Transporting sensitive components..........................8 After working inside your computer..........................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components................9 Recommended tools................................9 Screw list....................................9 Major components of Inspiron 3502..........................10 Base cover................................... 12 Removing the base cover............................12 Installing the base cover.............................14 Solid-state drive................................. 16 Removing the M.2 2230 solid-state drive......................16...
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Installing the heat sink..............................36 Power button with optional fingerprint reader......................37 Removing the power-button with optional fingerprint reader................37 Installing the power-button with optional fingerprint reader................38 Fingerprint-reader board..............................39 Removing the fingerprint-reader board......................... 39 Installing the fingerprint-reader board........................39 Display assembly................................40 Removing the display assembly..........................
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Updating the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu..................72 Chapter 5: Troubleshooting......................73 Handling swollen Lithium-ion batteries........................73 Locate the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer ..........73 System diagnostic lights..............................74 SupportAssist | On-board Diagnostics......................... 75 Recovering the operating system..........................
You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that is shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
ESD protection is an increasing concern. Due to the increased density of semiconductors used in recent Dell products, the sensitivity to static damage is now higher than in previous Dell products. For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.
It is recommended that all field service technicians use the traditional wired ESD grounding wrist strap and protective anti-static mat at all times when servicing Dell products. In addition, it is critical that technicians keep sensitive parts separate from all insulator parts while performing service and that they use anti-static bags for transporting sensitive components.
Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Phillips screwdriver #1 ●...
Palm-rest and keyboard M2x4 assembly Touchpad Palm-rest and keyboard M2x2 assembly Touchpad bracket Palm-rest and keyboard M2x2 assembly Wireless-card bracket System board M2x3 Major components of Inspiron 3502 The following image shows the major components of Inspiron 3502. Removing and installing components...
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1. Base cover 2. Battery 3. Power-adapter port 4. Wireless card 5. M.2 2280 solid-state drive, if installed 6. System board 7. M.2 2230 solid-state drive, if installed 8. Memory module 9. Speakers 10. Palm-rest and keyboard assembly 11. Touchpad 12.
17. Heat sink NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options.
Steps 1. Remove the seven screws (M2.5x6) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the two captive screws (M2.5x2.5+5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Using a plastic scribe, pry the base cover from the bottom left and continue to work on the sides to open the base cover. 4.
Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the connector on the system board. 2. Place and snap the base cover into place on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Tighten the two captive screws (M2.5x2.5+5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
● M.2 2230 solid-state drive + 2230 mounting bracket ● M.2 2280 solid-state drive The following images indicate the location of the M.2 2230 solid-state drive and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x2.2) that secures the M.2 thermal shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2.
Steps 1. Place the M.2 2230 solid-state drive on the M.2 thermal shield. 2. Align the screw hole on the M.2 2230 solid-state drive to the screw mount on the M.2 thermal shield. 3. Replace the screw (M2x2) that secures the M.2 2230 solid-state drive to the M.2 thermal shield. 4.
● M.2 2280 solid-state drive The following images indicate the location of the M.2 2280 solid-state drive and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x2.2) that secures the M.2 thermal shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2.
Steps 1. Align the notch on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot on the system board. 2. Slide the M.2 2280 solid-state drive into the M.2 card slot on the system board. 3. Place the M.2 thermal shield on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive. 4.
Steps 1. Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the securing-clips on each end of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up. 2. Lift at an angle and remove the memory module from its slot on the system board. 3.
Steps 1. Align the slot on the memory module with the notch on the memory module slot on the system board. 2. Slide the memory module into the slot on the system board. 3. Press down on the memory module to snap it into place. 4.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the system board. 2. Lift the wireless-card bracket off the system board. 3. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 4. Slide and remove the wireless card from the M.2 card slot on the system board. Installing the wireless card Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
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Steps 1. Connect the antenna cables to the wireless card. The following table provides the antenna-cable color scheme for the wireless card supported by your computer. Table 2. Antenna-cable color scheme Connectors on the wireless card Antenna-cable color Main (white triangle) White Auxiliary (black triangle) Black...
● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.
