Post on 24-Feb-2021
Dell Tech DirectCurriculum
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Section 1Introduction
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Section 2Product Portfolio
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Dell Desktop Portfolios
Only Desktops
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Dell Notebook Portfolios
Only Laptops
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Other Dell Products
Chrome devices Tablets
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Naming Guidelines
• All Commercial products, such as Latitude, Optiplex, Precision, Vostro, Inspiron,
and XPS must follow these naming guidelines ensuring that the products are
consistent, simple, and understandable.
• Products names should follow the same basic naming structure.
Sub Brand Model Number Form Factor
Latitude 5330 2-in-1+ +
5 5 3 0Series Screen
Size
Gen Intel (0)
AMD (5)
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Machines you’ll see & differences
Latitude 3390 2-in-1 Latitude 3379 2-in-1 Latitude 3150 (loaner)
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Vostro Notebooks
• Vostro™ notebooks are designed for
business use. They are budget friendly
and suitable for small organizations
with little or no IT staff.
• We won’t see Vostro™ notebooks.
However, you’ll need to know this
model.
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Summary
Dell's product portfolio include:
• Desktops and all-in-ones
• 2-in-1 PCs
• Chrome
• Laptops
• Tablets
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Section 3Pre-Boot Environment
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One-Time Boot
To access System Setup/BIOS from One-Time boot menu, perform the
steps below:
• Restart the computer.
• When the Dell logo appears, tap the F12 key to access the One-Time boot menu.
• From the menu options select Enter Setup and press the Enter key.
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What One-time Boot will look like:
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Tablets
• We won’t use, but need to know.
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Accessing BIOS - Dell Venue Pro TabletsUsing the Buttons on the tablet
• Press the Power button on the tablet.
• Before the Dell Logo is displayed, press the Volume Down button to get into
System Setup.
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FastBoot on Dell Venue Tablets
• Fast boot is the Pre-Boot environment of Android that starts before Android.
• We won’t use, but need to know.
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Factory Data Reset on Dell Venue Tablets
What does it do?
• Factory Data Reset will erase all personal data and
downloaded applications on the tablet.This action is
non-reversible.
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Section 4Diagnostics and Indicators
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Single LED Error Codes
Example:
• When a system board failure has occurred you will see the following:
Blink 2 times Blink 6 timesPause
LED Flashes Fault Description Faults
(2, 6) Motherboard: Chipset Motherboard/Chipset Error
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Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA)
• What is it?
• ePSA is a diagnostic tool can be used as a troubleshooting
tool when the system fails to boot into the OS.
• How does it work?
• When BIOS detects an abnormal condition on boot-up, it will
directly runs the ePSA diagnosis in “Support Assist System
Scan Mode” which we call the Excalibur Mode.
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Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA)
• It’ll look like this.
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Launching the ePSA diagnostics
• Press F12 to enter One-Time boot menu and
then select diagnostics (on a Dell systems).
• The following are also valid steps in launching
ePSA diagnostics.
• Power up the system and press the F12 key
multiple times during the boot process to go to
the Boot menu.
• Use the up and down arrow keys to select
<Diagnostics> on the menu and press the
Enter key.
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SupportAssist for PCs
• Five types of Dell Service Plans
• Each type has different capabilities
Dell Services Plans
BasicPremium
SupportProSupport ProSupport Plus
Premium
Support Plus
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SupportAssist for PCs: Plan examples
Entire list is on the link below:
https://prm.dell.com/prmPub/cninv900000000000074/introduction.htm
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Depending on your Dell Service plan, SupportAssist can do things like:
• Automate and facilitate your engagement with Dell Technical Support.
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PC Doctor
• The PC Doctor USB solution is
designed to assist carry-in service
technicians with diagnosing customer
systems and taking necessary and
relevant actions by replacing parts to
fix issues.
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The PC Doctor USB solution performs the following THREE actions:
• DOS test: Runs the diagnostics in DOS mode to identify hardware failure.
• Windows test (interactive): Runs the diagnostics in Windows mode to identify
hardware failure and is interactive.
• Individual diagnostics: Runs the diagnostics on a specific part.
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Section 5Troubleshooting
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Memory
• The easiest way to verify the
functionality of system board:
• Reseat (remove) the memory
modules (DIMM) and recheck for a
memory error. If there are no errors
identified and the system is working
do not replace the memory.
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Tools for Memory Diagnostics
MemRx:
• MemRx will identify and mask defective blocks of the memory provided the failures
are contained within 50,4 bytes, without any user intervention.
