XPS 15 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P56F Regulatory Type: P56F003 November 2020 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. 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. © 2019-2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Before working inside your computer........................................................................... 8 Before you begin .................................................................................................................................................................8 Safety instructions.............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Recommended tools..
Chapter 11: Removing the hard drive........................................................................................... 24 Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................24 Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................
Chapter 23: Removing the heat sink............................................................................................ 42 Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................42 Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................
Chapter 35: Removing the fingerprint reader daughter-board (optional).....................................59 Prerequisites.......................................................................................................................................................................59 Procedure............................................................................................................................................................................
Chapter 47: Downloading drivers................................................................................................. 75 Downloading the audio driver......................................................................................................................................... 75 Downloading the graphics driver................................................................................................................................... 75 Downloading the chipset driver...............
1 Before working inside your computer NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Before you begin 1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications. 2. Shut down your computer. Click Start > Power > Shut down. NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions. 3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets. 4.
Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● ● ● ● Phillips screwdriver #0 Phillips screwdriver #1 Torx #5 (T5) screwdriver Plastic scribe Screw list The following table provides the list of screws that are used for securing different components to the computer. Table 1. Screw list Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Base cover Palm-rest assembly M2x3 T5 10 Base cover Palm-rest assembly M2x8.
Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Power-button module Palm-rest assembly M1.6x3 2 Fingerprint-reader board Palm-rest assembly M1.6x1.5 1 Display hinges Palm-rest assembly M2.5x5 6 Power-adapter port Palm-rest assembly M2x3 1 Antenna module Display assembly M2x4 4 Major components of XPS 15 7590 The following image shows the major components of XPS 15 7590. 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. System board and processor Battery Speakers Touchpad Display assembly Palm-rest assembly Solid-state drive Wireless card Right fan Heat sink Power-button module NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original computer configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options.
2 After working inside your computer CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your computer may severely damage your computer. 1. Replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside your computer. 2. Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer. 3. Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before working on your computer. 4. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets. 5.
3 Removing the base cover NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Close the display, and turn the computer over. 2.
Figure 2. Prying the base cover off the computer base a.
4 Replacing the base cover NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Place the base cover on the palm-rest assembly and snap it into place. 2.
5 Removing the battery (half-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries.
Figure 3. Removing the battery 1. battery cable 3. battery 2. screws (4) 4. palm-rest assembly 4. Turn the computer over, open the display, and press the power button for five seconds to ground the system board.
6 Replacing the battery (half-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries.
7 Removing the battery (full-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries.
Figure 4. Removing the battery 1. palm-rest assembly 3. screws (7) 2. battery cable 4. battery 4. Turn the computer over, open the display, and press the power button for five seconds to ground the system board.
8 Replacing the battery (full-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Lithium-ion battery precautions CAUTION: ● Exercise caution when handling Lithium-ion batteries.
9 Removing the memory modules NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length).
10 Replacing the memory modules NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory-module slot. 2.
11 Removing the hard drive NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
4. Lift the hard-drive assembly off the palm-rest assembly. Figure 8. Disconnecting the hard-drive cable from the system board a. pull tab b. hard-drive cable c. hard-drive assembly 5. Disconnect the hard-drive interposer from the hard-drive assembly. Figure 9. Disconnecting the hard-drive interposer from the hard-drive assembly a. hard-drive assembly b. hard-drive interposer 6. Remove the hard-drive covers away from the hard drive.
Figure 10. Removing the hard-drive cover a. hard-drive covers (2) b.
12 Replacing the hard drive NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Hard drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.
13 Removing the solid-state drive (half-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2.
Figure 12. Removing the solid-state drive bracket a. solid-state drive bracket b. screw c. solid-state drive 4. Lift the solid-state drive off the solid-state drive bracket.
14 Replacing the solid-state drive (half-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1.
15 Removing the solid-state drive (full-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2.
Figure 14. Removing the thermal pad a. thermal pad b.
16 Replacing the solid-state drive (full-length) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Adhere the thermal pad to the solid-state drive. 2.
17 Removing the speakers NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length).
18 Replacing the speakers NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Using the alignment posts, place the speakers on the palm-rest assembly. 2.
19 Removing the wireless card NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length).
20 Replacing the wireless card NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure CAUTION: To avoid damage to the wireless card, do not place any cables under it. 1.
Post-requisites 1. Replace the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length). 2. Replace the base cover.
21 Removing the fans NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length).
5. screws (2) 7. Remove the two screws (M2x4) that secure the display-cable bracket to the system-board assembly. Figure 19. Removing the display-cable bracket a. display-cable bracket b. screws (2) 8. Disconnect the display cable from the system-board assembly. 9. Note the routing of the display cable and remove the cable from the routing guides on the left fan. 10. Peel off the tape that secures the display cable to the system-board assembly. 11.
