Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-23
6. Turn on the computer. Is the display on?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components.
Ye s .  Go to step 7.
No. Go to step 9.
7. Press the  down-arrow or  up-arrow key combination to adjust the 
brightness. Is the full display readable?
Ye s .  Go to step 8.
No. Go to step 9. 
8. Has an error message or flash code appeared?
Ye s .  Refer to Appendix C, “Error Messages and Flash Codes,” to find the      
message or flash code, along with its explanation. If you can’t find the message 
or code, call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
No. If you still have a display problem but the display is not completely blank,    
run the Video device group in the Dell Diagnostics. Then call Dell for technical 
assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
9. Turn off your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer. 
10. Turn on the computer and the monitor and adjust the monitor’s brightness and 
contrast controls. Is the monitor readable?
Ye s .  The computer’s display may be defective. Call Dell for technical assistance. 
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. The computer’s video controller on the system board may be defective. Call 
Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
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During POST, the computer checks to see if an external monitor is attached to the 
computer. If no image appears on the external monitor when the computer boots, 
make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1. Press the  key combination on the integrated keyboard several times. 
Does an image appear on the external monitor?
Ye s .  The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
2. Make sure the external monitor’s video cable is firmly connected to the          
computer’s external video connector, and then verify that the monitor’s power 
cable (if it has one) is firmly plugged into an electrical outlet. Make sure the   
monitor is turned on. 
						

							3-24 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
3. Check the monitor cable for bent pins.
4. Turn off the computer, wait a minute, and then turn the computer back on. Adjust 
the monitor’s brightness and contrast controls. Is the monitor readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components.
Ye s .  
The problem is resolved.
No. 
Go to step 6.
5. Raise your computer’s display into viewing position, if necessary, and press 
 to switch the video image from the external monitor to the display. 
6. Press the  down-arrow or  up-arrow key combination to adjust the 
brightness. Is the full display readable?
Ye s .  
The external monitor may be defective. Go to step 8.
No. 
The video controller on the system board may be defective. Call Dell for    
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
7. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals. Disconnect all peripherals 
from the computer. Attach another external monitor to the computer.
If you do not have another external monitor, call Dell for technical assistance. 
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
8. Reboot the computer, and adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast. Is the 
monitor readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components.
Ye s .  
The original monitor is defective. Call Dell for technical assistance.            
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. 
Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
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This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the computer’s serial and 
parallel ports and any attached peripheral devices. 
If a system error message indicates a port problem or if equipment connected to a 
port seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the source of the problem may be any 
of the following:

A faulty connection between the I/O port and the peripheral device

Incorrect settings for Setup options

Incorrect settings in the operating system’s configuration files

A faulty cable between the I/O port and the peripheral device

A faulty peripheral device 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-25

Faulty I/O port logic on the system board

Conflicting COM port settings

Lack of drivers
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Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1. Check the settings for the 
Serial Port and 
Parallel Mode options in the          
Pa ge Two  menu of the System Setup program. 
For information on the System Setup program, see Appendix B, “Using the     
System Setup Program.” Are the communication port options set correctly for 
the peripheral devices connected to the computer?
Ye s .  Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Change the 
Serial Port and 
Parallel Mode options to the appropriate settings, 
and then reboot the system. 
Is the problem resolved?
Ye s .  The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3. Check the contents of your initialization and start-up files. (See “Installing and 
Configuring Software” found earlier in this chapter.)
Are the port configuration commands correct? 
Ye s .  Go to step 5.
No. Go to step 4.
4. Change the necessar y statements in the start-up files.
If the port problem is confined to a particular application program, see the     
application program’s documentation for specific port configuration 
requirements.
Is the problem resolved?
Ye s .  The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 5. 
						

							3-26 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
5. Insert your System Soft ware
 CD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the computer, 
and run the Serial Ports device group and/or the Pa ra l le l  Po rts device group in 
the Dell Diagnostics. (See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found later in this 
ch a p t e r. )
The Serial Ports device group and the Parallel Ports device group check the 
basic functions of the system board’s I/O port logic. Also, if a parallel printer is 
connected to the parallel port, the Parallel Ports device group tests the          
communication link between the system board’s I/O port logic and the printer.
Do the tests complete successfully?
Ye s .  
Go to step 6.
No. 
Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
6. If the problem persists, go to “Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer” or 
“Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device” found later in this chapter. 
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If the preceding procedure, “Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions,” indicates that 
the problem is with a parallel printer, perform the following steps:
1. Turn off the parallel printer and computer.
2. Swap the parallel printer’s interface cable with a known working cable.
3. Turn on the parallel printer and computer.
4. Attempt a print operation on the parallel printer.
Does the print operation complete successfully?
Ye s .  
You probably need a new interface cable. Call Dell for technical assistance. 
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. 
Go to step 5.
5. Run the parallel printer’s self-test.
Does the self-test complete successfully?
Ye s .  
Go to step 6.
No. 
The printer is probably defective. If you bought the printer from Dell, call Dell 
for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) If you 
purchased the printer elsewhere, take it to one of the manufacturer’s authorized 
service centers for repair. 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-27
6. Attempt another print operation on the parallel printer.
Does the print operation complete successfully?
Ye s .  The problem is resolved.
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
 
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If the procedure titled “Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions” found earlier in this 
section indicates that the problem is with a device connected to one of the serial 
ports, perform the following steps: 
1. Exit any open application programs, and then turn off the computer and the serial 
device.
2. Swap the device’s interface cable with a known working cable.
3. Turn on the computer and the serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Ye s .  You probably need a new interface cable. Call Dell for technical assistance. 
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Go to step 4.
4. Turn off the computer and the serial device and swap the device with a           
comparable working device.
For example, if your serial mouse has a problem, swap it with a serial mouse you 
know is working properly.
5. Turn on the computer and the serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Ye s .  You probably need a new device. Call Dell for technical assistance.           
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) 
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)  
						

							3-28 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
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This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the computer’s infrared (IR) 
port. 
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1. Check the setting for the Infrared Port option in the Page  Two  menu of the    
System Setup program. 
For information on the System Setup program, see Appendix B, “Using the     
System Setup Program.” Is the Infrared Port option set correctly for the external 
device with which you are communicating?
Ye s .
 Go to step 3.
No. 
Go to step 2.
2. Change the Infrared Port option to the appropriate setting, and then reboot the 
computer.
Is the problem resolved?
Ye s .
 The problem is resolved.
No. 
Go to step 3.
3. Insert the System Soft ware
 CD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the computer, and 
run the Serial Ports device group in the Dell Diagnostics. (See “Running the Dell 
Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The Serial/Infrared Ports device group 
checks the basic functions of the computer’s infrared logic.
4. Do the tests complete successfully?
Ye s .
 The infrared port is functioning properly. There may be a problem with       
the infrared application program or with the external device. Check the             
documentation that came with the application program and with the external 
device.
No.
 Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
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,
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1. Insert your System Soft ware
 CD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the computer, 
and run the Mouse test in the Pointing Devices device group in the Dell       
Diagnostics. (See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The 
Mouse test checks the functionality of the mouse controller (which affects the 
ability to move the pointer around the screen) and the operation of the touch pad 
buttons. 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-29
2. Do the tests complete successfully?
Ye s .  The controller is functioning properly. If the problem persists, call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No.
 Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
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Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1. Insert your System Soft ware CD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the computer, 
and run the 
Misc. PCI Devices device group in the Dell Diagnostics. (See     
“Running the Dell Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The 
Misc. PCI 
Devices device group checks the functionality of the audio controller.
2. Do the tests complete successfully?
Ye s . The controller is functioning properly. If the problem persists, call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No.
 Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.) 
	
		

Unlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell Diagnostics helps you check your         
computers hardware without any additional equipment and without destroying any 
data. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidence in your computers operation. 
And if you find a problem you cannot solve by yourself, the diagnostic tests can      
provide you with important information you will need when talking to Dells ser vice 
and support personnel.