Steps 1. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board, if applicable. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x3) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Slide and lift the battery off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
Steps 1. Slide the notch on the battery under the tab on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and place the battery on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the battery to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Steps 1. Disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x3) that secure the hard-drive assembly to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the hard-drive assembly along with its cable from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
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Steps 1. Place and slide the hard drive into the hard-drive bracket. 2. Align the screw holes on the hard-drive bracket with the screw holes on the hard drive. 3. Replace the four screws (M3x3) that secure the hard-drive bracket to the hard drive. 4.
I/O board Removing the I/O board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following images indicate the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
Installing the I/O board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following images indicate the location of the I/O board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
Coin-cell battery Removing the coin-cell battery Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the board. About this task The following images indicate the location of the coin-cell battery and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
Steps 1. Place the coin-cell battery into the coin-cell battery holder on the I/O board with the plus sign facing up. 2. Press down on the coin-cell battery to lock it in place in the coin-cell battery holder. 3. Turn the I/O board over. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the speakers along with its cable off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the speakers Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
Steps 1. Using the alignment posts, place the speakers on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: Ensure that the alignment posts are threaded through the rubber grommets on the speaker. 2. Route the speaker cable through the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Steps 1. In reverse sequential order (4>3>2>1) loosen the four captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board. NOTE: The number of screws varies depending on the configuration ordered. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x5) that secure the heat sink to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Power button with optional fingerprint reader Removing the power-button with optional fingerprint reader Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the board. About this task The following images indicate the location of the power-button with optional fingerprint reader and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
Installing the power-button with optional fingerprint reader Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following images indicate the location of the power-button with optional fingerprint reader and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Fingerprint-reader board Removing the fingerprint-reader board Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task NOTE: The fingeprint-reader board is an optional component and will only be installed in systems shipped with a fingerprint reader.
Steps 1. Place and slide the fingerprint-reader board under the securing clip on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Connect the fingerprint-reader board cable to the fingerprint-reader board and close the latch. 3. Connect the power-button cable to the fingerprint-reader board and close the latch. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Disconnect the display cable from the system board. 2. Remove the display cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Open the display and place the computer with the lid open at the edge of a stable elevation with the display hanging downwards.
Steps 1. Place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the 6 screws (M2.5x6) that secure the display hinges to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Steps 1. Using a plastic scribe, pry the display bezel from the outer edge to separate it from the display assembly. 2. Lift the display bezel from the display assembly. Installing the display bezel Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following images indicate the location of the display bezel and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Steps 1. Place the display panel and display assembly on a clean and flat surface. 2. Place the display bezel on the display assembly. 3. Align the tabs on the display bezel to the slots on the display assembly. 4. Press down on the display bezel and snap the display bezel in place. Next steps 1.
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5. Remove the display bezel. About this task The following images indicate the location of the display panel and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Remove the six screws (M2.5x2.5) that secure the display panel to the display assembly. 2. Remove the two screws (M2x2.5) that secure the display panel to the display assembly. 3. Lift and rotate the display panel forward. NOTE: Ensure that the display panel has a smooth and clean surface to rest on to prevent damage.
Steps 1. Place the display panel and display assembly on a clean and flat surface. 2. Connect the display cable to the connector on the diplay panel and close the latch. 3. Adhere the tape that secures the display-cable connector latch to the display panel. 4.
About this task The following images indicate the location of the camera and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Using the pull tab, disconnect the camera cable from the camera. 2. Using a plastic scribe, pry the camera from the display assembly. 3.
Steps 1. Adhere the camera in its slot on the display assembly. 2. Connect the camera cable to the camera. Next steps 1. Install the display panel. 2. Install the display bezel. 3. Install the display assembly. 4. Install the wireless card.
Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the the touchpad cable from the touchpad. 2. Remove the three screws (M2x2) that secure the touchpad bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the touchpad bracket off the touchpad. 4. Remove the two screws (M2x2) that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Steps 1. Place the touchpad into its slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the touchpad to the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Turn the computer over and open the display to ensure that the touchpad is equally aligned on all sides. 4.
