Dell Inspiron 7500 Reference And Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comTechnical SpecificationsA-1APPENDIX A
Technical Specifications
The most complete specifications for your computer are available on Dell’s World 
Wide Web support site at http://support.dell.com. Type your service tag sequence 
(or, if you have one, your Express Service Code) and click Submit. The service tag 
and Express Service Code are shown on the bottom of the computer.
You can also select support by clicking Inspiron and selecting your system by name.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications 
Microprocessor
Microprocessor type. . . . . . . . .Intel mobile microprocessor
L1 cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 KB (internal)
L2 cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 or 256 KB (integrated) SRAM
External bus frequency . . . . . . .66 or 100 MHz
Math coprocessor . . . . . . . . . . .internal to the microprocessorChip Set and Bus Architecture
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 
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system 
Help. 
						

							A-2Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuidePC Card
PCI controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Instruments PCI 1225 CardBus controller
PC Card connectors . . . . . . . . . two (supports two Type I or Type II cards or one Type 
III card)
Cards supported . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 V and 5 V
PC Card connector size. . . . . . . 68 pins
Data width (maximum) . . . . . . . 32 bitsMemory
Architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SDRAM
Memory module capacities. . . . 32, 64, 192, 128, and 256 MB
Minimum RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-MB
Maximum RAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . 512 MB
Memory access time/clock 
frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 or 100 MHz
BIOS address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F000:0000 Connectors
Serial (DTE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-pin connector; 16550-compatible, 
16-byte buffer 
TV-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-video (composite video supported with adapter 
cable) 
Parallel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-hole connector; bidirectional PS/2, EPP 1.9, or ECP
Video. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-hole connector
PS/2 keyboard/mouse. . . . . . . . 6-pin mini-DIN connector
Infrared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IrDA 1.1 sensor
Expansion/docking. . . . . . . . . . . 240-pin connector
Audio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . microphone, headphones/speakers, and line-in 
connectors
USB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-pin connector
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system 
Help.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications (continued)  
						

							support.dell.comTechnical SpecificationsA-3Integrated Audio
Audio type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sound Blaster Pro-compatible voice and music 
functions
Audio controller. . . . . . . . . . . . .ESS Technology Maestro-2E
Conversion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-bit (stereo analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog)
FM music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-voice, 72-operator
Interfaces:
Internal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PCI bus, microphone, dual stereo speakers
External . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .microphone (minijack); headphone; line-in
Internal speaker amplifier . . . . .1.0 W stereo (0.5 W per speaker)
External microphone input 
voltage range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280 mV peak to peak
Line/audio input voltage 
range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.8 V peak to peak
Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .volume can be controlled through thumb wheel and 
software application menusVideo
Video type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64-bit (128-bit hardware-accelerated) AGP
Video controller . . . . . . . . . . . . .ATI Mobility-P
Video memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- or 8-MB, 125-MHz SGRAMDisplay
Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Active-matrix color TFT
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
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system 
Help.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications (continued)  
						

							A-4Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideKeyboard
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/KanjiTouch Pad
Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PS/2-compatible
X/Y position resolution
(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 ounce) ±
 0.5 g (0.001 ounce)
Power:
Supply voltage . . . . . . . . . . 5 V ±
 10%
Supply current . . . . . . . . . . 4 mA (maximum operating current)Battery
Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lithium ion
Dimensions:
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.8 mm (0.94 inch) 
Depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148.2 mm (5.83 inches)
Width. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116.2 mm (4.58 inches)
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.44 kg (0.97 lb)
Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.8 VDC
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system 
Help.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications (continued)  
						

							support.dell.comTechnical SpecificationsA-5Battery (continued)
Charge time (approximate):1
Computer on . . . . . . . . . . .3 hours
Computer off . . . . . . . . . . .2 hours
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°F to 95°F)
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .–20° 
to 50°C (–4° to 122°F)AC Adapter
Input voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 to 264 VAC 
Input current (maximum). . . . . .1.5 at 90 VAC, full load
Input frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . .47 to 63 Hz
Output current. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.16 A (continuous)
Output power . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 W
Rated output voltage. . . . . . . . .19 VDC
Dimensions:
Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 mm (1.2 inches)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62.0 mm (2.4 inches)
Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 mm (4.3 inches)
Weight (with cables) . . . . . . . . .0.32 kg (0.71 lb)
Temperature range:
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0°
 to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) 
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .–20°
 to 65°C (–4°F to 149°F)
1
 Battery 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.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the       
system Help.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications (continued)  
						

							A-6Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideEnvironmental (Computer)
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 air shipment
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 GRMS using a random-vibration spectrum that  
simulates truck shipment
Maximum shock:
1
Operating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.52 m/sec (4.98 feet/sec) 
(less than or equal to a pulse width of 2 ms) 
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.03 m/sec (6.66 feet/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)
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.Table A-1.  Technical Specifications (continued)  
						

							support.dell.comUsing the Setup ProgramB-1APPENDIX B
Using the Setup Program
This appendix describes the Setup program, which you can use to configure your 
computer system as well as enable and disable your system’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, the system compares the installed hardware     
with the system configuration information stored in NVRAM. If the system detects          
a discrepancy, it generates an error message that identifies the incorrect configuration 
setting. 
You can use the Setup program as follows:•
To change your system configuration information after you add, change, or 
remove hardware connected to or installed inside your computer•
To verify information about your computer’s current configuration, such as the 
amount of system memory•
To set or change user-selectable features — for example, power management or 
security features
NOTE: Many of the options that are configured in the Setup program are 
overridden by the settings in the Windows control panels, such as the Power 
Management control panel. When your computer is running the Windows 98 
operating system, it will use the settings that are selected in the Windows      
control panels rather than those set in the Setup program. 
						

