Parallel Port 
(EPP), or Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) mode.

One PS/2 keyboard/mouse port connector. 

One docking connector for the optional advanced port replicator.

A security cable connector to which you can attach a commercially available  
security cable to prevent unauthorized removal of the computer.

Two power conser vation modes—standby mode and save-to-disk suspend 
mode—that help you conser ve battery power. If the batteries run out of power, 
save-to-disk suspend mode prevents data loss by copying all system data to the 
hard-disk drive and turning off the computer.

An automatic thermal management system that uses a variable-speed fan and 
microprocessor speed changes to keep the computer running at the optimum 
temperature.

	
	
				
	
	
	
	
	

		
	
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							1-4 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
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The following components are visible from the front of the computer, as illustrated in 
Figure 1-1:

Touch pad — The PS/2-compatible touch pad gives the computer full mouse 
functionality. Use the touch pad buttons in the same way that you would use 
mouse buttons.

Keyboard — The keyboard includes an embedded numeric keypad and two    
special keys that support the Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition operating 
system.

Track stick — Use the track stick in the same way that you would use mouse  
buttons. You may also use the track stick with the DualPoint buttons.

Power button — Under normal circumstances, you should use the power button 
only to turn on the computer or to resume operation from save-to-disk suspend 
display keyboard status 
indicatorsdisplay latch
touch padpower button
TV-out S-video 
connector
air intake
security cable slot
keyboard
track stick
audio connectors (3)
integrated microphone
speaker media bay DualPoint buttons batter y bay
device 
access/status 
indicators 
						

							support.dell.comIntroduction 1-5
mode. To shut down the computer, click the 
Start button in the Windows      
operating system, and then click 
Shut Down.
NOTE: If your operating system is locked up—that is, it does not respond to 
commands—press and hold down the power button for at least 5 seconds.

Keyboard status indicators —
 The numbers lock indicator is green when you 
press the  key. The capitals lock indicator is green when you press the 
 key. The scroll lock indicator is green when you press the 
 key combination.

Device access/status indicators — The three indicators above the keyboard  
status indicators report, from left to right, system power, hard-disk drive access, 
and battery status.

Display —
 The computer has an active-matrix XGA or SXGA color display.

Air intake —
 The air intake works with the fan as part of the computers        
automatic thermal management system. When operating conditions make it  
necessary, a small internal fan turns on and helps draw air through the air intake.

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Security cable slot —
 To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, use a 
security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object.

TV-out S-video connector —
 This connector allows you to connect your 
computer to a television. If your television has an S-video cable, you can plug it 
directly into the computer. If your television has a composite cable, use the cable 
that came with your computer to connect it to the computer. 
NOTE: Refer to the user manual that came with your television for instructions on 
connecting a composite cable or an S-video device.

Audio connectors (3) —
 Allow you to connect audio devices such as speakers, 
microphones, headphones, and record/playback devices to your computer.

Integrated microphone —
 Allows you to record from a distance of 1 meter (m) 
(3.3 ft) in a normal tone of voice.

Speaker —
 You can enable or disable the integrated stereo speakers or external 
speakers by pressing . You can increase speaker volume by pressing 
 and decrease speaker volume by pressing .
NOTES: Certain audio utilities installed on your computer also allow you to      
control speaker volume.
On an external keyboard, press  with the appropriate keys if the 
External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program.
If no sound comes from the speakers, press  and make sure the   
volume control is not set to 
Mute by clicking the volume icon in the Microsoft 
Windows desktop taskbar. Also check the volume control wheel to make sure it 
is not turned down. 
						

							1-6 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

Media bay — The standard configuration of your computer includes a diskette 
drive installed in the media bay. You can also install a battery, a CD-ROM drive, a 
DVD-ROM drive, a SuperDisk LS-120 drive, a second battery, or a second hard-
disk drive in the media bay. You remove and install all devices in the same way.
NOTE: Because the Microsoft Windows NT operating system does not support 
DVD technology, the DVD-ROM drive is available only on computers that use the 
Windows 98 Second Edition operating system.

