Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comTechnical Specifications A-1


	



	

The most complete specifications for your computer are available on Dell’s World 
Wide Web support site at 
http://support.dell.com. Enter your service tag sequence 
(or, if you have one, your Express Ser vice Code) and click 
Submit. The service tag 
and Express Service Code are shown on the bottom of the computer.
You can also access the same support information by clicking 
Inspiron and selecting 
your system by name, but you have to select options from a series of menus to reach 
the same information.
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Microprocessor type . . . . . . . . . Intel mobile microprocessor
L1 cache  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 KB (internal)
L2 cache  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 or 256 KB (integrated) or 
512-KB pipelined-burst SRAM (external)
External bus frequency  . . . . . . . 100 MHz
Math coprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . internal to the microprocessor

 

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System chip set . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intel Mobile 440BX AGP
Data bus width  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 bits
DRAM bus width . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 bits
Microprocessor address
bus width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 bits
Flash EPROM  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Mb 
AGP bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 MHz
PCI bus  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 MHz
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help. 
						

							A-2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide



PCI controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Instruments PCI 1225 CardBus controller
PC Card connectors  . . . . . . . . .  two (supports Type I and Type II cards in any                  
combination; Type III cards can be used only in the 
lower connector; the lower connector supports 
zoomed video cards on computers using the Microsoft 
Windows 98 operating system)
Cards supported  . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.3 V and 5 V
PC Card connector size . . . . . . .  68 pins
Data width (maximum)
PCMCIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 bits
CardBus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 bits


Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SDRAM
Memor y module sockets  . . . . .  two
Memor y module capacities
and type  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, and 256-MB 3.3-V SDRAM 
modules
Minimum RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64-MB memory module
Maximum RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . .  512 MB
Memor y clock speed. . . . . . . . . 100 MHz
Memor y  access  time   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  CL2 or CL3 (Note: CL3 indicates a CAS latency of              
3 clocks)
BIOS address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  FF000:0000-F000:FFFF



Serial (DTE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9-pin connector; 16550-compatible, 
16-byte buffer 
Parallel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25-hole connector; unidirectional, bidirectional, EPP 
1. 9 ,  o r  E C P
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15-hole connector
PS/2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6-pin mini-DIN connector
Infrared  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  IrDA 1.1 connector
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							support.dell.comTechnical Specifications A-3


	

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . one microphone-in connector; one line-in/audio-in   
connector; one headphones/speakers connector
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-pin connector
Docking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-pin connector
TV-out S-video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-pin mini-DIN connector (an S-video to composite   
video adapter is also included with the computer)


Audio type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound Blaster (software emulation-capable)
Audio controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . ESS Maestro 2E
Stereo Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . 16 bit (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog)
Interfaces:
Internal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCI bus/AC97
External  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . microphone (minijack); headphone; line-in
Speakers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . two 8-ohm speakers
Internal speaker amplifier  . . . . . 1 W into 8 ohms stereo
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . volume can be controlled through key combinations, 
application program menus
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Video type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256-bit hardware-accelerated
Data bus  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2X AGP
Video controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . ATI Mobility M1
Video memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.0 MB


Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SVGA, active-matrix color (TFT)
Maximum resolution/colors . . . . 800 x 600 pixels; 262,144-color display
Response time (typical) . . . . . . . 30 ms rise; 20 ms fall
Operating angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
° (closed) to 180
°
Dot pitch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.30 mm
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							A-4 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

	

Power consumption
Panel (typical) . . . . . . . . . . .  .7 W
Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 W
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  brightness can be controlled through a key 
combination
$

Number of keys . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87 (U.S., Canada, Korea, Thailand, and locations that 
use traditional Chinese); 88 (Europe); 90 (Japan)
Key travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.0 mm + 0.5 mm/–0.2 mm (0.12 inch + 0.02 inch/–
0.0008 inch)
Key spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19.05 mm ± 0.3 mm (0.75 inch ± 0.012 inch)
!

Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  lithium ion
Dimensions:
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21.5 mm (0.83 inch)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  88.5 mm (3.48 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  139.0 mm (5.47 inches)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.39 kg (0.87 lb)
Voltage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14.8 VDC
Capacity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53 WH
Charge time (approximate):
1
Computer on  . . . . . . . . . . .  2.5 hours
Computer off  . . . . . . . . . . .  1 hour
Life span (approximate)
1. . . . . . 500 discharge/charge cycles
Temperature range:
Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –20° to 60°C (–4° to 140°F)
1  Battery performance features such as charge time and life span can var y according to the                
conditions under which the computer and batter y are used.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							support.dell.comTechnical Specifications A-5