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About this task The following images indicate the connectors on the system board. 1. Power-adapter port cable 2. Speaker cable 3. Keyboard cable 4. Keyboard-backlight cable 5. Touchpad cable 6. Battery cable 7. Hard-drive cable 8. I/O-board cable 9. Fingerprint-reader cable 10.
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Steps 1. Disconnect the power-adapter port cable from the system board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the fingerprint-reader cable from the system board, if applicable. 3. Open the latch and disconnect the I/O-board cable from the system board. 4. Open the latch and disconnect the hard-drive cable from the system board, if applicable. 5.
Installing the system board Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following images indicate the connectors on the system board. 1. Power-adapter port cable 2. Speaker cable 3.
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Steps 1. Place the system board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw hole on the system board to the screw hole on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x4) that secures the system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
11. Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the display assembly. 2. Install the wireless card. 3. Install the heat sink. 4. Install the memory module. 5. Install the M.2 2230 solid-state drive, if applicable. 6.
Steps Lift the power-adapter port from its slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the power-adapter port Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following images indicate the location of the power-adapter port and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
Steps Place the power-adapter port into its slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the system board. 2. Install the display assembly. 3. Install the wireless card. 4. Install the M.2 2230 solid-state drive, if applicable. 5.
12. Remove the power-button with optional fingerprint reader. 13. Remove the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed along with the heat sink. 14. Remove the power-adapter port. About this task The following images indicate the location of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.
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Steps Place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly on a flat and clean surface and perform the post-requisites to install the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the power-adapter port. 2. Install the system board. 3. Install the power-button with optional fingerprint reader.
Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ 000123347. Drivers and downloads...
System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference.
One time boot menu To enter one time boot menu, turn on your computer, and then press F2 immediately. NOTE: It is recommended to shutdown the computer if it is on. The one-time boot menu displays the devices that you can boot from including the diagnostic option. The boot menu options are: ●...
Advanced Table 5. Advanced Option Description Intel SpeedStep Enables or disables the Intel SpeedStep mode of processor. ● Enable Intel SpeedStep Default: Enabled Virtualization Enables or disables the Intel Virtualization Technology feature for the processor. Default: Enabled USB Emulation Enables or disables the USB emulation feature. This feature defines how the BIOS, in the absence of a USB-aware operating system, handles USB devices.
Hard Drive to be set to Enabled. Default: Disabled. SupportAssist System Resolution Auto OS Recovery Threshold Controls the automatic boot flow for SupportAssist System Resolution Console and for Dell OS Recovery tool. Default: 2 SupportAssist OS Recovery Enables or disables SupportAssist OS recovery. Default: Enabled...
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Table 6. Security (continued) Option Description ● Confirm new password: Click OK once you set the password. NOTE: For the first time login, "Enter the old password:" field is not shown. Hence, password has to be set for the first time you login and then you can change or delete the password. System Password Enables you to set, change, or delete the System password.
Boot Table 7. Boot Option Description Boot List Option Displays the available boot options. ● Legacy ● UEFI Default: UEFI File Browser Add Boot Option Enables you to add the boot options. File Browser Del Boot Option Enables you to delete the boot options. Boot Option Priorities Displays the boot sequence.
Assigning a system setup password Prerequisites You can assign a new System or Admin Password only when the status is in Not Set. About this task To enter the system setup, press F2 immediately after a power-on or reboot. Steps 1.
Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.
One-Time boot menu on the computer. Most of the Dell computers built after 2012 have this capability, and you can confirm by booting your computer to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see if BIOS FLASH UPDATE is listed as a boot option for your computer. If the option is listed, then the BIOS supports this BIOS update option.
● Using a non-Dell or incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell that is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer.
The following diagnostic light codes and recommended solutions are intended for Dell service technicians to troubleshoot problems. You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Table 10. Diagnostic-light codes...
It enables you to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to its factory state. You can also download it from the Dell Support website to troubleshoot and fix your computer when it fails to boot into their primary operating system due to software or hardware failures.
5. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to drain the flea power. 6. Install the battery. 7. Install the base cover. 8. Connect the power adapter to your computer. 9. Turn on your computer. NOTE: For more information about performing a hard reset, see the knowledge base article 000130881 www.dell.com/support. Troubleshooting...
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 11. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell app...