Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comWarranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance E-1

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Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”) manufactures its hardware products from parts 
and components that are new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry-
standard practices. Dell warrants that the hardware products it manufactures will be 
free from defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty term is three years 
beginning on the date of invoice, as described in the following text.
Damage due to shipping the products to you is covered under this warranty.           
Other wise, this warranty does not cover damage due to external causes, including 
accident, abuse, misuse, problems with electrical power, ser vicing not authorized by 
Dell, usage not in accordance with product instructions, failure to perform required 
preventive maintenance, and problems caused by use of parts and components not 
supplied by Dell.
This warranty does not cover any items that are in one or more of the following       
categories: software; external devices (except as specifically noted); accessories or 
parts added to a Dell system after the system is shipped from Dell; accessories or 
parts added to a Dell system through Dell’s system integration department;         
accessories or parts that are not installed in the Dell factory; or DellWare
SM products. 
Monitors, keyboards, and mice that are Dell-branded or that are included on Dell’s 
standard price list are covered under this warranty; all other monitors, keyboards, and 
mice (including those sold through the DellWare program) are not covered. Batteries 
for portable computers are covered only during the initial one-year period of this 
warrant y.
0	3
During the one-year period beginning on the invoice date, Dell will repair or replace 
products covered under this limited warranty that are returned to Dell’s facility. To 
request warranty service, you must call Dell’s Customer Technical Support within the 
warranty period. Refer to Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” or the section titled “Contacting 
Dell” in your system Help to find the appropriate telephone number for obtaining    
customer assistance. If warranty service is required, Dell will issue a Return Material 
Authorization Number. You must ship the products back to Dell in their original or 
equivalent packaging, prepay shipping charges, and insure the shipment or accept the  
						

							E-2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
risk of loss or damage during shipment. Dell will ship the repaired or replacement 
products to you freight prepaid if you use an address in the continental U.S., where 
applicable. Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect.
NOTE: Before you ship the product(s) to Dell, back up the data on the hard-disk 
drive(s) and any other storage device(s) in the product(s). Remove any removable 
media, such as diskettes, CDs, or PC Cards. Dell does not accept liability for lost data 
or software.
Dell owns all parts removed from repaired products. Dell uses new and reconditioned 
parts made by various manufacturers in performing warranty repairs and building 
replacement products. If Dell repairs or replaces a product, its warranty term is not 
extended.
0	3&

During the second and third years of this limited warranty, Dell will provide, on an 
exchange basis and subject to Dell’s Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the 
exchange, replacement parts for the Dell hardware product(s) covered under this    
limited warranty when a part requires replacement. You must report each instance    
of hardware failure to Dell’s Customer Technical Support in advance to obtain Dell’s   
concurrence that a part should be replaced and to have Dell ship the replacement 
part. Dell will ship parts (freight prepaid) if you use an address in the continental U.S., 
where applicable. Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect. Dell will 
include a prepaid shipping container with each replacement part for your use in   
returning the replaced part to Dell. Replacement parts are new or reconditioned.    
Dell may provide replacement parts made by various manufacturers when supplying 
parts to you. The warranty term for a replacement part is the remainder of the limited     
warranty term.
You will pay Dell for replacement parts if the replaced part is not returned to Dell. The 
process for returning replaced parts, and your obligation to pay for replacement parts 
if you do not return the replaced parts to Dell, will be in accordance with Dell’s 
Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the exchange.
You accept full responsibility for your software and data. Dell is not required to advise 
or remind you of appropriate backup and other procedures.
(,		
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE 
TO STATE (OR JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION). DELLS RESPONSIBILITY FOR 
MALFUNCTIONS AND DEFECTS IN HARDWARE IS LIMITED TO REPAIR AND 
REPLACEMENT AS SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT. ALL EXPRESS 
AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED 
TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND 
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE  
WARRANTY PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE AND NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER 
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WILL APPLY AFTER SUCH PERIOD.  
						

							support.dell.comWarranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance E-3
SOME STATES (OR JURISDICTIONS) DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW 
LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE PRECEDING LIMITATION MAY  
NOT APPLY TO YOU.
DELL DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS 
WARRANTY STATEMENT OR LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL 
DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LIABILITY FOR PRODUCTS 
NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE OR FOR LOST DATA OR SOFTWARE.
SOME STATES (OR JURISDICTIONS) DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR        
LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE              
PRECEDING EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
These provisions apply to Dell’s limited three-year warranty only. For provisions of any 
service contract covering your system, refer to your invoice or the separate ser vice 
contract that you will receive.
If Dell elects to exchange a system or component, the exchange will be made in 
accordance with Dell’s Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the exchange. In any 
instance in which Dell issues a Return Material Authorization Number, Dell must 
receive the product(s) for repair prior to the expiration of the warranty period in order 
for the repair(s) to be covered by the warranty.
NOTE:  If you chose one of the available warranty and service options in place of the 
standard limited three-year warranty described in the preceding text, the option you 
chose will be listed on your invoice.
.
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1
	3
Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”) manufactures its hardware products from parts 
and components that are new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry-
standard practices. Dell warrants that the hardware products it manufactures will be 
free from defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty term is three years 
beginning on the date of invoice, as described in the following text.
Damage due to shipping the products to you is covered under this warranty.           
Other wise, this warranty does not cover damage due to external causes, including 
accident, abuse, misuse, problems with electrical power, ser vicing not authorized by 
Dell, usage not in accordance with product instructions, failure to perform required 
preventive maintenance, and problems caused by use of parts and components not 
supplied by Dell.
This warranty does not cover any items that are in one or more of the following cate-
gories: software; external devices (except as specifically noted); accessories or parts 
added to a Dell system after the system is shipped from Dell; accessories or parts 
added to a Dell system through Dell’s system integration department; accessories or 
parts that are not installed in the Dell factory; or DellWare products. Monitors,        
keyboards, and mice that are Dell-branded or that are included on Dell’s standard price 
list are covered under this warranty; all other monitors, keyboards, and mice (including  
						

							E-4 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
those sold through the DellWare program) are not covered. Batteries for portable 
computers are covered only during the initial one-year period of this warranty.
0	3
During the one-year period beginning on the invoice date, Dell will repair or replace 
products covered under this limited warranty that are returned to Dell’s facility. To 
request warranty service, you must call Dell’s Customer Technical Support within the 
warranty period. Refer to Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” or the section titled “Contacting 
Dell” in your system Help
 to find the appropriate telephone number for obtaining   
customer assistance. If warranty service is required, Dell will issue a Return Material 
Authorization Number. You must ship the products back to Dell in their original or 
equivalent packaging, prepay shipping charges, and insure the shipment or accept the 
risk of loss or damage during shipment. Dell will ship the repaired or replacement 
products to you freight prepaid if you use an address in Canada, where applicable. 
Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect.
NOTE: Before you ship the product(s) to Dell, back up the data on the hard-disk 
drive(s) and any other storage device(s) in the product(s). Remove any removable 
media, such as diskettes, CDs, or PC Cards. Dell does not accept liability for lost data 
or software.
Dell owns all parts removed from repaired products. Dell uses new and reconditioned 
parts made by various manufacturers in performing warranty repairs and building 
replacement products. If Dell repairs or replaces a product, its warranty term is not 
extended.
0	3&

During the second and third years of this limited warranty, Dell will provide, on an 
exchange basis and subject to Dell’s Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the 
exchange, replacement parts for the Dell hardware product(s) covered under this    
limited warranty when a part requires replacement. You must report each instance    
of hardware failure to Dell’s Customer Technical Support in advance to obtain Dell’s   
concurrence that a part should be replaced and to have Dell ship the replacement 
part. Dell will ship parts (freight prepaid) if you use an address in Canada, where    
applicable. Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect. Dell will include 
a prepaid shipping container with each replacement part for your use in returning the 
replaced part to Dell. Replacement parts are new or reconditioned. Dell may provide 
replacement parts made by various manufacturers when supplying parts to you. The 
warranty term for a replacement part is the remainder of the limited warranty term.
You will pay Dell for replacement parts if the replaced part is not returned to Dell. The 
process for returning replaced parts, and your obligation to pay for replacement parts 
if you do not return the replaced parts to Dell, will be in accordance with Dell’s 
Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the exchange.
You accept full responsibility for your software and data. Dell is not required to advise 
or remind you of appropriate backup and other procedures. 
						

							support.dell.comWarranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance E-5
(,		
DELL MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS BEYOND THOSE 
STATED IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT. DELL DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER           
WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT 
LIMITATION IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY 
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME STATES (OR JURISDICTIONS) 
DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, SO 
THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
DELL’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MALFUNCTIONS AND DEFECTS IN HARDWARE IS 
LIMITED TO REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT AS SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY 
STATEMENT. THESE WARRANTIES GIVE YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND      
YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE               
(OR JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION).
DELL DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS 
WARRANTY STATEMENT OR LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL 
DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LIABILITY FOR PRODUCTS 
NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE OR FOR LOST DATA OR SOFTWARE.
SOME STATES (OR JURISDICTIONS) DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR        
LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE              
PRECEDING EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
These provisions apply to Dell’s limited three-year warranty only. For provisions of any 
service contract covering your system, refer to your invoice or the separate ser vice 
contract that you will receive.
If Dell elects to exchange a system or component, the exchange will be made in 
accordance with Dell’s Exchange Policy in effect on the date of the exchange. In any 
instance in which Dell issues a Return Material Authorization Number, Dell must 
receive the product(s) for repair prior to the expiration of the warranty period in order 
for the repair(s) to be covered by the warranty.
NOTE:  If you chose one of the available warranty and service options in place of the 
standard limited three-year warranty described in the preceding text, the option you 
chose will be listed on your invoice.
=
	
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If you are an end-user customer who bought new products directly from a Dell     
company, you may return them to Dell within 30 days of the date of invoice for a 
refund or credit of the product purchase price. If you are an end-user customer who 
bought reconditioned or refurbished products from a Dell company, you may return 
them to Dell within 14 days of the date of invoice for a refund or credit of the product 
purchase price. In either case, the refund or credit will not include any shipping and 
handling charges shown on your invoice. If you are an organization that bought the 
products under a written agreement with Dell, the agreement may contain different 
terms for the return of products than specified by this policy.  
						

							E-6 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
To return products, you must call Dell Customer Service to receive a Credit Return 
Authorization Number. Refer to Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” or the section titled    
“Contacting Dell” in your system Help
 to find the appropriate telephone number for 
obtaining customer assistance. To expedite the processing of your refund or credit, 
Dell expects you to return the products to Dell in their original packaging within five 
days of the date that Dell issues the Credit Return Authorization Number. You must 
also prepay shipping charges and insure the shipment or accept the risk of loss or 
damage during shipment. You may return software for refund or credit only if the 
sealed package containing the diskette(s) or CD(s) is unopened. Returned products 
must be in as-new condition, and all of the manuals, diskette(s), CD(s), power cables, 
and other items included with a product must be returned with it. For customers who 
want to return, for refund or credit only, either applications software or an operating 
system that has been installed by Dell, the whole system must be returned, along 
with any media and documentation that may have been included in the original 
shipment.
This “To t a l  S a t i s f a c t i o n” Return Policy does not apply to DellWare products,         
which may be returned under DellWares then-current return policy. In addition, 
reconditioned parts purchased through Dell Spare Parts Sales in Canada are 
nonreturnable.
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Dell-branded hardware products shipped on or after Januar y 1, 1997, are eligible to 
carr y the “NSTL Hardware Tested Year 2000 Compliant” logo by virtue of formal    
testing with, and successful completion of, the National Software Testing                
Laboratories (NSTL) YMARK2000 test.* Dell will treat a failure to pass the 
YMARK2000 test as a covered event under Dells warranty for the product, subject   
to the normal warranty limitations.** For a complete copy of Dells warranty, see the 
products documentation. Dell-branded hardware products will also recognize the 
year 2000 as a leap year.
*The YMARK2000 standard tests the ability of system hardware and firmware to support the 
transition to the year 2000 (and to recognize leap years, when appropriate, for years 2000 
through 2009 inclusive) and not that of options, operating systems, or applications software. 
Dell-branded hardware products that pass the YMARK2000 test conform to BSI-DISC 
PD 2000-1.
 
** Except for this clarification of Dells warranty for NSTL logo hardware, all other warranties, 
conditions and remedies, express or implied, relating to year 2000 readiness or compliance are 
disclaimed. To make a claim under this warranty for NSTL logo hardware, customers must      
contact Dell prior to January 1, 2001. To make a claim, write to:
Dell Computer Corporation
P.O. Box 149258
Austin, Texas 78714-9258
Attention: Year 2000 
						

							support.dell.comWarranty, Return Policy, and Year 2000 Statement of Compliance E-7
Despite a systems ability to pass the YMARK2000 test, actual rollover results in specific 
operating environments may vary depending on other factors including, but not limited to,  other 
hardware, operating systems, and applications software.
,	,


For Dell-branded hardware products shipped prior to January 1, 1997, that have an 
upgradable basic input/output system (BIOS), Dell makes available a BIOS upgrade. 
Although these products may not have been tested under the YMARK2000 test,    
Dell believes that the hardware would pass the YMARK2000 test, provided the  
appropriate BIOS upgrade is properly loaded.
For Dell-branded hardware products that do not have an upgradable BIOS, Dell has 
made available, as a convenience to customers, the Dell Program Patch, a software 
utility designed to assist customers in managing the year 2000 rollover.
#%&
Dell specifically excludes all non-Dell-developed software from this compliance   
statement. All software run on Dell-branded hardware products should be              
independently verified by customers to be year 2000-compliant.
The factor y-installed software on your system is the current version provided by the 
software manufacturer and is validated by Dell for installation. Dell recommends that 
you check each software manufacturer’s year 2000 Web site for updates to their    
products. Links to a number of these Web sites can be found at the Dell year 2000 
We b s it e s.
*

		%$	
For additional information on year 2000 compliance of Dell-branded hardware       
products, refer to the following Dell year 2000 Web sites, or contact a Dell customer 
service representative in your area:

http://www.dell.com/year2000 (Americas)

http://www.dell.com/jp/year2000 (Japan)

http://www.euro.dell.com/year2000 (Europe)

http://www.dell.com/ap/year2000 (Asia Pacific) 
						

							E-8 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide 
						

							support.dell.comIndex 1
	*

assistance
technical, 5-1
telephone numbers, 5-7
warranty repair or credit, 5-5
AutoTech service, 5-3
)
battery, 1-4, 2-5
boot routine, 3-2
indications, 3-6


calling Dell, 5-7
cautions, x
CD-ROM drive
troubleshooting, 3-17
CD-ROM drives
troubleshooting, 3-4
computer
technical specifications, A-1

Diagnostics Checklist, 5-6
diagnostics. See Dell Diagnostics
diskette drive
failure during POST, 3-16
diskette drives
troubleshooting, 3-4
display
about, 1-4
location, 1-4
display latch, 1-4
drivers
as source of program conflicts, 3-9
installing, 4-2, 4-11
drives
troubleshooting, 3-4
dropped or damaged computer, 3-12


electrostatic discharge. See ESD
error messages
flash codes, C-8
system error messages, C-1
table, C-1
ESD, vii 
						

							2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
&
flash codes
about, C-7
See also
 error messages
 
grounding procedure, vii

hard-disk drives
installing, 2-9
troubleshooting, 3-4
hardware features, 1-1
help tools
AutoTech service, 5-3
Internet, 5-2
TechConnect BBS, 5-3
TechFax service, 5-3

I/O
troubleshooting functions, 3-27
indicator light, 1-4
Internet help tools, 5-2
IRQ line assignment, 3-10
9
keyboard
about, 1-4
keys and key combinations
Dell Diagnostics, 3-33

media bay, 1-4
memory, 2-12
messages
error messages, 3-8
flash codes, C-7
microphone, 1-4
$
notational conventions, x
notes, x

options, 1-8

parallel port
troubleshooting, 3-24
parallel printer
troubleshooting, 3-26
POST
CD-ROM drive check, 3-17
diskette drive check, 3-16
hard-disk drive check, 3-19
power button, 1-4
power failure
AC power, 3-14
battery power, 3-15
troubleshooting, 3-13
problems
diagnosing, 3-1
with your order, 5-4
product information, 5-4