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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 

©

 2015 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

 This product is protected by U.S. and 

international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell

 and the Dell logo are trademarks 

of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names 

mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

2015 - 09

Rev. A00

Summary of Contents for Inspiron 3250

Page 1: ...Inspiron 3250 Service Manual Computer Model Inspiron 3250 Regulatory Model D13S Regulatory Type D13S001 ...

Page 2: ...problem WARNING A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage personal injury or death Copyright 2015 Dell Inc All rights reserved This product is protected by U S and international copyright and intellectual property laws Dell and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc in the United States and or other jurisdictions All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their res...

Page 3: ...nical overview 13 Inside view of your computer 13 System board components 14 Removing the computer cover 15 Procedure 15 Replacing the computer cover 16 Procedure 16 Removing the front bezel 17 Prerequisites 17 Procedure 17 Replacing the front bezel 19 Procedure 19 Post requisites 19 Removing the 3 5 inch hard drive 20 Prerequisites 20 Procedure 20 3 ...

Page 4: ...rd drives 29 Procedure 29 Post requisites 29 Removing the heat sink assembly 30 Prerequisites 30 Procedure 31 Replacing the heat sink assembly 33 Procedure 33 Post requisites 33 Removing the memory module 34 Prerequisites 34 Procedure 35 Replacing the memory module 39 Procedure 39 Post requisites 40 Removing the graphics card 41 Prerequisites 41 Procedure 41 4 ...

Page 5: ...e cage with 3 5 inch hard drive 47 Replacing the drive cage 49 Procedure 49 Post requisites 49 Removing the processor 50 Prerequisites 50 Procedure 50 Replacing the processor 52 Procedure 52 Post requisites 53 Removing the optical drive 54 Prerequisites 54 Procedure 54 Replacing the optical drive 56 Procedure 56 Post requisites 56 Removing the coin cell battery 57 Prerequisites 57 Procedure 57 5 ...

Page 6: ...ard 62 Procedure 62 Post requisites 63 Removing the chassis fan 64 Prerequisites 64 Procedure 64 Replacing the chassis fan 66 Procedure 66 Post requisites 66 Removing the antenna modules 67 Prerequisites 67 Procedure 68 Replacing the antenna modules 70 Procedure 70 Post requisites 70 Removing the power button module 71 Prerequisites 71 Procedure 71 6 ...

Page 7: ...Postrequisites 77 Removing the system board 78 Prerequisites 78 Procedure 78 Replacing the system board 81 Procedure 81 Post requisites 81 BIOS setup program 83 Overview 83 Entering BIOS setup program 83 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 83 Prerequisites 84 Procedure 84 Post requisites 84 Clearing CMOS Settings 84 Prerequisites 85 Procedure 85 Post requisites 85 Flashing the BIOS 86 7 ...

Page 8: ...Getting help and contacting Dell 87 Self help resources 87 Contacting Dell 88 8 ...

Page 9: ...cumentation of your operating system for shut down instructions 3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets 4 Disconnect all cables such as telephone cables network cables and so on from your computer 5 Disconnect all attached devices and peripherals such as keyboard mouse monitor and so on from your computer 6 Remove any media card and optical disc from your ...

Page 10: ...ll is not covered by your warranty See the safety instructions that shipped with the product or at www dell com regulatory_compliance 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 i...

Page 11: ... Flat head screwdriver Plastic scribe 11 ...

Page 12: ...sure that no stray screws remain inside your computer 2 Connect any external devices peripherals and cables you removed before working on your computer 3 Replace any media cards discs and any other parts that you removed before working on your computer 4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets 5 Turn on your computer 12 ...

Page 13: ...fore working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Inside view of your computer 1 drive cage 2 processor fan 3 power supply unit 4 graphics card 5 chassis fan 13 ...

Page 14: ...slots 5 power button cable connector 6 coin cell battery 7 wireless card slot 8 chassis fan cable connector 9 drive power cable connector 10 primary hard drive data cable connector 11 optical drive data cable secondary hard drive data cable connector 12 graphics card slot 13 CMOS jumper 14 password jumper 14 ...

Page 15: ...ons in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Place the computer on its side with the vents facing up 2 Remove the screws that secure the computer cover to the chassis 3 Release the computer cover by sliding it toward the back of the computer 4 Lift the computer cover away from the ...

Page 16: ... computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the computer cover with the slots on the chassis and slide it toward the front of the computer 2 Replace the screws that secure the computer cover to the chassis 3 Place the computer in an ...

Page 17: ...de your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites Remove the computer cover Procedure 1 Place the computer in an upright position 2 Release the front bezel tabs by moving them outward 17 ...

Page 18: ...3 Gently rotate and pull the front bezel away from the chassis 1 tabs 6 2 chassis 3 slots 3 4 front bezel 18 ...

Page 19: ...llow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align and insert the tabs on the front bezel into the slots on the front panel 2 Rotate the front bezel toward the chassis until the front bezel tabs snap into place 3 Place on the computer on its side Post requisites R...

Page 20: ...g inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel Procedure 1 Disconnect the power cable and the data cable from the hard drive 20 ...

Page 21: ...2 Remove the screw that secures the hard drive assembly to the drive cage 1 hard drive assembly 2 screws 2 3 data cable 4 power cable 21 ...

Page 22: ...d drive assembly toward the inside of the computer and lift it off the drive cage 1 hard drive assembly 2 pull tab 4 Turn the hard drive assembly over 5 Remove the screws that secure the hard drive bracket to the hard drive assembly 22 ...

Page 23: ...6 Slide the hard drive out of the hard drive bracket 1 screws 2 2 hard drive 3 hard drive bracket 23 ...

Page 24: ...ww dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Slide the hard drive into the hard drive bracket 2 Align the screw holes on the hard drive with the screw holes on the hard drive bracket 3 Replace the screws that secure the hard drive bracket to the hard drive 4 Turn over the hard drive assembly 5 Slide and place the hard drive assembly into the drive cage 6 Replace the screws that secure the hard dr...

Page 25: ...h your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites Remove the computer cover 25 ...

Page 26: ...able and the data cable from the hard drive NOTE Disconnect the cables from the second hard drive if installed 1 hard drive assembly 2 data cable 3 power cable 2 Remove the screw that secures the hard drive bracket to the drive cage 26 ...

Page 27: ...3 Slide and lift the hard drive assembly off the drive cage 1 hard drive assembly 2 screw 3 drive cage 4 Remove the screws that secure the hard drive to the hard drive bracket 27 ...

Page 28: ...5 Slide the hard drive out of the hard drive bracket 1 hard drive 2 hard drive bracket 3 screws 4 NOTE Follow step 4 to step 5 to remove the second hard drive if installed 28 ...

Page 29: ...ce Procedure 1 Slide the hard drive into the hard drive bracket 2 Align the screw holes on the hard drive with the screw holes on the hard drive bracket 3 Replace the screws that secure the hard drive to the hard drive bracket NOTE Follow step 1 to step 3 to replace the second hard drive if installed 4 Slide and place the hard drive assembly into the drive cage 5 Replace the screw that secures the...

Page 30: ...e your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance WARNING The heat sink may become hot during normal operation Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch it CAUTION For maximum cooling of the processor do not touch the heat transfer areas on the heat sink The oils in your skin can reduce the heat trans...

Page 31: ...n shroud from the processor fan 1 tabs 4 2 fan shroud 2 Disconnect the processor fan cable from the system board 3 In sequential order indicated on the heat sink assembly loosen the captive screws that secure the heat sink assembly to the system board 31 ...

Page 32: ...4 Lift the heat sink assembly along with its cable off the system board 1 processor fan cable 2 heat sink assembly 3 captive screws 4 32 ...

Page 33: ...iginal thermal grease can be reused if the original system board and fan are reinstalled together If either the system board or the fan is replaced use the thermal pad provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved Procedure 1 Place the heat sink assembly on the system board 2 Align the captive screws on the heat sink assembly with the screw holes on the system board 3 Tighten...

Page 34: ...eps in Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 34 ...

Page 35: ...Procedure 1 Disconnect the power cable and the data cable from the hard drive 1 hard drive assembly 2 data cable 3 power cable 2 Remove the screws that secure the drive cage to the chassis 35 ...

Page 36: ...3 Press the tab and slide the drive cage outward 1 tab 2 drive cage 3 screws 2 36 ...

Page 37: ... clips at each end of the memory module slot until the memory module pops up CAUTION To prevent damage to the memory module hold the memory module by the edges only Do not touch the components on the memory module 1 memory module 2 securing clips 2 37 ...

Page 38: ...5 Slide and remove the memory module from the memory module slot 1 memory module 2 memory module slot 38 ...

Page 39: ...the steps in Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the notch on the memory module with the tab on the memory module slot 39 ...

Page 40: ...memory module 2 memory module slot 3 tab 4 notch 3 Slide the drive cage into the chassis 4 Align the screw holes on the drive cage with screw holes on the chassis 5 Replace the screws that secure the drive cage to the chassis 6 Connect the power cable and the data cable to the hard drive Post requisites 1 Replace the heat sink assembly 2 Replace the front bezel 3 Replace the computer cover 40 ...

Page 41: ...Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites Remove the computer cover Procedure 1 Open and release the card retention bracket from the chassis 41 ...

Page 42: ...2 Pushing the securing tab away from the graphics card grasp the card by its top corners and ease it out of the slot 1 tab 2 graphics card 3 card retention bracket 42 ...

Page 43: ... your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the graphics card with the slot on the system board 2 Place the card in the slot and press down firmly Ensure that the card is firmly seated in the slot 3 Rotate the card retention bracket towards the computer until it snaps into place 4 Close the side chass...

Page 44: ...s in Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 44 ...

Page 45: ...a cables from all the drives NOTE The number and type of drives varies depending on the configuration you ordered 1 drive cage 2 hard drive cable 3 optical drive cable 4 power cable 2 Remove the screws that secure the drive cage to the chassis then press the tab and slide the drive cage outward 45 ...

Page 46: ... tab on the drive cage from the slot on the chassis 1 tab 2 2 5 inch hard drive assembly 3 screws 2 4 Lift the drive cage off the chassis 5 Follow procedure from step 2 to step 5 in Removing the hard drive 6 Remove the optical drive if applicable 46 ...

Page 47: ...uration you ordered 1 drive cage 2 hard drive data cable 3 hard drive power cable 4 optical drive data cable 5 optical drive power cable 2 Remove the screws that secure the drive cage to the chassis then press the tab and slide the drive cage outward 3 Turn the drive cage at an angle to release the tab on the drive cage from the slot on the chassis 4 Lift the drive cage off the chassis 47 ...

Page 48: ...5 Using the pull tab slide the hard drive assembly toward the inside of the computer and lift it 1 tab 2 2 hard drive assembly 3 pull tab 4 screws 2 6 Remove the optical drive if applicable 48 ...

Page 49: ...ance Procedure 1 Replace the optical drive if applicable 2 Replace the 2 5 inch hard drive or Slide and place the 3 5 inch hard drive assembly into the drive cage if installed 3 Align the tab on the drive cage to the slot on the chassis 4 Slide the drive cage into the chassis 5 Replace the screws that secure the drive cage to the chassis 6 Connect the power cables and data cables to all the drives...

Page 50: ... your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly Procedure NOTE To avoid damaging the processor handle the processor only by the edges 1 Press the release lever down and then pull it outwards to release it from the securing ta...

Page 51: ...3 Gently lift the processor off the processor socket 1 release lever 2 securing tab 3 processor cover 4 processor 51 ...

Page 52: ...riginal processor and heat sink are reinstalled together If either the processor or the heat sink is replaced use the thermal pad provided in the kit to ensure that thermal conductivity is achieved CAUTION You must position the processor correctly in the processor socket to avoid permanent damage to the processor 1 Ensure that the processor cover is fully open 2 Orient the alignment notches on the...

Page 53: ...lace it under the tab on the processor cover 1 processor cover 2 release lever 3 processor 4 tab 5 processor cover 6 alignment post Post requisites 1 Replace the heat sink assembly 2 Replace the front bezel 3 Replace the computer cover 53 ...

Page 54: ...computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage Procedure 1 Turn the drive cage over 2 Remove the screws that secure the optical drive assembly t...

Page 55: ...age NOTE Note the orientation of the optical drive so that you can replace it correctly 1 optical drive assembly 2 drive cage 3 screws 2 4 Carefully pull the optical drive bezel and remove it from the optical drive 1 optical drive bezel 2 optical drive 55 ...

Page 56: ... safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the tabs on the optical drive bezel with the slots on the optical drive and snap the optical drive bezel into place 2 Slide the optical drive assembly into the drive cage 3 Replace the screws that secure the optical drive assembly to the drive cage Post requisites 1 Replace the dr...

Page 57: ...tices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance CAUTION Removing the coin cell battery resets the BIOS setup program s settings to default It is recommended that you note the BIOS setup program s settings before removing the coin cell battery Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cag...

Page 58: ...1 coin cell battery 2 battery socket 58 ...

Page 59: ...ide your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure Insert the coin cell battery into the battery socket sideways and snap it into place Post requisites 1 Replace the drive cage 2 Replace the heat sink assembly 3 Replace the front bezel 4 Replace the co...

Page 60: ...ng inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage Procedure 1 Remove the screw that secures the wireless card bracket to the system board 2 Slide and lift the wireless card bracket off the wirel...

Page 61: ...4 Slide the wireless card out of the wireless card slot 1 screw 2 wireless card bracket 3 antenna cables 2 4 wireless card 5 wireless card slot 61 ...

Page 62: ... avoid damage to the wireless card do not place any cables under it 1 Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless card slot 2 Slide the wireless card into the wireless card slot 3 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 Connectors on the wireless card Antenna c...

Page 63: ...less card to the system board 1 wireless card 2 notch 3 tab 4 antenna cables 2 5 wireless card bracket 6 screw Post requisites 1 Replace the drive cage 2 Replace the heat sink assembly 3 Replace the front bezel 4 Replace the computer cover 63 ...

Page 64: ...follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage Procedure 1 Remove the screws that secure the chassis fan to the chassis 2 Disconnect the chassis fan cabl...

Page 65: ...3 Remove the chassis fan from the chassis 1 chassis fan cable 2 screws 4 3 chassis fan 65 ...

Page 66: ... inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Align the screw holes on the chassis fan with the screw holes on the chassis 2 Replace the screws that secure the chassis fan to the chassis 3 Connect the chassis fan cable to the system board Post requisites 1 Replace the drive cage 2 Replace the heat sink...

Page 67: ...ide your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage 5 Remove the wireless card 67 ...

Page 68: ...Procedure 1 Gently slide the antenna cables through the routing hole on the chassis 1 routing hole 2 antenna cables 2 68 ...

Page 69: ... a plastic scribe gently pry the antenna modules off the chassis NOTE Note the location of the antenna modules so that you can replace them correctly 1 plastic scribe 2 antenna cables 2 3 antenna modules 2 69 ...

Page 70: ... instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Adhere the antenna modules to the chassis 2 Slide the antenna cables through the routing hole on the chassis Post requisites 1 Replace the wireless card 2 Replace the drive cage 3 Replace the heat sink assembly 4 Replace the fr...

Page 71: ...r more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage Procedure 1 Disconnect the power button cable from the system board 2 Using a plastic scribe press down the clip on top of the power button module to release it from the ...

Page 72: ...4 Slide the power button module along with its cable through the slot on the front panel 1 power button cable 2 tabs 2 3 power button module 72 ...

Page 73: ...mputer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Slide the power button cable through the slot on the chassis 2 Align and push the power button module into the slot on the front panel till the clips on the module snap in place 3 Connect the power button cable to the system board Post requisites 1 Replace the drive cage ...

Page 74: ... inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Prerequisites 1 Remove the computer cover 2 Remove the front bezel 3 Remove the heat sink assembly 4 Remove the drive cage Procedure 1 Press the securing clips and disconnect the power cables from the system...

Page 75: ...the power cables from the routing guides 1 securing clips 2 2 power cable 3 routing guides 3 Remove the screws that secure the power supply unit to the chassis 4 Press the clamp and release the power supply unit from the chassis 75 ...

Page 76: ...5 Slide and lift the power supply unit off the chassis 1 power cables 2 clamp 3 power supply unit 4 screws 3 76 ...

Page 77: ...atory Compliance home page at www dell com regulatory_compliance Procedure 1 Slide the power supply towards the back of the chassis 2 Align the screw holes on the power supply unit with the screw holes on the chassis 3 Replace the screws that secure the power supply unit to the chassis 4 Route the power cables through the routing guide and connect the power cables the system board 5 Close the side...

Page 78: ... system board NOTE Replacing the system board removes any changes you have made to the BIOS using the BIOS setup program You must make the desired changes again after you replace the system board NOTE Before disconnecting the cables from the system board note the location of the connectors so that you can reconnect the cables correctly after you replace the system board Prerequisites 1 Remove the ...

Page 79: ...at secures the front panel to the chassis 1 front panel 2 screw 3 Press the tab down to release the front panel from the chassis and then rotate it outward 4 Remove the screws that secure the system board to the chassis 79 ...

Page 80: ...5 Starting from the back of the chassis lift and slide the system board out of the chassis 1 system board 2 screws 6 80 ...

Page 81: ...m You must make the desired changes again after you replace the system board Procedure 1 Slide the ports on the system board into the slots on the back of the chassis and gently place the system board into the chassis 2 Align the screw holes on the system board with the screw holes on the chassis 3 Replace the screws that secure the system board to the chassis 4 Close the front panel and align the...

Page 82: ...7 Replace the computer cover 82 ...

Page 83: ...or restart your computer 2 During POST when the DELL logo is displayed watch for the F2 prompt to appear and then press F2 immediately NOTE The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized This prompt can appear very quickly so you must watch for it and then press F2 If you press F2 before the F2 prompt this keystroke is lost If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears cont...

Page 84: ...2 4 pin 3 Post requisites Replace the computer cover Clearing CMOS Settings WARNING Before working inside your computer read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps in Before working inside your computer After working inside your computer follow the instructions in After working inside your computer For more safety best practices see the Regulatory Compliance ho...

Page 85: ...1 Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and replace it on pins 1 and 2 2 Wait for 5 seconds 3 Remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 and replace it on pins 2 and 3 1 jumper plug 2 pin 1 3 pin 2 4 pin 3 Post requisites Replace the computer cover 85 ...

Page 86: ...have the Service Tag use the auto detect feature or manually browse for your computer model 4 Click Drivers downloads 5 Select the operating system installed on your computer 6 Scroll down the page and expand BIOS 7 Click Download File to download the latest version of the BIOS for your computer 8 Save the file and once the download is complete navigate to the folder where you saved the BIOS updat...

Page 87: ...ows 8 1 and Windows 10 In Windows search type Help and Support and press Enter Accessing help in Windows 7 Click Start Help and Support Online help for operating system www dell com support windows www dell com support linux Troubleshooting information user manuals setup instructions product specifications technical help blogs drivers software updates and so on www dell com support Learn about you...

Page 88: ...see www dell com contactdell NOTE Availability varies by country and product and some services may not be available in your country 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 88 ...

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