Contents Chapter 1: Working inside your computer..................5 Safety instructions................................5 Before working inside your computer........................5 Safety precautions................................ 6 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection....................... 6 ESD field service kit ..............................7 Transporting sensitive components.......................... 8 After working inside your computer..........................8 BitLocker..................................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components................9 Base cover.....................................9 Removing the base cover............................
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LCD Power rail test (L-BIST)........................... 53 LCD Built-in Self Test (BIST)........................... 54 System-diagnostic lights..............................54 Backup media and recovery options..........................55 WiFi power cycle................................55 Drain residual flea power (perform hard reset)......................55 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Dell................56 Contents...
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 For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.
Always place parts in your hand, on the ESD mat, in the system, or inside an anti-static bag. ● Transporting Sensitive Components – When transporting ESD sensitive components such as replacement parts or parts to be returned to Dell, it is critical to place these parts in anti-static bags for safe transport. Working inside your computer...
Transporting sensitive components When transporting ESD sensitive components such as replacement parts or parts to be returned to Dell, it is critical to place these parts in anti-static bags for safe transport.
Removing and installing components NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered. Base cover Removing the base cover Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. About this task NOTE: Before removing the base cover, ensure that there is no SD card installed in the SD card slot on your computer.
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NOTE: Inspiron 14 3420 leverages the same battery from Latitude 7320 Detachable. The battery switch printing on the battery is NOT applicable to Inspiron 14 3420. There is NO battery switch on Inspiron 14 3420. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Remove the four screws (M2x5) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Loosen the four captive screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Using your fingers, pry open the base cover starting from the gaps at the upper left and right corners of the base cover. 4.
Steps 1. Carefully place the interposer board in the slot. 2. Connect the battery cable to the system board. 3. Replace the screw (M1.6x3.4, Torx T5) that secures the battery cable to the system board. 4. Align the screw holes on the base cover with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.
Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the solid-state drive thermal shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Slide and lift the solid-state drive thermal shield off the system board. 3. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the M.2 2230 solid-state drive to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Removing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task NOTE: This procedure applies only to computers shipped with an M.2 2280 solid-state drive installed. NOTE: The M.2 card installed will depend on the configuration ordered.
NOTE: Supported card configurations: ● M.2 2230 solid-state drive ● M.2 2280 solid-state drive The following image(s) indicate the location of the M.2 2280 solid-state drive and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Place and align the notch on the M.2 2280 solid-state drive with the tab on the M.2 card slot. 2.
● 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.
Installing the battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the battery and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.
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NOTE: The display assembly is a Hinge-Up Design (HUD) assembly and cannot be further disassembled after it is removed from the system. If any components in the display assembly are malfunctioning and needs replacement, replace the entire display assembly. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the display assembly and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure.
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Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the display cable to the system. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from its connector on the system board. 3. Remove the display cable from the routing guide on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
5. Remove the two (M2.5x5) screws that secure the right-display hinge to the system board. 6. Open the left and right display hinges at an angle of 90 degrees. 7. Gently lift the palm-rest and keyboard assembly off the display assembly. Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
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Steps 1. Angle the display assembly under the hinges and place the display assembly on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Using the alignment posts, close the left-display hinge aligning the screw holes on the left-display hinge to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
Heat sink Removing the heat sink Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task NOTE: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it.
Steps 1. Place the heat sink on the system board. 2. Align the screw holes of the heat sink to the screw holes on the system board. 3. In sequential order (1>2>3>4>5>6>7>8>9), replace the nine (M2x3) screws that secure the heat sink to the system board. Next steps 1.
Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Note the speaker cable routing, and remove the speaker cable from the routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.
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 system board and palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3.
Steps 1. Lift the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 2. Remove the four (M2x2) screws that secure the touchpad bracket to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the touchpad bracket off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Steps 1. Connect the touchpad cable to the touchpad and close the latch. 2. Align and place the touchpad along with its cable on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two (M2x2) screws that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the I/O board and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the two (M2.5x5) screws that secure the left-display hinge to the system board. 2.
Steps 1. Place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the I/O board with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the two (M2x3) screws that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Steps 1. Open the latch and disconnect the I/O board cable from its connector on the I/O board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the I/O board cable from its connector on the system board. 3. Lift the I/O board cable off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the I/O board cable Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process.
Steps 1. Place the I/O board cable on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Connect the I/O board cable to its connector on the I/O board and close the latch. 3. Connect the I/O board cable from its connector on the system board and close the latch. Next steps 1.
Installing the power button Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the power button and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure.
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About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board: 1. M.2 card slot 2. display-cable connector 3. keyboard backlight-cable connector 4. speaker-cable connector 5. keyboard-cable connector 6. touchpad-cable connector 7. I/O-board cable connector The following image(s) indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Removing and installing components...
Steps 1. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard-backlight cable from the system board. 2. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 3. Lift the latch and disconnect the keyboard cable from the system board. 4. Lift the latch and disconnect the touchpad cable from the system board. 5.
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About this task The following image indicates the connectors on your system board. 1. M.2 card slot 2. display-cable connector 3. keyboard backlight-cable connector 4. speaker-cable connector 5. keyboard-cable connector 6. touchpad-cable connector 7. I/O-board cable connector The following image indicates the location of the system board and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Removing and installing components...
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Steps 1. Place the system board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Align the screw holes on the system board with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Replace the screw (M2x2) that secures that system board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
Palm-rest and keyboard assembly Removing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the M.2 2230 solid-state drive M.2 2280 solid-state drive from M.2 card slot, whichever applicable. 4.
Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation process. About this task The following image(s) indicate the location of the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure.
● Phillips screwdriver #1 ● Torx #5 (T5) screwdriver ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box. This is to ensure that the correct number of screws and correct screw type is restored when the component is replaced.
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Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Screw type Quantity Screw image Solid-state drive M2x3 Battery M2x3 Display assembly M2.5x5 Heat sink M2x3 Touchpad assembly M2x2 I/O board M2x3 Power button M2x2 Wireless-card bracket M2x3 Removing and installing components...
Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Screw type Quantity Screw image System board M2x2 M2x4 Major components of Inspiron 14 3420 The following image shows the major components of Inspiron 14 3420. Removing and installing components...
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12. 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.
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...
Depending on your system and its installed devices, the items that are listed in this section may or may not appear. Table 3. System setup options—System information menu Overview Inspiron 14 3420 BIOS Version Displays the BIOS version number. Product Name Displays the model number.
For more information on this subject, search in the Knowledge Base Resource at www.dell.com/support. Steps 1. Go to www.dell.com/support. 2. Click Product support. In the Search support box, enter the Service Tag of your computer, and then click Search. NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, use the SupportAssist feature to automatically identify your computer.
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.
Perform the following steps to perform the BIOS update flash process from the F12 menu: CAUTION: Do not turn off the computer during the BIOS update process. The computer may not boot if you turn off your computer. Steps 1. From a turn off state, insert the USB drive where you copied the flash into a USB port of the computer. 2.
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.
● 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.
LCD Built-in Self Test (BIST) Dell laptops have a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with the LCD (screen) of the Dell laptop or with the video card (GPU) and PC settings.
Backup media and recovery options It is recommended to create a recovery drive to troubleshoot and fix problems that may occur with Windows. Dell proposes multiple options for recovering Windows operating system on your Dell PC. For more information. see...
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 8. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com Tips Contact Support In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter.