Dell Inspiron 15 3521, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...Dell Inspiron 3521 5521 Owner s Manual Computer model Inspiron 3521 5521 Regulatory model P28F Regulatory type P28F001 ...

Page 2: ...potential for property damage personal injury or death ____________________ 2012 Dell Inc Trademarks used in this text Dell the DELL logo and Inspiron are trademarks of Dell Inc Microsoft Windows and the Windows start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and or other countries Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth...

Page 3: ...cedure 13 Postrequisites 13 5 Removing the Memory Module s 15 Prerequisites 15 Procedure 15 6 Replacing the Memory Module s 17 Procedure 17 Postrequisites 17 7 Removing the Optical Drive Assembly 19 Prerequisites 19 Procedure 19 8 Replacing the Optical Drive Assembly 21 Procedure 21 Postrequisites 21 9 Removing the Hard Drive Assembly 23 Prerequisites 23 Procedure 23 10 Replacing the Hard Drive As...

Page 4: ...quisites 35 15 Removing the Wireless Mini Card 37 Prerequisites 37 Procedure 38 16 Replacing the Wireless Mini Card 39 Procedure 39 Postrequisites 40 17 Removing the I O Board 41 Prerequisites 41 Procedure 42 18 Replacing the I O Board 43 Procedure 43 Postrequisites 43 19 Removing the System Board 45 Prerequisites 45 Procedure 46 20 Replacing the System Board 49 Procedure 49 Postrequisites 49 Ente...

Page 5: ...lacing the Heat Sink 57 Procedure 57 Postrequisites 57 25 Removing the Fan 59 Prerequisites 59 Procedure 60 26 Replacing the Fan 61 Procedure 61 Postrequisites 61 27 Removing the Speakers 63 Prerequisites 63 Procedure 64 28 Replacing the Speakers 67 Procedure 67 Postrequisites 67 29 Removing the Display Assembly 69 Prerequisites 69 Procedure 70 30 Replacing the Display Assembly 73 Procedure 73 Pos...

Page 6: ...Prerequisites 79 Procedure 80 34 Replacing the Display Hinges 81 Procedure 81 Postrequisites 81 35 Removing the Display Panel 83 Prerequisites 83 Procedure 84 36 Replacing the Display Panel 87 Procedure 87 Postrequisites 87 37 Removing the Camera Module 89 Prerequisites 89 Procedure 90 38 Replacing the Camera Module 91 Procedure 91 Postrequisites 91 39 Flashing the BIOS 93 ...

Page 7: ... devices from their electrical outlets 4 Disconnect all telephone cables network cables and attached devices from your computer 5 Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds after the computer is unplugged to ground the system board Safety Instructions Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential damage and ensure your personal safety WARNING Before working inside ...

Page 8: ...ity which could harm internal components CAUTION When you disconnect a cable pull on its connector or on its pull tab not on the cable itself Some cables have connectors with locking tabs or thumb screws that you must disengage before disconnecting the cable When disconnecting cables keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins When connecting cables ensure that the connectors and ...

Page 9: ...ray screws remain inside your computer Connect any external devices cables cards and any other part s you removed before working on your computer Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets CAUTION Before turning on your computer replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer Failure to do so may damage your computer ...

Page 10: ...10 After Working Inside Your Computer ...

Page 11: ...orking Inside Your Computer on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Close the display and turn the computer over 2 Slide the battery latches on each end of the battery bay to the unlock position You will hear a click when the battery is unlocked 3 Lift and remove the battery off the computer bas...

Page 12: ...12 Removing the Battery ...

Page 13: ...ing inside your computer follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure Align the tabs on the battery with the slots on the battery bay and snap the battery into place Postrequisites 1 Follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Compu...

Page 14: ...14 Replacing the Battery ...

Page 15: ...ons in After Working Inside Your Computer on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 Procedure 1 Loosen the captive screw that secures the memory module cover to the computer base 2 Using your fingertips lift the memory module cover out of ...

Page 16: ...tips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module connector until the memory module pops up 4 Remove the memory module from the memory module connector 1 securing clips 2 2 memory module connector 3 memory module 1 3 2 ...

Page 17: ...dure 1 Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory module connector 2 Slide the memory module firmly into the connector at a 45 degree angle and press the memory module down until it clicks into place NOTE If you do not hear the click remove the memory module and reinstall it 3 Slide the tabs on the memory module cover into the slots on the computer base and snap the memory mod...

Page 18: ...18 Replacing the Memory Module s ...

Page 19: ...w the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 Procedure 1 Remove the screw that secures the optical drive assembly to the computer base 2 Using your fingertips slide the optical drive as...