22 Replacing the fans NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Align and place the left fan on the palm-rest assembly. 2.
23 Removing the heat sink NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation.
24 Replacing the heat sink NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Incorrect alignment of the heat sink can damage the system board and processor.
25 Removing the system-board assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
Figure 22. Disconnecting the cables 1. 3. 5. 7. 9. touchpad cable power-adapter port cable fingerprint reader cable (optional) tape tape 2. 4. 6. 8. keyboard control-board cable speaker cable tape touch-screen cable (optional) 7. Remove the four screws (M2x4) that secure the system-board assembly to the palm-rest assembly. 8. Lift the system-board assembly off the palm-rest assembly. CAUTION: Do not hold the system board on the area of heat transfer and circuitry. Figure 23.
26 Replacing the system-board assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board.
1. Align the screw holes on the system-board assembly with the screw holes on the palm-rest assembly. 2. Replace the four screws (M2x4) that secure the system-board assembly to the palm-rest assembly. 3. Adhere the tape and then connect the touch-screen cable to the system-board assembly if applicable. 4. Adhere the tape that secures the touch-screen cable to the system-board assembly if applicable. 5.
27 Removing the audio daughter-board NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2.
b.
28 Replacing the audio daughter-board NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1.
29 Removing the coin-cell battery NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cell battery resets the BIOS setup program’s settings to default.
c.
30 Replacing the coin-cell battery NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Adhere the coin-cell battery to the system board. 2.
31 Removing the keyboard NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length). 3.
NOTE: All new keyboards will be shipped with the Mylar. Do not peel off the Mylar. Figure 27. Disconnecting the keyboard and keyboard-backlight cable 1. Mylar 3. latches (2) 2. keyboard cable 4. keyboard-backlight cable 5. Remove the 31 screws (M1.6x1.5) that secure the keyboard to the palm-rest assembly. 6. Lift the keyboard off the palm-rest assembly. Figure 28. Removing the screws from the keyboard a. screws (31) b. keyboard c.
32 Replacing the keyboard NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Place the keyboard on the palm-rest assembly 2.
33 Removing the power-button module NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: The fingerprint reader is available depending on the configuration ordered. 1.
34 Replacing the power-button module NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Align and place the power-button module on the palm-rest assembly. 2.
35 Removing the fingerprint reader daughterboard (optional) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
1. screw 3. fingerprint-reader board (optional) 5. power-button module 60 2. tape 4.
36 Replacing the fingerprint reader daughter board (optional) NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1.
37 Removing the display assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2.
7. Turn the computer over and open the display at an angle of 90 degrees. 8. Rotate the computer and place it on the edge of the table in a position that allows access to the screws on the display hinges. 9. Remove the six screws (M2.5x5) that secure the display hinges to the palm-rest assembly. 10. Carefully lift the display assembly from the palm-rest assembly. Figure 30. Removing the screws that secure the display hinges to palm-rest assembly 1. palm-rest assembly 3. display hinges (2) 2. screws (6) 4.
38 Replacing the display assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1.
39 Removing the power-adapter port NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2.
40 Replacing the power-adapter port NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Place the power-adapter port into the slot on the palm-rest assembly. 2.
41 Removing the antenna cover NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites 1. Remove the base cover. 2. Remove the battery (half-length) or the battery (full-length).
Figure 34. Removing the antenna cover a. display assembly b.
42 Replacing the antenna cover NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1.
43 Removing the antenna module NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Prerequisites NOTE: These instructions are applicable only for laptops with a non-touchscreen display. 1.
44 Replacing the antenna module NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure 1. Align the screw holes on the antenna module with the screw holes on the display assembly.
45 Removing the palm-rest assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance.
Figure 36. Removing the palm-rest assembly 1.
46 Replacing the palm-rest assembly NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer. After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your computer. For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/ regulatory_compliance. Procedure Place the palm-rest assembly on a clean and flat surface. Post-requisites 1.
47 Downloading drivers Downloading the audio driver 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Go to www.dell.com/support. 3. Enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the autodetect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4. Click Drivers & downloads. 5. Click the Detect Drivers button. 6. Review and agree to the Terms and Conditions to use SupportAssist, then click Continue. 7.
5. Click the Detect Drivers button. 6. Review and agree to the Terms and Conditions to use SupportAssist, then click Continue. 7. If necessary, your computer starts to download and install SupportAssist. NOTE: Review on-screen instructions for browser-specific instructions. 8. Click View Drivers for My System. 9. Click Download and Install to download and install all driver updates detected for your computer. 10. Select a location to save the files. 11.
17. Double-click the chipset driver file icon and follow the instructions on the screen to install the driver. Downloading the USB driver 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Go to www.dell.com/support. 3. Enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the autodetect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4. Click Drivers & downloads. 5. Click the Detect Drivers button. 6.
