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Dell Inspiron 3910 Service Manual
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Dell Inspiron 3910 Service Manual

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Inspiron 3910
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: D32M
Regulatory Type: D32M002
December 2021
Rev. A00

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Summary of Contents for Dell Inspiron 3910

  • Page 1 Inspiron 3910 Service Manual Regulatory Model: D32M Regulatory Type: D32M002 December 2021 Rev. A00...
  • Page 2 A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Transporting sensitive components..........................8 After working inside your computer..........................9 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components................10 Recommended tools................................10 Screw list..................................... 10 Major components of Inspiron 3910..........................11 Left-side cover................................... 13 Removing the left-side cover............................13 Installing the left-side cover............................14 Front cover..................................14 Removing the front cover............................
  • Page 4 Updating the BIOS using the USB drive in Windows..................70 Updating the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu..................71 Chapter 5: Troubleshooting......................72 Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer ..........72 SupportAssist diagnostics............................... 72 System diagnostic lights..............................72 Recovering the operating system..........................73...
  • Page 5 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Dell................75 Contents...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1: Working Inside Your Computer

    You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that is shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 7: Electrostatic Discharge-Esd Protection

    ESD protection is an increasing concern. Due to the increased density of semiconductors used in recent Dell products, the sensitivity to static damage is now higher than in previous Dell products. For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.

  • Page 8: Transporting Sensitive Components

    It is recommended that all field service technicians use the traditional wired ESD grounding wrist strap and protective anti-static mat at all times when servicing Dell products. In addition, it is critical that technicians keep sensitive parts separate from all insulator parts while performing service and that they use anti-static bags for transporting sensitive components.

  • Page 9: After Working Inside Your Computer

    After working inside your computer About this task CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. Steps 1. Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2. Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer. 3.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Philips screwdriver #1 and #2 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and...

  • Page 11: Major Components Of Inspiron 3910

    Front I/O-bracket Chassis 6-32, pan head Processor fan and heat- System board Captive (M3) sink assembly System board Chassis 6-32, hex head Major components of Inspiron 3910 The following image shows the major components of Inspiron 3910. Removing and installing components...
  • Page 12 1. left-side cover 2. coin-cell battery 3. optical drive 4. 2280 solid-state drive 5. 2230 solid-state drive 6. media-card reader 7. system board 8. power-supply unit 9. chassis 10. graphics card 11. hard drive 12. fan and heat-sink assembly 13. fan shroud 14.

  • Page 13: Left-Side Cover

    NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options. Left-side cover Removing the left-side cover Prerequisites 1.

  • Page 14: Installing The Left-Side Cover

    Installing the left-side cover Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the left-side cover and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 15: Installing The Front Cover

    2. Remove the left-side cover. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the front cover and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Gently pry and release the tabs that secure the front-cover to the chassis. 2.

  • Page 16: Optical Drive

    Steps 1. Align and insert the front-cover tabs into the slots on right side of the chassis. 2. Rotate the front cover towards the chassis and snap the tabs into place. Next steps 1. Install the left-side cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.

  • Page 17: Installing The Optical Drive

    Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left-side facing up. 2. Disconnect the power and data cables from the optical drive. 3. Remove the two screws (M2x2) that secure the optical drive to the optical-drive cage. 4. Pull to slide out the optical drive through the front of the computer. Installing the optical drive Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
  • Page 18 Steps 1. Slide the optical drive into the optical-drive cage through the front of the computer. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x2) that secure the optical drive to the optical-drive cage. 3. Connect the power and data cables to the optical drive. 4.

  • Page 19: Optical-Drive Bezel

    Optical-drive bezel Removing the optical-drive bezel Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the left-side cover. 3. Remove the front cover. 4. Remove the optical drive. About this task NOTE: Depending on the configuration ordered, your computer may not have an optical drive installed. The following image(s) indicate the location of the optical-drive bezel and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

  • Page 20: Installing The Optical-Drive Bezel

    3. Lift the optical-drive bezel away from the optical drive. Installing the optical-drive bezel Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the optical-drive bezel and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 21: Installing The Hard Drive

    About this task NOTE: Depending on the configuration ordered you may have a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard drive installed in your computer. The following image(s) indicate the location of the hard drive and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
  • Page 22 The following image(s) indicate the location of the hard drive and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Connect the data cable and power cable to the hard drive. 2. Place the hard drive onto the chassis and align the screw holes of the hard drive with the screw holes of the chassis. 3.