Page 20: ...cal drive bracket to the optical drive assembly 4 Remove the optical drive bracket from the optical drive assembly 5 Carefully pry the optical drive bezel and remove it from the optical drive assembly 1 optical drive bezel 2 optical drive 3 screws 2 4 optical drive bracket 3 1 2 4 ...

Page 21: ...gulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the optical drive bezel with the slots on the optical drive and snap optical drive bezel into place 2 Align the screw holes on the optical drive bracket with the screw holes on the optical drive assembly 3 Replace the screws that secure the optical drive bracket to the optical drive assembly 4 Slide the optical drive assembly into position and ensu...

Page 22: ...22 Replacing the Optical Drive Assembly ...

Page 23: ...Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance CAUTION To avoid data loss do not remove the hard drive while the computer is in Sleep or On state CAUTION Hard drives are extremely fragile Exercise care when handling the hard drive Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 Procedure 1...

Page 24: ... tab lift the hard drive assembly out of the computer base 4 Remove the screws that secure the hard drive bracket to the hard drive 5 Lift the hard drive bracket off the hard drive 1 hard drive assembly 2 pull tab 1 screws 2 2 hard drive bracket 2 1 2 1 ...

Page 25: ...le Exercise care when handling the hard drive Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the hard drive bracket with the screw holes on the hard drive 2 Replace the screws that secure the hard drive bracket to the hard drive 3 Slide and place the hard drive assembly in the hard drive bay 4 Slide the hard drive assembly backward to connect the hard drive assembly to the system board 5 Replace the screws ...

Page 26: ...26 Replacing the Hard Drive Assembly ...

Page 27: ...ructions in After Working Inside Your Computer on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 Procedure 1 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible 2 Using a plastic scribe release the keyboard from the tabs on the palm res...

Page 28: ...eyboard from the palm rest assembly 4 Turn the keyboard over and place it on the palm rest assembly 5 Lift the connector latch and disconnect the keyboard from the connector on the system board 6 Lift the keyboard off the palm rest assembly 1 connector latch 2 keyboard cable 3 keyboard 1 2 3 ...

Page 29: ...y Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Slide the keyboard cable into the connector on the system board and press down on the connector latch to secure it 2 Slide the tabs at the bottom of the keyboard into the slots on the palm rest assembly and place the keyboard on the palm rest assembly 3 Gently press around the edges of the keyboard to secure the keyboard under the...

Page 30: ...30 Replacing the Keyboard ...

Page 31: ...practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 4 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboard on page ...

Page 32: ...r over and open the display as far as possible 4 Lift the connector latches and pull the pull tab to disconnect the touchpad cable and the power button cable from the system board 1 touchpad cable 2 power button cable 3 connector latches 2 1 2 3 ...

Page 33: ... 6 Using a plastic scribe gently lift and release the tabs on palm rest from the slots on the computer base CAUTION Carefully separate the palm rest assembly from the display assembly to avoid damage to the display assembly 7 Lift the palm rest off the computer base 1 screws 7 2 palm rest 1 2 ...

Page 34: ...34 Removing the Palm Rest ...

Page 35: ...o place 3 Slide the touchpad cable and the power button cable into the connectors on the system board and press down on the connector latches to secure the cables 4 Replace the screws that secure the palm rest to the system board 5 Close the display and turn the computer over 6 Replace the screws that secure the palm rest to the computer base Postrequisites 1 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the...

Page 36: ...36 Replacing the Palm Rest ...

Page 37: ... guarantee compatibility or provide support for wireless mini cards from sources other than Dell If you ordered a wireless mini card with your computer the card is already installed Your computer has a half wireless mini card slot which supports a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Bluetooth combo card Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions f...

Page 38: ...ors on the wireless mini card 2 Remove the screw that secures the wireless mini card to the system board connector 3 Slide and remove the wireless mini card out of the system board connector 1 screw 2 antenna cables 2 3 wireless mini card 1 wireless mini card 2 system board connector 1 3 2 1 2 ...

Page 39: ...re placed under the wireless mini card 1 Align the notch on the wireless mini card with the tab on the system board connector 2 Insert the wireless mini card connector at a 45 degree angle into the connector on the system board 3 Press the other end of the wireless mini card down into the slot on the system board and replace the screw that secures the wireless mini card to the system board 4 Conne...

Page 40: ...lacing the Keyboard on page 29 3 Replace the optical drive assembly See Replacing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 21 4 Follow the instructions from step 3 and step 4 in Replacing the Memory Module s on page 17 5 Replace the battery See Replacing the Battery on page 13 6 Follow the instructions in After Working Inside Your Computer on page 9 ...