Input voltage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 to 135 VAC and 164 to 264 VAC
Input current (maximum) . . . . . . 1.5 A
Input frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 to 63 Hz
Output current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 A (maximum at 4-second pulse); 
3.51 A (continuous)
Rated output voltage . . . . . . . . . 20.0 VDC
Dimensions:
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.94 mm (1.1 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.42 mm (2.3 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.35 mm (5.25 inches)
Weight (with cables)  . . . . . . . . . 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)
Temperature range:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .–20° to 60°C (–4° to 140°F)
 

Dimensions:
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.6 mm (1.52 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306.0 mm (12.05 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241.0 mm (9.49 inches)
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Temperature:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .–20° to 60°C (–4° to 140°F)
Relative humidity (maximum):
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% to 90% (noncondensing)
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% to 95% (noncondensing)
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							A-6 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
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Maximum vibration:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.9 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum that 
simulates user environment
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1.3 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum that sim-
ulates air/truck shipment
Maximum shock:
1
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  152.4 cm/sec (60.0 inches/sec)  
(equal to a half-sine pulse width of 2 ms)
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  203.2 cm/sec (80 inches/sec) 
(equal to a half-sine pulse width of 2 ms)
Altitude (maximum):
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –18 to 3048 m (–59 to 10,000 ft)
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –18 to 10,600 m (–59 to 35,000 ft)
       
Interface  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  PS/2-compatible
X/Y position resolution
(graphics table mode) . . . . . . . .  240 cpi
Size:
Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.8 mm (0.11 inch) at highest component
Width 
(sensor-active area)  . . . . . .  55mm (2.17 inch) 
Height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39-mm (1.54-inch rectangle)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9.02 g (0.29 oz) 
Powe r :
Supply voltage . . . . . . . . . .  5 V ± 10%
Supply current  . . . . . . . . . .  25 mA (maximum operating for track stick and touch 
pad combined)
ESD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  In accordance with IEC-801-2
1  Measured with the hard-disk drive in head-parked position.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							support.dell.comTechnical Specifications A-7
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Interface  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS/2-compatible
X/Y position resolution . . . . . . . . 250 counts/sec.@100gf
Size  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Protrudes .5 mm higher than surrounding keycaps
Powe r :
Supply voltage  . . . . . . . . . . 5 V ± .5 VDC
Supply current  . . . . . . . . . . 25 mA (maximum operating for track stick and touch 
pad combined)
ESD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In accordance with IEC-801-2
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.
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							A-8 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide 
						

							support.dell.comUsing the System Setup Program B-1


	



This appendix describes the System Setup program, which you can use to configure 
your computer as well as enable and disable your computer’s password features.
Your computer retains system configuration information in the nonvolatile                
random-access memory (NVRAM) maintained by your computer’s reserve battery. 
Each time you turn on your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the 
system configuration information stored in NVRAM. If the computer detects a         
discrepancy, it generates an error message that identifies the incorrect configuration 
setting.
You can use the System Setup program as follows: 

To set or change user-selectable features—for example, your password or power 
management features

To verify information about your computers current configuration, such as the 
amount of system memory
For some options, you must reboot the computer before any changes take effect. 
Changes for other options take effect immediately.
NOTE: If you change an option that is activated by rebooting, the System Setup      
program displays the setting you selected rather than the setting currently in effect. 
You must reboot the computer for the new setting to take effect.
After you set up your computer, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself 
with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends 
that you write down the information for future reference.
NOTE: If the computer uses the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98 operating 
system, you must use the System Setup program to view and change your system 
configuration. 
						

							B-2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide


	
	
	
	
Enter and use the System Setup program as follows:

Press  at any time on the keyboard (or  on an   
external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled). If you press 
 (or  on an external keyboard if the External Hot 
Key option is enabled), the System Setup program opens directly to the Battery 
Status screen.

To enter the System Setup program while your computer is booting, press  
when the Dell screen appears.

Press  to exit the System Setup program. If you change the setting of an 
option that requires rebooting to take effect, exit the operating system before 
rebooting. (The Help text in the upper-right corner of System Setup pages 1, 2, 
and 4 tells you if the computer must be rebooted.)
NOTE: If the System Setup program is running when the computer enters standby 
mode, the computer exits the System Setup program and then activates standby 
mode.

	
		
The System Setup screens display the current setup and configuration information 
and optional settings for your computer. Information on the screens (or “pages”) is 
organized in five boxed areas: 

Title — The box at the top of all screens lists the page number, system name, 
and version number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).

Options — The box on the left half of pages 1, 2, and 4 lists options that define 
the installed hardware in your computer and the power conser vation and security 
features for your computer.
Fields next to the options contain settings or values. You can change those values 
that appear bright on the screen. Options or values that you cannot change 
(because they are determined or calculated by the computer) appear less bright.

Help — The box on the upper-right half of pages 1, 2, and 4 displays help              
information for the option with a currently highlighted field.

Computer data — The box in the lower-right corner of pages 1, 2, and 4 displays 
information about your computer.

Key functions — The line of boxes across the bottom of all screens lists keys 
and their functions within the System Setup program.