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The Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose 
particular device groups or subtests. You can also control the sequence in which the 
tests are run. The diagnostic device groups or subtests also have these helpful 
fe atu r es : 

Options that let you run tests individually or collectively 

An option that allows you to choose the number of times a device group or     
subtest is repeated 

The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file 

Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate 
testing when an adjustable error limit is reached  
						

							3-30 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

A menu category called Devices that briefly describes each test and its 
parameters 

A menu category called Config that describes the configuration of the devices in 
the selected device group 

Status messages that inform you whether device groups or subtests were    
completed successfully 

Error messages that appear if any problems are detected 
Whenever a major component or device in your computer does not function properly, 
you may have a component failure. As long as the microprocessor and the input and 
output components of your computer (the display, keyboard, and diskette drive) are 
working, you can use the Dell Diagnostics. If you are experienced with computers and 
know what component(s) you need to test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic 
test group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how to begin diagnosing a       
problem, read the rest of this chapter.
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To start the diagnostics, perform the following steps: 
1. Turn off the computer.
2. If the computer is docked, undock it. 
For instructions, see your Advanced Port Replicator User’s Guide
.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press  at the Dell BIOS splash screen to access the System Setup menu.
5. Press the down-arrow key to move to the field, and press the left- or right-arrow 
key to change the device setting. Select the following boot sequence: 

Boot First Device:  Diskette Drive

Boot Second Device:  CDROM/DVDROM Drive

Boot Third Device:  Internal HDD
6. Turn the computer off (power down).
7. Insert the Dell System Software
 CD into the CD-ROM drive.
If your computer has a diskette drive attached, make sure that the drive does not 
contain a diskette.
8. Turn the computer on. The computer restarts and automatically begins to run the 
Dell Diagnostics.
NOTES: After running the Dell Diagnostics, to change the boot sequence, repeat 
steps 1 through 8 and then restart your computer.
Before you read the rest of this subsection, you may want to start the Dell              
Diagnostics so that you can see it on your display. 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-31
When you start the diagnostics, the Dell logo screen appears, followed by a message 
telling you that the diagnostics is loading. 
After the diagnostics loads, the 
Diagnostics Menu appears (see Figure 3-1). The 
menu allows you to run all or specific diagnostic tests or to exit to the MS-DOS 
prompt.
For a quick check of your computer, select the 
Quickly Test All Devices option. This 
option runs only the subtests that do not require user interaction and that do not take 
a long time to run. Dell recommends that you choose this option first to increase the 
odds of tracing the source of the problem quickly. For a thorough check of your      
computer, select the 
Fully Test All Devices option. To check a particular area of your 
computer, select the 
Select Devices to Test option.
To select an option from this menu, highlight the option and press , or press 
the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the option you choose.

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When you select 
Select Devices to Test from the 
Diagnostics Menu, the main 
screen of the diagnostics appears (see Figure 3-2). The main screen lists the          
diagnostic test device groups, lists the devices of the selected device group, and 
allows you to select categories from a menu.
Information on the main screen of the diagnostics is presented in the following five 
areas:

Two lines at the top of the screen identify the version number of the Dell 
Diagnostics.

On the left side of the screen, the 
Device Groups area lists the diagnostic test 
groups in the order they will run if you select 
All from the 
Run tests menu       
category. Press the up- or down-arrow key to highlight a test device group.

On the right side of the screen, the 
Devices for Highlighted Group area lists the 
computers currently detected hardware and some of the relevant settings. 
						

							3-32 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

Two lines at the bottom of the screen make up the menu area. The first line lists 
the categories you can select; press the left- or right-arrow key to highlight a 
menu category. The second line gives information about the category currently 
highlighted.
NOTE: The options displayed on your screen should reflect the hardware                 
configuration of your computer.

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When you boot your computer from your System Soft ware
 CD, the diagnostics 
checks your system configuration information and displays it in the Device Groups 
area on the main screen.
The following sources supply this configuration information for the diagnostics: 

The system configuration information settings (stored in nonvolatile                   
random-access memory [NVRAM]) that you selected while using the System 
Setup program