Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Technical Overview Controls and Lights Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Technical Specifications System Setup Program Adding and Replacing Parts Documentation Hints, Notices, and Cautions HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
Back to Contents Page Advanced Troubleshooting Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Diagnostic Lights Beep Codes System Messages Drivers Using System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP Diagnostic Lights To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." These lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash.
No memory modules are detected. l l A possible BIOS failure has occurred; the computer is in the recovery mode. Reinstall all memory modules and restart the computer. If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information. Run the BIOS Recovery Utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer. A possible video card failure has occurred or a bad on-board video exists. l l If the computer has a video card, remove the card and reinstall it.
-3-4 Time-of-day clock stopped 4-4-1 Serial or parallel port test failure 4-4-4 Cache test failure System Messages HINT: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared. Message Possible Cause Corrective Action 8042 Gate-A20 error The keyboard controller failed its test.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if you: l Upgrade your operating system l Reinstall your operating system l Connect or install a new device If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if necessary, to update the driver. Identifying Drivers 1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2.
Using System Restore The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See Windows Help for information on using System Restore. To access Windows Help, see "Finding Help Information." NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files.
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. Click Performance and Maintenance and click System. 3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager. 4. In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices. Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red (X) if the device has been disabled. 5. Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.
NOTICE: When the computer restarts, the following message appears: Press any key to boot from the CD. Do not press any key when this message appears. 1. When the Regional and Language Options screen appears, select the settings for your location and click Next. 2. Enter your name and organization (optional) in the Personalize Your Software screen and click Next. 3.
Back to Contents Page Documentation Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Finding Information for Your Computer Printed Documentation Online Documentation Finding Information for Your Computer What Are You Looking For? l l l l A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers for my computer My computer documentation My device documentation Find it Here ResourceCD You can use this CD to access documentation or reinstall drivers l l l l How How How How to to to to set up a printer troubleshoot and solve problems
l Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications, and white papers l How to set up my computer Setup Diagram l Tips on using Windows How to clean my computer How to use my mouse and keyboard Tell Me How Help File How to use Windows XP Documentation for my computer and devices Windows XP Help and Support Center l l l l 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support. Click User and system guides, and then click User's guides. Click Tell Me How.
2. Click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator, and specify a location on your hard drive. Viewing the Tell Me How Help File 1. Click the Start button on the Windows desktop, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer. 2. Navigate to the directory in which you saved the Tell Me How help file. 3. Double-click the file (tellhow.chm).
Back to Contents Page Adding and Replacing Parts Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Turning Off the Computer Front-Panel Inserts Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms Floppy Drive Opening the Computer Cover CD/DVD Drive Installing and Removing Cards Replacing the Microprocessor Adding Memory Removing the Front I/O Panel Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Power Supply Drives System Board Hard Drive Closing the Computer Cover Turning Off the Computer NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you must turn of
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions listed in your Owner's Manual. 1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2. Disconnect the power cable from your computer. 3. Remove the front door, if it is attached. The front door snaps off of the two hinge arms. 4. Remove the front-panel insert above the front-door bay area. Pull the bottom of the insert with your fingers to remove it. 5. Lift both hinge arms to the horizontal position. 6.
Opening the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps listed in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 2.
4. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 5. Open the computer cover. 6. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm. 7. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 9. 8. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. 12. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 13.
NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if the new modules were purchased from Dell. Your original memory modules must be installed as a pair in either connectors RIMM1 and RIMM2 or RIMM3 and RIMM4. Do not pair one original memory module with one new memory module in connectors RIMM1 and RIMM2 or RIMM3 and RIMM4. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly.
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4. Open the computer cover. 5. Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector. 6.
Your Dell™ computer provides a connector for an AGP card. 1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4. Open the computer cover. Removing an AGP Card 1.
Hard Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. 1.
4. Install the hard drive into the computer by gently sliding the drive into place until you hear it securely click. NOTICE: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1"). 5. Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive. 6. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 7. Close the computer cover. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
8. Remove the two green plastic rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay by gently pulling the rails up and out of the bay. 9. Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the rails. Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive. NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until you have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay. 10.
