Contents 1 Working inside your computer....................... 6 Before working inside your computer..........................6 Safety instructions.................................6 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection.......................... 7 ESD field service kit ................................7 Transporting sensitive components............................ 8 After working inside your computer............................ 8 2 Removing and installing components..................... 9 Recommended tools................................9 Screw list....................................
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Speakers....................................38 Removing the speakers..............................38 Installing the speakers..............................38 Rear cover.................................... 39 Removing the rear cover.............................. 39 Installing the rear cover..............................40 Rear-cover bracket................................41 Removing the rear-cover bracket ..........................41 Installing the rear-cover bracket..........................42 Processor fan..................................43 Removing the processor fan............................43 Installing the processor fan............................
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Display panel power rail built-in self-test (L-BIST)....................92 Display panel built-in self-test (LCD-BIST)........................ 93 Outcome..................................93 Flashing BIOS (USB key)..............................94 Flashing the BIOS................................94 Backup media and recovery options..........................94 WiFi power cycle................................. 94 Flea power release................................95 6 Getting help and contacting Dell....................96 Contents...
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.
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 For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.
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.
Removing and installing components Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Phillips screwdriver #0 • Phillips screwdriver #1 • Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.
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Table 1. Screw list(continued) Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image Light bar Palm-rest and M2x4 keyboard assembly Power-adapter port Palm-rest and M2x4 keyboard assembly Power button with Palm-rest and M1.6x1.8 fingerprint reader bracket keyboard assembly Processor fan System board and M2x4 palm-rest and keyboard assembly...
Base cover Removing the base cover Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. About this task The following images indicate the location of the base cover and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Remove the six screws (M2x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. CAUTION: Do not pull on or pry the base cover at the side where the hinges are located; doing so may damage the base cover.
If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.
Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board, if it is not previously disconnected. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board. NOTE: This step applies only to computers shipped with a hard drive. 3.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the four screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the hard-drive cable to the system board and close the latch to secure the connection. NOTE: This step applies only to computers shipped with a hard drive.
Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board, if it is not previously disconnected. 2. Remove the seven screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the battery off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the battery with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the seven screws (M2x4) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the battery cable to the system board. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Disconnect the coin-cell battery cable from the system board. 2. Remove the coin-cell battery cable from the routing guide and under the speaker cable. 3. Using a plastic scribe, peel the coin-cell battery off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the coin-cell battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Adhere the coin-cell battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the coin-cell battery cable under the speaker cable and through the routing guides. 3. Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the base cover.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 3. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 4. Slide and remove the wireless card from the wireless-card slot. Installing the wireless card Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
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Steps 1. Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot and insert the wireless card at an angle into the wireless- card slot. 2. Connect the antenna cables to the wireless card. The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card supported by your computer. Table 2.
Memory modules Removing the memory modules Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the memory modules and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot. 2. Slide the memory module firmly at an angle, into the memory-module slot. 3. 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.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the solid-state drive thermal bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket off the solid-state drive and let the solid-state drive thermal bracket rest on the system board. NOTE: If you are replacing the system board, do not leave the solid-state drive thermal bracket on the system board.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the SSD1 slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the SSD1 slot. 3. Place the solid-state drive thermal bracket over the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive with the screw hole on the system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the solid-state drive thermal bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket off the system board. NOTE: If you are replacing the system board, do not leave the solid-state drive thermal bracket on the system board. Peel the tape off the system board and lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the SSD1 slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the SSD1 slot. 3. Place the solid-state drive thermal-bracket over the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive with the screw hole on the system board. 5.
The following image provides a visual representation of the procedure to install the solid-state drive mounting bracket when replacing an M.2 2280 solid-state drive with an M.2 2230 solid-state drive in SSD1 slot. Steps 1. Slide and remove the solid-state drive mounting bracket from the mounting bracket slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the solid-state drive thermal bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket off the system board. NOTE: If you are replacing the system board, do not leave the solid-state drive thermal bracket on the system board. Peel the tape off the system board and lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the SSD2 slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the SSD2 slot. 3. Place the solid-state drive thermal-bracket over the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive with the screw hole on the system board. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the solid-state drive thermal bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket off the system board. NOTE: If you are replacing the system board, do not leave the solid-state drive thermal bracket on the system board. Peel the tape off the system board and lift the solid-state drive thermal bracket.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the solid-state drive with the tab on the SSD2 slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the SSD2 slot. 3. Place the solid-state drive thermal-bracket over the solid-state drive. 4. Align the screw hole on the solid-state drive with the screw hole on the system board. 5.
The following image provides a visual representation of the procedure to install the solid-state drive mounting bracket when replacing an M.2 2280 solid-state drive with an M.2 2230 solid-state drive in SSD2 slot. Steps 1. Slide and remove the solid-state drive mounting bracket from the mounting bracket slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2.
Steps 1. Disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the hard-drive assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the hard-drive assembly off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Disconnect the interposer from the hard-drive assembly. 5.
