Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Inspiron are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, MS-DOS, and Windows NT are registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Intel is a registered trademark and Celeron is a trademark of of Intel Corporation; VESA is a registered trademark of Video Electronics

Standards Association; DVD-to-Go is a trademark of Margi Systems, Inc.; Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated, which may be registered in certain

jurisdictions.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation

disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Initial release: 25 Jun 1999

Last revised: 11 Aug 1999

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for Dell Inspiron 3500

Page 1 Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Page 2 AC Adapter: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 3 Audio Jacks: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 4 You can connect speakers, a microphone, headphones, and record/playback devices such as cassette players, CD players, and VCRs to the sound jacks on the computer. Dell recommends using amplified speakers for the best sound. Connect headphones or speakers to the line-out jack on the far right of the sound jacks. Connect a microphone to the microphone jack in the middle. Connect record/playback devices such as cassette players and CD players to the line-in jack on the far left.
Page 5 Component Locations (Back View): Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 6 Back to Contents Page Glossary Base Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Exploded View of Base Assembly Video Board Removal Keyboard Removal System Board Rails Removal Infrared Board Removal DC/DC Board Removal LVDS Board Removal Speaker Removal Heat-Sink Fin Cover Removal PC Card Cage Removal Processor Module Assembly Removal...
Page 7: Keyboard Removal
Torque FPH 2.5 x 16 (3) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm NOTE: You can remove the keyboard while the display assembly is still attached. However, Dell strongly recommends removing the display assembly before removing the keyboard to prevent cosmetic damage. 1 16-mm screws (3) ...
Page 8 FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm You can remove the infrared (IR) board without removing the palmrest. To remove the infrared board, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 9: Video Board Removal
Fan Cover and Fan Removal Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm You can remove the fan cover and fan without removing the palmrest. To remove the fan cover and fan, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps:...
Page 10: Dc/Dc Board Removal
FPH 2.5 x 5 (2) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 16 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the system board rails, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly. 2. Remove the keyboard. 3.
Page 11: System Board Removal
7. Remove the PC Card cage. When you install the PC Card cage, ensure that the modem cable is routed correctly and is not pinched by the cage. System Board Removal Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 14 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the system board, see the exploded view of the...
Page 12 Battery Charge Gauge: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 13 Removing and Installing a Battery: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 14: Notes, Notices, And Cautions
Back to Contents Page Glossary Conventions: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Notes, Notices, and Cautions Typographical Conventions The following subsections describe notational conventions used in this document. Notes, Notices, and Cautions Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are used as follows: NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer system.
Page 15 Back to Contents Page Glossary 13.3- and 14.1-Inch Display Assemblies: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Exploded View of 13.3-Inch Display Assembly LCD Interior Assembly Removal Exploded View of 14.1-Inch Display Assembly 13.3-Inch LCD Panel Rails Removal Display Assembly Removal 14.1-Inch LCD Panel Rails Removal Bezel and LCD Latch Removal 13.3-Inch LCD Panel and EMI Pan Removal...
Page 16 10 5-mm hinge screws (2) 11 5-mm panel rail screws (4) 12 Back cover 13 Bottom FPC bobbin 14 Inverter 15 Hinges (2) 16 Top FPC bobbin 17 Inverter signal cable 18 LCD FPC cable 19 5-mm bezel screws (6) 20 Screw covers (4) 21 Hinge covers (2) ...
Page 17: Display Assembly Removal
9 Right panel rail 10 4-mm panel rail screws (4) 11 Back cover 12 Bottom FPC bobbin 13 Inverter 14 Top FPC bobbin 15 Hinges (2) 16 Inverter signal cable 17 Left panel rail 18 5-mm hinge screws (2) 19 LCD FPC cable 20 5-mm bezel screws (6) 21 Hinge covers (4) 22 Hinge covers (2)
Page 18 Bezel and LCD Latch Removal Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (6) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm To remove the bezel and LCD latch, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly 14.1-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 19 NOTE: For installation, remember that the foot of the left hinge cover abuts the keyboard and that the infrared lens in the right hinge cover faces outward to receive infrared transmissions. 4. Remove the two 5-mm screws securing the left and right hinges, and then remove the hinges. The hinges are not interchangeable, but are color-coded;...
Page 20 CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. To remove the LCD panel from the EMI pan, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly. 2.
Page 21 Documentation: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer You must right-click the link for a portable document format (PDF) file and save the file to your hard-disk drive. Attempting to link directly to large PDF files causes your system to freeze. ® To save PDF files (files with an extension of .pdf) to your hard-disk drive, right-click the document title, click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator, and specify a location on your hard-disk drive.