Front-Panel Inserts If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts. 1. Open the cover to a 90-degree angle. 2. Locate the insert that is in front of the drive bay that you want to use. 3. From inside the computer, press in the release tab of the insert. 4. From the outside of the computer, pull the insert away from the computer's front panel. 5.
Floppy Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2. Turn off your computer and any devices. 3.
2. Gently slide the drive into place until the tabs securely click into position. 3. Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive. 4. If you are installing a new floppy drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts. 5. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 6. Close the computer cover.
1. Disconnect the power, audio, and CD/DVD drive cables from the back of the drive. 2. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, and then slide the drive upward and remove it from the drive bay. Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1. If you are installing a new drive, unpack the drive and prepare it for installation. Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer.
6. If you are installing a new CD/DVD drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts. 7. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in a card slot. 8. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 9. Close the computer cover. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug it in to the computer. 10.
8. For each of the metal securing clips that secure the heat sink to the microprocessor, press down on the clip's latch to release the clip from the retention base. Then lift each clip out of the tabs on the retention base and away from the heat sink. NOTICE: Gently rock the heat sink and then lift it to remove it. 9. Lift the heat sink away from the microprocessor. NOTICE: Do not discard the original heat sink and securing clips unless you are installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell.
NOTICE: The microprocessor pins are delicate. To avoid damage, ensure that the microprocessor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when installing the processor. 3. Carefully set the microprocessor in the socket and press it down lightly to seat it. 4. Rotate the lever back toward the system board until it snaps into place, securing the microprocessor package. 5. If you are installing a new heat sink, remove the film covering the bottom of the heat sink. 6.
6. Remove all cables that are connected to the front I/O panel. 7. From inside the computer cover, remove the mounting screw that secures the front I/O panel to the computer. 8. Remove the front I/O panel from the computer. 9. Reinstall the front I/O panel by reversing steps 5 through 7. 10. Close the computer cover. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 11.
Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the computer frame as you remove them from the system board and drives. It is important to route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent them from being pinched or crimped. 6. Remove the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer. 7. Press the "PUSH" button located on the floor of the computer frame. 8. Slide the power supply toward the front of the system approximately 1 inch. 9.
10. Place the system board assembly that you just removed next to the replacement system board. Replacing the System Board 1. Transfer components from the existing system board to the replacement system board: a. Remove the memory modules and install them on the replacement board. CAUTION: The microprocessor package and heat-sink assembly can get hot. To avoid burns, ensure that the package and assembly have had sufficient time to cool before you touch them. b.
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Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Finding Help Information Mouse Problems Battery Problems Network Problems Drive Problems Power Problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Printer Problems Error Messages Scanner Problems General Problems Sound and Speaker Problems IEEE 1394 Device Problems Video and Monitor Problems Keyboard Problems Finding Help Information To access the Tell Me How help file — 1. 2. 3.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You may accidentally misalign the heads, which can render the drive inoperable. Clean the drive — Use a commercially available cleaning kit. CD drive problems HINT: High-speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. This does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD. Adjust the Windows volume control — Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
Check the telephone jack — Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone. Connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack — If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack.
A program crashes repeatedly HINT: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD. Check the software documentation — Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that may help you solve the problem. Ensure that you properly installed and configured the program. If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
documentation for configuration and troubleshooting instructions. If the problem persists, contact the hardware manufacturer for technical assistance. Check your operating system documentation for additional troubleshooting information Check for interrupt request conflicts — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." IEEE 1394 Device Problems HINT: Check Windows Explorer to see if your device is listed as a drive.
1. 2. 3. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware. Click Mouse. Try adjusting the settings. Reinstall the mouse driver — See "Reinstalling Drivers." Check for interrupt request conflicts — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." Network Problems Check the network cable connector — Ensure that the network cable is connected.
l l Too many devices on a power strip Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet Printer Problems HINT: Dell does not cover the printer's warranty. If you need technical assistance for your printer, call the printer's manufacturer. See the printer documentation for the correct phone number. Check the printer documentation — See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. Enable digital mode — Your speakers do not work if the CD drive is operating in analog mode. To enable digital mode: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Click Sounds and Audio Devices. Click the Hardware tab. Double-click the name of your CD drive. Click the Properties tab.
Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Microprocessor Drives Memory Connectors Computer Information Controls and Lights Video Power Audio Physical Expansion Bus Environmental Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor that runs at 2.0 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally; or 2.26, 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.
PCI connectors four connector size 120 pins connector data width (maximum) 32 bits Drives Externally accessible two 3.5-inch bays two 5.
Storage 0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min Maximum shock: Operating bottom half-sine pulse with a change in velocity of 50.8 cm/sec (20 inches/sec) Storage 23-G faired-square wave with a velocity change of 508 cm/sec (200 inches/sec) Altitude: 3 Operating –15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft)3 Storage –15.2 to 10,670 m (–50 to 35,000 ft) At 35°C (95°F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m (3000 ft).
Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Standard Settings Hyper-Threading Viewing Settings Clearing Forgotten Passwords Standard Settings The system setup program contains the standard settings for your computer. NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly. See the following figure for an example of the main program screen.
3. In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper-Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice. For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. To enable or disable Hyper-Threading: 1. Shut down and restart the computer. 2. When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately to enter the system setup program.
AC Power Recovery Enables AC power recovery to occur. The default is Off. Fast Boot Turns the fast boot option on and off. The default is On. Suspend Mode Displays the suspend state used by the computer. The default is S3. System Event Log Displays the system event log when is pressed. Asset Tag Displays asset tag information. The following table shows CPU Information option information. Option Function Hyper-Threading Enables Hyper-Threading. The default is Enabled.
7. Shut down the computer. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer, and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 8. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 9. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 10. Open the computer cover. 11. Reconnect the jumper plug to jumper PSWD. 12. Close the computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Power Supply DC Power Connectors IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell-Installed Drives Placement of Dell-Installed Cards Looking Inside Your Computer HINT: The AGP card is removed from the following illustration to provide a better view of the inside of your computer.
Power Supply The 250-W power supply can operate from an AC power source of 115 VAC at 60 Hz or 230 VAC at 50 Hz. The power supply provides the DC operating voltages and currents listed in the following table. Output Voltage Minimum Current (A) Maximum Current (A)1 Peak Current (A)2 +12 VDC 1.0 10.04 12.0 +5 VDC 4.0 22.0 4 12.0 4 12.0 3 +3.3 VDC 1.0/0.0 14.0 –12 VDC 0.0 1.0 12.0 +5 VFP 0.0 2.0 12.
DC Power Connector P1 Pin Number Signal name 18AWG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red 5 COM Black 6 +5 VDC Red 7 COM Black 8 POK Gray 9 +5 VFP Purple 10 +12 VDC Yellow 11 +3.3 VDC* Orange 12 –12 VDC Blue 13 COM Black 14 PS ON Green 15 COM Black 16 COM Black 17 COM Black 18 N/C N/C 19 +5 VCD Red 20 +5 VCD Red *Sense connector.
Pin Number Signal Name 18AWG Wire 1 COM Black 2 COM Black 3 +12 VDC Yellow 4 +12 VDC Yellow DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9 Pin Number Signal Name 18AWG Wire 1 +12 VCD Yellow 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red Pin Number Signal Name 22AWG Wire 1 +5 VCD Red 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +12 VDC Yellow DC Power Connector P7 IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell-Installed Drives IDE Channel Connector Location DellInstalled Drive Primary IDE master
PCI4 connector Back to Contents Page 1394 FireWire
Back to Contents Page Controls and Lights Dell™ Dimension™ 8250 Series Front View Back View Front View 1 CD or DVD headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones to the CD or DVD drive. Your headphones won't work if the drive is operating in digital mode. To disable digital mode: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Click Sounds and Audio Devices. Click the Hardware tab.
1 power connector The connection for the power cable. 2 voltage selection switch (may not be available on all computers) Set the switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location. See the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual for additional information. 3 parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have a USB printer, plug it into a USB connector.