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Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the hard-drive bracket with the screw holes on the hard drive. 2. Replace the four screws (M3x3) that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive. 3. Connect the interposer to the hard drive. 4.
Speakers Removing the speakers Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the speakers and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts and rubber grommets, place the speakers on the slots on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the speaker cable to the system board. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M1.6x4) that secure the rear cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the rear cover to the system board. 3. Push the rear cover away from the system board and lift it off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the rear cover Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Slide the rear cover toward the system board. 2. Align the screw holes on the rear cover with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M1.6x4) that secure the rear cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the rear-cover bracket and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the four screws (M2x5) that secure the rear-cover bracket to the system board. 2.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the rear-cover bracket with the screw holes on the system board. 2. Replace the four screws (M2x5) that secure the rear-cover bracket to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the rear cover. 2.
Steps 1. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the processor fan to the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Disconnect the processor-fan cable from the system board. 3. Lift the processor fan off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the processor fan Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the processor fan with the screw holes on the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Connect the processor-fan cable to the system board. 3. Replace the three screws (M2x4) that secure the processor fan to the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the graphics-card fan to the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Disconnect the graphics-card fan cable from the system board. 3. Lift the graphics-card fan off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the graphics-card fan Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the graphics-card fan with the screw holes on the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the three screws (M2x4) that secure the graphics-card fan to the system board and the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Steps 1. In reverse sequential order (as indicated by the numbers on the heat sink), loosen the eight captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board. 2. Lift the heat sink off the system board. Installing the heat sink Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the heat sink with the screw holes on the system board. 2. In sequential order (as indicated by the numbers on the heat sink), tighten the eight captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board.
Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the fingerprint-reader cable from the I/O board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the I/O cable from the I/O board. 3. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Steps 1. Align the screw hole on the I/O board with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x4) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the I/O-board cable to the I/O board and close the latch to secure the cable. 4.
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M1.6x1.8) that secure the G-key board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the G-key board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the G-key cable from the system board. 4.
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Steps 1. Place the G key into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the G key with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two screws (M1.6x1.8) that secures the G key to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Display assembly Removing the display assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear cover. 4. Remove the rear-cover bracket. About this task The following images indicate the location of the display assembly and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Peel the adhesive off the display cable. 2. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secures the display cable to the system board. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 4. Flip the computer over. 5.
Steps 1. Align the tabs on the hinges with the slots on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly with the screw holes on the right and the left display-assembly hinges. 3.
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Steps 1. Align the screw hole on the power button with fingerprint reader with the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the screw (M1.6x1.8) that secures the power button with fingerprint reader to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Apply sufficient torque when tightening the screw (M2x2.5) to avoid damaging the screw thread.
Removing the power button with fingerprint reader Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the rear cover. 4. Remove the rear-cover bracket. 5. Remove the graphics-card fan. 6. Remove the system board.
3. Lift the power-button bracket off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Remove the screw (M1.6x1.8) that secures the power button with fingerprint reader to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5. Lift the power button with fingerprint reader off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 6.
3. Disconnect the power-adapter port cable from the system board. 4. Lift the power-adapter port, along with its cable, off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the power-adapter port Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power-adapter port and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Light bar Removing the light bar Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 3-cell battery or the 6-cell battery. About this task The following image indicates the location of the light bar and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
5. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the light bar to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 6. Lift the light bar, along with its cable, off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the light bar Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the light bar and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Next steps 1. Install the 3-cell battery or the 6-cell battery. 2. Install the base cover. 3. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. System board Removing the system board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.
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Figure 1. System-board cables 1. Display cable 2. I/O-board cable 3. Touchpad cable 4. Keyboard cable 5. Keyboard-backlight cable 6. Light-bar cable 7. Speaker cable 8. Coin-cell battery cable 9. G-key cable The following images indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the USB Type-C bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the USB Type-C bracket off the system board. 3. Remove the screw (M2x4) that secure the display cable to the system board. 4.
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Figure 2. System-board cables 1. Display cable 2. I/O-board cable 3. Touchpad cable 4. Keyboard cable 5. Keyboard-backlight cable 6. Light-bar cable 7. Speaker cable 8. Coin-cell battery cable 9. G-key cable The following images indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the system board with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the five screws (M2x2) that secure the system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the G-key cable to the system board and close the latch. 4.
Steps 1. Remove the three screws (M2x4) that secure the touchpad bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Lift the touchpad bracket off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 4.
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Steps 1. Slide and insert the touchpad into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Slide the touchpad under the clips so that it is seated firmly in place. 2. Align the screw holes on the touchpad with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Palm-rest and keyboard assembly Removing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 3-cell battery or the 6-cell battery. 4. Remove the coin-cell battery. 5.
Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following images indicate the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation of the keyboard cable.
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Next steps 1. Install the touchpad. 2. Install the key. 3. Install the speakers. 4. Install the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed or installed together with the heat sink attached. 5. Install the board. 6. Install the light bar.
Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ SLN128938. Drivers and downloads...
Steps 1. Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2. During POST, when the DELL logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear, and then press F2 immediately. NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard is initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it, and then press F2.
Depending on this computer and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Table 3. System setup options Overview Dell G7 7700 BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the computer.
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Table 3. System setup options(continued) Overview Intel Hyper-Threading Capable Displays whether the processor is Hyper-Threading (HT) capable. 64-Bit Technology Displays whether 64-bit technology is used. MEMORY Memory Installed Displays the total computer memory installed. Memory Available Displays the total computer memory available. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed.
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Table 4. System setup options—Boot Configuration menu(continued) Boot Configuration Custom Mode Key Management Selects the security key database. By default, PK is selected. Table 5. System setup options—Integrated Devices menu Integrated Devices Date/Time Date Sets the computer date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Changes to the date take effect immediately.
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Sets cooling fan and processor heat management to adjust system performance, noise, and temperature. By default, Optimized is selected. USB Wake Support Wake on Dell USB-C Dock Enables connecting a Dell USB-C Dock to wake the computer from Standby. Default: ON System setup...
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Table 9. System setup options—Power menu(continued) Power Block Sleep Blocks the computer from entering Sleep (S3) mode in the operating system. Default: OFF NOTE: If enabled, the computer will not go to sleep, Intel Rapid Start will be disabled automatically, and the operating system power option will be blank if it was set to Sleep.
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Table 10. System setup options—Security menu(continued) Security Intel Software Guard Extensions Intel SGX Enables or disables the Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) to provide a secured environment for running code/storing sensitive information. By default, Software Control is selected. SMM Security Mitigation SMM Security Mitigation Enables or disables additional UEFI SMM Security Mitigation protections.
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Auto OS Recovery Threshold setup option. Default: ON Dell Auto OS Recovery Threshold Controls the automatic boot flow for SupportAssist System Resolution Console and for Dell operating system Recovery tool. By default, 2 is selected. System setup...
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Table 13. System setup options—System Management menu System Management Service Tag Displays the Service Tag of the computer. Asset Tag Creates a system Asset Tag that can be used by an IT administrator to uniquely identify a particular system. Once set in BIOS, the Asset Tag cannot be changed. AC Behavior Wake on AC Enables the computer to turn on and go to boot when AC power is supplied to the...
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Table 15. System setup options—Pre-Boot Behavior menu(continued) Pre-Boot Behavior Enable Adapter Warnings Enables or disables the computer to display adapter warning messages when adapters with too little power capacity are detected. Default: ON Warnings and Errors Warnings and Errors Selects an action on encountering a warning or error during boot. By default, Prompt on Warnings and Errors is selected.
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Table 17. System setup options—Performance menu(continued) Performance Intel SpeedStep Enable Intel SpeedStep Technology Enables or disables the Intel SpeedStep Technology to dynamically adjust processor voltage and core frequency, decreasing average power consumption and heat production. Default: ON C-States Control Enable C-State Control Enables or disables the CPU's ability to enter and exit low-power states.
System and setup password Table 19. System and setup password Password type Description System password Password that you must enter to log on to your system. Setup password Password that you must enter to access and make changes to the BIOS settings of your computer.
Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task 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.
Troubleshooting SupportAssist diagnostics About this task The SupportAssist diagnostics (previously known as ePSA diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware. The SupportAssist diagnostics is embedded in the BIOS and is launched by it internally. The SupportAssist diagnostics provides a set of options for particular devices or device groups.
Table 20. LED codes(continued) Diagnostic light codes Problem description Memory or RAM (Random-Access Memory) failure Invalid memory installed System-board or chipset error Display failure LCD power rail failure. Coin-cell battery failure PCI, video card/chip failure Recovery image not found Recovery image found but invalid Power-rail failure System BIOS Flash incomplete Management Engine (ME) error...
System board built-in self-test (M-BIST) About this task Steps 1. Press and hold both the M key and the power button to initiate M-BIST. 2. The battery-status light illuminates in amber when there is a failure with the system board. 3.
Display panel built-in self-test (LCD-BIST) About this task Steps 1. Press and hold the D key and then press the power button. 2. Release both the D key and the power button when the computer begins POST. 3. The display panel begins to display a solid color, or cycling through different colors. NOTE: The sequence of colors may very due to different display panel vendor.
Backup media and recovery options It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. Dell proposes multiple options for recovering Windows operating system on your Dell PC. For more information. see Dell Windows Backup Media and Recovery Options.
Steps 1. Turn off your computer. 2. Turn off the modem. 3. Turn off the wireless router. 4. Wait for 30 seconds. 5. Turn on the wireless router. 6. Turn on the modem. 7. Turn on your computer. Flea power release About this task Flea power is the residual static electricity that remains on the computer even after it has been powered off and the battery has been disconnected from the system board.
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 23. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter.