Dell Inspiron 7500 Reference And Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comOptions and Upgrades2-1CHAPTER 2
Options and Upgrades
This chapter describes the installation procedures for the options and upgrades 
available from Dell for your computer.Using the AC Adapter
Your AC adapter kit contains the AC adapter and an AC power cable (see Figure 2-1). 
This section describes how to connect the AC adapter to your computer.NOTICE: The AC adapter works with AC power sources worldwide. However, 
electrical outlets vary between countries. Before using electrical outlets 
outside of the U.S., you may need to obtain a power cable designed for use 
in that country.
NOTICE: The AC adapter is designed to work only with Dell Inspiron 7500 
portable computers. Do not use adapters from other computers, and do not 
attempt to use this adapter with other computers.
Figure 2-1.  Using the AC Adapter
AC power 
cable
AC adapter
AC adapter 
cable
AC adapter
connector 
						

							2-2Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
To connect the AC adapter (with your computer turned either on or off), perform the 
following steps and refer to Figure 2-1:
1.Connect the AC power cable to the AC adapter.
2.Plug the AC adapter cable into the AC adapter connector on the computer.
3.Plug the AC power cable into an electrical outlet.
If the connection is good, the light-emitting diode (LED) on the AC adapter turns 
on and remains green. If the LED does not turn on, check all connections and try 
a different outlet. If it still does not turn on, call Dell. (See Chapter 5, “Getting 
Help,” for information on obtaining assistance.)
NOTE: If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the AC 
adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains its charge.Using the Media Bay
The media bay, located on the left side of the front of the computer, supports the 
following devices:•
CD-ROM/diskette drive combination module•
DVD-ROM/diskette drive combination module•
DVD-ROM/LS-120 drive combination module
NOTE: Because the Microsoft Windows NT operating system does not support DVD 
technology, the DVD-ROM/diskette drive module and the DVD-ROM/LS-120 drive 
module are available only on computers that use the Microsoft Windows 98 Second 
Edition operating system. If you choose to install Windows NT on a system that 
originally came with a DVD-ROM/diskette drive module, the DVD-ROM drive will 
function as a CD-ROM drive.•
Second battery•
Third hard-disk drive (when a second hard-disk drive is installed in the MegaBay, 
as described in “Using the MegaBay,” found later in this chapter)
When you receive your computer, a CD-ROM/diskette drive combination module is 
installed in the media bay.NOTICE: Do not change devices while the computer is connected to a port 
replicator. The docking connector can be irreparably damaged.
To change a device in the media bay, perform the following steps:
1.Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down 
the computer.
2.Remove the currently installed device:
a.Close the display and turn the computer over so that it is oriented as         
illustrated in Figure 2-2. 
						

							support.dell.comOptions and Upgrades2-3
b.Push the latch lock to the unlocked position, and slide the latch release in the 
direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2-2. Keep holding the latch release 
with one hand while pulling the device out of the media bay with the other.Figure 2-2.  Removing a Device From the Media Bay
3.Install the new device in the media bay.
Insert the device into the media bay and push the latch lock back into the locked 
position.
4.Reboot the computer.Using the MegaBay
The MegaBay, located on the right side of the front of the computer, supports the 
following devices:•
Main battery•
Zip drive•
Second hard-disk drive
When you receive your computer, the main battery is installed in the MegaBay.NOTICE: Do not change devices while the computer is connected to a port 
replicator. The docking connector can be irreparably damaged.
bottom of computer
optional device in media bay
latch lock 
(unlocked position)
latch 
release 
						

							2-4Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
To change a device in the MegaBay, perform the following steps:
1.Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.
2.Turn off the computer.
3.Remove the currently installed device from the MegaBay:
a.Close the display and turn the computer over so that it is oriented as 
illustrated in Figure 2-3.
b.Push the latch lock to the unlocked position, and slide the latch release in the 
direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2-3. Keep holding the latch release 
with one hand while pulling the device out of the MegaBay with the other.Figure 2-3.  Removing a Device From the MegaBay
4.With the latch lock unlocked, slide the new device into the MegaBay until you 
hear it click into place.
The label on the device will be facing away from you when you have the 
computer turned over as shown in Figure 2-3.
5.Press the latch lock to the locked position to secure the device in the MegaBay.
The new device is available when you turn the system on again.
battery 
latch
MegaBay 
devicelatch lock 
(unlocked 
position) bottom of computer 
						

							support.dell.comOptions and Upgrades2-5Installing a Battery
This section describes how to install the main and the optional second lithium-ion 
batteries that provide power to your computer when AC power is not available.
NOTE: You can install a lithium-ion battery in either the MegaBay or as a second 
battery in the media bay by sliding the bezel on the end of the battery to one side           
or the other as shown in Figure 2-4.Figure 2-4.  Adjusting the Battery Bezel
CAUTION: The lithium-ion battery is designed to work with Dell 
Inspiron7500 computers only. Do not attempt to use it with other 
computers, and do not use a battery from another computer with the Dell 
Inspiron 7500. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type 
purchased from Dell. Using the wrong battery type may present a risk of 
fire or explosion.
CAUTION: The battery may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if 
mistreated. Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery 
to temperatures above 60° Celsius (C) (140° Fahrenheit [F]). Keep the 
battery away from children. Handle damaged or leaking batteries with 
extreme care. If the battery is damaged, electrolyte may leak from the cells 
and cause personal injury. Dispose properly of the used battery promptly. 
Do not dispose of these batteries along with household waste.
NOTE: When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal 
agency or environmental agency for advice on disposing of the computer’s lithium-ion 
battery. The lithium-ion technology used in the battery is significantly less hazardous 
to the environment than the lithium-metal technology used in some other batteries 
(such as watch batteries).
To install a battery in the MegaBay, refer to “Using the MegaBay” found earlier in this 
chapter. To install a battery in the media bay, refer to “Using the Media Bay” found 
earlier in this chapter.
bezelbattery 
						

							2-6Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideAttaching the Composite TV-Out Adapter 
Cable
Your computer has a TV-out S-video connector for connecting a television to the 
computer. To connect a television, perform the following steps:
1.Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down 
the computer.
2.If the television has an S-video cable, plug the cable directly into the computer     
at the TV-out S-video connector. If the television has only a composite cable        
connector, connect the composite TV-out adapter cable that came with your  
computer to the TV-out S-video connector on the computer (see Figure 2-5),     
and then connect the other end of the adapter cable to the televisions           
composite cable.Figure 2-5.  Using the Composite TV-Out Adapter Cable
NOTE: If your television did not come with a composite video cable, you can 
purchase one from from a local electronics store.
3.Turn on the computer.
4.Press  to toggle between the television and the display. To enable 
simultaneous display on the television and the display, refer to “Changing Display 
Properties” in the system Help for instructions.
S-video TV-out connector composite TV-out 
adapter cable 
						

							support.dell.comOptions and Upgrades2-7
NOTE: If you are outside the U.S., you may need to change the Television Type 
setting in the Setup program. See Appendix B, “Using the Setup Program,” for more 
information.Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive
NOTE: If you ordered a second and/or third hard-disk drive from Dell, refer to the 
documentation that accompanied the drive(s) for instructions on installing it in the 
MegaBay or the media bay.NOTICE: Hard-disk drives are extremely fragile and must be handled 
carefully. Even a slight jar or bump can damage the spinning heads        
and plates, thus rendering the drive inoperable.
CAUTION: The hard-disk drive may be hot to the touch. Do not touch the 
metal housing of the hard-disk drive if you remove the drive from the 
computer when the drive is hot.
NOTES: You will need the Microsoft Windows Installation CD and the System 
Software CD to install software on the new hard-disk drive.
The computer’s basic input/output system (BIOS) may not support hard-disk drives 
obtained from vendors other than Dell. Dell does not guarantee compatibility or 
provide support for hard-disk drives obtained from other sources.NOTICE: To prevent data loss, shut down your computer before removing or 
installing your hard-disk drive. Do not remove the hard-disk drive if the 
computer is in standby mode or save-to-disk suspend mode, or if the 
hard-disk drive access indicator is lit.
To install an internal hard-disk drive, perform the following steps:
1.Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down 
the computer.
2.Remove any installed batteries from the MegaBay and/or media bay.
For instructions, refer to “Using the Media Bay” and/or “Using the MegaBay” 
found earlier in this chapter.
3.Turn the computer over, and loosen the two screws securing the hard-disk drive 
cover as shown in Figure 2-6.
The screws are held captive in the lip of the carrier. A spring causes the front 
edge of the cover to pop up. If the front edge of the cover does not pop up, pull 
on one of the screws to lift the front edge.NOTICE: When the hard-disk drive is not in the computer, protect the 
drive from exposure to static electricity by storing it in protective 
packaging. 
						

