Dell Inspiron 3500 Service Manual

							System Overview 1-11
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Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  active-matrix color (TFT)
Dimensions (viewable area):
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  194 mm (7.64 inches)
Width   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  262 mm (10.3 inches)
Diagonal . . . . . . . . . . . . .  337.8 mm (13.3 inches)
Maximum resolution  . . . . . .  1280 x 1024 pixels; 16 million colors ([24-bit] as 
supported by application program)
Response time (typical) . . . .  80 ms 
Operating angle . . . . . . . . . .  0° (closed) to 140°
Dot pitch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.264 mm
Power consumption . . . . . . .  3.6 W 
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  brightness can be controlled through key 
combinations
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Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  active-matrix color (TFT)
Dimensions (viewable area):
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  205 mm (8.09 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  277 mm (10.9 inches)
Diagonal . . . . . . . . . . . . .  358.1 mm (14.1 inches)
Maximum resolution  . . . . . .  1280 x 1024 pixels; 16 million colors ([24-bit] as 
supported by application program)
Response time (typical) . . . .  80 ms 
Operating angle . . . . . . . . . .  0° (closed) to 140°
Dot pitch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.264 mm
Power consumption . . . . . . .  3.9 W 
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  brightness can be controlled through key 
combinations
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Number of keys . . . . . . . . . .  87 (U.S. and Canada); 88 (Europe); 88 (Japan)
Key travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.0 ± 0.5 mm (0.12 ± 0.02 inch)
Key spacing  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19.1 mm (0.75 inch)
Layout  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  QWERTY/AZERTY/Kanji 7DEOH  7HFKQLFDO 6SHFLILFDWLRQV
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							1-12Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer Service Manual
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Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS/2-compatible
X/Y position resolutions 
(graphics table mode)  . . . . . . 20 points/mm (500 points/inch) 
Size:
Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.65 mm (0.18 inch) at highest component
Width   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64-mm (2.52-inch) sensor-active area
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.0-mm (1.85-inch) rectangle
with 0.5-mm (0.02-inch) tabs
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 g (0.52 oz.) ± 0.5 g (0.001 oz.)
Powe r :
Supply voltage . . . . . . . . . 5 V ± 10%
Supply current . . . . . . . . . 4 mA (maximum operating)
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Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lithium ion
Maximum dimensions:
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.0 mm (0.91 inch)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146.5 mm (5.77 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.3 mm (3.87 inches)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.44 kg (.97 lb)
Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.8 VDC
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.5 WH 
Charge time (approximate):
1
Computer on  . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 hours
Computer off . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 hours
Operating time
(approximate)
1. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 to 3 hours with one battery;
4 to 6 hours with two batteries
Life span (approximate)
1 . . . .400 discharge/charge cycles
Temperature range:
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5° to 35°C (41° to 95°F)
Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5° to 35°C (41° to 95°F) 
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –20° to 50°C (–4° to 122°F)
1Battery performance features such as charge time, operating time, and life span can vary 
according to the conditions under which the computer and battery are used and according to 
the configuration of the computer system.
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							System Overview 1-13
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Input voltage  . . . . . . . . . . . .  90 to 264 VAC
Input current (maximum) . . .  1.5 A at 90 VAC, full load
Input frequency . . . . . . . . . .  47 to 63 Hz 
Output current . . . . . . . . . . .  3.5 A continuous
Output power  . . . . . . . . . . .  70 W 
Rated output voltage . . . . . .  20 VDC
Dimensions:
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29.6 mm (1.17 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  105 mm (4.13 inches)
Weight (with cables)  . . . . . .  0.3 kg (0.66 lb)
Temperature range:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . .  5° to 35°C (41° to 95°F)
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  –20° to 50°C (–4° to 122°F)
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Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37.1 mm (1.46 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  325.7 mm (12.82 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  258.7 mm (10.19 inches)
Weight (includes hard-disk 
drive, diskette drive, and 
battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.72 kg (6.1 lb +
 0.10 lb) 
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Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38.1 mm (1.50 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  325.7 mm (12.82 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  258.7 mm (10.19 inches)
Weight (includes hard-disk 
drive, diskette drive, and 
battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.90 kg (6.4 lb +
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							1-14Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer Service Manual
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Temperature:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5° to 35°C (41° to 95°F)
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –20° to 50°C (–4° to 122°F)
Relative humidity . . . . . . . . . . 10% to 90% (noncondensing)
Maximum vibration:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum 
that simulates shipment by air
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum 
that simulates shipment by truck
Maximum shock:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.52 m/sec (60 inches/sec)
(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)
Storage
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.03 m/sec (80 inches/sec)
(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms)
Altitude:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 to 3048 m (0 to 10,000 ft)
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 to 12,192 m (0 to 40,000 ft)
2Measured with the hard-disk drive in head-parked position.
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							Initial Procedures 2-1
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This chapter describes initial procedures that can help you diagnose a com-
puter problem. These procedures can often reveal the source of a problem or 
indicate the correct starting point for troubleshooting the computer. Dell rec-
ommends that you perform these initial procedures in the order they are 
presented.
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When you first contact a user who has a problem, ask the user to describe the 
problem and the conditions under which it occurs. A verbal description can 
often indicate the cause of a problem or indicate the appropriate troubleshoot-
ing procedure to use. After the user describes the problem, follow these 
steps: 
1. Ask the user to back up any data on the hard-disk drive if the computer’s 
condition permits.
See the “Maintaining Your Computer” section of the online
 System User’s 
Guide
.
2. Ask the user to try to duplicate the problem by repeating the operations he 
or she was performing at the time the problem occurred.
Can the user duplicate the problem?
Ye s.  Proceed to step 3.
No.  Proceed to the next section, “Visual Inspection.”
3. Observe the user to determine whether he or she is making an error, such 
as typing an incorrect key combination or entering a command incorrectly.
Is the problem a result of user error?
Ye s.  Instruct the user in the proper procedure or direct him or her to the 
appropriate user documentation for a description of the correct procedure.
No.  Proceed to the next section, “Visual Inspection.” 
						

							2-2Dell Inspiron Portable Computer 3500 Service Manual
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The visual inspection consists of a quick inspection of the exterior of the com-
puter and any attached peripherals, including making any necessary 
corrections. For information about the proper removal and installation of com-
puter components, as instructed in the following procedure, see Chapter 4, 
“Removing and Replacing Parts.” 
To perform a visual inspection, follow these steps:
1. Determine the power state of the computer.
If the system is on, go to step 2.
If you are unsure whether the system is on, shut down and restart the sys-
tem, and then go to step 2.
2. Turn off any attached peripherals, and then shut down the computer. 
3. Verify that the exterior of the computer is free of any obvious physical 
damage.
4. If the computer is operating from an AC adapter, verify the following 
conditions:
a. The AC adapter’s AC power cable is connected to both the AC adapter 
and the electrical outlet. The AC adapter’s indicator light should be on. 
b. The AC adapter’s DC power cable is properly connected to the com-
puter’s AC adapter connector.
c. The AC adapter and cables are free of any obvious physical damage.
5. If the computer is operating from battery power, remove any installed bat-
teries, verify that they are free of any obvious physical damage, verify that 
the connectors on the battery and inside the battery bay are not damaged, 
and then reinsert the batteries into their respective compartments. Press 
the test button located on the back of each battery to make certain that 
there is a charge.
6. Remove any installed device from the options bay, verify that it is free of 
any obvious physical damage, verify that the connectors on the device and 
inside the options bay are not damaged, and then reinsert the device into 
the options bay.
7. Remove any installed PC Cards from the PC Card slot, verify that they are 
free of any obvious physical damage, verify that the connectors on the PC 
Cards and inside the PC Card cage are not damaged, and then reinsert the 
card(s) into the PC Card slot. 
						

							Initial Procedures 2-3
8. If there is a memory area problem and the computer has memory mod-
ules, remove the memory modules from the bottom of the main board, 
verify that they are free of any obvious physical damage, verify that the 
connectors on the modules and in the memory module sockets are not 
damaged, and then reinstall the modules.
9. Raise the LCD display and verify that the computer is free of any 
obvious physical damage.
10. Verify that the keyboard is free of any obvious physical damage and that its 
keys operate freely.
11. Verify that the touch pad operates freely.
12. If an external monitor is connected, verify the following conditions: 
a. The monitor’s interface cable is properly attached to the external-
monitor connector on the computer’s I/O panel.
b. The monitor’s power cable is attached to an electrical outlet and is free 
of any obvious physical damage.
c. The monitor, its interface cable, and connectors are free of any obvious 
physical damage.
d. The monitor is on.
e. The monitor’s controls are set according to the instructions in the docu-
mentation for the monitor.
13. If an external mouse is connected, verify the following conditions:
a. The mouse is properly connected to the keyboard/keypad/mouse con-
nector on the computer’s I/O panel.
b. The mouse, its cable, and connectors are free of any obvious physical 
damage.
c. The mouse’s ball and pushbuttons operate freely.
14. For any attached serial or parallel devices, verify the following conditions:
a. The device’s interface cable connector is correctly attached to the 
appropriate port connector on the computer’s I/O panel.
b. The captive screws that secure the connectors at each end of the inter-
face cable are secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
c. The attached device, its interface cable, and connectors are free of any 
obvious physical damage. 
						

							2-4Dell Inspiron Portable Computer 3500 Service Manual
15. Turn on any attached peripherals and then the computer.
Does the problem recur?
Ye s.  Go to the next section, “Observing the Boot Routine.”
No.  No further steps are necessary.
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After you perform a visual inspection as described in the previous section, boot 
the computer from a diagnostics diskette and, while the boot routine is run-
ning, observe the computer for any indications of problems.
NOTE: To prevent possible damage to the original diagnostics diskette, always 
use a backup copy of the diagnostics diskette when servicing a user’s com-
puter. Dell recommends that users make copies of the Dell Diagnostics 
Diskette. For instructions, see “Before You Start Testing” in Chapter 4, “Run-
ning the Dell Diagnostics,” of the Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer 
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
To observe the boot routine, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals.
2. Insert a diagnostics diskette into the diskette drive. Turn on all peripherals 
and then the computer.
3. Observe the indicators at the front of the keyboard. Depending on how the 
computer is configured, after various indicators flash momentarily in the 
status display panel, some indicators should light up and remain on.
Do these indicators light up within seconds after the boot routine starts?
Ye s
.  Go to step 4.
No
.  Troubleshoot the power subsystem.
4. While the boot routine is running, observe the computer for any of the fol-
lowing conditions:
‡Diskette-drive and hard-disk drive access indicator activity
These indicators light in response to data being transferred to or from 
the drives. If either of these indicators fails to light during the boot routine, 
troubleshoot the diskette drive or hard-disk drive subsystem, as 
appropriate.
‡Beep codes
A beep code is a series of beeps that indicates an error condition. If the 
computer emits a beep code, refer to Table 3-1.
NOTE: The computer beeps once shortly after the system boots. This 
beep is normal and not part of a beep code.  
						

							Initial Procedures 2-5
‡System error messages
These messages can indicate problems or provide status information. If 
a system error message is displayed, refer to Table 3-2. 
‡Any unusual sounds
5. Observe the display for the Diagnostics Menu of the Dell Diagnostics.
Does the Diagnostics Menu appear on the display?
Ye s
.  See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3.
No
.  Go to step 6.
6. Insert another copy of the diagnostics diskette into the diskette drive and 
reboot the computer.
Does the Diagnostics Menu appear on the display?
Ye s
.  See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3.
No
.  Go to the next section, “Eliminating Resource Conflicts.”
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Devices within or connected to the computer may require dedicated memory 
spaces, interrupt levels, and/or DMA channels. Because different devices can 
be configured at different times, it is possible that the same resource is 
assigned to two or more devices.
Disconnect all peripherals and remove all PC Cards to make sure that the com-
puter failure is not caused by faulty devices.
If you suspect that resource conflicts might exist, check the computer and 
reassign the resources as necessary. For more information about resolving 
conflicts, see Chapter 3, “Troubleshooting Your Computer,” in the 
Reference 
and Troubleshooting Guide
.
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If none of the procedures in this chapter reveal the source of the problem or 
lead to the proper troubleshooting steps for determining the source of the 
problem, contact Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, 
“Getting Help,” in the 
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide or the “Contacting 
Dell” section of the online 
System User’s Guide. 
						

							2-6Dell Inspiron Portable Computer 3500 Service Manual