  • Page 23: Power Button

    Power button Removing the power button Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the left-side cover. 3. Remove the front cover. 4. Remove the hard drive. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the power button and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 24: Graphics Card

    About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the power button and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Slide the power-button cable through the slot on the front of the chassis. 2. While pressing the tabs on the power button insert it through the slot on the chassis and then secure it into place. 3.

  • Page 25: Installing The Graphics Card

    Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left side facing up. 2. Lift the tab to open the card-retention bracket. 3. Disconnect the graphics-card power cable from the graphics card. 4. Push the securing tab on the PCIe x16 slot away from the graphics card. 5.
  • Page 26 About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the graphics card and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Align the graphics card with the PCIe x16 slot on the system board. 2. Place the card into the slot and press down firmly until the graphics card snaps into place. 3.

  • Page 27: Memory

    Memory Removing the memory Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the left-side cover. About this task NOTE: This computer may have up to two memory modules installed. The following image(s) indicate the location of the memory and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 28: Installing The Memory

    Installing the memory Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task NOTE: Up to two memory modules may be installed into this computer. The following image(s) indicate the location of the memory and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 29: Solid-State Drive

    Solid-state drive Removing the solid-state drive Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the left-side cover. About this task NOTE: Depending on the configuration ordered, your computer may have a M.2 2230 or 2280 solid-state drive installed in the M.2 solid-state drive slot on the system board.

  • Page 30: Installing The Solid-State Drive

    2. Remove the screw (M2x3.5) that secures the solid-state drive to the system board. 3. Slide and lift the solid-state drive from the M.2 card slot on the system board. Installing the solid-state drive Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task NOTE: You may install either a M.2 2230 or 2280 solid-state drive into the M.2 solid-state drive slot on the system board.

  • Page 31: Wireless Card

    3. Replace the screw (M2x3.5) that secures the solid-state drive to the system board. 4. Place the computer in an upright position. Next steps 1. Install the left-side cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Wireless card Removing the wireless card Prerequisites 1.

  • Page 32: Installing The Wireless Card

    Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left side facing up. 2. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the wireless card to the system board. 3. Slide and lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 4. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 5.

  • Page 33: Coin-Cell Battery

    Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the Antenna-cable color Silkscreen marking wireless card △ (white triangle) Main White MAIN Auxiliary Black ▲ (black triangle) 2. Slide and place the wireless-card bracket on the wireless card. 3. Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot. 4.

  • Page 34: Installing The Coin-Cell Battery

    Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left side facing up. 2. Using a plastic scribe, push the coin-cell battery securing-clip on the coin-cell battery socket to release the coin-cell battery. 3. Remove the coin-cell battery from the system board. Installing the coin-cell battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
  • Page 35 2. Remove the left-side cover. 3. Remove the front cover. 4. Remove the wireless card. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the antenna modules and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Loosen the two captive screws (M3) that secure the antenna modules to the chassis 2.

  • Page 36: Installing The Antenna Modules

    Installing the antenna modules Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the antenna modules and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 37: Media-Card Reader

    Next steps 1. Install the wireless card. 2. Install the front cover. 3. Install the left-side cover. 4. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Media-card reader Removing the media-card reader Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.

  • Page 38: Installing The Media-Card Reader

    Steps 1. Remove the screw (6-32) that secures the media-card reader bracket to the chassis. 2. Using the screw and the screw-driver push against the media-card reader to release it from the chassis. 3. Slide and lift the media-card reader and its bracket off the system board. Installing the media-card reader Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.

  • Page 39: Power-Supply Unit

    Next steps 1. Install the front cover. 2. Install the left-side cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Power-supply unit Removing the power-supply unit Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the left-side cover.
  • Page 40 Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left side facing up. 2. Disconnect the graphics-card power cable from the graphics card. 3. Press the securing clip and disconnect the processor-power cable from the system board. 4. Press the securing clip and disconnect the system-board power cable from the system board. 5.