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The Key features of the MemRx tool are:
• MemRx is a tool that can successfully repair and ignore defective memory areas
by masking the address from system usage.
• It requires a UEFI version of ePSA to run; this information is displayed at the lower
right-hand corner of the ePSA diagnostics.
• The technology is similar to Hard Drive repair utilities (CHKDSK or Scandisk).
• It is independent of DIMM isolation, which means that the tool cannot identify
which DIMM is failing on its own.
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32 GB DIMMs are only supported on systems using Xeon W Series CPUs
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Hard Drive:Procedure to run ePSA
• We won’t use, but need to know
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Hard Drive:Procedure to run ePSA
• Turn on the system.
• At the Dell splash screen tap continuously on <F12> key until the one-time boot
menu appears.
• Using the down arrow key navigate to the Diagnostics option and press <Enter>
key, to start ePSA.
• At about 15 seconds after starting the ePSA user will hear a beep and a question
will appear on the system screen, if colors are displayed properly. Press<Y> key
for yes and to continue the ePSA.
• A HDD test will start and run in parallel. When the memory quick test finishes the
HDD self-test results are displayed.
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If the hard drive has passed ePSA and the system is not booting, likely problem is a corrupt or missing operating system.
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Raid issues
• There are four types of issues:
• Predictive Drive Failure
• Double Fault
• Foreign Configuration
• Foreign Disk
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Predictive Drive Failure
• A drive that is still online, but based on an internal data error rate algorithm, and
has been predicted to fail imminently. Data errors that are propagated to a drive
will be reported as media errors on the drive.
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Double Fault
• When one or more drives in a RAID array contain data errors, and another drive in
the array is no longer an active member of the array due to drive failure, foreign
configuration, drive removal, or any other reason, this creates a condition known
as a "Double Fault". A double fault condition results in the immediate data loss of
any information in the impacted stripes.
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Foreign Configuration
• Foreign configuration occurs when you replace a failed PERC card. You need to
make sure of successful recovery of existing storage arrays and that the
configuration is being rebuilt.
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Foreign Disks
• The foreign disks state happens when there are new virtual drives with
preserved cache.
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Overheating/Shutdowns
• Overheating and intermittent shut
down may be caused when debris or
dust clog the fan exhaust port. This is
especially notices on systems
operating in a dusty environment.
• Heatsink
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Overheating/Shutdowns
• If the system's thermal solution (heat
sink) is disassembled, ensure that all
thermal interface material is in place:
• Between CPU and heat sink, ensure
thermal grease or a thermal pad is
in place.
• Between the heat sink and the
graphic PROCESSOR unit (GPU) -
Portables only, ensure colored pads
are in place.
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What is Thermal grease?
A substance used to manage better
heat conduction between two surfaces
such as Processor & Heatsink.
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POWER SUPPLY UNITS
• power supply unit PSU
• built in self-test BIST
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PSU BIST
Most mainstream systems now include
a power supply with the built-in self-test
(BIST) feature that drives new
troubleshooting steps. Press and hold
the test button to run the BIST.
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New PSU BIST for standalone PSUIsolation three steps for Desktop PSU
• Ensure to disconnect the AC power cord from the PSU before starting the
PSU BIST.
• To start the PSU BIST: Plug in the AC power cord & note the LED lights status.
• To restart the PSU BIST: Disconnect the AC power cord for 15 seconds (PSU BIST
reset time), and then plug-in the AC power cord.
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Results of test
LED State Description
ON for 3 seconds and OFF
PSU is functioning. The system
board, component or its cable
that were attached to the PSU
are shorted.
OFF PSU is faulty.
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Changing the BIOS options
• SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON
if system has a RAID CARD or if
RAID is configured on the system)
• Boot Mode – Legacy
• Secure Boot – Disabled
• Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive
(with the Operating System installed)
as the First Boot Device
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Changing the BIOS options
• SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)
• Boot Mode – UEFI
• Secure Boot – Enabled (Change it to Disabled if it does not boot)
• Legacy ROM – Enabled
• Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the First Boot Device
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Changing the BIOS options
• SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)
• Boot Mode – UEFI
• Secure Boot – Enabled
• Legacy ROM – Disabled
• Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the First Boot Device
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LCD/Display
• BIST tests the LCD
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If the LCD has passed the BIST, but there is still a “no video” problem. Components need to be checked in a certain order.