Page 41: ... on page 9 For additional safety best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 4 Remove the keybo...

Page 42: ...screw that secures the I O board to the computer base 2 Use the pull tab to disconnect the I O board cable from the connector on the system board 3 Gently lift and remove the I O board off the computer base 1 I O board 2 I O board cable 3 screw 2 1 3 ...

Page 43: ...he I O board below the tab that secures it and snap the I O board into place 2 Replace the screw that secures the I O board to the computer base 3 Connect the I O board cable to the connector on the I O board Postrequisites 1 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 2 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 3 Replace the optical drive assembly See Replacing t...

Page 44: ...44 Replacing the I O Board ...

Page 45: ...oard For more information see Entering the Service Tag in system setup on page 49 NOTE Before disconnecting the cables from the system board note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect them correctly after you replace the system board Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Modul...

Page 46: ... to the system board 2 Disconnect the display cable from the connector on the system board 3 Disconnect the power adapter port cable speaker cable and the I O board cable from the system board 1 display cable 2 tape 3 power adapter port cable 4 speaker cable 5 I O board cable 1 2 3 4 5 ...

Page 47: ...Removing the System Board 47 4 Remove the screw that secures the system board to the computer base 5 Lift the system board off the computer base 1 system board screw 2 1 ...

Page 48: ...48 Removing the System Board ...

Page 49: ...ble and the I O board cable to the connectors on the system board 4 Connect the display cable to the system board 5 Adhere the tape that secures the display cable to the system board Postrequisites 1 Replace the wireless Mini Card See Replacing the Wireless Mini Card on page 39 2 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 3 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page ...

Page 50: ...50 Replacing the System Board ...

Page 51: ...uivalent type Discard used coin cell batteries according to the manufacturer s instructions CAUTION Removing the coin cell battery resets the BIOS settings to default It is recommended that you note the BIOS settings before removing the coin cell battery Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Mod...

Page 52: ... Battery Procedure 1 Turn the system board over and place it on a flat surface 2 Using a plastic scribe gently pry out the coin cell battery out of the battery socket on the system board 1 plastic scribe 2 coin cell battery 1 2 ...

Page 53: ...ed batteries according to the manufacturer s instructions Procedure With the positive side facing up snap the coin cell battery into the battery socket on the system board Postrequisites 1 Replace the system board See Replacing the System Board on page 49 2 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 3 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 4 Replace the optica...

Page 54: ...54 Replacing the Coin Cell Battery ...

Page 55: ...gulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 1 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 2 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 3 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 4 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboard on...

Page 56: ...n the system board over and place the system board on a flat surface 2 In sequential order indicated on the heat sink remove the screws that secure the heat sink to the system board 3 Lift the heat sink off the system board 1 screw 6 2 fan 1 2 ...

Page 57: ...d 3 In sequential order indicated on the heat sink replace the screws that secure the heat sink to the system board Postrequisites 1 Replace the system board See Replacing the System Board on page 49 2 Replace the wireless mini card See Replacing the Wireless Mini Card on page 39 3 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 4 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on pag...

Page 58: ...58 Replacing the Heat Sink ...

Page 59: ...ry_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboard on page ...

Page 60: ...board over and place the system board on a flat surface 2 Disconnect the fan cable from the connector on the system board 3 Remove the screw that secures the fan to the system board 4 Lift the fan off the system board 1 screw 2 fan 3 fan cable 3 2 1 ...

Page 61: ...ystem board 3 Connect the fan cable to the connector on the system board Postrequisites 1 Replace the system board See Replacing the System Board on page 49 2 Replace the wireless mini card See Replacing the Wireless Mini Card on page 39 3 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 4 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 5 Replace the optical drive assembly S...

Page 62: ...62 Replacing the Fan ...

Page 63: ...ulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboard on ...

Page 64: ...64 Removing the Speakers Procedure 1 Peel the tape that secures the LED silicon tubes to the computer base 2 Lift and remove the LED silicon tubes off the computer base 1 tape 2 LED silicon tubes 1 2 ...

Page 65: ...kers 65 3 Note the speaker cable routing and remove the cable from the routing guides on the computer base 4 Lift the speakers along with the speaker cable off the computer base 1 speaker cable routing 2 speakers 2 1 2 ...

Page 66: ...66 Removing the Speakers ...

Page 67: ...tubes to the computer base 4 Adhere the tape that secures the LED silicon tubes to the computer base Postrequisites 1 Replace the system board See Replacing the System Board on page 49 2 Replace the wireless mini card See Replacing the Wireless Mini Card on page 39 3 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 4 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 5 Replace ...

