Dell Vostro V 3900 User manual

Dell Vostro V 3900 Mini-Tower
Owner's Manual
Regulatory Model: D17M
Regulatory Type: D17M001

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you
how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
©2013 Dell Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, Dell Precision™, Precision ON™,ExpressCharge™, Latitude™,
Latitude ON™, OptiPlex™, Venue™, Vostro™, and Wi-Fi Catcher™are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel®, Pentium®, Xeon®,
Core™, Atom™, Centrino®, and Celeron®are registered trademarks or trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and
other countries. AMD®is a registered trademark and AMD Opteron™, AMD Phenom™, AMD Sempron™,
AMD Athlon™, ATI Radeon™, and ATI FirePro™are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft®,
Windows®, MS-DOS®, Windows Vista®, the Windows Vista start button, and Office Outlook®are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Blu-ray Disc™is a
trademark owned by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and licensed for use on discs and players. The Bluetooth®
word mark is a registered trademark and owned by the Bluetooth®SIG, Inc. and any use of such mark by Dell Inc. is
under license. Wi-Fi®is a registered trademark of Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, Inc.
2013 - 12
Rev. A00

Contents
1 Working on Your Computer.................................................................................5
Before Working Inside Your Computer.............................................................................................5
Recommended Tools........................................................................................................................6
Turning Off Your Computer..............................................................................................................6
After Working Inside Your Computer................................................................................................7
2 Removing and Installing Components..............................................................9
System Overview...............................................................................................................................9
Inside view .................................................................................................................................. 9
Removing The Cover.......................................................................................................................10
Installing The Cover...................................................................................................................10
Removing The Bezel........................................................................................................................10
Installing The Bezel.................................................................................................................... 11
Removing The Hard Drive................................................................................................................11
Installing The Hard Drive........................................................................................................... 12
Removing The Optical Drive........................................................................................................... 13
Installing The Optical Drive....................................................................................................... 13
Removing The Card Reader............................................................................................................ 13
Installing The Card Reader........................................................................................................ 14
Removing The Memory...................................................................................................................14
Installing The Memory............................................................................................................... 15
Removing The Heatsink.................................................................................................................. 15
Installing The Processor Heatsink............................................................................................. 16
Removing The Processor................................................................................................................ 16
Installing The Processor............................................................................................................ 16
Removing The Expansion Cards......................................................................................................17
Installing The Expansion Card(s)................................................................................................17
Removing The Power Supply Unit (PSU).........................................................................................17
Installing The Power Supply Unit (PSU).....................................................................................19
Removing The Power Switch.......................................................................................................... 19
Installing The Power Switch...................................................................................................... 19
Removing The Input/Output (I/O) Panel........................................................................................20
Installing The Input/Output (I/O) Panel.................................................................................... 21
Removing The System Fan.............................................................................................................. 21
Installing The System Fan.......................................................................................................... 21
Removing The System Board.......................................................................................................... 21
Installing The System Board......................................................................................................22
System Board Components............................................................................................................ 23

3 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................. 25
Diagnostic Power LED Codes......................................................................................................... 25
Diagnostic Error Messages..............................................................................................................26
System Error Messages................................................................................................................... 30
4 System Setup........................................................................................................ 33
System Setup Overview.................................................................................................................. 33
Enter System Setup......................................................................................................................... 33
System Setup Options.....................................................................................................................33
Main........................................................................................................................................... 33
Advanced...................................................................................................................................34
Boot........................................................................................................................................... 35
Power.........................................................................................................................................36
Security......................................................................................................................................36
Exit............................................................................................................................................. 36
5 Specifications........................................................................................................37
6 Contacting Dell.................................................................................................... 41
Contacting Dell............................................................................................................................... 41

