Dell Vostro 3901 Owner's Manual Regulatory Model: D17M Regulatory Type: D17M002
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. Copyright © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents 1 Working on Your Computer................................................................................... 5 Before Working Inside Your Computer................................................................................................ 5 Turning Off Your Computer..................................................................................................................6 After Working Inside Your Computer..................................................................................
Installing the System Fan.................................................................................................................... 24 Removing the System Board.............................................................................................................. 24 Installing the System Board................................................................................................................ 25 System Board Components..............................................................
Working on Your Computer 1 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.
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.
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.
Removing and Installing Components 2 This section provides detailed information on how to remove or install the components from your computer. Recommended Tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Small flat-blade screwdriver • Phillips screwdriver • Small plastic scribe System Overview Inside view 1. Power Supply Unit (PSU) 2.
3. 5. 7. 9. 11. optical drive I/O board hard drive VGA card heatsink 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. card reader power-switch board coin-cell battery expansion card system fan Removing the Cover 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Follow the steps 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.
3. Follow the steps 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. 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 until the tabs snap in to place. 4. Install the cover. 5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
3. Push the coin-cell release latch and pull the coin-cell battery to remove it from the computer. Installing the Coin-Cell Battery 1. Place the coin-cell battery on the system board until it snaps in place. 2. Install the cover. 3. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Hard Drive 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2.
3. Follow the steps to remove the SATA cable and the power cable: a) Disconnect the SATA cable and power cable from the hard drive [1] [2]. b) Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket [3] and lift it upwards to remove it from the computer [4]. 4. Follow the steps 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.
Removing the Optical Drive 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: – cover 3. – bezel Follow the steps 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.
3. a) b) c) d) e) Disconnect the card reader power cable from the system board [1]. Un-thread the power cable from the metal clip [2]. Remove the screws that secure the card reader to the chassis [3]. Push the card reader towards the front of the computer [4]. Remove the card reader from the computer. Installing the Card Reader 1. Push the card reader into the computer until it snaps into place. 2. Install the screws that secure the card reader to the chassis. 3.
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. 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.
3. Follow the steps to remove the processor heatsink: a) Disconnect the heatsink cable from the system board. b) Loosen the captive screws that secure the heatsink to the system board. c) Lift the heatsink upward and remove it from the computer. Installing the Heatsink 1. Place the heatsink on the processor. 2. Tighten the captive screws that secure the heatsink to the system board. 3. Connect the heatsink cable to the system board. 4. Install the cover. 5.
4. Raise the processor cover and lift 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 5. – cover Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Expansion Card(s) 1.
3. Follow the steps to remove the expansion card: a) b) c) d) Press the blue tab and slide down the release lever that secures the expansion card [1] [2]. Press on the retaining tab to release the expansion card from its connector [3]. Lift the expansion card up out of its connector and remove it from the computer [4]. Repeat the same sequence of steps to remove any additional expansion card installed. Installing the Expansion Card(s) 1. Place the expansion card in its connector. 2.
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] 4. Follow the steps below to remove the power supply unit: a) Remove the screws that secure the power supply to the computer. b) Push-in on the blue release tab beside the power supply [1]. c) Slide the power supply unit towards the back and remove it from the computer. Installing the Power Supply Unit (PSU) 1.
Removing the Power Switch 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: – cover 3. – bezel Follow the steps 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.
3. Follow the steps 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 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. Installing the Input/Output (I/O) Panel 1. Slide the I/O panel into its slot on the computer. 2.
Removing the Wireless Device 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Follow the procedures to remove the wireless device from the computer: a) Remove the screws that secure the wireless-device cable from the computer. b) Disconnect the wireless-device cable from its connector and remove it from the computer. 3. Press the blue tab [1] and slide down the release-lever that secures the wireless LAN card [2]. 4. Pull the wireless LAN card to remove from the computer [3].
Removing the System Fan 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the cover. 3. Follow the steps to remove the system fan: a) Disconnect the fan cable from the system board. b) Remove the screws that secure the system fan to the computer. c) Push the system fan inwards and remove it from the computer. Installing the System Fan 1. Place the fan on the computer. 2. Replace the screws to secure the fan to the computer. 3. Connect the fan cable to the system board.
3. Follow the steps to remove the system board: a) b) c) d) Disconnect and un-thread all the cables connected to the system board. Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer. Slide the system board towards the front of the computer and tilt to a 45–degree angle. Lift and remove the system board out of the computer. Installing the System Board 1. Place the system board into the computer at a 45–degree angle and then slide it towards the back of the computer. 2.