Page 68: ...68 Replacing the Speakers ...

Page 69: ...best practices information see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Opti...

Page 70: ...that secures the display cable to the system board 2 Disconnect the display cable from the connectors on the system board 3 Disconnect the wireless mini card cables from the connectors on the wireless mini card 1 display cable 2 wireless mini card cables 2 1 2 ...

Page 71: ...e aside the power adapter port cable from the screws 5 Remove the screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base 6 Lift the display assembly off the computer base 1 display assembly 2 screws 3 3 power adapter port cable 1 2 3 ...

Page 72: ...72 Removing the Display Assembly ...

Page 73: ... screws that secure the display assembly to the computer base 3 Connect the wireless mini card cables to the connectors on the wireless mini card 4 Connect the display cable to the connector on the system board 5 Adhere the tape that secures the display cable to the system board Postrequisites 1 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 2 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the K...

Page 74: ...74 Replacing the Display Assembly ...

Page 75: ...tory Compliance Homepage at dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove th...

Page 76: ...ge covers on the sides and lift the hinge covers to remove it from the display assembly 2 Using your fingertips carefully pry up the inside edge of the display bezel 3 Remove the display bezel off the display back cover 1 hinge covers 2 1 display bezel 1 1 ...

Page 77: ...y bezel into place 2 Align the hinge covers with the hinges on the display assembly and snap the hinge covers into place Postrequisites 1 Replace the display assembly See Replacing the Display Assembly on page 73 2 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 3 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 4 Replace the optical drive assembly See Replacing the Optical ...

Page 78: ...78 Replacing the Display Bezel ...

Page 79: ...com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keybo...

Page 80: ...80 Removing the Display Hinges Procedure 1 Remove the screws that secure the display hinges to the display panel 2 Lift the display hinges off the display back cover 1 screws 8 2 display hinges 2 2 1 ...

Page 81: ...ace the screws that secure the display hinges to the display back cover Postrequisites 1 Replace the display bezel See Replacing the Display Bezel on page 77 2 Replace the display assembly See Replacing the Display Assembly on page 73 3 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 4 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on page 29 5 Replace the optical drive assembly See ...

Page 82: ...82 Replacing the Display Hinges ...

Page 83: ...es 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboard on page 27 6 Remove the palm rest...

Page 84: ...ing the Display Panel Procedure 1 Remove the screws that secure the display panel to the display back cover 2 Gently lift the display panel and turn it over 1 display back cover 2 display panel 3 screws 4 3 2 1 ...

Page 85: ...Removing the Display Panel 85 3 Peel the tape that is adhered over the display cable 4 Disconnect the display cable from the connector on the display panel 1 display cable 2 tape 2 1 ...

Page 86: ...86 Removing the Display Panel ...

Page 87: ... the screw holes on the display back cover 5 Replace the screws that secure the display panel to the display back cover Postrequisites 1 Replace the display hinges See Replacing the Display Hinges on page 81 2 Replace the display bezel See Replacing the Display Bezel on page 77 3 Replace the display assembly See Replacing the Display Assembly on page 73 4 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Pa...

Page 88: ...88 Replacing the Display Panel ...

Page 89: ...om regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the battery See Removing the Battery on page 11 2 Follow the instructions from step 1 to step 2 in Removing the Memory Module s on page 15 3 Remove the hard drive assembly See Removing the Hard Drive Assembly on page 23 4 Remove the optical drive assembly See Removing the Optical Drive Assembly on page 19 5 Remove the keyboard See Removing the Keyboa...

Page 90: ...a module to the display back cover 2 Disconnect the camera cable from the connector on the camera module 3 Peel the tape that secures the camera module to the display back cover 4 Lift the camera module off the display back cover 1 screw 2 camera module 3 tape 4 camera cable 1 4 3 2 ...

Page 91: ...at secures the camera module to the display back cover 4 Connect the camera cable to the connector on the camera module Postrequisites 1 Replace the display bezel See Replacing the Display Bezel on page 77 2 Replace the display assembly See Replacing the Display Assembly on page 73 3 Replace the palm rest See Replacing the Palm Rest on page 35 4 Replace the keyboard See Replacing the Keyboard on p...

Page 92: ...92 Replacing the Camera Module ...

Page 93: ...t have your computer s Service Tag or Express Service Code a Select one of the following options Automatically detect my Service Tag for me Choose from My Products and Services List Choose from a list of all Dell products b Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen 4 A list of results appears on the screen Click BIOS 5 Click Download File to download the latest BIOS file 6 In the Pl...

Page 94: ...94 Flashing the BIOS ...