DualPoint buttons — Your computer is equipped with the unique Dell DualPoint 
integrated pointing device. The DualPoint integrated pointing device supports 
two types of cursor pointing devices that perform traditional mouse functions: 
the touch pad and the track stick. You can choose to use the touch pad only, the 
track stick only, or both at the same time.

Battery bay — The standard configuration of your computer includes a batter y 
installed in the batter y bay. 
 
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fan exhaust
video connector
parallel port connector
device access/
status indicators
docking connectorUSB connector
PS/2 connectorserial port connector
AC adapter connectorinfrared portPC Card slothard-disk drive security cable slot
speaker 
						

							support.dell.comIntroduction 1-7
The following components are visible from the back of the computer, as illustrated in 
Figure 1-2:

Fan exhaust —
 Works with the air intake as part of the computers automatic 
thermal management system. When operating conditions make it necessar y, the 
small internal fan turns on and helps draw air through the air intake.

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Video connector —
 Use the video connector to attach an external monitor to the 
computer.

Parallel port connector —
 Use the parallel port connector to attach a parallel 
device to the computer. The parallel port connector is used primarily for printers. 
You can also connect the diskette drive that came with your computer to the   
parallel port connector using the cable that came with your computer.

Docking connector —
 Use this connector to attach the computer to the optional 
port replicator.

USB connector —
 Use the USB connector to attach a USB device, such as a 
mouse, a digital camera, or speakers to the computer. USB is a peripheral bus 
standard that enables automatic detection of USB-compliant peripheral devices.

PS/2 connector —
 Use this connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as 
a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad.
NOTES: If the computer is in standby or save-to-disk suspend mode when you 
attach a mouse, you can use the mouse when the computer resumes normal 
operation. 
While the mouse is attached to the computer, the touch pad is still enabled.

Serial port connector —
 Use the serial port connector to attach a serial device  
to the computer.

AC adapter connector —
 Use this connector to attach an AC adapter to the 
computer.

Infrared port —
 The infrared port lets you transfer files from the computer to 
another infrared device without using cable connections.

PC Card slot —
 The PC Card slot has two connectors that support Type I, Type II, 
and Type III PC Cards.

Security cable slot —
 To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, use a 
security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object.

Speaker —
 You can enable or disable the integrated stereo speakers or external 
speakers by pressing . You can increase speaker volume by pressing 
 and decrease speaker volume by pressing .
NOTES: Certain audio utilities installed on your computer also allow you to      
control speaker volume. 
						

							1-8 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
On an external keyboard, press  with the appropriate keys if the 
External Hot Key option is enabled in the System Setup program.
If no sound comes from the speakers, press  and make sure the   
volume control is not set to 
Mute by clicking the volume icon in the Microsoft 
Windows desktop taskbar. Also check the volume control wheel to make sure it 
is not turned down.
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Your computer includes the following software features:

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows NT operating system 
installed on your hard-disk drive.

Virus-scanning software for computers that ship with Windows 98.

A standard set of video drivers provided for supporting video resolutions greater 
than 640 x 480 pixels.

Audio utilities for computers with integrated audio capabilities.

DualPoint integrated pointing device software, which allows you to set the 
default for the type of cursor pointing device you want to use, as well as          
sensitivity, motion, and drag-and-drop features of both the touch pad and track 
stick.

Optional software DVD decoder driver on computers that use the Microsoft   
Windows 98 Second Edition operating system.
NOTE: Windows NT does not support the DVD decoder driver.

Two power conser vation modes—standby mode
 and save-to-disk suspend 
mode
—that help you conser ve battery power. If the batteries run out of power, 
save-to-disk suspend mode prevents data loss by copying all system data to the 
hard-disk drive and turning off the computer.

The System Setup program for quickly viewing and changing system                
configuration information. For information on using the System Setup program, 
refer to Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.”

Software support for the optional advanced port replicator. 

Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computers components and devices. For 
information on using the diagnostics, refer to Running the Dell Diagnostics in 
Chapter 3.
	
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Dell offers the following upgrade options:

Advanced port replicator (APR)

Additional batteries