							2-8Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideC
Figure 2-6.  Removing the Internal Hard-Disk Drive
4.Push the hard-disk drive forward until it stops, and then pull it up.
5.Remove the new drive from its packaging.
Save the original packaging to use when storing or shipping the hard-disk drive.C
NOTICE: While sliding the drive in, do not force it into place.
6.Slide the new drive into place.
There may be some resistance as the drive connects to its interface connector at 
the back of the hard-disk drive bay.
7.Tighten the screws you loosened in step 3.
8.Test the drive by running the IDE Devices device group in the Dell Diagnostics.
For information on running the diagnostics, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics,” 
in Chapter 3.
9.Install the Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows NT operating system and            
the computer’s drivers and utilities. See Chapter 4, “Installing System Software,”        
for instructions.
hard-disk drive
bottom of computer
screws (2) 
						

							support.dell.comOptions and Upgrades2-9Returning a Hard-Disk Drive to Dell
If you need to return your hard-disk drive, you must ship it to Dell in its original foam 
packaging (see Figure 2-7). Otherwise, the hard-disk drive may be damaged while in 
transit.Figure 2-7.  Repackaging the Hard-Disk Drive
Installing Memory Modules
Memory modules for your computer are available in 32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, and
256-megabyte (MB) sizes.
NOTE: Your computer has two memory module sockets (slot 1 and slot 2). You can 
install all sizes of memory modules you purchase from Dell (but which Dell does not 
install), except the 192-MB memory module, in either socket. If you purchase a      
non-Dell-installed 192-MB memory module, you must install it in slot 2.
To install memory module(s), perform the following steps.CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read “Protecting Against 
Electrostatic Discharge” in the “Safety Instructions” of this guide.
NOTICE: Do not install or remove a memory module when the computer is 
turned on or in save-to-disk suspend mode.
1.Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down 
the computer.
2.Unplug the computer and any attached peripherals from the electrical outlets.
hard-disk drive 
						

							2-10Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
3.Remove any installed batteries from the MegaBay and/or media bay. For 
instructions, refer to “Using the MegaBay” and/or “Using the Media Bay”            
found earlier in this chapter.
4.Ground yourself by touching a metal input/output (I/O) connector on the back of 
the computer.
5.Turn the computer over, and remove the memory module cover as shown in 
Figure 2-8.
Slide the memory module cover as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow, 
and then lift it away from the computer.Figure 2-8.  Removing the Memory Module Cover
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the computer, do not use tools to spread   
the inner metal tabs of the socket when you are installing or removing       
a memory module.
6.If you are replacing one or more memory modules, remove the memory 
module(s) as shown in Figure 2-9.
NOTE: If one memory module is already installed and you are adding a second 
memory module, put the second module in the available slot. Removing existing 
module(s) is necessary only if they are being replaced. Depending on how you 
ordered your computer, one or two modules may already be installed.
Using your fingernails, carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the memory 
module socket just far enough for the memory module to disengage from the 
socket (the module should pop up slightly). Then lift the memory module away 
from the socket.
bottom of computer
memory module 
cover