Page 22: Hard-Disk Drive Disassembly
Back to Contents Page Glossary Drive Assemblies: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Hard-Disk Drive Disassembly CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive Disassembly Diskette Drive Disassembly Zip Drive Disassembly Hard-Disk Drive Disassembly CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 3 x 4 (1) 2.0–2.5 kgf-cm...
Page 23 1 4-mm screws (2) 2 Metal bracket 3 Lower plastic 4 Diskette drive 5 Upper plastic To disassemble the diskette drive, perform the following steps: 1. Remove the diskette drive from the media bay. 2. Remove the two 4-mm screws from the top of the diskette drive assembly. 3.
Page 24 NOTE: To remove the media from the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive once the power to the drive is off, insert a small, thin object (such as one end of a paper clip) into the pinhole near the drive’s LED. This ejects the media tray so that you can retrieve the CD or DVD.
Page 25: Before You Begin
Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD Diskette drive cable To install or reinstall Dell utilities and drivers in the Windows 98 operating system, use the program diskette set from Dell or the backup diskettes that you made after receiving the computer.
Page 26: Installing The Video Driver
If they are not, contact the software manufacturer to obtain the necessary drivers. To install the video driver, perform the following steps: 1. Insert the Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD into the CD-ROM or optional DVD-ROM drive. 2. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
Page 27: Installing The Audio Driver
8. At the Setup Complete window, click Yes, I want to restart my computer now, and then click Finish to restart the computer. Installing the DVD/MPEG-2 PC Card, Device Driver, and DVD-to-Go™ Software Perform the following steps to install the Dell DVD/MPEG-2 PC Card and the required device driver for your computer: 1. Insert the DVD-to-Go CD into the DVD-ROM drive.
Page 28: Creating The Save-To-Disk Suspend File
If you are installing a new hard-disk drive or if you are rebuilding a hard-disk drive with corrupted software and you want to be able to use the save-to-disk suspend mode, you must use the phdisk.exe utility on the Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD to create a save-to-disk suspend file. When save-to-disk suspend mode is activated, all system data is stored in this file.
Page 29: Reinstalling Device Drivers
Reinstalling Device Drivers If a driver and/or a utility that came with your computer is corrupted, you may wish to reinstall it individually. The reinstallation procedures for the video driver, the internal modem driver, the audio driver, and the touch pad driver are the same as the installation procedures.
Page 30 External Monitor: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Use the 15-pin monitor connector to attach an external monitor to the computer. If you reconfigure your hardware, you may need pin number and signal information for the monitor connector. Use the following procedure to connect an external monitor: 1.
Page 31 Exploded View of 13.3-Inch Display Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 32 Exploded View of 14.1-Inch Display Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 33 Exploded View of Base Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 34 Exploded View of Computer: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 35 Exploded View of Palmrest Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 36 While an external mouse is attached to the computer, the touch pad is still usable. The touch pad device drivers that Dell installed on your hard-disk drive work with a PS/2 mouse, serial mouse, or USB mouse from Dell. If you did not receive your...
Page 37 Component Locations (Front View): Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 38 Back to Contents Page Glossary: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z To find a term, scroll through the list of terms below or click one of the letter buttons above. A Abbreviation for ampere(s). AC Abbreviation for alternating current. AC Adapter An external power supply that converts AC power to DC power for a portable computer. The AC adapter's cable connects to the portable computer.
Page 39: Battery Performance
The start-up process of a computer that clears all memory, initializes devices, and loads the operating system. bootable diskette A diskette from which you can boot your system. Your Dell Diagnostics Diskette is a bootable diskette. bpi Abbreviation for bits per inch.
Page 40 BTU Abbreviation for British thermal unit. bus An information pathway between the components of a computer. Your computer contains an expansion bus that allows the microprocessor to communicate with controllers for all the various devices connected to the computer. Your computer also contains an address bus and a data bus for communications between the microprocessor and RAM.
Page 41 DC Abbreviation for direct current. Dell Diagnostics A comprehensive set of diagnostic tests for your Dell computer. To use the diagnostics, you must boot your computer from your Dell Diagnostics Diskette. device driver A program that allows the operating system or some other program to interface correctly with a device such as a printer. Some device drivers, such as network drivers—must be loaded from the config.sys file (with a device= statement) or as memory-resident programs (usually from the...
Page 42: Diskette Drive
98 interferes with the operation of the computer's power management time-outs. If Dell installed Windows 98 on your hard-disk drive, the autoplay feature was disabled. If you enable autoplay, or if you installed Windows 98 yourself, Dell recommends that you disable autoplay.
Page 43: Extended Memory
DVD-ROM Abbreviation for digital versatile disc read-only memory. DVD-ROM drives use optical technology to read data from DVDs. DVDs are read-only storage devices; you cannot write new data to a DVD with standard DVD-ROM drives. Most DVD-ROM drives also read standard CDs. ECC Abbreviation for error checking and correction.
