Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Technical Overview Before You Begin Computer Cover Front Bezel Memory PCI and PCI Express Cards Drives Fans Front I/O Panel Processor System Board Power Supply Battery System Setup Models DCME and DCMF Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed.
Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Technical Specifications Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Safety Instructions This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: l You have performed the steps in Turning Off Your Computer and Safety Instructions. l You have read the safety information that ships with your computer.
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets. 5. Press and hold the power button while the system is unplugged to ground the system board. 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.
Back to Contents Page Front Bezel Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Front Bezel Replacing the Front Bezel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
Back to Contents Page PCI and PCI Express Cards Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Card Retention Bracket Replacing the Card Retention Bracket Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing a PCI/PCI Express Card WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
1 card retention bracket 2 screw Replacing the Card Retention Bracket 1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin. 2. Replace the card retention bracket, ensuring that: l The guide clamp is aligned with the guide notch. l The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar. l The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide. 1 guide clamps (2) 2 card retention bracket 3 alignment bar 4 alignment guide 3.
4 retention mechanism 5. 5 PCI Express x1 card slot 6 PCI Express x1 card If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer. 6. Replace the card retention bracket (see Replacing the Card Retention Bracket). 7.
4 PCI Express x1 card slot 5 PCI Express x1 card 8. 9. Replace the card retention bracket (see Replacing the Card Retention Bracket). Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections. CAUTION: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. 10.
Back to Contents Page Battery Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Battery Replacing the Battery WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: A new battery can explode if it is incorrectly installed.
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Back to Contents Page Computer Cover Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Computer Cover Replacing the Computer Cover WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
1 screws (2) 2 computer cover 3 front of the computer 4 slot 7. Place the computer in an upright position. CAUTION: Ensure that none of the system air-vents are blocked. Blocking them would cause serious thermal problems.
Back to Contents Page Processor Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Processor Replacing the Processor WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
1 processor 2 release lever 3 socket CAUTION: When removing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket. 6. Gently lift the processor to remove it from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor. Replacing the Processor CAUTION: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
4 processor cover 5 center cover latch 6 processor 7 socket 8 tab 9 release lever Inspiron 546 1 socket 2 processor pin-1 indicator 3 processor 4 release lever 4. For Inspiron 535/537/545, orient the front and rear alignment-notches on the processor with the front and rear alignment-notches on the socket. 5. Align the pin-1 corners of the processor and socket.
Back to Contents Page Drives Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing a Hard Drive Replacing a Hard Drive Removing a Media Card Reader Replacing a Media Card Reader Removing an Optical Drive Replacing an Optical Drive WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Replacing a Hard Drive 1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin. 2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover). 3. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. 4. Slide the hard drive into the hard drive bay. 5. Align and replace the four screws that secure the hard drive to the hard drive bay. 6. Connect the power and data cables to the hard drive. 7. Connect the data cable to the system board connector. 8.
6. Slide the media card reader out through the front of the computer. 7. Replace the bezel (see Replacing the Front Bezel). 8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 9. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. Replacing a Media Card Reader 1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin. 2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover). 3. Remove the bezel (see Removing the Front Bezel). 4.
NOTE: The location and number of SATA connectors may vary based on your computer model. For more information, see System Board Components. 1 power cable 2 data cable 3 optical drive 4 custom screws (2) 5 SATA connector (on the system board) 5. Remove the two screws securing the optical drive. 6. Slide the optical drive out through the front of the computer. 7. Replace the bezel (see Replacing the Front Bezel). 8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 9.
Back to Contents Page Fans Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Processor Fan and Heat Sink Assembly Replacing the Processor Fan and Heat Sink Assembly Removing the Chassis Fan Replacing the Chassis Fan WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
b. Rotate the processor fan and heat sink assembly upward gently, and remove it from the computer. Lay the processor fan and heat sink assembly down on its top, with the thermal grease facing upward. 1 bracket 2 clamp grip 3 bracket projection 4 clamp lever 5 processor fan and heat sink assembly NOTE: The processor fan and heat sink assembly in your computer may not look exactly like the one shown in the illustration above.
1 processor fan and heat sink assembly 2 clamp lever 3 bracket projection 4 clamp grip 5 bracket 4. Connect the processor fan and heat sink assembly cable to the fan connector on the system board (see System Board Components). 5. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 6. Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on. Removing the Chassis Fan CAUTION: Do not touch the fan blades when you are removing the chassis fan. This could damage the fan. 1.
1 screws (4) 2 chassis fan Replacing the Chassis Fan 1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin. 2. Slide the chassis fan in place towards the back of the computer. 3. Replace the screws that secure the chassis fan. 4. Connect the chassis fan cable to the chassis fan connector on the system board (see System Board Components). 5. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 6. Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on.
Back to Contents Page Front I/O Panel Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Front I/O Panel Replacing the Front I/O Panel WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
5. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 6. Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on.
Back to Contents Page Memory Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing Memory Replacing Memory Recommended Memory Configuration Setting Up Dual Channel Memory Configuration WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
3 notch 4 memory module CAUTION: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the memory module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the memory module. 5. Insert the memory module into the connector until the memory module snaps into position. If you insert the memory module correctly, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the memory module. 1 cutouts (2) 6. 2 securing clip (snapped in position) 7.
1 Pair A: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM1 and DIMM3 2 Pair B: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM2 and DIMM4 Inspiron 546 1 Pair B: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM3 and DIMM4 Back to Contents Page 2 Pair A: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM1 and DIMM2
Back to Contents Page Power Supply Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on www.dell.com at the following location: www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 screws (4) 2 power supply 3 voltage selector switch 4 power supply retention snaps (2) 6. While pressing down on the power supply retention snap(s), slide out the power supply and lift it out. Replacing the Power Supply 1. Press down on the power supply retention snap(s) and slide the replacement power supply towards the back of the computer. WARNING: Failure to replace and tighten all screws may cause electrical shock as these screws are a key part of the system grounding. 2.
Back to Contents Page System Setup Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Overview Entering System Setup Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing CMOS Settings Flashing the BIOS Overview Use System Setup: l To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer. l To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password. l To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed.
Memory Installed Indicates the amount of installed memory. Memory Available Indicates the amount of available memory. Memory Speed Indicates the frequency of installed memory. Memory Channel Mode Indicates the channel mode of installed memory. System Memory Type Indicates the type of installed memory. Standard CMOS Features Date Displays current date in the format (mm:dd:yyyy). Time Displays current time in the format (hh:mm:ss).
Remote Wake Up On; Off (On by default) Auto Power On Enabled; Disabled (Disabled by default) Auto Power On Date 0 Auto Power On Time 0:00:00 AC Recovery Off; On; Last (Off by default) Set Supervisor Password Supervisor Password Installed; Not Installed (Not Installed by default) Change Supervisor Password Press Enter to change the supervisor password Set User Password User Password Installed; Not Installed (Not Installed by default) Change User Password Press Enter to change the user passwo
DVMT Mode FIXED, DVMT (DVMT by default) DVMT/FIXED Memory Size 128 MB, 256 MB, MAX (128 MB by default) Integrated Peripherals USB Device Setting USB Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) USB Operation Mode—High Speed; Full/Low Speed (High Speed by default) l l Onboard AUDIO Controller Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Controller Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Boot ROM Enabled or Disabled (Disabled by default) SATA Mode IDE; RAID (IDE by de
USB Device Setting l AMD Live!—indicates the AMD Live! status.
4. At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only. For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Flash Device and press . NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation. Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots 1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup). 2.
Inspiron 546 4. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and fix it on pins 1 and 2. 5. Turn on the computer, wait for approximately five seconds, and then turn off the computer. If required, press and hold the power button to turn off the computer. 6. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 and replace it on pins 2 and 3 to enable the password feature. 7. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 8.
Inspiron 535/537 Inspiron 545 Inspiron 546 4. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
5. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. Flashing the BIOS The BIOS may require flashing when an update is available or when replacing the system board. 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Locate the BIOS update file for your computer at the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. 3. Click Download Now to download the file. 4. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click Yes, I Accept this Agreement. The File Download window appears. 5.
Back to Contents Page System Board Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Removing the System Board Replacing the System Board WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. WARNING: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
1 screws (8) 2 system board Compare the system board that you just removed with the replacement system board to ensure that they are identical. Replacing the System Board 1. Gently align the board into the chassis and slide it towards the back of the computer. CAUTION: Ensure that the port retention springs are not damaged while replacing the sytem board. Inspiron 535/537 1 back of the computer 2 port retention spring Inspiron 545/546 1 back of the computer 2 port retention springs (3) 2.
6. Replace the memory modules into the memory sockets at the same locations from which you removed them (see Replacing Memory). 7. Replace any add-in cards on the system board (see Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards). 8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover). 9. Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on.
Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™ Inspiron™ 535/537/545/546 Service Manual Inside View of Your Computer System Board Components WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
1 12 V power connector (ATX12V1) 2 processor socket 3 processor fan connector (FAN_CPU) 4 memory module connector (DIMM1) 5 memory module connector (DIMM2) 6 password reset jumper (CLR_PSW) 7 main power connector (ATX1_POWER1) 8 SATA connector (SATA_1) 9 SATA connector (SATA_0) 10 front panel connector (FRONTPANEL) 11 CMOS reset jumper (CLR_CMOS) 12 front panel USB connector (F_USB2) 13 front panel USB connector (F_USB1) 14 front panel audio (FP_AUDIO) 15 PCI card slot (PCI_2) 16 PCI
1 12 V power connector (PWR2) 2 processor socket 3 processor fan connector (CPU_FAN1) 4 memory module connector (DIMM4) 5 memory module connector (DIMM3) 6 memory module connector (DIMM2) 7 memory module connector (DIMM1) 8 password reset jumper (PSWD1) 9 main power connector (PWR1) 10 battery socket (BAT1) 11 CMOS reset jumper (CLR_CMOS1) 12 front panel connector (FP1) 13 SATA connector (SATA_2) 14 SATA connector (SATA_1) 15 SATA connector (SATA_0) 16 SATA connector (SATA_3) 17 front