1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 11. 13. 15. 17. 26 PCIe x1 connector PCIe x1 connector P2 power connector CPU fan connector P1 power connector real-time clock reset jumper card reader connector SATA connectors SATA connectors 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18.
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3 You can troubleshoot your computer using indicators like Diagnostic Lights, Beep Codes, and Error Messages during the operation of the computer. Diagnostic Power LED Codes Power LED Light Status Possible Cause Troubleshooting Steps Off The computer is either turned off • or is not receiving power or in Hibernation mode. • • Steady / Blinking Amber Computer fails to complete POST or processor failure. • • • Blinking White Light Computer is in sleep mode.
Power LED Light Status Possible Cause Troubleshooting Steps • • Ensure the display is connected and turned on. If the display is connected and turned on, listen for a beep code. Diagnostic Error Messages Error Messages Description AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE The touchpad or external mouse may be faulty. For an external mouse, check the cable connection. Enable the Pointing Device option in the system setup program.
Error Messages Description GATE A20 FAILURE A memory module may be loose. Reinstall the memory modules or, if necessary, replace them. GENERAL FAILURE The operating system is unable to carry out the command. The message is usually followed by specific information. For example, Printer out of paper. Take the appropriate action. HARD-DISK DRIVE CONFIGURATION ERROR The computer cannot identify the drive type. Shut down the computer, remove the hard drive, and boot the computer from an optical drive.
Error Messages Description KEYBOARD CLOCK LINE FAILURE For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Run the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics. KEYBOARD CONTROLLER FAILURE For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Restart the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or the mouse during the boot routine. Run the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics. KEYBOARD DATA LINE FAILURE For external keyboards, check the cable connection.
Error Messages Description NO TIMER TICK INTERRUPT A chip on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in theDell Diagnostics. NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. EXIT SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY AGAIN You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND Reinstall the hard drive. If the problem persists, contact Dell. OPTIONAL ROM BAD CHECKSUM The optional ROM has failed. Contact Dell.
Error Messages Description X:\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY Insert a disk into the drive and try again. System Error Messages System Message Description Alert! Previous attempts at booting this system The computer failed to complete the boot routine have failed at checkpoint [nnnn]. For help in three consecutive times for the same error.
System Setup Options 4 Main System Information BIOS Revision Displays the BIOS revision. BIOS Build Date Displays the date the system BIOS was built. System Name Displays the model name of the system. System Time Resets the time on the computer's internal clock. System Date Resets the date on the computer's internal calendar. Service Tag Displays the service tag of your computer. Asset Tag Displays the asset tag of your computer (if available).
Advanced Processor Configuration AMD Cool ‘N’ Quiet Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Cool ‘N’ Quiet mode in the installed processor in the system. Default: Enabled Secure Virtual Machine Mode Allows you to enable or disable AMD Secure Virtual Machine Mode (SVM). Default: Enabled Allows you to enable or disable the Front USB Ports. Default: Enabled Allows you to enable or disable the Rear USB Ports.
4th Boot Device Allows you to enable or disable the boot device. 5th Boot Device Allows you to enable or disable the boot device. Hard Disk Drivers Displays information about hard-disk drivers. CD/DVD ROM Drivers Displays information about CD/DVD ROM drivers. Network Drivers Displays information about network drives. Power Wake up by Integrated LAN/WLAN Allows you to enable or disable Wake up by Integrated LAN/WLAN AC Recovery Specifies the AC recovery mode.
Before you use System Setup, it is recommended that you write down the System Setup screen information for future reference. CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can cause your computer to work incorrectly. Enter System Setup 1. Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2. After the white Dell logo appears, press or immediately. The System Setup page displays.
5 Specifications NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. The following specifications are only those required by law to ship with your computer. For more information about the configuration of your computer, go to Help and Support in your Windows operating system and select the option to view information about your computer.
System Information Chipset AMD A78 BIOS chip (NVRAM) 4 MB SPI Flash ROM Expansion Bus Bus speed: PCI Express PCIe 2.0 at speeds upto 5.0 GT/s SATA SATA Gen 3 at 6 Gb/s USB speed: USB 2.0 480 Mb/s USB 3.0 5 Gb/s Cards PCIe x16 one full-height card PCIe x1 up to three full-height cards Drives Externally accessible: 5.25-inch drive bays one Internally accessible: 3.
Control Lights And Diagnostic Lights power button light white light — solid white light indicates power-on state. blinking white light — solid white light indicates sleep state of the computer; steady / blinking amber light indicates a problem with the system board. drive activity light white light — blinking white light indicates that the computer is reading data from, or writing data to the hard drive.
Contacting Dell 6 NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1. Visit dell.com/support 2. Select your support category. 3.
