Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-13
6. Remove the memory module cover and the memor y module(s).
For instructions, refer to “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2.
7. Reinstall the memor y modules, making sure to seat them properly. 
8. Replace the memory module cover.
9. Reinstall the hard-disk drive.
10. Verify that any installed PC Cards are properly seated in the PC Card connectors.
11. Reinstall the battery or other device(s) removed from the media bay in step 4. 
Verify that the device(s)...

3-14 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
6. Remove any installed batteries and disconnect the AC adapter. Then reinstall the 
batteries, reconnect the AC adapter, and turn on the computer. Does the power 
status indicator light up?
Ye s .  
Go to step 8.
No. 
Go to step 7.
7. Turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, and then turn on the computer again. 
Does the power status indicator light up?
Ye s .  
Your computer is receiving power. Go to step 8.
No. 
Your computer is not...

support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-15
5. Call Dell for technical assistance. 
See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
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If an AC adapter is not connected to your computer, the computer’s power source is 
its battery. If the computer does not turn on when a batter y is installed, the batter y’s 
charge may be depleted. To troubleshoot this problem, make a copy of the             
Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5 and fill it out as you perform the...

3-16 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
9. Press the power button. Does computer turn on? 
Ye s .  
Your original battery 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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If the power status indicator shows that your computer is receiving power, but the 
display remains blank, part of your computer is...

support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-17
4. Reboot the computer. Does the diskette-drive access indicator blink during the 
boot routine?
Ye s .  Go to step 6.
No. Go to step 5.
5. Remove and reinsert the diskette drive (or disconnect and reconnect the drive if 
used externally). Reboot the computer. Does the diskette-drive access indicator 
light up during the boot routine?
Ye s .  Go to step 6.
No. Go to step 9.
6. Does the computer display a drive error message? 
Ye s .  See Table 3-2 for an...

3-18 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
4. Reboot the computer. Does the drive access indicator blink during the boot 
routine?
Ye s .  
Go to step 6.
No. 
Go to step 5.
5. Remove and reinsert the drive. Reboot the computer. Does the drive access   
indicator blink during the boot routine?
Ye s .  
Go to step 6.
No. 
Go to step 10.
6. Remove the hard-disk drive and boot the computer from a bootable CD. Does the 
drive access indicator blink?
Ye s .  
Go to step 7.
No. 
Go to...

support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-19
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During POST, the computer checks the hard-disk drive, comparing its characteristics 
with the system configuration information. (The drive access indicator, located to the 
right of the display latch, blinks as the computer performs this check.) If a failure 
occurs with the drive, make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5 
and fill it out as you perform the following steps:
1. Shut down the computer.
2....

3-20 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
8. Replace your diagnostics diskette with the operating system diskette, and reboot 
the computer. Does the operating system load now?
Ye s .  
The hard-disk drive may contain a corrupted operating system or it may have 
bad sectors. Reinstall the operating system as described in the documentation 
that came with it. If reinstalling the operating system does not correct the      
problem, go to step 9.
No. 
Go to step 9.
9. Call Dell for...

support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting 3-21
7. Does the computer recognize the external keyboard? 
Use the external keyboard to type some characters. Do they appear on the 
display?
Ye s .  The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 8.
8. Turn off the computer and disconnect the external keyboard from the computer. 
9. Turn on the computer. Does the computer recognize the integrated keyboard?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components. Then use the 
computer’s integrated keyboard to type...

3-22 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
5. Turn the computer over and remove the memory module cover and the memor y 
modules.
Refer to “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2.
6. Install the new memory module(s).
Refer to “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2.
7. Replace the memory module cover.
8. Reboot the computer, and press  when prompted to enter the System 
Setup program.
9. Call Dell for technical assistance.
See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions....