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3-18 Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
7. Turn off the computer, and disconnect the ex-
ternal keyboard from the computer.
8. Turn on the computer. Does the computer recog-
nize the built-in keyboard?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its
components. Then use the computer’s built-in
keyboard to type some characters. Do the characters
appear on the display?
Yes. The external keyboard may be defective. Run
the Keyboard test group in the Dell Diagnostics. If
you cannot isolate the problem after running the
diagnostics, call Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to step 9.
9. Call Dell for technical assistance.
See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Troubleshooting Memory
During POST, the computer checks the computer’s mem-
ory, and then writes to and reads from the number of
available bytes to ensure proper operation. If the memory
count displayed is less than the amount installed, make a
copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5 and
fill it out as you complete the following procedure:
1. Reboot the computer. Does the random-access
memory (RAM) count displayed correctly match
the actual amount of memory installed in the
computer?
Yes. The computer needed to update the memory; the
memory check phase is OK now.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Save all your work, exit any open application pro-
grams, and remove any installed batteries.
3. Turn off the computer, and disconnect it from the
AC adapter. Then disconnect the AC adapter
from AC power. Turn off any attached peripher-
als, and disconnect them from their power
sources and then from the computer.
4. Ground yourself by touching one of the metal
connectors on the back of the computer.
5. Turn the computer over, and remove the two
screws securing the hard-disk drive.
6. Pull the hard-disk drive straight out of the com-
puter. The memory module cover will now lift off.
7. Remove any installed memory modules from
their sockets on the system board.
Carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the
memory module socket just far enough for the mem-
ory module to disengage from the socket (the
module should pop up slightly). Then lift the mem-
ory module away from the socket.
8. Reseat the memory modules, and then replace the
memory module cover.
A loose or disconnected memory module may cause
intermittent memory problems. Removing and re-
installing, or reseating, a memory module often
corrects the problem.
Align the notch in the edge connector with the slot in
the center of the memory module socket. Press the
memory module’s edge connector firmly into the
socket. Pivot the module down until it clicks.
To replace the memory module cover, align the two
tabs on the memory module cover with the memory
module opening, and slide the cover in place.
NOTE: The memory module cover is not secure until
the hard-disk drive is back in place.
9. Reinstall the hard-disk drive, align the screw
holes, and replace the two screws removed in
step 5.
10. Reboot the computer, and press <F2> when
prompted to enter the Setup program.
11. In the Main menu of the Setup program, make
sure that the value in the Extended Memory field
is at least 15 MB.
Yes. A memory module was loose; the memory
check phase is OK now.
No. Go to step 12.
12. Call Dell for technical assistance.
See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Troubleshooting the Built-In Display
If the computer is receiving power, but nothing appears
on your display (such as light, text, or graphics) or the
display image does not appear as you would expect,
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