How to Use and Troubleshoot the Inspiron 5348

Table of Contents

1. The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video
2. The Computer Stops Responding
3. Microsoft Windows Crashes, Stops, Restarts or a Blue Screen Appears
4. Dell PC Diagnostics Quick Test and SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets
5. Inspiron 5348 Specifications
6. Port Locations
7. Resetting the System Setup (BIOS) to its Default Settings
8. How to Open the Chassis?
9. How to Remove and Re-insert the Components?
10. Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting
11. Mouse, Keyboard or Touchpad Not Working Correctly
12. Computer Component is not Recognized
13. Inspiron 5348 Drivers
14. Dell Windows Support Center

Follow the instructions in this article to use, set up, and troubleshoot the Dell Inspiron 5348.

The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video

If you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning), but the computer does not show any image, locate and look at the power button.

• The power button LED is a bi-color light that indicates the Dell Inspiron 5348 power state.
  Refer to the grid below for Power LED Status information:

  Power LED Status	Power State
  Off	Power is off or the system is in an S4 (hibernate) or S5 power state. LED is blank.
  Solid White	The computer is in power-on state.
  Solid Amber	The system board cannot start initialization. There may be an issue with the system board, memory, processor or the power supply.
  Blinking Amber	The system board cannot start initialization or in an S3 power state. There is a power problem, a device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

• The Dell Inspiron 5348 can emit a series of beeps during start-up if the display cannot show errors or problems. These series of beeps, called beep codes.
  Most of the failure scenarios are accompanied by Blinking Amber Power LED and Beep Codes.
  Refer to the table below for information on each scenario:

  Power LED Blinking/Beep Code
  LED/Beep Code	Fault Description	Fault(s)
  1	Motherboard: BIOS ROM Failure	Motherboard, covers BIOS corruption or ROM error
  2	Memory	No Memory (RAM) detected
  3	Motherboard: Chipset	Chipset Error (North and South bridge error Time-Of-Day Clock test failure Gate A20 failure Super I/O chip failure Keyboard controller failure
  4	Memory	Memory (RAM) Failure
  5	Real Time Clock Power Failure	CMOS battery failure
  6	Video BIOS	Video card/chip failure
  7	Central Processing Unit (CPU)	Central Processing Unit (CPU) Failure

  Table 1:Repetitive LED Codes
  NOTE: For example: For No Memory/RAM Detected - The power button LED blinks 2 times followed by a pause (approximately 3 seconds interval), blink 2 times, pause etc. This pattern continues until the computer is powered off.

• When the power button does not blink, perform the following steps:
  1. Disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor (for desktop systems). Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, cards etc.
  2. Drain Motherboard (MB) power about one minute (until MB lights turn off, which can take from 20 seconds up to one minute).
  3. Remove all the memory sticks (found next to the CPU) and attempt to POST the system using one memory stick at a time on Slot 1. Reinsert all memory sticks, and make sure that their connection to the motherboard is optimal. If after doing this the problem reappears then you may have a defective memory slot on the motherboard.
     NOTE: For written information on how to open the side panel and to access the memory modules, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. Click to view the Owner's Manual. For information on opening the left side-panel refer to the Left Side-Panel section. For the Memory Modules, locate the Memory Modules(s) section and follow the instructions.
  4. Clear the CMOS settings:
     NOTE: For more information on how to open the side panel and location of the clear CMOS jumper connector, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. For information on opening the left side-panel refer to the Left Side-Panel section.
     For information on the location of the CMOS jumper, locate the Technical Overview section and look in the System-Board Components section for the location of the CMOS jumper.
  5. Remove all but the essential components (one memory module only) including, WiFi adapters, TV tuners, Optical Dives (ODD's), Hard Disk Drives (HDD's) and try to turn the computer on.
     NOTE: For more information on how to open the side panel and remove and insert the components, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to each section for instructions on removing that component.
  6. Refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen

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The Computer Stops Responding

1. Press the Power button for at least 15 seconds to make sure the computer turns off.
2. Disconnect all external peripherals including the keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, printers, cards etc.
3. Press the power button to see if the computer turns on and boots up ok, if not, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen.
4. Download and install SupportAssist. For more information on how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
5. Perform system maintenance on your computer, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article Optimization and Maintenance of Microsoft Windows.
6. Start attaching devices one at a time and test to see if the computer stops responding.

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Microsoft Windows Crashes, Stops, Restarts or a Blue Screen Appears

This link takes you to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Microsoft Windows Crashes, Stops, Restarts or a Blue Screen Appears.

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Dell PC Diagnostics Quick Test and SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets

• The fastest and easiest way to identify and resolve the most common issues is by using our Dell PC Diagnostics quick test. This will either fix the problem automatically, or it will guide you through the steps to resolve the problem.
  NOTE: When the diagnostic identifies a failing part, depending on the failing part, we will immediately start the process for a free in-warranty replacement part.

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• SupportAssist, previously called My Dell, provides system updates, detects issues and sends you alerts based on your device, which makes solving and preventing problems easier than ever. This application gives you access to everything you need to take the guesswork out of maintaining PCs and tablets. For more information such as how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.

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• When the computer cannot access the Internet, you can run the built-in diagnostics on your computer, for more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, Run Built-In Diagnostics (ePSA) for Your System.

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Inspiron 5348 Specifications

For information on the Inspiron 5348 Specifications, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manual.

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Port Locations

For information on the port locations, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manual.

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Resetting the System Setup (BIOS)to its Default Settings

1. Reboot the computer.
2. When prompted during POST, press the <F2> key to enter the setup screen.
3. On the System Setup screen, press the <Right Arrow> key to move to the Exit menu.
4. Press the <Down Arrow> key until  Load Defaults is highlighted.
5. Press the <Enter> key on Yes to Load Optimized Defaults and restart the computer.

1. Reboot the computer.
2. When prompted during POST, press the <F2> key to enter the setup screen.
3. On the System Setup screen, press the <F9> key.
4. Press the <Enter> key on Yes to Load Optimized Defaults and restart the computer.

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How to Open the Chassis?

For information on how to open the chassis side panel, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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How to Remove and Re-insert the Components?

For information on how to remove and re-insert the components, browse to the Inspiron 5348 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting

For how-to's and troubleshooting information on wireless networking please visit the Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center.

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Mouse, Keyboard or Touchpad Not Working Correctly

Refer to the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information on how to use or troubleshoot mouse, keyboard or touchpad issues.

• Keyboard Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
• Mouse Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
• Touchpad Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

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Computer Component is not Recognized

SupportAssist, previously called My Dell, detects issues and sends you alerts based on your device, This application gives you access to everything you need to take the guesswork out of maintaining PCs and tablets. For more information on how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.

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Inspiron 5348 Drivers

For information on the Inspiron 5348 drivers available, browse to the 5348 Driver Page.

This article provides information on how to download drivers for the Inspiron 5348 computer, "How to Download and Install a Driver" .

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Dell Windows Support Center

This link takes you to the Dell Windows Support Center. Select the Operating System you need help with.

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Out of warranty? No problem. Visit the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.