Contents Chapter 1: Working on your computer................... 5 Safety instructions................................5 Before working inside your computer........................5 Safety precautions................................ 6 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection....................... 6 ESD field service kit ..............................7 Transporting sensitive components.......................... 8 After working inside your computer..........................8 Chapter 2: Technology and components..................9 DDR4.......................................9 USB features..................................10 USB Type-C..................................12...
Page 4
Installing coin cell battery............................68 System board..................................70 Removing system board.............................70 Installing system board...............................76 Chapter 4: Troubleshooting......................83 Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics..............83 Running the SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check..............83 Diagnostics..................................83 Diagnostic error messages..............................85 System error messages..............................88 Recovering the operating system..........................89 Backup media and recovery options..........................89...
Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
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 For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.
Always place parts in your hand, on the ESD mat, in the system, or inside an anti-static bag. ● Transporting Sensitive Components – When transporting ESD sensitive components such as replacement parts or parts to be returned to Dell, it is critical to place these parts in anti-static bags for safe transport. Working on your computer...
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.
Technology and components This chapter details the technology and components available in the system. Topics: • DDR4 • USB features • USB Type-C • Advantages of DisplayPort over USB Type-C • HDMI 2.0 • Intel Optane memory DDR4 DDR4 (double data rate fourth generation) memory is a higher-speed successor to the DDR2 and DDR3 technologies and allows up to 512 GB in capacity, compared to the DDR3's maximum of 128 GB per DIMM.
Figure 2. Thickness difference Curved edge DDR4 modules feature a curved edge to help with insertion and alleviate stress on the PCB during memory installation. Figure 3. Curved edge Memory Errors Memory errors on the system display the new ON-FLASH-FLASH or ON-FLASH-ON failure code. If all memory fails, the LCD does not turn on.
Page 11
● New power management features ● Full-duplex data transfers and support for new transfer types ● Backward USB 2.0 compatibility ● New connectors and cable The topics below cover some of the most commonly asked questions regarding USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1. Speed Currently, there are 3 speed modes defined by the latest USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 specification.
● USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 Drive Docks & Adapters ● USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 Flash Drives & Readers ● USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 Solid-state Drives ● USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 RAIDs ● Optical Media Drives ● Multimedia Devices ●...
Advantages of DisplayPort over USB Type-C ● Full DisplayPort audio/video (A/V) performance (up to 4K at 60Hz) ● Reversible plug orientation and cable direction ● Backwards compatibility to VGA, DVI with adaptors ● SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1) data ● Supports HDMI 2.0a and is backwards compatible with previous versions HDMI 2.0 This topic explains the HDMI 2.0 and its features along with the advantages.
Installing side cover 1. To install the side cover: a. Place the side cover on the system. b. Slide the cover towards the back of the system to install it. Disassembly and reassembly...
Page 20
c. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the cover to the system. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Disassembly and reassembly...
Hard drive assembly—2.5 inch Removing 2.5–inch hard drive assembly 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the Side cover. 3. To remove the drive assembly: a. Press the blue tabs on both sides of the hard drive assembly [1]. b.
c. Remove the drive assembly from the system. Removing the 2.5–inch drive from the drive bracket 1. Follow the procedure in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly 3. To remove the drive bracket: a.
Installing the 2.5 inch hard drive into the drive bracket 1. Align and insert the pins on the drive bracket with the slots on one side of the drive. 2. Flex the other side of the drive bracket, and align and insert the pins on the bracket into the drive. 3.
Page 25
2. Install the Side cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Disassembly and reassembly...
Heat sink blower Removing heat sink blower 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the Side cover. 3. To remove the heat sink blower: a. Press the blue tabs on both sides of the heat sink blower [1]. b.
Installing heat sink blower 1. To install the heat sink blower: a. Connect the heat sink blower cable [1] and speaker cable [2] to the connectors on the system board. Disassembly and reassembly...
2. Install the Side cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Speaker Removing speaker 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover Heat sink blower 3. To remove the speaker: a.
Installing speaker 1. To install the speaker: a. Align the slots on the speaker with the slots on the heat sink blower [1]. b. Replace the two (M2.5X4) screws to secure the speaker to the heat sink blower [2]. c. Route the speaker cable through the retention hooks on the heat sink blower [3]. Disassembly and reassembly...
2. Install the: Heat sink blower Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Memory modules Removing memory module 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover Heat sink blower 3.
Installing memory module 1. To install the memory module: a. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory module connector. b. Insert the memory module into the memory module socket [1] and press it until it clicks into place [2]. Disassembly and reassembly...
2. Install the: Heat sink blower Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Heat sink assemblyassembly Removing heatsink 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly Heatsink fan 3.
Installing heatsink 1. To install the heatsink: a. Place the heatsink on the processor [1]. b. Tighten the four three (M3) captive screws to secure the heat sink to the system board [2]. NOTE: The heatsink assembly is secured to the system board with four screws and three screws for 35 W and 65 W CPU respectively.
2. Install the: Heatsink fan 2.5–inch hard drive assembly Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Processor Removing processor 1. Follow the procedure in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly Heat sink blower Heat sink 3.
NOTE: After removing the processor, place it in an antistatic container for reuse, return, or temporary storage. Do not touch the bottom of the processor to avoid damage to the processor contacts. Touch only the side edges of the processor. Installing processor 1.
2. Install the: Heat sink Heat sink blower 2.5–inch hard drive assembly Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. WLAN card Removing the WLAN card 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2.
Installing the WLAN card 1. To install the WLAN card: a. Insert the WLAN card into the connector on the system board [1]. b. Connect the WLAN antenna cables to the connectors on the WLAN card [2]. c. Place the plastic tab to secure the WLAN cables [3]. d.
Page 52
2. Install the: 2.5 inch hard drive assembly Side cover 3. To install the external antennae a. Tighten the antenna screw to install the antenna to the computer. Disassembly and reassembly...
4. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. M.2 PCIe SSD Removing the M.2 PCIe SSD NOTE: The instructions are applicable to M.2 SATA SSD also. 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly 3.
Installing the M.2 PCIe SSD NOTE: The instructions are applicable to M.2 SATA SSD also. 1. To install M.2 PCIe SSD: a. Insert the M.2 PCIe SSD to the connector in the system board [1]. b. Replace the single (M2X3.5) screw that secures the M.2 PCIe SSD to the system board [2]. Disassembly and reassembly...
2. Install the: 2.5 inch hard drive assembly Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Optional module Removing optional module 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the : Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly 3.
Installing optional module 1. To install the optional card: a. Place and align the optional card to its place in the system. Disassembly and reassembly...
Page 64
b. Replace the two (M2X3.5) screws and two screws to secure the optional card to the system chassis [1,2] c. Connect the optional card cable to the connector in the system board [3]. Disassembly and reassembly...
2. Install the: Side cover 2.5 inch hard drive assembly 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Coin-cell battery Removing coin cell battery 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 3.
Installing coin cell battery 1. To install the coin cell battery: a. Hold the coin cell battery with the "+" sign facing up and slide it under the securing tabs at the positive side of the connector on the system board [1]. b.
2. Install the Side cover 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. System board Removing system board 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the: Side cover 2.5 hard drive assembly Heat sink blower WLAN M.2 PCIe SSD Memory module...
Page 72
4. To remove the system board: a. Remove the two (M3x4) screws [1] and three (6-32x5.4) screws [2] that secure the system board to the system. Disassembly and reassembly...
Page 74
b. Lift the system board to disengage the connectors from the back of the computer [1]. c. Slide the system board away from the computer [2]. Disassembly and reassembly...
Installing system board 1. To install the system board: a. Hold the system board by its edges and angle it towards the back of the system. b. Lower the system board into the system until the connectors at the back of the system board align with the slots on the chassis, and the screw holes on the system board align with the standoffs on the system [1,2].
Page 80
d. Place the HDD caddy support on the system board [1]. e. Replace the screw that secures the HDD caddy support to the system board [2]. Disassembly and reassembly...
Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics SupportAssist diagnostics (also known as system diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware. The Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics is embedded with the BIOS and is launched by the BIOS internally.
Page 84
mode. However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer emits a series of LED codes during the start-up. The system LED is integrated on the Power button. The following table shows different light patterns and what they indicate. Table 3. Power LED summary Amber LED state White LED state System state...
Table 5. States Under Host BIOS Control Amber LED state White LED state System state Notes BIOS state 1 BIOS Post code (Old LED pattern 0001) Corrupt BIOS. BIOS state 2 BIOS Post code (Old LED pattern 0010) CPU config or CPU failure.
Page 86
If the problem persists, try another drive. Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in Dell Diagnostics. HARD-DISK DRIVE FAILURE The hard drive does not respond to commands from the computer.
Page 87
Table 6. Diagnostic error messages (continued) Error messages Description try another drive. Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in Dell Diagnostics. INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA The operating system is trying to boot to non-bootable media, such as an optical drive. Insert bootable media.
The operating system cannot find a specific track on the hard drive. SHUTDOWN FAILURE A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in Dell Diagnostics. If the message reappears, Contact Dell. TIME-OF-DAY CLOCK LOST POWER System configuration settings are corrupted. Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery.
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.
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1. Go to Dell.com/support.