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Dell P121G Service Manual
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Dell P121G Service Manual

Dell P121G Service Manual

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Inspiron 5300
Service Manual
Regulatory Model: P121G
Regulatory Type: P121G001
May 2021
Rev. A02

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Summary of Contents for Dell P121G

  • Page 1 Inspiron 5300 Service Manual Regulatory Model: P121G Regulatory Type: P121G001 May 2021 Rev. A02...
  • Page 2 A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2020-2021 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Chapter 1: Working inside your computer..................6 Before working inside your computer..........................6 Before you begin ................................6 Safety instructions................................6 Electrostatic discharge—ESD protection........................7 ESD field service kit ................................7 Transporting sensitive components..........................8 After working inside your computer..........................8 Chapter 2: Removing and installing components................10 Recommended tools................................10 Screw list.....................................
  • Page 4 Updating BIOS on systems with BitLocker enabled....................64 Updating your system BIOS using a USB flash drive..................64 Updating the Dell BIOS in Linux and Ubuntu environments................... 65 Flashing the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu.................... 65 System and setup password............................68 Assigning a system setup password........................
  • Page 5 Chapter 6: Getting help and contacting Dell................80 Contents...

  • Page 6: Chapter 1: Working Inside Your Computer

    You should only perform troubleshooting and repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the safety instructions that is shipped with the product or at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

  • Page 7: Electrostatic Discharge-Esd Protection

    ESD protection is an increasing concern. Due to the increased density of semiconductors used in recent Dell products, the sensitivity to static damage is now higher than in previous Dell products. For this reason, some previously approved methods of handling parts are no longer applicable.

  • Page 8: Transporting Sensitive Components

    It is recommended that all field service technicians use the traditional wired ESD grounding wrist strap and protective anti-static mat at all times when servicing Dell products. In addition, it is critical that technicians keep sensitive parts separate from all insulator parts while performing service and that they use anti-static bags for transporting sensitive components.
  • Page 9 2. Connect any external devices, peripherals, or cables you removed before working on your computer. 3. Replace any media cards, discs, or any other parts that you removed before working on your computer. 4. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets. 5.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2: Removing And Installing Components

    Removing and installing components Recommended tools The procedures in this document may require the following tools: ● Phillips screwdriver #0 ● Phillips screwdriver #1 ● Plastic scribe Screw list NOTE: When removing screws from a component, it is recommended to note the screw type, the quantity of screws, and then place them in a screw storage box.

  • Page 11: Major Components Of Inspiron 5300

    Table 1. Screw list (continued) Component Secured to Screw type Quantity Screw image I/O board Palm-rest and keyboard M2x3 assembly Wireless-card bracket Palm-rest and keyboard M2x2.5 assembly Touchpad Palm-rest and keyboard M2x2 assembly Major components of Inspiron 5300 The following image shows the major components of Inspiron 5300. 1.

  • Page 12: Base Cover

    16. Heat sink NOTE: Dell provides a list of components and their part numbers for the original system configuration purchased. These parts are available according to warranty coverages purchased by the customer. Contact your Dell sales representative for purchase options.
  • Page 13 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 14 Steps 1. Loosen the three captive screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Remove the four screws (M2x4) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Starting from the top-left corner, use a plastic scribe to pry the base cover in the direction of the arrows to release the base cover from the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 15: Installing The Base Cover

    6. Turn your computer over and press the power button for 15 seconds to drain the flea power. Installing the base cover Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following images indicate the location of the base cover and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 16: Battery

    Steps 1. Connect the battery cable to the system board, if applicable. 2. Align the screw holes on the base cover with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly, and then snap the base cover into place. 3. Replace the four screws (M2x4) that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 17: Removing The 3-Cell Battery

    ● If the battery gets stuck inside your computer as a result of swelling, do not try to release it as puncturing, bending, or crushing a lithium-ion battery can be dangerous. In such an instance, contact Dell technical support for assistance. See www.dell.com/contactdell.

  • Page 18: Installing The 3-Cell Battery

    Steps 1. Remove the four screws (M2x5) that secure the battery to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Disconnect the battery cable from the system board, if applicable. 3. Lift the battery off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Installing the 3-cell battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure.

  • Page 19: Removing The 4-Cell Battery

    Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Removing the 4-cell battery Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following image indicates the location of the battery and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure.

  • Page 20: Installing The 4-Cell Battery

    Installing the 4-cell battery Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the battery and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 21: Solid-State Drive

    Solid-state drive Removing the solid-state drive Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. CAUTION: Solid-state drives are fragile. Exercise care when handling the solid-state drive. CAUTION: To avoid data loss, do not remove the solid-state drive while the computer is in sleep or on state. 2.
  • Page 22 About this task The following image indicates the location of the solid-state drive and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Steps 1. Lift the mylar that covers the solid-state drive slot. 2. Slide the solid-state drive into the solid-state drive slot. 3.

  • Page 23: Coin-Cell Battery

    Coin-cell battery Removing the coin-cell battery Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. CAUTION: Removing the coin-cenn 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. 2.

  • Page 24: Wireless Card

    Steps 1. Adhere the coin-cell battery to the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the coin-cell battery cable through the routing guide. 3. Connect the coin-cell battery cable to the system board. Next steps 1. Install the 4-cell battery.

  • Page 25: Installing The Wireless Card

    Steps 1. Lift the mylar that covers the wireless-card slot. 2. Remove the screw (M2x2.5) that secures the wireless-card bracket to the wireless card and lift the wireless-card bracket off the wireless card. 3. Disconnect the antenna cables from the wireless card. 4.
  • Page 26 Steps 1. Lift the mylar that covers the wireless-card slot. 2. Align the notch on the wireless card with the tab on the wireless-card slot and insert the wireless card at an angle 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.

  • Page 27: Fans

    Fans Removing the fan Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer. 2. Remove the base cover. About this task The following images indicate the location of the fans and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.

  • Page 28: Speakers

    Steps 1. Lift the mylar that covers the screw hole on the fan. 2. Align the screw holes on the fan with the screw holes on the system board. 3. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the fan to the system board. 4.

  • Page 29: Installing The Speakers

    Steps 1. Disconnect the speaker cable from the system board. 2. Peel the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the battery. 3. Note the routing of the speaker cables, and remove the speaker cables from the respective routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

  • Page 30: Display Assembly

    Steps 1. Slide the left and the right speakers into the respective slots on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Route the speaker cables through the respective routing guides on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Adhere the tapes that secure the speaker cable to the battery. 4.
  • Page 31 Removing and installing components...
  • Page 32 Steps 1. Lift the mylar that covers the display cable on the system board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the display cable from the system board. 3. Remove the two screws (M2x2) that secure the left hinge to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 33: Installing The Display Assembly

    Installing the display assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following images indicate the location of the display assembly and provide a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 34: Touchpad

    Steps 1. Place the display assembly on a clean surface. 2. Align and place the palm-rest and keyboard assembly at an angle with the display assembly. 3. Align the screw holes on the display hinges with the screw holes on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.

  • Page 35: Installing The Touchpad

    2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 4-cell battery. 4. Remove the 3-cell battery. About this task The following image indicates the location of touchpad and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the speaker cables to the touchpad bracket. 2.

  • Page 36: Heat Sink

    Steps 1. Align and place the touchpad into the slot on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two (M2x2) screws that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Adhere the tapes that secure the touchpad to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 37 Heat sink on computers shipped with discrete graphics card Heat sink on computers shipped with integrated graphics card Removing and installing components...

  • Page 38: Installing The Heat Sink

    Steps 1. Peel off the mylar that covers the heat sink on the system board. 2. For computers shipped with discrete graphics card, in reverse sequential order (7>6>5>4>3>2>1), loosen the seven captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board . 3.
  • Page 39 About this task The following image indicates the location of the heat sink and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure. Heat sink on computers shipped with discrete graphics card Heat sink on computers shipped with integrated graphics card Removing and installing components...

  • Page 40: Power-Adapter Port

    Steps 1. Align the screw holes on the heat sink with the screw holes on the system board. 2. For computers shipped with discrete graphics card, in sequential order (1>2>3>4>5>6>7), tighten the seven captive screws that secure the heat sink to the system board. 3.

  • Page 41: Installing The Power-Adapter Port

    2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the display assembly. About this task The following image indicates the location of power-adapter port and provides a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-adapter port to the system board. 2.

  • Page 42: I/O Board

    Steps 1. Connect the power-adapter port cable to the system board. 2. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-adapter port to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the base cover. 2. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer.

  • Page 43: Installing The I/O Board

    Steps 1. Peel the tape that secures the I/O-board cable to the I/O board. 2. Open the latch and disconnect the I/O-board cable from the I/O board. 3. Peel the tape that secures the I/O-board cable to the fan. 4. Remove the two screws (M2x3) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.

  • Page 44: System Board

    Steps 1. Align and place the I/O board on the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Replace the two screws (M2x3) that secure the I/O board to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Connect the I/O-board cable and close the latch to secure the cable to the I/O board. 4.

  • Page 45: Installing The System Board

    4. Remove the fan. 5. Remove the heat sink. 6. Remove the solid state drive. 7. Remove the display assembly. About this task The following images indicate the location of the system board and provide a visual representation of the removal procedure. Steps 1.
  • Page 46 NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag is stored in the system board. You must enter the Service Tag in the BIOS setup program after you replace the 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 appropriate changes again after you replace the system board.

  • Page 47: Power Button

    4. Install the fan. 5. Install the 4-cell battery or the 3-cell battery. 6. Install the base cover. 7. Follow the procedure in After working inside your computer. Power button Removing the power button Prerequisites 1. Follow the procedure in Before working inside your computer.

  • Page 48: Installing The Power Button

    Installing the power button Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the location of the power button and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.
  • Page 49 2. Remove the base cover. 3. Remove the 4-cell battery or the 3-cell battery. 4. Remove the speakers. 5. Remove the system board. NOTE: The system board can be removed with the heat sink attached. 6. Remove the display assembly. 7.

  • Page 50: Installing The Power Button With Fingerprint Reader

    Steps 1. Remove the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-button shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Peel the mylar tape that secures the power-button shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 3. Lift the power-button shield off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4.
  • Page 51 Steps 1. Align the power-button board with the slot on palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 2. Connect the fingerprint-reader cable to the power-button board, and close the latch. 3. Adhere the fingerprint-reader cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 4. Adhere the tape that secures the fingerprint-reader cable to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 5.

  • Page 52: Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    10. Replace the screw (M2x3) that secures the power-button shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. 11. Adhere the mylar tape that secures the power-button shield to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. Next steps 1. Install the power-adapter port. 2. Install the display assembly.

  • Page 53: Installing The Palm-Rest And Keyboard Assembly

    Steps After performing the steps in the pre-requisites, we are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly. NOTE: System board can be removed with heatsink attached. Installing the palm-rest and keyboard assembly Prerequisites If you are replacing a component, remove the existing component before performing the installation procedure. About this task The following image indicates the palm-rest and keyboard assembly and provides a visual representation of the installation procedure.

  • Page 54: Chapter 3: Drivers And Downloads

    Drivers and downloads When troubleshooting, downloading or installing drivers it is recommended that you read the Dell Knowledge Based article, Drivers and Downloads FAQ SLN128938. Drivers and downloads...

  • Page 55: Chapter 4: System Setup

    System setup CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly. NOTE: Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed. NOTE: Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen information for future reference.

  • Page 56: One Time Boot Menu

    One time boot menu To enter one time boot menu, turn on your computer, and then press F2 immediately. NOTE: It is recommended to shutdown the computer if it is on. The one-time boot menu displays the devices that you can boot from including the diagnostic option. The boot menu options are: ●...
  • Page 57 Table 4. System setup options—System information menu (continued) Overview Processor L3 Cache Displays the processor L3 Cache size. Current Clock Speed Displays the current processor clock speed. Minimum Clock Speed Displays the minimum processor clock speed. Microcode Version Displays the microcode version. Intel Hyper-Threading Capable Displays whether the processor is Hyper-Threading (HT) capable.
  • Page 58 Table 6. System setup options—System Configuration menu System Configuration Date/Time Date Sets the computer date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Changes to the date take effect immediately. Time Sets the computer time in HH/MM/SS 24-hour format. You can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour clock. Changes to the time take effect immediately.
  • Page 59 Table 6. System setup options—System Configuration menu (continued) System Configuration Default: ON. Table 7. System setup options—Video menu Video LCD Brightness Brightness on battery power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on battery power. Brightness on AC power Sets the screen brightness when the computer is running on AC power.
  • Page 60 Table 8. System setup options—Security menu (continued) Security NOTE: This feature may cause compatibility issues or loss of functionality with some legacy tools and applications. Enable Strong Passwords Enables or disables strong passwords. Default: OFF. Password Configuration Control the minimum and maximum number of characters that are allowed for Admin and System passwords.
  • Page 61 Table 11. System setup options—Performance menu (continued) Performance Default: ON. Multi-Core Support Changes the number of CPU cores available to the operating system. The default value is set to the maximum number of cores. Default: All Cores. Enable C-State Control Enables or disables the CPU's ability to enter and exit low-power states.
  • Page 62 Table 13. System setup options—Wireless menu (continued) Wireless WLAN Default: ON. Bluetooth Default: ON. Wireless Device Enable Enable or disable internal WLAN/Bluetooth devices. WLAN Default: ON. Bluetooth Default: ON. Table 14. System setup options—POST Behavior menu POST Behavior Numlock Enable Enables or disables Numlock when the computer boots.
  • Page 63 Dell Auto operating system Recovery Controls the automatic boot flow for SupportAssist System Resolution Console Threshold and for Dell operating system Recovery tool. Default: 2. SupportAssist operating system Recovery Enables or disables the boot flow for SupportAssist operating system Recovery tool in the even of certain system errors.

  • Page 64: Updating The Bios In Windows

    Steps 1. Restart the computer. 2. Go to Dell.com/support. ● Enter the Service Tag or Express Service Code and click Submit. ● Click Detect Product and follow the instructions on screen. 3. If you are unable to detect or find the Service Tag, click Choose from all products.

  • Page 65: Updating The Dell Bios In Linux And Ubuntu Environments

    One-Time boot menu on the system. Most Dell systems built after 2012 have this capability and you can confirm by booting your system to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see if BIOS FLASH UPDATE is listed as a boot option for your system. If the option is listed, then the BIOS supports this BIOS update option.
  • Page 66 ● Functional system battery to flash the BIOS Perform the following steps to execute the BIOS update flash process from the F12 menu: CAUTION: Do not power off the system during the BIOS update process. Powering off the system could make the system fail to boot.
  • Page 67 5. Once the file is selected, Double click the flash target file, then press submit. 6. Click the Update BIOS then system will reboot to flash the BIOS. System setup...

  • Page 68: System And Setup Password

    7. Once complete, the system will reboot and the BIOS update process is completed. System and setup password Table 19. System and setup password Password type Description System password Password that you must enter to log in to your system. Setup password Password that you must enter to access and make changes to the BIOS settings of your computer.

  • Page 69: Deleting Or Changing An Existing System Setup Password

    Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords About this task To clear the system or BIOS passwords, contact Dell technical support as described at www.dell.com/contactdell. NOTE: For information on how to reset Windows or application passwords, refer to the documentation accompanying Windows or your application.

  • Page 70: Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

    Check diagnostics About this task The SupportAssist diagnostics (also known as system diagnostics) performs a complete check of your hardware. The Dell SupportAssist Pre-boot System Performance Check diagnostics is embedded with the BIOS and is launched by the BIOS internally. The embedded system diagnostics provides a set of options for particular devices or device groups allowing you to: ●...
  • Page 71 Usage Guide Steps 1. User to obtain information from SupportAssist error windows. 2. Navigate to https://www.dell.com/support/diagnose/Pre-boot-Analysis. 3. Enter error code, validation code, and service tag. Part serial number is optional. NOTE: For error code, use only the last 3 or 4 digits of the code. (user can enter 0142 or 142 instead of 2000–0142.) 4.
  • Page 72 Results Valid Error Code Example After entering the correct information, the online tools will direct the user to the above screen which contains information on : Troubleshooting...
  • Page 73 ● Confirmation of the error code and result outcome ● Suggested Part Replacement ● If customer is still covered under Dell Warranty ● Case reference number if there is an open case under the service tag Invalid Error Code Example...
  • Page 74 3. The QR code scanner application will scan the code and automatically generate a link. Click the link to proceed. Troubleshooting...
  • Page 75 Results The link generated will take the customer to the Dell Support website which contains information on: ● Confirmation of the error code and result outcome ● Suggested Part Replacement ● If customer is still covered under Dell Warranty ● Case reference number if there is an open case under the service tag...

  • Page 76: Lcd Built-In Self Test (Bist)

    LCD Built-in Self Test (BIST) Dell laptops have a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with the LCD (screen) of the Dell laptop or with the video card (GPU) and PC settings.

  • Page 77: M-Bist

    M-BIST M-BIST (Built In Self-Test) diagnostics tool, featuring improved accuracy in system board failures. NOTE: M-BIST can be manually initiated before POST (Power On Self Test). How to run M-BIST NOTE: M-BIST must be initiated on the system from a power-off state either connected to AC power or with battery only. 1.

  • Page 78: Recovering The Operating System

    It enables you to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to its factory state. You can also download it from the Dell Support website to troubleshoot and fix your computer when it fails to boot into their primary operating system due to software or hardware failures.

  • Page 79: Wifi Power Cycle

    WiFi power cycle About this task If your computer is unable to access the Internet due to WiFi connectivity issues, a WiFi power cycle procedure may be performed. The following procedure provides the instructions on how to conduct a WiFi power cycle: NOTE: Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) provide a modem/router combo device.
  • Page 80 Getting help and contacting Dell Self-help resources You can get information and help on Dell products and services using these self-help resources: Table 21. Self-help resources Self-help resources Resource location Information about Dell products and services www.dell.com My Dell Tips...

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