1
Working on Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to
ensure your personal safety. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure included in this document
assumes that the following conditions exist:
• You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
• A component can be replaced or--if purchased separately--installed by performing the removal
procedure in reverse order.
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with
your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance
Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only
perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as
directed by the online or telephone service and support team. 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.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or
by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface, such as a connector on the back of the
computer.
CAUTION: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on
a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a
processor by its edges, not by its pins.
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; if you are disconnecting this type of cable,
press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep
them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable,
ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in
this document.
To avoid damaging your computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the
computer.
1. Ensure that your work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being
scratched.
2. Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer).
CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and
then unplug the cable from the network device.
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3. Disconnect all network cables from the computer.
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
5. Press and hold the power button while the computer is unplugged to ground the system board.
6. Remove the cover.
CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an
unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work,
periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could harm
internal components.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Small plastic scribe
Turning Off Your Computer
CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you
turn off your computer.
1. Shut down the operating system:
– In Windows 8:
* Using a touch-enabled device:
a. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, opening the Charms menu and select
Settings.
b. Select the and then select Shut down
* Using a mouse:
a. Point to upper-right corner of the screen and click Settings.
b. Click the and select Shut down.
– In Windows 7:
1. Click Start .
2. Click Shut Down.
or
1. Click Start .
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2. Click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click
Shut Down..
2. Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached
devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold
the power button for about 6 seconds to turn them off.
After Working Inside Your Computer
After you complete any replacement procedure, ensure you connect any external devices, cards, and
cables before turning on your computer.
1. Replace the cover.
CAUTION: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then
plug it into the computer.
2. Connect any telephone or network cables to your computer.
3. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
4. Turn on your computer.
5. If required, verify that the computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
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8

2
Removing and Installing Components
This section provides detailed information on how to remove or install the components from your
computer.
System Overview
Inside view
1. power supply unit (PSU)
2. optical drive
3. card reader
4. Front USB ports
5. power switch
6. hard drive
7. system board
8. memory module
9. expansion card
10. heatsink fan
11. system fan
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Removing The Cover
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Follow the steps below to remove the cover:
a) Remove the screws that secure the cover to the computer.
b) Slide the computer cover towards the back of the computer [1].
c) Lift and remove the cover from the computer [2].
Installing The Cover
1. Place the cover on the chassis.
2. Replace the screws to secure the cover to the computer.
3. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Bezel
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the cover.
3. Follow the steps below to remove the bezel :
a) Pry the front panel retention clips away from the chassis.
b) Release the hooks on the opposite edge of the bezel from the chassis.
c) Remove the bezel from the computer.
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Installing The Bezel
1. Place the hooks on the notches in the computer.
2. Rotate the front bezel towards the computer.
3. Press the front bezel till the tabs snap in to place.
4. Install the cover.
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Hard Drive
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the SATA cable and the power cable:
a) Disconnect the SATA cable and power cable from the hard drive.
b) Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket and lift it upwards to remove it from the
computer.
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4. Follow the steps below to remove the hard-drive bracket.
a) Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket.
b) Lift and remove the hard drive from the hard-drive bracket.
Installing The Hard Drive
1. Replace the hard drive into the hard-drive bracket.
2. Install the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket.
3. Install the hard drive into its slot in the computer..
4. Install the screws that secure the hard drive to the computer.
5. Connect the SATA cable and the power cable to the hard drive.
6. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
7. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
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Removing The Optical Drive
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the optical drive:
a) Disconnect the data cable [1] and power cable [2] from the optical drive.
b) Remove the screws that secure the optical drive and then push the optical drive towards the
front of the computer.
c) Remove the optical drive from the computer [3].
Installing The Optical Drive
1. Push the optical drive into the computer till it snaps into place.
2. Install the screws that secure the optical drive.
3. Connect the data cable and power cable to the optical drive.
4. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Card Reader
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
– cover
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– bezel
3. a) Disconnect the card reader power cable from the system board [1].
b) Un-thread the power cable from the metal clip [2].
c) Remove the screws that secure the card reader to the chassis.
d) Push the card reader towards the front of the computer [3].
e) Remove the card reader from the computer.
Installing The Card Reader
1. Push the card reader into the computer till it snaps into place.
2. Install the screws that secure the card reader to the chassis.
3. Thread the card reader power cable through the metal clip.
4. Connect the card reader power cable to the system board.
5. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
6. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Memory
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Press down on the memory retaining tabs on each side of the memory modules and lift the
memory module upwards to remove it from the computer.
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Figure 1.
Installing The Memory
1. Align the notch on the memory-card with the tab in the system-board connector.
2. Insert the memory module into the memory socket.
3. Press down on the memory module until the securing clips secure the memory in place.
4. Install the cover.
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Heatsink
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the processor heat sink:
a) Disconnect the heatsink and fan assembly cable from the system board.
b) Loosen the captive-screws that secure the heatsink and fan assembly to the system board.
c) Lift the heatsink and fan assembly upward and remove it from the computer.
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Installing The Processor Heatsink
1. Place the heat sink and fan assembly on the processor.
2. Tighten the captive-screws that secure the heat sink and fan assembly to the system board.
3. Connect the heat sink and fan assembly cable to the system board.
4. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Processor
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
– optical drive
– hard drive
– heatsink
3. Push the processor release lever down and then press it outward to release it from the retention
hook that secures it.
4. Raise the processor cover and lift up the processor to remove it from the computer.
Installing The Processor
1. Install the processor into the socket.
2. Press down the processor cover to secure it inside the socket.
3. Push the release lever down and then press it inward to hold the retention hook that secures it.
4. Install the:
– heatsink
– hard drive
– optical drive
– bezel
– cover
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5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Expansion Cards
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the expansion cards:
a) Pull up the release tab on the card-retention latch [1].
b) Press on the release-lever to release the securing tab from the notch in the card [2].
c) Lift the expansion card up and out of it's connector and remove it from the computer [3].
d) Repeat the same sequence of steps to remove any additional expansion cards installed.
Installing The Expansion Card(s)
1. Place the expansion card on it's connector.
2. Secure the expansion card by pushing the card-retention latch till it snaps into place.
3. Repeat the above sequence of steps to install any additional expansion cards.
4. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Power Supply Unit (PSU)
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
17

– cover
– bezel
3. Disconnect the following power supply cables from the system board by pressing on the retention
latch and lifting it upwards.
– system board power cable [1]
– system fan power cable [2]
a) Remove the screws that secure the power supply to the computer.
4. Follow the steps below to remove the power supply unit:
a) Push-in on the blue release tab beside the power supply [1].
b) Slide the power supply unit towards the back and remove it from the computer.
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Installing The Power Supply Unit (PSU)
1. Slide the PSU towards the back of the computer till it snaps into place.
2. Replace the screws to secure the power supply unit to the computer.
3. Connect the power cables to the system board.
4. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Power Switch
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the power switch:
a) Disconnect the power-switch cable from the system board [1].
b) Un-thread the power-switch cable from the metal retention clip [2].
c) Remove the power button by pressing on the two latches and pulling it out from the slot [3,4].
Installing The Power Switch
1. Insert the power-switch cable through the front of the computer.
2. Push the power button into it's slot and press it in, till it snaps into place.
3. Route the power-switch cable through the metal clip.
4. Connect the power-switch cable to the system board.
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5. Install the:
– bezel
– cover
6. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer .
Removing The Input/Output (I/O) Panel
1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer .
2. Remove the:
– cover
– bezel
3. Follow the steps below to remove the I/O panel cables:
a) Disconnect the I/O panel and FlyWire cables from the system board [1,3].
b) Un-thread the cables from the metal retention clips [2,4].
4. Follow the steps below to remove the I/O panel:
a) Remove the screw that secures the I/O panel to the computer.
b) Slide the I/O panel outwards and remove it from the computer.
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