							B-2Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideAccessing the Setup Program 
NOTICE: To avoid data loss, exit any application programs before 
rebooting the computer to enter the Setup program.
To access the Setup program, turn on the computer and press  as soon as you 
see the Dell logo screen and before the Windows logo screen appears. The computer 
reboots automatically when you exit the Setup program. 
The Main menu of the Setup program shows how the computer is configured. In 
addition to the Main menu (see Figure B-1), you can also access the System Devices 
menu, Security menu, Power menu, Boot menu, and Exit menu.
NOTE: When you press , the computer resets the default values for each option 
in that menu. When you press , the computer saves the current settings and 
exits the Setup program.Main Menu
See Figure B-1 and Table B-1 for an explanation of the options and settings on the 
Main menu.Figure B-1.  Main MenuMain   System Devices   Security   Power   Boot   Exit
System Time:[03:06:18]
System Date:[09/18/1998]
Floppy Drive:1.44 MB, 3 1/2”
Hard Disk:4100 MB
Quiet Boot:[Enabled]
Video Display Device:[Simul Mode]
Television Port:[Enabled]
Television Type:[NTSC]
System Memory:640 KB
Extended Memory:32 MB PhoenixBIOS Setup UtilityItem Specific HelpF1 Help­¯ ­¯ Select ItemF5/F6 Change ValuesF9 Setup Defaults
ESC Exit« « Select MenuEnter Select  Sub-MenuF10 Save and Exit 
						

							support.dell.comUsing the Setup ProgramB-3Table B-1.  Main Menu Options
OptionFunction
System TimeResets the time on the computer’s internal clock.
System DateResets the date on the computer’s internal calendar.
Floppy DriveIdentifies the type of diskette drive being used by the 
computer. This option has no user-selectable settings.
Hard DiskDisplays the capacity of the computers internal hard-disk 
drive. This option does not have any user-selectable settings.
NOTE: The optional second or third hard-disk drives do not 
appear in this category, even if installed.
Quiet BootWhen set to Enabled (default), prevents the diagnostic 
POST messages and summary screen from appearing at 
system start-up. When set to Disabled, allows POST 
messages and the summary screen to appear at system 
start-up. If Quiet Boot is enabled, you cannot choose a boot 
device as the system initializes.
Video Display 
DeviceAllows you to specify whether video is visible only on the 
computer’s integrated display (LCD Mode), only on an 
external monitor or projector (CRT Mode), or on both the 
display and an external device simultaneously (Simul Mode, 
the default).
When you are using the Windows 98 operating system 
(rather than the Setup program), press  to change 
the video display device.
Television PortWhen set to Enabled (default), allows the computer to 
display the screen image on a TV (if one is attached to the     
TV-out connector) and disables the LCD and CRT. When set   
to Disabled, allows the screen image to appear on the 
device specified in the Video Display Device option.
Television TypeAllows you to set the the TV-out signal to NTSC (default) or 
PAL.
Consult your television documentation for information on 
which setting you should use.
System MemoryDisplays the base amount of DRAM installed in the 
computer. Each computer has 640 KB of base memory.      
This option has no user-selectable settings. 
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the 
system Help. 
						

							B-4Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSystem Devices Menu
See Figure B-2 and Table B-2 for an explanation of the options and settings on the 
System Devices menu.Figure B-2.  System Devices Menu
Extended MemoryDisplays the total amount of memory above 1 MB. Each 
computer comes standard with at least 32 MB of memory 
installed. If you install or remove memory, the amount of 
extended memory displayed changes. This option has no 
user-selectable settings.Table B-1.  Main Menu Options (continued)
OptionFunction
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the 
system Help.Main   System Devices   Security   Power   Boot   Exit
IDE Controller[Both]
FDD Controller[Enabled]
Internal touchpad[Enabled]
Serial Port[Customized]
Base I/O address/IRQ:[3F8 IRQ4
Infrared Port[Off]
Parallel Port:[Customized]
Mode:[ECP]
Base I/O address:[378]
Interrupt:[IRQ 7]
DMA channel:[DMA 3]
Modem:[Installed] PhoenixBIOS Setup UtilityItem Specific HelpF1 Help­¯ ­¯ Select ItemF5/F6 Change ValuesF9 Setup Defaults
ESC Exit« « Select MenuEnter Select  Sub-MenuF10 Save and Exit