Page 44: Flash Memory
F Abbreviation for Fahrenheit. FAT ® Acronym for file allocation table. The file system structure used by the MS-DOS and Windows operating systems to organize and keep track of ® file storage. The Windows NT operating system can optionally use a FAT file system structure. FCC Abbreviation for Federal Communications Commission.
Page 45: Host Adapter
A file containing descriptive or instructional information about a product that is organized and formatted for display by the Windows operating system. Some help files are associated with a particular program, such as Help in Windows. Other help files, such as this one for your Dell Dimension system, function as stand-alone reference sources.
Page 46: Key Combination
Acronym for Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association. jumper Jumpers are small blocks on a circuit board with two or more pins emerging from them. Plastic plugs containing a wire fit down over the pins. The wire connects the pins and creates a circuit. Jumpers provide a simple and reversible method of changing the circuitry in a printed circuit board. K Abbreviation for kilo-, indicating 1000.
Page 47: Math Coprocessor
The method of setting up groups of sectors on a hard-disk drive to store system start-up information, sector status information, and directory information. loopback device A piece of hardware used for testing a serial port or parallel port. The loopback device contains a port connector and sometimes a looped cable. The connector attaches to the port on the computer and is used during testing to send a signal out through the port and immediately have it returned through the port.
Page 48 microprocessor The primary computational chip inside the computer that controls the interpretation and execution of arithmetic and logic functions. Software written for one microprocessor must usually be revised to run on another microprocessor. CPU is a synonym for microprocessor. MIDI Acronym for musical instrument digital interface.
Page 49 NVRAM Abbreviation for nonvolatile random-access memory. Memory that does not lose its contents when you turn off your computer. NVRAM is used for maintaining the date, time, and system configuration information. online access service A service that typically provides access to the Internet, e-mail, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and file libraries. OTP Abbreviation for one-time programmable.
Page 50: Plug And Play
Plug and Play An industry-standard specification that makes it easier to add devices to your personal computer. Plug and Play provides automatic installation and configuration, compatibility with existing hardware, and dynamic support of mobile computing environments. POST Acronym for power-on self-test. Before the operating system loads when you turn on your computer, the POST tests various system components, such as RAM, the disk drives, and the keyboard.
Page 51: System Battery
An I/O port used most often to connect a modem to your computer. You can usually identify a serial port on your computer by its 9-pin connector. service tag A bar code label on the computer that Dell technicians use to identify your computer when you call Dell for customer or technical support. setup program A BIOS-based program that allows you to configure your computer's hardware and customize the computer's operation by setting such features as password protection.
Page 52: System Configuration Information
A coin-cell battery that maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when the system is turned off. system board As the main circuit board, the system board usually contains most of your computer's integral components, such as the following: Microprocessor Controllers for standard devices, such as the keyboard Various ROM chips...
Page 53: Upper Memory Area
TSR Abbreviation for terminate-and-stay-resident. A TSR program runs "in the background." Most TSR programs implement a predefined key combination (sometimes referred to as a hot key) that allows you to activate the TSR program's interface while running another program. When you finish using the TSR program, you can return to the other application program and leave the TSR program resident in memory for later use.
Page 54 video card An expansion card that provides the video capabilities—in combination with the monitor—for your computer system. A video card may support more or fewer features than a specific monitor offers. Typically, a video card comes with video drivers for displaying popular application programs and operating systems in a variety of video modes.
Page 55 setting the write-protect feature in the system setup program. XGA Abbreviation for extended graphics array. VGA, SVGA, and XGA are video standards for video adapters with greater resolution and color display capabilities than previous standards. XGA generally refers to a video resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. To display a program at a specific resolution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and your display and/or external monitor must support the resolution.
Page 56 Graphics: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Status Display Component Locations (Front View) Component Locations (Back View) AC Adapter Removing and Installing a Battery Battery Charge Gauge Removing Devices From the Options Bay Removing the Hard-Disk Drive Removing a Memory Module...
Page 57 I/O Connectors: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 58: Infrared Port
I/O: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Infrared Port USB Connector Serial Connector Parallel Connector Monitor Connector PS/2 Connector I/O Connectors Infrared Port The computer comes with an infrared port. An infrared data stream is transmitted through a lens in the computer, up to a distance of 1 m, and received by a compatible computer, printer, mouse, or remote control.
Page 59: Parallel Connector
Data terminal ready Signal ground Data set ready Request to send Clear to send Ring indicator Shell Frame ground Parallel Connector Use the 25-hole parallel connector to attach a parallel device to the computer. The parallel connector is used primarily for printers. The parallel port sends and receives data in parallel format, where eight data bits (one byte) are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines.
Page 60 Signal Definition Red video GREEN Green video BLUE Blue video No connection Signal ground Signal ground Signal ground Signal ground No connection Signal ground No connection Reserved HSYNC Horizontal synchronization VSYNC Vertical synchronization No connection Shell Frame ground PS/2 Connector Use the 6-hole, miniature DIN PS/2 connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad.
Page 61 30° Cone of Infrared Light: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 62: System Reference
Back to Contents Page Glossary Jumpers, Switches, Controls, and Indicators: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Jumpers Switches Controls and Indicators Jumpers There are no jumpers on this system. Switches There are no configuration switches on this system. Controls and Indicators 1 LCD latch 2 Status lights (next to LCD latch)
Page 63 14 Power button 15 Connector cover 16 Microphone 17 Display close/suspend button 18 Status lights (3) (on keyboard) Status Lights 1 Caps Lock status 2 Scroll Lock status 3 Num Lock status Three status lights are located on the connector cover directly above the keyboard: Caps Lock: Solid green light when Caps Lock is on.
Page 64 The battery charge gauge on the bottom of the battery has five status lights that indicate how much battery charge remains. Each light indicates approximately 20% battery charge. Press the battery tester (a textured square on the back of the battery) to check the total battery charge. Power Button Under normal circumstances, you should only use the power button to turn on the computer or to resume operation from save-to-disk suspend ...
Page 65 Embedded Numeric Keypad: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 66: Memory Installation Guidelines
12. Run the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics to confirm that the installed memory modules are operating correctly. For instructions on running the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics, see Chapter 4, "Running the Dell Diagnostics," in your...
Page 67: Upper Memory Map
13. If you have added additional memory to your computer, you need to delete and re-create the save-to-disk suspend file on your hard-disk drive so that it is large enough to accommodate the new memory. For instructions, see the topic titled "Save-to-Disk Suspend File" in your online System User’s Guide.
Page 68 Tech Notes: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Video Memory Power Sources Storage Devices Touch Pad Audio PC Cards Embedded Numeric Keypad External Monitor External Keyboard, Keypad, or Mouse Power Management Passwords and Security Setup Program Utilities and Drivers Removing and Replacing Parts...
Page 69 Embedded Numeric Keypad: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer embedded numeric keypad shares some of the keys on your computer's keyboard. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked on the right of the keypad keys. To activate the embedded numeric keypad, press <Num Lock> (the Num Lock LED lights up). Press and hold <Fn> to toggle between the letter and number keys.
Page 70 Back to Contents Page Glossary Palmrest Assembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Exploded View of Palmrest Assembly Palmrest Assembly Removal Touch Pad Assembly Removal Exploded View of Palmrest Assembly 1 Connector cover 2 Keyboard 3 Palmrest 4 Touch pad 5 Touch pad assembly 6 Touch-pad FPC cable...
Page 71: Touch Pad Assembly Removal
1 16-mm screws (7) To remove the palmrest assembly, see the exploded view of the palmrest assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly. 2. Remove the keyboard. 3. Turn the computer face down. 4. Remove the seven 19-mm palmrest screws from the bottom of the computer. 5.
Page 72: About Passwords
Passwords and Security: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer About Passwords Physically Securing the Computer Disabling the Serial, Infrared, and Parallel Ports About Passwords When you receive the computer, the password features are disabled so that you can assign passwords if you wish. Once you assign a password, you must enter the password to access the Setup program.
Page 73: About Pc Cards
Both PC Card slots support CardBus technology. In addition, a ZV Port is available from the lower slot (slot 0). If you ordered an MPEG -2 decoder PC Card from Dell, install it in the lower PC slot. NOTES: A PC Card is not a boot device.
Page 74: Configuring Pc Cards
remove the PC Card. After you have removed a PC Card or PC Cards, you should install one or both of the PC Card blanks provided with the computer to protect the PC Card connectors. Installing Utilities and Drivers for information on installing or reinstalling PC Card utilities and drivers. Configuring PC Cards ®...
Page 75 PC Card Slots: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 76 The use of an internal Zip drive, CD-ROM drive, or DVD-ROM drive, which use more power than a hard-disk drive or a diskette drive CAUTION: The battery is designed to work with Dell Inspiron 3500 series computers only. Do not use the battery with other computers, and do not use batteries from other computers in your computer.
Page 77: Charging The Battery
Removing and Installing a Second Battery To remove and install the second battery, perform the following steps: 1. Save any files you have open and exit all application programs. 2. If your computer is operating on battery power, preserve your data by connecting the AC adapter and plugging it into an electrical outlet or by shutting down your computer from the Start menu. ...
Page 78 Alarms allows you to set the Low battery and Critical battery alarms to alert you when the system battery falls below a certain percentage. When you received your computer, the Low battery and Critical battery alarms check boxes were not checked. Dell recommends that you do not select these options.
Page 79 NOTE: Save-to-disk suspend mode requires a special file on your hard-disk drive that sets aside enough disk space to store the contents of the computer's memory. Dell creates an appropriately sized save-to-disk suspend file before shipping the computer to you. If you remove the file or add memory to the computer, or if your hard-disk drive becomes corrupted, you must re-create the file before you can again use save-to-disk suspend mode.
Page 80 NOTE: Make sure that there is a space between phdisk /create /file The utility calculates the size of the file, in kilobytes, based on the amount of system memory in your computer, plus 2 MB to handle video memory and additional system requirements.
Page 81 Removing Devices From the Options Bay: Dell Inspiron 3500 13.3-Inch LCD Inverter Removal: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer 13.3-Inch LCD Panel and EMI Pan Removal: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer 13.3-Inch LCD Panel Rails Removal: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer 14.1-Inch LCD Inverter Removal: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 82 Touch Pad: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer Video: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer ZIF Connectors: Dell Inspiron 3500 Portable Computer...
Page 83 Removing a Memory Module: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 84: Precautionary Measures
To disconnect the computer from the AC adapter and port replicator, and to remove the main battery, PC Cards, hard-disk drive, RAM door, memory modules, and device in the media bay, perform the following steps. NOTE: The following procedures can be performed by customers as well as Dell-certified repair technicians. 1. Determine the power state of the computer.
Page 85 5. Remove the main battery from the battery bay. CAUTION: The battery is designed to work with Dell Inspiron 3500 computers only. Do not use a battery from another computer with the Dell Inspiron 3500 computer. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type purchased from Dell.
Page 86 1 Hard-disk drive 2 4-mm screw 8. Remove the RAM door. Type of Screw Torque FPH 3 x 4 (2) 2.0–2.5 kgf-cm Remove the two 4-mm screws from the memory door (also known as the memory module cover). Using your finger, lift the door off. 1 Memory door 2 4-mm screw 9.
Page 87: Recommended Tools
Where applicable, information about screw lengths is provided with the illustrations. The Inspiron 3500 portable computer contains many screws of various sizes. Be careful not to scratch the computer plastic case by allowing screws to get between the disassembly surface and the plastic case. Dell suggests a soft, padded work surface.
Page 88: Zif Connectors
2 x 4 (4) 2.5 x 4 (2) 2 x 3 (3) 2.5 x 5 (2) Iomega Zip drive: Keyboard: Infrared board: 2.5 x 5 (2) 2.5 x 16 (3) 2.5 x 5 (1) Heat-sink fin cover: Processor module assembly: cover: 2 x 3.5 (1) 2 x 14 (2)
Page 89 ...
Page 90 Removing the Hard-Disk Drive: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 91 Removing Devices From the Options Bay: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 92 13.3-Inch LCD Inverter Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. To remove the inverter, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 93 13.3-Inch LCD Panel and EMI Pan Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. To remove the LCD panel from the EMI pan, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 94 13.3-Inch LCD Panel Rails Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FLH 2.5 x 5 (4) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm To remove the panel rails, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly...
Page 95 14.1-Inch LCD Inverter Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. To remove the inverter, see the exploded view of the 14.1-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 96 14.1-Inch LCD Panel and EMI Pan Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. To remove the LCD panel from the EMI pan, see the exploded view of the 14.1-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 97 14.1-Inch LCD Panel Rails Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FLH 2 x 4 (4) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm To remove the panel rails, see the exploded view of the 14.1-inch display assembly...
Page 98 Audio-Jack Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer To remove the audio jack board, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly. 2. Remove the keyboard. 3. Remove the palmrest assembly.
Page 99 Bezel and LCD Latch Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (6) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm To remove the bezel and LCD latch, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly 14.1-inch display assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 100 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive Disassembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 2 x 3 (3) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 5 (2) 2.5–3.0 kgf-cm To disassemble the CD-ROM drive or optional DVD-ROM drive, perform the following steps: 1.
Page 101 DC/DC Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 14 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the DC/DC board, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 102 Diskette Drive Disassembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 4 (2) 2.5–3.0 kgf-cm To disassemble the diskette drive, perform the following steps: 1.
Page 103 Display Assembly Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FLH 2.5 x 19 (4) 1.5–2.0 kgf-cm 2.5 x 5 (1) 2.0–2.5 kgf-cm FPH 2 x 2.5 (2) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm To remove the display assembly, see the exploded view of the computer...
Page 104 Fan Cover and Fan Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm You can remove the fan cover and fan without removing the palmrest. To remove the fan cover and fan, see the exploded view of the...
Page 105 Hard-Disk Drive Disassembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 3 x 4 (1) 2.0–2.5 kgf-cm To disassemble the hard-disk drive, perform the following steps: 1.
Page 106 Heat-Sink Fin Cover Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2 x 3.5 (1) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm You can remove the heat-sink fin cover without removing the palmrest. To remove the heat-sink fin cover, see the exploded view of the...
Page 107 Infrared Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm You can remove the infrared (IR) board without removing the palmrest. To remove the infrared board, see the exploded view of the...
Page 108 Torque FPH 2.5 x 16 (3) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm NOTE: You can remove the keyboard while the display assembly is still attached. However, Dell strongly recommends removing the display assembly before removing the keyboard to prevent cosmetic damage. You can remove the keyboard without removing the palmrest. To remove the keyboard, see the exploded view of the...
Page 109 LCD Interior Assembly Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (2) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm To remove the LCD interior assembly from the back cover, see the exploded view of the 13.3-inch display assembly...
Page 110 LVDS Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer You can remove the LVDS board without removing the palmrest. To remove the LVDS board, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 111 Modem Card Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 14 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm The modem card is an option available only to customers in the U.S. and Canada. You can remove the modem card without removing the palmrest. To remove the modem card, see the exploded view of the...
Page 112 Palmrest Assembly Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 19 (7) 3.5–4.0 kgf-cm To remove the palmrest assembly, see the exploded view of the palmrest assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 113 PC Card Cage Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque PNH 2 x 14 (4) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm The PC Card cage is supplied as a part of the system board assembly. However, if only the PC Card cage needs replacement, use this procedure to remove and replace the PC Card cage.
Page 114 Processor Module Assembly Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque PNH 2 x 14 (2) 1.5–1.8 kgf-cm You can remove the processor module assembly without removing the palmrest. To remove the processor module assembly, see the exploded view of the...
Page 115 System Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 14 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the system board, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 116 System Board Rails Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (2) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 16 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the system board rails, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1.
Page 117 Speaker Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer To remove the speakers, see the exploded view of the base assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly. 2. Remove the keyboard. 3. Remove the palmrest assembly. 4. Remove the system board rails.
Page 118 Touch Pad Assembly Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (3) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm To remove the touch pad assembly, see the exploded view of the palmrest assembly and perform the following steps: 1. Remove the display assembly.
Page 119 Video Board Removal: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Type of Screw Torque jack 2.5 x 4 (2) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm FPH 2.5 x 14 (1) 3.0–3.5 kgf-cm You can remove the video board without removing the palmrest. To remove the video board, see the exploded view of the...
Page 120 Zip Drive Disassembly: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: The following procedure should be performed only by depot repair technicians. Type of Screw Torque FPH 2.5 x 5 (2) 2.5–3.0 kgf-cm To disassemble the optional Zip drive, perform the following steps: 1.
Page 121 Where applicable, information about screw lengths is provided with the illustrations. The Inspiron 3500 portable computer contains many screws of various sizes. Be careful not to scratch the computer plastic case by allowing screws to get between the disassembly surface and the plastic case. Dell suggests a soft, padded work surface.
Page 122 Security Cable Slot: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 123: Using The Setup Program
Guide. You can enter the Setup program only when the computer is booting. Each time you turn on or boot the computer, the Dell logo screen appears. To open the Main menu of the Setup program, press <F2> before the Dell logo screen disappears.
Page 124: Security Menu
Security Menu NOTICE: The password features provide a high level of security for the data in the computer. However, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features.
Page 125 Boot Menu Exit Menu Back to Contents Page Glossary ...
Page 126 Back to Contents Page Glossary Technical Specifications: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Microprocessor 14.1-Inch Display (Inspiron 3500 D266GT, D300GT, A300GT, A333GT, A400GT, C400GT) Chip Set and Bus Architecture Keyboard PC Cards Touch Pad Memory Battery Connectors AC Adapter Audio Physical Video Environmental 13.3-Inch Display (Inspiron 3500 D233XT, D266XT,...
Page 127 Microprocessor address bus width 32 bits Flash EPROM 4 Mbits Bus architecture: 33-MHz local bus frequency 32-bit data bus width 66-MHz local bus frequency 32-bit data bus width 8.33-MHz bus frequency 16-bit data bus width PC Cards PCI controller Texas Instruments PCI1220 CardBus controller PC Card connectors two (supports a single type III card or two type I or II cards) Cards supported...
Page 128 Dot pitch 0.264 mm Power consumption 3.6 W Controls brightness can be controlled through key combinations 14.1-Inch Display (Inspiron 3500 D266GT, D300GT, A300GT, A333GT, A366GT, A400GT, C400GT) Type active-matrix color (TFT) Dimensions (viewable area): Height 205 mm (8.09 inches) Width 277 mm (10.9 inches)
Page 129: Touch Pad
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/Kanji Touch 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...
Page 130 Input current (maximum) 1.5 A at 90 VAC, full load Input frequency 47 to 63 Hz Output current 3.5 A (continuous) Output power 60 W Rated output voltage 20 VDC Dimensions: Height 29.6 mm (1.17 inches) Width 60.0 mm (2.36 inches) Depth 105 mm (4.13 inches) Weight (with cables)
Page 131 Storage* 2.03 m/sec (80 inches/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) * Measured with the hard-disk drive in head-parked position Regulatory U.S.
Page 132 Status Display: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Three status lights are located on the connector cover directly above the keyboard: Three status lights are located on the front of the computer, to the right of the LCD latch:...
Page 133: Removing And Installing A Hard-Disk Drive
Removing and Installing a Device in the Options Bay When you receive your Dell Inspiron 3500 computer, a diskette drive is installed in the options bay. The options bay supports a battery, CD-ROM drive, diskette drive, DVD-ROM drive, or Zip drive as secondary devices.
Page 134 Back to Contents Page Glossary Technical Overview: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer System Reference Front View Touch Pad Back View Audio Exploded View of Computer PC Cards Exploded View of Base Assembly Embedded Numeric Keypad Video External Monitor External Keyboard, Keypad, or Mouse Memory Power Management...
Page 135: Back View
16 Microphone 17 Display close/suspend button 18 Status lights (3) (on keyboard) Back View 1 Speaker 2 Reset button 3 USB connector 4 PS/2 connector 5 Fan exhaust 6 Security cable slot 7 Air intake 8 Docking connector 9 Monitor connector 10 Serial connector 11 Parallel...
Page 136 1 Display assembly 2 Keyboard 3 Palmrest assembly 4 Base assembly Exploded View of Base Assembly...
Page 137 1 Ground springs (2) 2 Infrared board with 5-mm screw 3 Optional internal modem with 14-mm screw 4 EMI fin (2) 5 LVDS board 6 Video board with 4-mm jack screws (2) and 14-mm screw 7 PC Card cage with 14-mm screws (4) 8 Monitor connector cover 9 DC/DC board with 14-mm screw 10 Audio jack board...
Page 138 Video Graphics Modes for External Displays * Resolution; Colors Refresh Rate (Hz) 320 x 200; 4 320 x 200; 16 320 x 200; 256 640 x 200; 2 640 x 200; 16 640 x 350; mono 640 x 350; 4 640 x 350;...
Page 139 800 x 600; 65,000 (16-bit) 800 x 600; 16 million (24-bit) 1024 x 768; 256 (8-bit) 1024 x 768; 65,000 (16-bit) 1024 x 768; 16 million (24-bit) 1280 x 1024; 256 (8-bit)* *The LCD monitor is in panning mode when it is set to this resolution. I/O Connectors 1 PS/3 keyboard/mouse connector 2 USB connector...
Page 140 Start the data communications software on both devices, and then begin transferring files. Read the documentation that came with your compatible device to make sure you operate it correctly. NOTE: Make sure that there are no books, papers, or other objects between the two infrared devices and that the two devices are within the 30°...
Page 141 Signal ground Data set ready Request to send Clear to send Ring indicator Shell Frame ground Parallel Connector Use the 25-hole parallel connector to attach a parallel device to the computer. The parallel connector is used primarily for printers. The parallel port sends and receives data in parallel format, where eight data bits (one byte) are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines.
Page 142 Signal Definition Red video GREEN Green video BLUE Blue video No connection Signal ground Signal ground Signal ground Signal ground No connection Signal ground No connection Reserved HSYNC Horizontal synchronization VSYNC Vertical synchronization No connection Shell Frame ground PS/2 Connector Use the 6-hole, miniature DIN PS/2 connector to attach PS/2-compatible devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or external numeric keypad.
Page 143 Memory Memory Installation Guidelines The system can accommodate up to 256 MB of RAM. The system comes with a minimum of 32 MB of memory. To increase memory, install 32-, 64-, or 128-MB memory modules. Valid Memory Configurations Base Install Total 32 MB...
Page 144 12. Run the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics to confirm that the installed memory modules are operating correctly. For instructions on running the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics, see Chapter 4, "Running the Dell Diagnostics," in your Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
Page 145: Power Sources
Do not use the AC adapter in a poorly ventilated environment, such as inside a carrying case. NOTICE: The AC adapter is designed to work only with Dell Inspiron portable computers. Do not use adapters from other computers, and do not attempt to use this adapter with other computers.
Page 146 The use of an internal Zip drive, CD-ROM drive, or DVD-ROM drive, which use more power than a hard-disk drive or a diskette drive NOTICE: The battery is designed to work with Dell Inspiron 3500 series computers only. Do not use the battery with other computers, and do not use batteries from other computers in your computer.
Page 147: Storage Devices
Storage Devices When you receive your Dell Inspiron 3500 computer, a diskette drive is installed in the media bay. The media bay supports a battery, CD-ROM drive, diskette drive, DVD-ROM drive, or Zip drive as secondary devices.
Page 148 The computer’s 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. To install a hard-disk drive, perform the following steps. 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 save-to-disk suspend mode or if the hard-disk drive access indicator is lit.
Page 149 2 Microphone jack 3 Line-out jack Dell recommends using amplified speakers for the best sound. Connect headphones or speakers to the line-out jack on the far right of the sound jacks. Connect a microphone to the microphone jack in the middle. Connect record/playback devices such as cassette players and CD players to the line-in jack on the far left.
Page 150 Both PC Card slots support CardBus technology. In addition, a ZV Port is available from the lower slot (slot 0). If you ordered an MPEG -2 decoder PC Card from Dell, install it in the lower PC Card connector. NOTES: A PC Card is not a boot device.
Page 151: Embedded Numeric Keypad
You can also double-click the PC Card icon on the Windows 98 desktop. Embedded Numeric Keypad The embedded numeric keypad shares some of the keys on your computer's keyboard. The keypad numbers and symbols are marked on the right of the keypad keys. To activate the embedded numeric keypad, press <Num Lock>...
Page 152: Power Management
NOTE: Before connecting or disconnecting a serial mouse or PS/2 mouse, it is recommended that you turn off your computer. The touch pad device drivers that Dell installed on your hard-disk drive work with a PS/2 mouse, serial mouse, or USB mouse from Dell. If you did not receive your mouse from Dell, you must install device drivers separately to use the mouse.
Page 153 NOTE: Save-to-disk suspend mode requires a special file on your hard-disk drive that sets aside enough disk space to store the contents of the computer's memory. Dell creates an appropriately sized save-to-disk suspend file before shipping the computer to you. If you remove the file or add memory to the computer, or if your hard-disk drive becomes corrupted, you must re-create the file before you can again use save-to-disk suspend mode.
Page 154: Passwords And Security
<Enter>. 4. When A:\> appears on the screen, insert the Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Your MS-DOS prompt changes from an A:\ to a D:\, assuming that D is the drive letter of your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
Page 155 Back to Contents Page Glossary ...
Page 156 Touch Pad: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer ...
Page 157: Using The Touchpad
Touch Pad: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Using the Touch Pad Installing the Touch Pad/Mouse Driver Using the Touch Pad The PS/2-compatible touch pad detects the position of your finger over a touch-sensitive area and provides the computer full mouse functionality. The touch pad's two buttons correspond to the left and right buttons on a standard mouse.
Page 158 Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD Diskette drive cable To install or reinstall Dell utilities and drivers in the Windows 98 operating system, use the program diskette set from Dell or the backup diskettes that you made after receiving the computer.
Page 159 If they are not, contact the software manufacturer to obtain the necessary drivers. To install the video driver, perform the following steps: 1. Insert the Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD into the CD-ROM or optional DVD-ROM drive. 2. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
Page 160: Changing Video Resolution
NOTE: After the computer restarts, you may change the video resolution. See the following section, “Changing Video Resolution.” Changing Video Resolution To change the video resolution, perform the following steps: 1. When the system restarts, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. 2.
Page 161 If you are installing a new hard-disk drive or if you are rebuilding a hard-disk drive with corrupted software and you want to be able to use the save- to-disk suspend mode, you must use the phdisk.exe utility on the Dell Inspiron 3500 System Software CD to create a save-to-disk suspend file.
Page 162 8. After your computer restarts, a BayManager icon appears in the icon tray. Installing the System User’s Guide Documentation to download the Dell Inspiron 3500 System User’s Guide, if needed. Click System User's Guide (.hlp) and, when prompted, save the file to your hard-disk drive. Reinstalling Device Drivers If a driver and/or a utility that came with your computer is corrupted, you may wish to reinstall it individually.
Page 163 ...
Page 164 Video: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer Graphics Modes for External Displays Graphics Modes for Built-in LCD Displays Graphics Modes for External Displays * Resolution; Colors Refresh Rate (Hz) 320 x 200; 4 320 x 200; 16 320 x 200; 256 640 x 200;...
Page 165 800 x 600; 256 (8-bit) 800 x 600; 65,000 (16-bit) 800 x 600; 16 million (24-bit) 1024 x 768; 256 (8-bit) 1024 x 768; 65,000 (16-bit) 1024 x 768; 16 million (24-bit) 1280 x 1024; 256 (8-bit)
Page 166 ZIF Connectors: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3500 Portable Computer CAUTION: ZIF connectors are fragile. To avoid breaking the connectors, touch them carefully. Do not apply too much pressure to the movable part of the connector when opening or closing it. Some of the computer’s interface connectors are ZIF connectors. These connectors are not removable; they must be released to disconnect a cable from them.

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