  • Page 41: Installing The Power-Supply Unit

    Installing the power-supply unit Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the power-supply unit and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 42: Fan Shroud

    4. Route the power-supply unit cables through the routing guides on the chassis. 5. Connect the system-board power cable to the system board. 6. Connect the processor-power cable to the system board. 7. Connect the graphics-card power cable to the graphics card. 8.

  • Page 43: Installing The Fan Shroud

    Steps 1. Place the computer on its side with the left side facing up. 2. Press on the securing clips to release the fan shroud from the fan and heat-sink assembly. 3. Lift the fan shroud off the fan and heat-sink assembly. Installing the fan shroud Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.

  • Page 44: Processor Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly

    Steps 1. Place the fan shroud on the fan and heat-sink assembly. 2. Press the fan shroud against the fan and heat sink assembly to snap the fan shroud in place. 3. Place the computer in an upright position. Next steps 1.

  • Page 45: Installing The Processor Fan And Heat-Sink Assembly

    3. Remove the shroud. About this task WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it. CAUTION: For maximum cooling of the processor, do not touch the heat transfer areas on the heat sink. The oils in your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal grease.

  • Page 46: Processor

    The following image(s) indicate the location of the processor fan and heat-sink assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Gently place the processor fan and heat-sink assembly on the processor. 2. Align the screw holes on the processor fan and heat-sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board. 3.

  • Page 47: Installing The Processor

    About this task WARNING: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it. CAUTION: For maximum cooling of the processor, do not touch the heat transfer areas on the heat sink. The oils in your skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal grease.

  • Page 48: System Board

    Steps 1. Ensure that the release lever and the processor cover are fully extended in the open position. NOTE: The pin-1 corner of the processor has a triangle that aligns with the triangle on the pin-1 corner on the processor socket.
  • Page 49 12. Remove the fan and heat-sink assembly. 13. Remove the processor. About this task The following image indicates the slots and connectors on your system board. 1. power-button cable connector 2. media-card reader cable connector 3. system-board power cable connector 4.
  • Page 50 12. PCIe x16 slot (SLOT 3) 13. PCIe x1 slot (SLOT 2) 14. processor-power cable connector 15. processor socket 16. coin-cell battery socket The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...

  • Page 51: Installing The System Board

    Steps 1. Remove the two screws (6-32) that secure the front I/O-bracket to the chassis. 2. Remove and lift the front I/O-bracket from the chassis. 3. Disconnect all the cables that are connected to the system board. ● processer-power cable ●...
  • Page 52 1. power-button cable connector 2. media-card reader cable connector 3. system-board power cable connector 4. optical-drive data cable connector (SATA 3) 5. hard-drive power cable connector 6. hard-drive data cable connector (SATA 1) 7. M.2 2230 wireless-card slot 8. hard-drive data cable connector (SATA 0, boot drive) 9.
  • Page 53 The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Removing and installing components...
  • Page 54 Steps 1. Slide the front I/O-ports on the system board into the front I/O-slots on the chassis and align the screw holes on the system board with the screw holes on the chassis. 2. Replace the eight screws (6-32) that secure the system board to the chassis. 3.
  • Page 55 7. Install the graphics card. 8. Install the hard drive. 9. Install the solid-state drive. 10. Install the memory. 11. Install the front cover. 12. Install the left-side cover. 13. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Removing and installing components...

  • Page 56: Chapter 3: Drivers And Downloads

    Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ 000123347. Drivers and downloads...

  • Page 57: Chapter 4: System Setup

    System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference.

  • Page 58: Boot Sequence

    Boot Sequence allows you to bypass the System Setup–defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device (for example: optical drive or hard drive). During the Power-on Self Test (POST), when the Dell logo appears, you can: ● Access System Setup by pressing F2 key ●...
  • Page 59 Table 4. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview Processor Type Displays the processor type. Maximum Clock Speed Displays the maximum processor clock speed. Minimum Clock Speed Displays the minimum processor clock speed. Current Clock Speed Displays the current processor clock speed. Core Count Displays the number of cores on the processor.
  • Page 60 Table 5. System setup options—Boot Configuration menu (continued) Boot Configuration By default, ONBOARD NIC (IPV4) is selected By default, ONBOARD NIC (IPV6) is selected By default, UEFI HTTPS Boost is selected Secure Boot Enable Secure Boot Enables secure boot using only validated boot software. Default: OFF Secure Boot Mode Modifies the behavior of Secure Boot to allow evaluation or enforcement of...
  • Page 61 Table 6. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu (continued) Integrated Devices USB Configuration Enables or disables booting from USB mass storage devices such as external hard drive, optical drive, and USB drive. By default, Enable Front USB Ports is selected. By default, Enable Rear USB Ports is selected. By default, Enable USB Boot Support is selected.
  • Page 62 Table 8. System setup options—Display menu Display Primary Display Video Primary Display Set or change the primary video controller when multi controllers are available in the system. By default, Auto is selected. Brightness on battery power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on battery power. Default: 50 Full Screen Logo Full Screen Logo...
  • Page 63 Table 10. System setup options—Power menu (continued) Power AC Recovery Configures the system response when power is restored after an unexpected loss of power. Default: Power OFF is selected. System stays off after AC power is restored. Active State Power Management ASPM Configures the Active State Power Management (ASPM) level.
  • Page 64 Table 11. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security Absolute® Enable or disable the BIOS module interface of the optional Absolute Persistence Module service from Absolute® Software. Default: Enable Absolute UEFI Boot Path Security UEFI Boot Path Security Configures whether the system will prompt the user for the admin password (if set) when booting to a UEFI boot path device from the F12 boot menu.
  • Page 65 Allow Non-Admin PSID Revert Enable Allow Non-Admin PSID Revert Enables or disables Physical Security ID (PSID) revert of NVMe storage drives from the Dell Security Manager prompt. Default: Disabled NOTE: When disabled, the PSID revert is protected by the BIOS Admin...
  • Page 66 Enables or disables cloud Service OS recovery if the main OS fails to boot within the number of failures equal or greater than the value specified by Dell Auto OS Recovery Threshold, and local Service does not boot, or is not installed.
  • Page 67 Table 16. System setup options—Pre-boot Behavior menu Pre-boot Behavior Warnings and Errors Warnings and Errors Selects an action on encountering a warning or error during boot. Default: Prompt on Warnings and Errors. Stop, prompt, and wait for user input when warnings or errors are detected. NOTE: Errors deemed critical to the operation of the computer hardware will always halt the computer.

  • Page 68: System And Setup Password

    Table 18. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance Default: ON Intel Hyper-Threading Technology Enable Intel Hyper-Threading Technology Enabled or disabled the Intel Hyper-Threading mode of the processor. If enabled, the Intel Hyper-Threading increases the efficiency of the processor resources when multiple threads run on each core. Default: ON Table 19.

  • Page 69: Deleting Or Changing An Existing System Setup Password

    Depending on how the computer is configured, you may see LED indications during the period the power button is held and after it is released. Once the reset is complete, the computer restarts and the Dell logo appears indicates reset success.

  • Page 70: Clearing Bios (System Setup) And System Passwords

    ● Password clear The Master System Password is used to clear the admin and computer password. To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.

  • Page 71: Updating The Bios From The F12 One-Time Boot Menu

    One-Time boot menu on the computer. Most of the Dell computers built after 2012 have this capability, and you can confirm by booting your computer to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see if BIOS FLASH UPDATE is listed as a boot option for your computer. If the option is listed, then the BIOS supports this BIOS update option.

  • Page 72: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

    Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer Your Dell computer is uniquely identified by a Service Tag or Express Service Code. To view relevant support resources for your Dell computer, we recommend entering the Service Tag or Express Service Code at www.dell.com/support.

  • Page 73: Recovering The Operating System

    It enables you to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to its factory state. You can also download it from the Dell Support website to troubleshoot and fix your computer when it fails to boot into their primary operating system due to software or hardware failures.

  • Page 74: Drain Residual Flea Power (Perform Hard Reset)

    3. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to drain the flea power. 4. Connect the power adapter to your computer. 5. Turn on your computer. NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, see the knowledge base article 000130881 www.dell.com/support. Troubleshooting...
  • Page 75 Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 22. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell app...

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