Dell Vostro 3900/3902 Owner's Manual Regulatory Model: D17M Regulatory Type: D17M001
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents 1 Working on Your Computer................................................................................... 5 Before Working Inside Your Computer................................................................................................ 5 Turning Off Your Computer..................................................................................................................6 After Working Inside Your Computer..................................................................................
3 Troubleshooting Your Computer.......................................................................24 Diagnostic Power LED Codes.............................................................................................................24 Diagnostic Error Messages..................................................................................................................25 System Error Messages..........................................................................................................
Working on Your Computer 1 Before Working Inside Your Computer Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to ensure your personal safety. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure included in this document assumes that the following conditions exist: • You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer. • A component can be replaced or--if purchased separately--installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
To avoid damaging your computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer. 1. Ensure that your work surface is flat and clean to prevent the computer cover from being scratched. 2. Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer). CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device. 3. Disconnect all network cables from the computer. 4.
After Working Inside Your Computer After you complete any replacement procedure, ensure you connect any external devices, cards, and cables before turning on your computer. 1. Replace the cover. CAUTION: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer. 2. Connect any telephone or network cables to your computer. 3. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets. 4. Turn on your computer. 5.
Removing and Installing Components This section provides detailed information on how to remove or install the components from your computer. Recommended Tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: • Small flat-blade screwdriver • Phillips screwdriver • Small plastic scribe System Overview Inside view 1. 8 power supply unit (PSU) 2.
3. card reader 4. Front USB ports 5. power switch 6. hard drive 7. system board 8. memory module 9. expansion card 10. heatsink fan 11. system fan Removing the Cover 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Follow the steps to remove the cover: a. Remove the screws that secure the cover to the computer. b. Slide the computer cover towards the back of the computer [1]. c. Lift and remove the cover from the computer [2]. Installing the Cover 1.
3. Follow the steps to remove the bezel: a. Pry the front panel retention clips away from the chassis. b. Release the hooks on the opposite edge of the bezel from the chassis. c. Remove the bezel from the computer. Installing the Bezel 1. Place the hooks on the notches in the computer. 2. Rotate the front bezel towards the computer. 3. Press the front bezel until the tabs snap in to place. 4. Install the cover. 5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer.
3. Follow the steps to remove the SATA cable and the power cable: a. Disconnect the SATA cable and power cable from the hard drive [1] [2]. b. Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket [3] and lift it upwards to remove it from the computer [4]. 4. Follow the steps to remove the hard-drive bracket. a. Remove the screws that secure the hard-drive bracket. b. Lift and remove the hard drive from the hard-drive bracket. Installing the Hard Drive 1.
6. Install the: • 7. bezel • cover Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Optical Drive 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: • 3. cover • bezel Follow the steps to remove the optical drive: a. Disconnect the data cable [1] and power cable [2] from the optical drive. b. Remove the screws that secure the optical drive and then push the optical drive towards the front of the computer. c.
Removing the Card Reader 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: 3. • cover • bezel a. b. c. d. e. Disconnect the card reader power cable from the system board. Un-thread the power cable from the metal clip. Remove the screws that secure the card reader to the chassis. Push the card reader towards the front of the computer. Remove the card reader from the computer. Installing the Card Reader 1.
3. Press down on the memory-retaining tabs on each side of the memory modules and lift the memory module upwards to remove it from the computer. Installing the Memory 1. Align the notch on the memory-card with the tab in the system-board connector. 2. Insert the memory module into the memory socket. 3. Press down on the memory module until the securing clips secure the memory in place. 4. Install the cover. 5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Heatsink 1.
3. Connect the heatsink cable to the system board. 4. Install the cover. 5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Processor 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: 3. • heatsink Push the processor release lever down and then press it outward to release it from the retention hook that secures it. 4. Raise the processor cover and lift the processor to remove it from the computer. • cover Installing the Processor 1.
3. Follow the steps to remove the expansion card: a. b. c. d. Press the blue tab and slide down the release lever that secures the expansion card. Press on the retaining tab to release the expansion card from its connector. Lift the expansion card up out of its connector and remove it from the computer. Repeat the same sequence of steps to remove any additional expansion card installed. Installing the Expansion Card(s) 1. Place the expansion card in its connector. 2.
3. Disconnect the following power supply cables from the system board by pressing on the retention latch and lifting it upwards. • system board power cable [1] • system fan power cable [2] a. Remove the screws that secure the power supply to the computer. 4. Follow the steps below to remove the power supply unit: a. Push-in on the blue release tab beside the power supply [1]. b. Slide the power supply unit towards the back and remove it from the computer. Installing the Power Supply Unit (PSU) 1.
4. Install the cover. 5. Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the Power Switch 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: • 3. cover • bezel Follow the steps to remove the power switch: a. Disconnect the power-switch cable from the system board [1]. b. Un-thread the power-switch cable from the metal retention clip [2]. c. Remove the power button by pressing on the two latches and pulling it out from the slot [3,4].
Removing the Input/Output (I/O) Panel 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: • 3. cover • bezel Follow the steps to remove the I/O panel cables: a. Disconnect the I/O panel and FlyWire cables from the system board [1, 3]. b. Un-thread the cables from the metal retention clips [2, 4]. 4. Follow the steps to remove the I/O panel: a. Remove the screw that secures the I/O panel to the computer. b. Slide the I/O panel outwards and remove it from the computer.
Installing the Input/Output (I/O) Panel 1. Slide the I/O panel into its slot on the computer. 2. Replace the screw that secures the I/O panel. 3. Route the cables through the metal clips. 4. Connect the I/O panel and FlyWire cables to the system board. 5. Install the: • 6. bezel • cover Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. Removing the System Fan 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the cover. 3.
Removing the System Board 1. Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer. 2. Remove the: 3. • cover • bezel • optical drive • hard drive • heatsink • processor • memory • expansion cards • I/O panel Follow the steps to remove the system board: a. b. c. d. Disconnect and un-thread all the cables connected to the system board. Remove the screws that secure the system board to the computer.
4. 5. Install the: • I/O panel • memory • expansion cards • processor • heatsink • hard drive • optical drive • bezel • cover Follow the procedures in After Working Inside Your Computer. System Board Components The following image displays the system board components . 1. PCI connector 2. PCIe x1 connector 3. PCIe x16 connector 4. PCIe x1 connector 5. P2 power connector 6. processor socket 7. CPU fan connector 8.
9. P1 power connector 10. card reader module connector 11. real-time clock reset jumper 12. password reset jumper 13. front USB connector 14. SATA connectors 15. front LED connector 16. system fan connector 17. SATA connectors 18. coin-cell battery 19.
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3 You can troubleshoot your computer using indicators like Diagnostic Lights, Beep Codes, and Error Messages during the operation of the computer. Diagnostic Power LED Codes Power LED Light Status Possible Cause Troubleshooting Steps Off The computer is either turned off • or is not receiving power. • • Blinking Amber Computer fails to complete POST or processor failure.
Power LED Light Status Possible Cause Troubleshooting Steps • If the display is connected and turned on, listen for a beep code. Diagnostic Error Messages Error Messages Description AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE The touchpad or external mouse may be faulty. For an external mouse, check the cable connection. Enable the Pointing Device option in the system setup program.
Error Messages Description GENERAL FAILURE The operating system is unable to carry out the command. The message is usually followed by specific information. For example, Printer out of paper. Take the appropriate action. HARD-DISK DRIVE CONFIGURATION ERROR The computer cannot identify the drive type. Shut down the computer, remove the hard drive, and boot the computer from an optical drive. Then, shut down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer.
Error Messages Description KEYBOARD CONTROLLER FAILURE For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Restart the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or the mouse during the boot routine. Run the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics. KEYBOARD DATA LINE FAILURE For external keyboards, check the cable connection. Run theKeyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics. KEYBOARD STUCK KEY FAILURE For external keyboards or keypads, check the cable connection.
Error Messages Description NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. EXIT SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY AGAIN You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND Reinstall the hard drive. If the problem persists, contact Dell. OPTIONAL ROM BAD CHECKSUM The optional ROM has failed. Contact Dell. SECTOR NOT FOUND The operating system cannot locate a sector on the hard drive. You may have a defective sector or corrupted FAT on the hard drive.
System Error Messages System Message Description Alert! Previous attempts at booting this system The computer failed to complete the boot routine have failed at checkpoint [nnnn]. For help in three consecutive times for the same error. resolving this problem, please note this checkpoint and contact Dell Technical Support CMOS checksum error Possible motherboard failure or Real-time clock (RTC) battery low.
4 System Setup System Setup Overview System Setup allows you to: • change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer. • set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password. • read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed. Before you use System Setup, it is recommended that you write down the System Setup screen information for future reference.
Processor Type Displays the type of processor. Processor ID Displays the processor ID Processor Core Count Displays the processor core count L1 Cache Size Displays the processor L1 cache size. L2 Cache Size Displays the processor L2 cache size. L3 Cache Size Displays the processor L3 cache size. Memory Information Memory Installed Displays the total computer memory. Memory Available Displays the available memory. Memory Speed Displays the memory speed.
Processor Configuration Onboard Device Configuration Onboard Audio Controller Enable or disable the onboard audio controller. Default: Enabled SATA Mode Displays the SATA Mode Default: AHCI Intel Multi-Display Enable or disable the Intel MultiDisplay Technology. Default: Disabled Onboard LAN Controller Enable or disable the onboard LAN controller. Default: Enabled Onboard LAN Boot ROM Enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM.
Power Wake up by Integrated LAN/WLAN Enable or disable Wake up by Integrated LAN/ WLAN AC Recovery Specifies the AC recovery mode. Auto Power On Enable or disable Auto Power On mode. Security Supervisor Password Specifies whether an administrator password has been assigned. User Password Specifies whether a user password has been assigned. Set Supervisor Password Allows you to change or delete the administrator password. HDD Protection Enable or disable HDD protection.
5 Specifications NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. The following specifications are only those required by law to ship with your computer. For more information about the configuration of your computer, go to Help and Support in your Windows operating system and select the option to view information about your computer.
System Information Chipset Intel H81 BIOS chip (NVRAM) 8M SPI Flash ROM Expansion Bus Bus speed: PCI Express PCIe 2.0 at speeds upto 5.0 GT/s SATA 0,1 SATA Gen 3 at 6 GB/s and 2,3 SATA Gen 2 at 3 GB/s USB 80 Mbps Cards Vostro 3800 Vostro 3900 series PCIe x16 one half-height card one full height card PCIe x1 up to two half-height cards up to two full height cards PCI one half height card one full height card Drives Externally accessible: 5.
Control Lights And Diagnostic Lights power button light white light — solid white light indicates power-on state. amber light — solid amber light indicates sleep/stand by state of the computer; blinking amber light indicates a problem with the system board. drive activity light white light — blinking white light indicates that the computer is reading data from, or writing data to the hard drive.
Environmental Temperature: Operating 10 °C to 35 °C (50 °F to 95 °F) Storage –40 °C to 65 °C (–40 °F to 149 °F) Relative humidity 20 % to 80 % (non-condensing) Altitude: NOTE: V 3800 and V 3900 meet the China 5000 m altitude requirements. Operating –15.20 m to 3048 m (–50 ft to 10,000 ft) Storage –15.20 m to 10,668 m (–50 ft to 35,000 ft) Airborne contaminant level G1 as defined by ISA-S71.
Contacting Dell 6 NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1. Visit dell.com/support 2. Select your support category. 3.
