Dell Inspiron 3521 User manual

Dell Inspiron 3521/5521
Owner’s Manual
Computer model: Inspiron 3521/5521
Regulatory model: P28F
Regulatory type: P28F001
OM_Book.book Page 1 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better
use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of
data if instructions are not followed.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a 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 SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
2012 - 11 Rev. A00
OM_Book.book Page 2 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Contents | 3
Contents
1 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices . . . 7
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recommended Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2 After Working Inside Your Computer. . . . . . . . 9
3 Removing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4 Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 Assembly. . . . . . . . 25
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
OM_Book.book Page 3 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

4| Contents
11 Removing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
12 Replacing the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
13 Removing the Palm-Rest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
14 Replacing the Palm-Rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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
Entering the Service Tag in system setup . . . . . . . . 49
OM_Book.book Page 4 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Contents | 5
21 Removing the Coin-Cell Battery. . . . . . . . . . . 51
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
22 Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
23 Removing the Heat-Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
24 Replacing 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
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
OM_Book.book Page 5 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

6| Contents
31 Removing the Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
32 Replacing the Display Bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Postrequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
33 Removing the Display Hinges . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
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
OM_Book.book Page 6 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Before You Begin | 7
Before You Begin
Turn Off Your Computer and Connected Devices
CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open
programs before you turn off your computer.
1Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
2Follow the instructions to shut down your computer based on the operating system
installed on your computer.
•Windows 8:
Move your mouse pointer to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to
open the Charms sidebar, and then click Settings→Power→Shutdown.
•Windows 7:
Click Start and click Shut down.
Microsoft Windows shuts down and then the computer turns off.
NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation
of your operating system for shut-down instructions.
3Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.
4Disconnect all telephone cables, network cables, and attached devices from your
computer.
5Press 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 your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices
information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at
dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the computer cover or
panels. After you finish working inside the computer, replace all covers, panels,
and screws before connecting to the power source.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, ensure that the work surface is flat
and clean.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards, handle them by their
edges and avoid touching pins and contacts.
OM_Book.book Page 7 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

8| Before You Begin
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician is authorized to remove the
computer cover and access any of the components inside the computer. See the
safety instructions for complete information about safety precautions, working
inside your computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
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.
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 ports
are correctly oriented and aligned.
CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.
CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-card reader.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
•Phillips screwdriver
•Plastic scribe
OM_Book.book Page 8 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

After Working Inside Your Computer | 9
After Working Inside Your Computer
After you complete the replacement procedures, ensure the following:
•Replace all screws and ensure that no stray 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.
OM_Book.book Page 9 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

10 | After Working Inside Your Computer
OM_Book.book Page 10 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Removing the Battery | 11
Removing the Battery
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on
page 7. After working 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
1Close the display and turn the computer over.
2Slide the battery latches on each end of the battery bay to the unlock position. You
will hear a click when the battery is unlocked.
3Lift and remove the battery off the computer base to disconnect it from
the computer.
1 battery latches (2) 2 battery
2
1
OM_Book.book Page 11 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

12 | Removing the Battery
OM_Book.book Page 12 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Replacing the Battery | 13
Replacing the Battery
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on
page 7. After working 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
1Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9.
OM_Book.book Page 13 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

14 | Replacing the Battery
OM_Book.book Page 14 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Removing the Memory Module(s) | 15
Removing the Memory Module(s)
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on
page 7. After working 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.
Prerequisites
1Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 11.
Procedure
1Loosen the captive screw that secures the memory-module cover to
the computer base.
2Using your fingertips, lift the memory-module cover out of the slots on the
computer base.
1 captive screw 2 memory-module cover
2
1
OM_Book.book Page 15 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

16 | Removing the Memory Module(s)
3Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end of the
memory-module connector until the memory module pops up.
4Remove the memory module from the memory-module connector.
1 securing clips (2) 2 memory-module connector
3memorymodule
1
3
2
OM_Book.book Page 16 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Replacing the Memory Module(s) | 17
Replacing the Memory Module(s)
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on
page 7. After working 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
1Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the
memory-module connector.
2Slide 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.
3Slide the tabs on the memory-module cover into the slots on the computer base
and snap the memory-module cover into place.
4Tighten the captive screw that secures the memory-module cover to
the computer base.
Postrequisites
1Replace the battery. See "Replacing the Battery" on page 13.
2Follow the instructions in "After Working Inside Your Computer" on page 9.
OM_Book.book Page 17 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

18 | Replacing the Memory Module(s)
OM_Book.book Page 18 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

Removing the Optical-Drive Assembly | 19
Removing the Optical-Drive Assembly
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information
that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in "Before You Begin" on
page 7. After working 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.
Prerequisites
1Remove the battery. See "Removing the Battery" on page 11.
Procedure
1Remove the screw that secures the optical-drive assembly to the computer base.
2Using your fingertips, slide the optical-drive assembly out of the optical-drive bay.
1 optical-drive assembly 2 screw
1
2
OM_Book.book Page 19 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM

20 | Removing the Optical-Drive Assembly
3Remove the screws that secure the optical-drive bracket to
the optical-drive assembly.
4Remove the optical-drive bracket from the optical-drive assembly.
5Carefully 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
OM_Book.book Page 20 Tuesday, November 20, 2012 12:43 PM