• LCD cable
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If the LCD has passed the BIST, but there is still a “no video” problem. Components need to be checked in a certain order.
• LCD cable
• Inverter board
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If the LCD has passed the BIST, but there is still a “no video” problem. Components need to be checked in a certain order.
• LCD cable
• inverter board
• system board
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What and when is an RTC Reset needed
• The Real Time Clock (RTC) reset function allows you or the service technician
to recover Dell XPS, Latitude and Precision systems from No POST/No
Boot situations.
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How to initiate RTC reset
• You can initiate the RTC reset on the system from a power off state and
is connected to AC power. Press and hold the power button for twenty-five
(25) seconds. The system RTC Reset occurs after you release the power button.
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RTC Reset will not affect these items
• Service Tag
• Asset Tag
• Ownership Tag
• System Password
• Asset Tag
• HDD Password
• Key Databases
• System Logs
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What Is Latitude Self-Heal?
• Latitude Self-Heal is an option that
helps recover a Latitude system
from a No Post, No Power, No
Video situation.
• Latitude Self-Heal clears the CMOS
on the motherboard and rewrites the
BIOS to original factory defaults. After
clearing the CMOS, Latitude Self-Heal
will reset hardware settings back to
factory defaults.
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How to Perform Latitude Self-Heal
Remove the AC adapter and primary battery.
Unplug the coin-cell (CMOS) battery from the motherboard.
Release the flea power. Ensure the coin-cell battery and the primary battery are not plugged into the system.
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How to Perform Latitude Self-Heal
Connect the primary battery and AC adapter.
Plug the coin-cell (CMOS) battery back into the motherboard.
Plug in the AC adapter and power on the machine.
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Note:
• The system will start automatically with a blank screen for a while and will shut
down automatically. This will happen twice (watch for the LED lights).
• The above behavior may take 5-6 minutes maximum.
• Remove the AC adapter and proceed to step 5.
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Note: Launching latitude Self-Heal recovery
Before: When: Upon:
• It is recommended to
perform Latitude Self-
Heal before replacing
the system board.
• The system will start
automatically with a
blank screen for a while
and will shut down
automatically. This will
happen twice (watch for
the LED lights).
• The system will power
on with the Dell logo.
• Set the correct date
and time.
• Update the latest BIOS.
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BIOS Recovery 2 (br2)
• BR2 is a Boot Block technology software designed to recover a corrupted BIOS
Possibility of solving No Post and No Boot related issue.
• The key feature is to provide flexibility to initiate the BR2 process from:
– System's primary hard drive
– External USB key
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Trigger Method br2
• From Desktop & AIO:
– Turn on the PC.
– Immediately hold down on "Ctrl-
Esc" Key until the BIOS Recovery
page appear.
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Convertible and Detachable Platform:Convertible and detachable platform supports both Key sequence and Button sequence where touch is the primary input and the physical keyboard is part of the standard hardware configuration.
Key Sequence Trigger Button Sequence Trigger
• Hold down "CTRL + Esc" key
• Plug in AC Adapter
• Release the "CTRL + Esc" key
• Hold down "Volume Down" Button
• Plug in AC Adapter
• Release the "Volume Down" Button
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BIOS Recovery 2 does not support recovery from:
• Encrypted Hard Disk Drive
• When Hard Disk Drive password's set
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BR2 does not support trigger via Touch Panel
• Notebook platform uses built-in keyboard only as trigger method.
• Desktop, AIO and pAlO platform uses external keyboard (Bluetooth
Keyboard only works if BIOS has POST support for platform specific
Bluetooth Keyboard).
• Tablet platform uses buttons as trigger method.
• Convertible and Detachable platform supports trigger from both
external keyboard or buttons.
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BR2 Image default search location
No USB USB key is inserted both external and primary HDD
• When no USB key is
plugged into the system,
BIOS Recovery will be
attempted from the
HDD.
• If a USB key is inserted
then by default, external
USB key 's the first
search location.
• In the situation where
images present in both
external and primary
HDD, the recovery
image from the
external USB key
will be executed.
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Maintain current BIOS settings
• If user wants to preserve the current
BIOS settings, set the "Reset
NVRAM" option to "Disabled" before
starting the recovery process.
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Disabling BIOS Recovery 2 from Hard DriveCan be disabled in BIOS
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BIOS Auto-Recovery
• BIOS Auto-Recovery is an automatic
recovery process occurred if BIOS
image integrity is failed while
booting, provided the BIOS Auto-
Recovery feature from hard drive is
enabled in BIOS.
• Can be disabled or enabled in BIOS.
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enable BIOS Auto-Recovery
• Click Maintenance under BIOS settings.
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enable BIOS Auto-Recovery
• Select BIOS Recovery.
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enable BIOS Auto-Recovery
• Check BIOS Auto Recovery.
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enable BIOS Auto-Recovery
• Click Apply.
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enable BIOS Auto-Recovery
• Click Exit (if you don’t click exit, settings won’t be applied).
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Onsite Troubleshooting Flow
DO NOT Replace the suspected failed part immediately.
Reseat parts and cables.
Re-run diagnostic sequences with removal of
individual parts to isolate issue.
Capture the fault exhibited by running diagnostics
indicators, check for error codes and check BIOS settings.
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Section 6Common Industry Standards
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Memory Modules
• There are five different types of
memory modules:
– DDR
– DDR2
– DDR3 Memory
– DDR3L Memory
– DDR4 Memory
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Double Data Rate (DDR)
• Double Data Rate (DDR) is a type of memory where data is transferred on both
the rising and falling edges of the clock signal.
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DDR2
• DDR2 memory, double pumps the data bus. DDR2 allows higher bus speed
and requires lower power by running the internal clock at half the speed of the
data bus.
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DDR3
• DDR3 continues the evolution in memory technology and provides
several improvements to the existing DDR2 architecture. The primary
benefit is an increase of the I/O bus to operate at four times the speed of
the memory cell it contains. DDR3 also allows for chip capacities from
512MB to 8GB.
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DDR3L
• The "3L" in DDR3L stands for low-voltage.
JEDEC introduced two low-voltage
standards. The DDR3L standard is 1.35V
and has the label ''PC3L'' for its modules.
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DDR4
• The DDR4 SDRAM device is an evolutionary device that improves upon the DDR3
SDRAM generation in terms of capacity, performance scalability, and power
efficiency, as well as system-level reliability, availability, and serviceability.
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Display
• Some of the most popular display technologies are:
• Cathode ray tube display (CRT)
• Light-emitting diode display (LED)
• Electroluminescent display (ELD)
• Thin-film transistor display (TFT)
• Liquid crystal display (LCD)
• High-Performance Addressing
display (HPA)
• Organic light-emitting diode display
(OLED)
• Plasma display panel (PDP)
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2.5" SSD SATA
• There are four advantages of SSDs when compared to traditional HDD:
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2.5" SSD SATA
• There are four advantages of SSDs when compared to traditional HDD:
– Silent operation
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2.5" SSD SATA
• There are four advantages of SSDs when compared to traditional HDD:
– Silent operation
– Lower latency
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2.5" SSD SATA
• There are four advantages of SSDs when compared to traditional HDD:
– Silent operation
– Lower latency
– Faster data read/write speeds
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2.5" SSD SATA
• There are four advantages of SSDs when compared to traditional HDD:
– Silent operation
– Lower latency
– Faster data read/write speeds
– Less prone to physical failures
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NVMe M.2 SSD
• NVMe is an acronym for Non-Volatile Memory express (data transfer protocol
similar to SATA, AHCI, IDE, or PCIe), and M.2 is a form factor specification
supporting interfaces such as SATA, AHCI, PCIe.
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NVMe M.2 SSD
• NVMe is an acronym for Non-Volatile Memory express (data transfer protocol similar to SATA, AHCI, IDE, or PCIe), and M.2 is a form factor specification
supporting interfaces such as SATA, AHCI, PCIe.
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Optane Memory
• Intel® Optane™ memory is a system
acceleration solution for new 7th Gen
Intel Core-I processor & Chipset
platforms. This solution utilizes the
Intel® Optane™ technology, based on
3D XPoint™ memory media, along
with the Intel® Rapid Storage
Technology (Intel® RST) driver.
• It pairs memory and storage into one
virtual drive visible to the OS.
• It is a system acceleration solution for
new 7th Gen Intel Core-I processor &
Chipset platforms.
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Types of Graphics Cards
• Integrated graphics card
• Discrete graphics card
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integrated graphics card
• An integrated graphics card is bound to the motherboard and shares RAM with the
CPU, reducing the total amount of RAM available.
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discrete graphics card
• A discrete graphics card has a dedicated processing unit called a Graphics
Processor Unit (GPU) and RAM.
• Discrete Graphics cards connect to the motherboard of a computer system using a
slot, typically an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or a Peripheral Component
Interconnect Express (PCIe) connection.
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wireless local area network (WLAN)
• A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a wireless computer network that links two
or more devices using a wireless distribution method (often spread-spectrum or
OFDM radio) within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or
office building. This gives users the ability to move around within a local coverage
area and yet still be connected to the network.
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Section 7Need to know
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Service Tag Location
• The Service Tag and
Express Service Code for
the Dell™ Latitude™ are
at the bottom base of
the computer.
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Service Tag
• Technicians will need to ensure that the Service Tag is correctly entered,
after replacing the system board.
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Repackaging: Parts Unpacking
• All parts must be handled by lifting and holding from the edges or
sides. Avoid touching the surface or bottom of the parts.
• Place the box on a secure surface and break the tamper proof seal
with a safe tool. Carefully open the package top or lid.
• Do not break the tamper proof seal on the ESD bag unless you
intend to install the part immediately.
• If the part contained in the box was secured properly without visible
damage, continue with next steps.
• If the part has visible damage, do not use the part. Contact Dell
technical support to dispatch another part. Return the part with a
description of the damage.
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Repackaging: Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA)
• Repackage parts that are returned to Dell in the same manner in which they were received.
• Carefully insert the board into the ESD bag, ensuring components are not pulled or knocked off.
• Fold the top part of the ESD bag and re-tape it.
• Pack the board into the foam inserts of a Dell-approved box, with the bottom of the board down and the surface of the board up. Verify that the PPID sticker is placed on top.
• Place the covering foam over the unit. Close the box top and insert the lid tabs into the slots on the left and right edges.
• Place any extra parts between the upper covering foam insert and the box lid. Only small service kit parts, such as cables, inverters, and converts are allowed. Use a plastic bag if available.
• Ensure that ESD methods are applied when handling PCBAs, since they are susceptible to handling damage.
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PCB handling
• During disassembly and
repackaging, technicians are
reminded to practice caution when
handling the system boards. Avoid
touching the surface or bottom of
the PCB. Instead, handle the part
by lifting and holding it from the
edges or sides.
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Repackaging Processor (CPU)
• To prevent CPU pings from being bent
or any damage to the system board,
which has to be returned to Dell,
technicians must ensure that:
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Repackaging Processor (CPU)
• Parts that are returned to Dell should
be repackaged in the same manner in
which they were received.
Electrostatic bags (ESD bags), socket
covers, and LCD protective materials
such as the Mylar screen covers are
examples. Also, some system boards
are shipped with daughter board to
avoid transit damage back to Dell.
• Every dispatched system board has ZIF
socket T cover installed to protect the
pins on the system board when shipped
for repair.
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Windows 8.1 / 10 Digital Product Key (DPK) Handling
• On a Windows 10 system, after
replacing the system board, the Field
Service Technicians Enter the 5 x 5
Digital Product Key and hand over the
Digital Product Key (DPK) Card to
the customer.
• It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY:
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-
XXXXX.
5 numbers of 5 sections
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Intel Processor Handling and Installation: Processor Installation
• Occasional orange discoloration of
package lands due to oxidation has been
assessed and confirmed to have no
impact on electrical performance,
quality, or reliability.
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Bluetooth (BT) Disabled option in service Menu of manufacturing mod (SMMM)
• When replacing system
board, you will notice a
new BT Disabled option
in Service Menu of
Manufacturing Mode
(SMMM) along with
other management
modes.
• If BT Disabled label is
present inside the
bottom door or chassis.
you select the BT
Disabled setting in
service Menu of
manufacturing mode.
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System Board Jumper
• When the systemboard
jumper is as
SERVICE_MODE state,
the values in BIOS cannot
be saved and shows as
manufacturing mode.
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RMA Shim
• The Dell Chromebook 3380 utilizes
a unique service tool known as
RMA Shim.
• RMA shim tool on a Chromebook
would need to be ran In the event of
system board replacement.
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RMA Shim
• The Dell Chromebook 3380 utilizes
a unique service tool known as
RMA Shim.
• After replacing the system board on a
Chromebook, you will need to execute
RMA Shim to set VPD information and
install the chrome OS.
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Using Dell Command Update
Dell command utility update will check
online for the latest BIOS, driver,
firmware, and dell application updates
for a system and also helps to
download and install the updates.
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Section 8Disassembly
© Copyright 2020 Dell Inc.113 of 20Internal Use - Confidential
Good luck on yourFinal Exam!