8. Click View Drivers for My System. 9. Click Download and Install to download and install all driver updates detected for your computer. 10. Select a location to save the files. 11. If prompted, approve requests from User Account Control to make changes on the system. 12. The application installs all drivers and updates identified. NOTE: Not all files can be installed automatically. Review the installation summary to identify if manual installation is necessary. 13.
Table 6. Network driver before and after installation Before installation After installation Downloading the fingerprint reader driver 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Go to www.dell.com/support. 3. Enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the auto detect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4. Click Drivers & downloads. 5. Click the Detect Drivers button. 6.
48 System setup NOTE: Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed. Boot Sequence Boot sequence enables you to bypass the System Setup–defined boot device order and boot directly to a specific device (for example: optical drive or hard drive). During the Power-on Self-Test (POST), when the Dell logo appears, you can: ● Access System Setup by pressing F2 key ● Bring up the one-time boot menu by pressing F12 key.
● Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM and the size of the hard drive. ● Change the system configuration information. ● Set or change a user-selectable option, such as the user password, type of hard drive installed, and enabling or disabling base devices. Entering BIOS setup program 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.
Table 7. System setup options—System information menu (continued) General-System Information Ownership Date Displays the ownership date of the computer. Express Service Code Displays the express service code of the computer. Memory Information Memory Installed Displays the total computer memory installed. Memory Available Displays the total computer memory available. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed. Memory Channel Mode Displays single or dual channel mode.
Table 7. System setup options—System information menu (continued) General-System Information Enable Legacy Option ROMs Enable or disable legacy option ROMs. Enable Attempt Legacy Boot Enable or disable attempts to legacy boot when the computer fails to boot in UEFI boot mode. Enable UEFI Network Stack Enable or disable the UEFI network stack. UEFI Boot Path Security Enables or disables prompts for the administrator password when booting from UEFI.
Table 10. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security Password Configuration Control the minimum and maximum number of characters allowed for administrator and system passwords. Password Bypass Bypass system (boot) password and internal hard disk password prompts during a system restart. Password Change Enable or disable changes to the system and hard disk passwords when an administrator password is set.
Table 12. System setup options—Intel Software Guard Extensions menu (continued) Intel Software Guard Extensions Default: Enabled. Power Management AC Behavior Enables the system to power-on automatically, when an AC power adaptor is connected. Auto on Time Enable to set the computer to turn on automatically every day or on a preselected date and time. This option can be configured only if the Auto On Time is set to everyday, weekdays, or selected days. Default: Disabled.
Table 14. System setup options—Virtualization support menu (continued) Virtualization Support VT for Direct I/O Specify whether a Virtual Machine Monitor can utilize the additional hardware capabilities provided by Intel Virtualization Technology for Direct I/O. Table 15. System setup options—Wireless menu Wireless Wireless Switch Determine which wireless devices can be controlled by the wireless switch. Wireless Device Enable Enable or disable internal wireless devices. Table 16.
49 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. You can create a system password and a setup password to secure your computer. CAUTION: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your computer.
4. Select Setup Password, alter or delete the existing setup password and press Enter or Tab. NOTE: If you change the System and/or Setup password, re enter the new password when prompted. If you delete the System and Setup password, confirm the deletion when prompted. 5. Press Esc and a message prompts you to save the changes. 6. Press Y to save the changes and exit from System Setup. The computer restarts.
50 Troubleshooting Flashing the BIOS You may need to flash (update) the BIOS when an update is available or when you replace the system board. Follow these steps to flash the BIOS: 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Go to www.dell.com/support. 3. Click Product support, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Submit. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the auto-detect feature or manually browse for your computer model. 4. Click Drivers & downloads > Find it myself. 5.
Fixing a no-boot issue caused by USB-boot support Sometimes the computer does not boot to the operating system when USB devices are connected to the computer during startup. This behavior occurs because the computer is looking for bootable files in connected USB devices. Either disconnect USB devices before booting or follow these steps to fix the no-boot issue. 1. Turn on or restart your computer. 2. Press F2 when the Dell logo is displayed on the screen to enter the BIOS setup program.
Table 20. Diagnostics Light Pattern Problem description 2,1 CPU failure 2,2 System board: BIOS and ROM failure 2,3 No memory or RAM detected 2,4 Memory or RAM failure 2,5 Invalid memory installed 2,6 System board or chipset error 2,7 LCD failure 3,1 CMOS battery failure 3,2 PCI/video card failure 3,3 Recovery image not found 3,4 Recovery image found but invalid The computer may emit a series of beeps during start-up if the errors or problems cannot be displayed.
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.
51 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 21. 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. Online help for operating system www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.