Manuals

Technical Overview: Dell Inspiron 7500

Technical Overview: Dell™ Inspiron™ 7500

	Video
	Memory
	Controls and Indicators

Video

Table 1. Text Mode

Resolution	Color Depth	Maximum Refresh Rate (Hz)
360 x 400	16	60
720 x 400	16	60
720 x 400	mono	60

Table 2. Graphics Modes

4-MB Video Controllers
Resolution	Color Depth	Maximum Refresh Rate (Hz)
640 x 480	256 colors	100
640 x 480	16 bit	100
640 x 480	24 bit	100
640 x 480	32 bit	100
800 x 600	256 colors	100
800 x 600	16 bit	100
800 x 600	24 bit	100
800 x 600	32 bit	100
1024 x 768	256 colors	100
1024 x 768	16 bit	100
1024 x 768	24 bit	100
1024 x 768	32 bit	100
1280 x 1024	256 colors	100
1280 x 1024	16 bit	100
1280 x 1024	24 bit	100
1400 x 1050	256 colors	100
1400 x 1050	16 bit	100
1600 x 1200	256 colors	100
1600 x 1200	16 bit	100
8-MB Video Controllers
640 x 480	256 colors	100
640 x 480	16 bit	100
640 x 480	24 bit	100
640 x 480	32 bit	100
800 x 600	256 colors	100
800 x 600	16 bit	100
800 x 600	24 bit	100
800 x 600	32 bit	100
1024 x 768	256 colors	100
1024 x 768	16 bit	100
1024 x 768	24 bit	100
1024 x 768	32 bit	100
1280 x 1024	256 colors	100
1280 x 1024	16 bit	100
1280 x 1024	24 bit	100
1280 x 1024	32 bit	85
1400 x 1050	256 colors	100
1400 x 1050	16 bit	100
1400 x 1050	24 bit	100
1400 x 1050	32 bit	100
1600 x 1200	256 colors	100
1600 x 1200	16 bit	100
1600 x 1200	24 bit	100
1600 x 1200	32 bit	85

NOTES: If you are using an external monitor, see the documentation that came with the external monitor to determine the correct refresh rate. To change the refresh rate in Microsoft® Windows® 98, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Display icon, and then click the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button to reset the refresh rate.

You may need to adjust the vertical and horizontal size and position controls on your external multifrequency monitor to properly display extended-video modes.

Memory

Memory Installation Guidelines

The system can accommodate up to 512 megabytes (MB) of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM).
The system comes with 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 192 MB, or 256 MB of memory on the system board.
To increase memory, install 32-MB, 64-MB, 128-MB, 192-MB, or 256-MB memory modules.

Table 3. Valid Memory Configurations*

Slot 1	Slot 2	Total
32 MB	32 MB	64 MB
32 MB	64 MB	96 MB
32 MB	128 MB	160 MB
32 MB	192 MB	224 MB
32 MB	256 MB	288 MB
64 MB	32 MB	96 MB
64 MB	64 MB	128 MB
64 MB	128 MB	192 MB
64 MB	192 MB	256 MB
64 MB	256 MB	320 MB
128 MB	32 MB	160 MB
128 MB	64 MB	192 MB
128 MB	128 MB	256 MB
128 MB	192 MB	320 MB
128 MB	256 MB	384 MB
192 MB	32 MB	224 MB
192 MB	64 MB	256 MB
192 MB	128 MB	320 MB
192 MB	192 MB	384 MB
192 MB	256 MB	448 MB
256 MB	32 MB	288 MB
256 MB	64 MB	320 MB
256 MB	128 MB	384 MB
256 MB	192 MB	448 MB
256 MB	256 MB	512 MB
*Not all valid memory configurations are available at all times. Contact Dell for details.

Removing and Installing Memory Modules

Memory modules for your computer are available in 32-, 64-, 128-, 192-, and 256-MB sizes.

NOTE: Your computer has two memory module sockets (slot 1 and slot 2). You can install all sizes of memory modules you purchase from Dell (but which Dell does not install), except the 192-MB memory module, in either socket. If you purchase a non-Dell-installed 192-MB memory module, you must install it in slot 2.

To install memory module(s), perform the following steps.

CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the �Precautionary Measures� section of this guide.

NOTICE: Do not install or remove a memory module when the computer is turned on or in save-to-disk suspend mode.

Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer and any attached peripherals from the electrical outlets.
Remove any installed batteries from the MegaBay and/or media bay. For instructions, refer to �Storage Devices."
Ground yourself by touching a metal input/output (I/O) connector on the back of the computer.
Turn the computer over, and remove the memory module cover as shown in Figure 1.
Slide the memory module cover as far as it will go in the direction of the arrow, and then lift it away from the computer.

Figure 1. Memory Module Cover Removal

1	Memory module cover

NOTICE: To prevent damage to the computer, do not use tools to spread the inner metal tabs of the socket when you are installing or removing a memory module.

If you are replacing one or more memory modules, remove the memory module(s) as shown in Figure 2.

NOTE: If one memory module is already installed and you are adding a second memory module, put the second module in the available slot. Removing existing module(s) is necessary only if they are being replaced. Depending on the configuration of your computer, one or two modules may already be installed.

Using your fingernails, carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the memory module socket just far enough for the memory module to disengage from the socket (the module should pop up slightly). Then lift the memory module away from the socket.

Figure 2. Memory Module Removal

1

Slot 2

2
Memory module

3

Slot 1

Install the new memory module(s) according to the following steps:

a. Align the notch in the edge connector with the slot in the center of the memory module socket.

b. Press the memory module�s edge connector firmly into the socket.

c. Pivot the module down until it clicks.

Replace the memory module cover.
Reinstall any batteries you removed in step 3.
Reconnect your computer and peripherals to electrical outlets.
Turn on the peripherals and then turn on the computer.
As the computer boots, it detects the additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information.

Confirm that the system configuration information reflects the newly installed memory by checking the System Memory option on the Main menu of the Setup program.

To enter the Setup program, press <F2> while the computer is booting. The Main menu appears. If the System Memory total is incorrect, the memory modules may not be installed properly. Repeat steps 1 through 11 until the memory total is correct.

NOTE: The computer will not boot without a memory module installed, nor if the installed module(s) are not seated properly in the socket(s). No error message or beep code indicates this failure.

Run the System Memory device group in the Dell Diagnostics to confirm that the installed memory modules are operating correctly.
For instructions, see �Running the Dell Diagnostics� in Chapter 3 of the Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
If you have added additional memory to your computer, you will need to delete and recreate the save-to-disk suspend file on your hard-disk drive so that it is large enough to accommodate the new memory.
For instructions, refer to �Creating the Save-to-Disk Suspend File.�

Table 4. Upper Memory Map

Location	Description
10FFF0–	Extended memory
100000–10FFEF	High memory area
0F0000–0FFFFF	System BIOS
0E0000–0EFFFF	Video BIOS
0DC000–0DFFFF	Available
0D0000–0DBFFF	PC Card memory
0C0000–0CFFFF	Available
0A0000–0BFFFF	Video RAM
09FC00–09FFFF	PS/2 mouse-data area
000000–09FBFF	Conventional memory

Table 5. Conventional Memory Map

Segment	Address Range	Use
0	00000h–003FFh	Interrupt vector table
	00400h–004FFh	BIOS data area
	00500h–005FFh	MS-DOS® work area
	00600h–0FFFFh	User memory
1	10000h–1FFFFh	User memory
2	20000h–2FFFFh	User memory
3	30000h–3FFFFh	User memory
4	40000h–4FFFFh	User memory
5	50000h–5FFFFh	User memory
6	60000h–6FFFFh	User memory
7	75000h–7FFFFh	User memory
8	80000h–8FFFFh	User memory
9	90000h–9FBFFh	User memory
	9FC00h–9FFFFh	PS/2 mouse-data area

Controls and Indicators

Figure 3. Component Locations (Front View)

1	Display latches
2	Display
3	Display close/suspend button
4	Microphone
5	Air intake
6	Modem port
7	Speaker
8	Main battery
9	Indicator panel
10	Display release
11	Media bay
12	Touch pad buttons (2)
13	Touch pad
14	Keyboard
15	Power button
16	Indicator panel

Figure 4. Component Locations (Back View)

1	Speakers
2	PC card slot
3	Audio connectors
4	AC adapter connector
5	Infrared port
6	PS/2 connector
7	USB connector
8	Docking connector
9	TV-out S-video connector
10	Video connector
11	Serial port connector
12	Parallel port connector
13	Fan exhaust

Three status lights (see Figure 5) are located in the indicator panel directly above the keyboard:

Num Lock: solid green light when Num Lock is on. Press <Num Lock> to turn this feature on or off.
Caps Lock: solid green light when Caps Lock is on. Press <Caps Lock> to turn this feature on or off.
Scroll Lock: solid green light when Scroll Lock is on. Press <Scroll Lock> to turn this feature on or off.

Figure 5. Status Lights on Indicator Panel

1	Num Lock
2	Caps Lock
3	Scroll Lock

Five additional status lights (see Figure 6) are located on the front of the unit, three in the indicator panel below the display latch and two on the left side:

System power: solid green light when the system is on; blinking green light when the system is in suspend state.
Hard-disk drive activity: blinking green light as the drive is being accessed.
Battery status:

Solid green light when the battery is fully charged.
Blinking green light when the battery is charging.
No light when the battery is discharging or if the battery is not installed.
Solid amber light when the battery charge is low (7% life remaining).
Blinking amber light when the battery charge is critically low (1.5% life remaining). The system beeps when this level is first reached.

Diskette drive activity: blinking green light on the left of the unit as the drive is being accessed.
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive activity: blinking green light in the middle of the unit as the drive is being accessed.

Figure 6. Additional Status Lights

1

System power

2
Hard-disk drive activity

3

Battery status

Power Button

Under normal circumstances, you should only use the power button to turn on the computer or to resume from save-to-disk suspend or standby mode. To shut down the computer, click the Start button in the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, and then click Shut Down. If the computer is hung and the operating system does not respond, press and hold the power button until the system turns off completely (this may take 4 to 8 seconds).

Display Close Button

When you close the display, this button activates Standby mode. Do not press this button.

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