book.book Page 1 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Dell™ XPS™ 420 Owner’s Manual Model DC01L w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l .
book.book Page 2 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE 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. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
book.book Page 3 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Contents Finding Information 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . 15 . . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Front and Back View of the Computer Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Front I/O Connectors Back View 11 Back I/O Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 4 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Intel® Viiv™ Technology (Optional) . Using Intel Viiv Quick Resume Technology (QRT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Enabling the QRT Feature in System Setup . . . . 42 Enabling the QRT Feature in the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 5 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Power Management Options in Windows Vista . . . . 56 Sleep Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Hybrid Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Hibernate Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuring Power Management Settings . 2 Optimizing for Greater Performance . 59 . . . . 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Troubleshooting Solving Problems 57 . . .
book.book Page 6 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM System Messages Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 When to Use Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . Starting Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 7 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Inside View of Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 System Board Components Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Installing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Removing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Memory Overview Cards . PCI Cards . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 8 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing a CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Installing a CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Processor Airflow Shroud . Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 . . . . . . 149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 9 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Coin-Cell Battery . . . . . . . . . . 170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery Replacing the Computer Cover A Appendix 170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 System Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
book.book Page 10 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order . Product Information 197 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . 198 Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Glossary . . . . . . .
book.book Page 11 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
book.book Page 12 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Warranty information Dell™ Product Information Guide • Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) • Safety instructions • Regulatory information • Ergonomics information • End User License Agreement • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram • Service Tag and Express Service Code Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Product Key • Microsoft Windows License Label These labels are located on your computer.
book.book Page 13 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions Dell Support Website — support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the appropriate support site.
book.book Page 14 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM What Are You Looking For? Find It Here • How to use your Windows™ operating Windows Help and Support system 1 To access Windows Help and Support: • How to work with programs and files • In Windows Vista™, click the Windows Vista Start button™ and click • How to personalize my desktop Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and then click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem.
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book.book Page 16 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 cover release latch Use this latch to remove the cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 2 storage space Use to stack CDs, place a digital camera while transferring images to system and so on. 3 LCD display menu Use to scroll through the different menu options available on LCD display. 4 LCD navigation buttons Use to navigate the menu options on LCD display.
book.book Page 17 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 9 USB connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys, cameras, or bootable USB devices. For more information on booting to a USB device, see "System Setup" on page 178. NOTE: It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
book.book Page 18 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Front I/O Connectors 1 2 3 4 1 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. 2 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones. 3 USB connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys, cameras, or bootable USB devices.
book.book Page 19 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Back View 1 2 8 3 7 4 5 6 1 power connector Insert the power cable. The appearance of this connector may differ from what is pictured. 2 audio connectors Connect appropriate audio devices (see "Back I/O Connectors" on page 20). 3 USB connectors Recommended for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards. 4 S/PDIF (RCA) Connects to external digital stereo speakers.
book.book Page 20 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI or PCI Express cards. NOTE: Some connector slots support full-length cards. 7 IEEE 1394 Use the IEEE 1394 connector for high-speed data devices such as digital video cameras and external storage devices. 8 network adapter connector NOTICE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector. Use the network adapter connector to attach your computer to a network or broadband device.
book.book Page 21 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 link integrity light • Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer. • Orange — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer. • Yellow — A good connection exists between a 1000-Mbps (1-Gbps) network and the computer. • Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network. 6 network adapter connector NOTICE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network adapter connector.
book.book Page 22 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 11 12 S/PDIF (optical) connector Use the S/PDIF optical connector to transmit digital audio without going through an analog audio conversion process. center/subwoof er LFE connector Use the (orange) center/subwoofer connector to attach a center speaker or a single subwoofer. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
book.book Page 23 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • Leave a 10.2 centimeter (4 inch) minimum clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation. • If your enclosure has doors, they need to be of a type that allows at least 30% airflow through the enclosure (front and back). • If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.
book.book Page 24 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • Do not install your computer in an enclosure that does not allow airflow. Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. Connecting Monitors CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 25 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 3 1 DVI (white) connector 2 TV-OUT connector 3 VGA (blue) connector Connecting a Monitor (Without an Adapter) CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
book.book Page 26 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 Connect the DVI or VGA connector of your monitor to the appropriate connector on the back of the computer: To connect a monitor with a DVI connector, use the (white) DVI port on your computer. To connect a monitor with a VGA connector, use the (blue) VGA port on your computer. NOTE: To connect a monitor with a VGA connector to the DVI-I (black) port on your computer, use a dongle.
book.book Page 27 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold the power button for about 4 seconds to turn them off. 4 Connect the DVI-to-VGA adapter to the VGA connector on your monitor, and then connect the other end of the adapter to the (white) DVI port on the back of the computer.
book.book Page 28 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Connecting Two or More Monitors CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: Your video card has one DVI (white) port, one DVI-I (black) port, and one VGA (blue) port. 1 Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
book.book Page 29 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Connecting a TV CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you are connecting a TV to your computer, you may connect only one monitor (VGA or DVI) in addition to the TV. NOTE: See the documentation that came with your TV to ensure that you properly configure and connect the TV. To connect a TV to your computer, an S-video cable is required.
book.book Page 30 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Changing the Display Settings 1 After you connect the monitor(s) or TV, turn on the computer. The Microsoft® Windows® desktop displays on the primary monitor. 2 Enable extended desktop mode in the display settings. In extended desktop mode, you can drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space.
book.book Page 31 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 0 segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4 segment 5 segment 6 hard drive 1 hard drive 2 Another advantage of a RAID level 0 configuration is that it utilizes the full storage capacities of the drives. For example, two 120-GB drives combine to provide 240 GB of hard drive space on which to store data.
book.book Page 32 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 1 segment 1 segment 1 duplicated segment 2 segment 2 duplicated segment 3 segment 3 duplicated segment 4 segment 4 duplicated segment 5 segment 5 duplicated segment 6 segment 6 duplicated hard drive 1 hard drive 2 If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive.
book.book Page 33 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode NOTICE: Back up any data you want to keep before entering the RAID-Enabled mode. The RAID configuration procedure can result in loss of all data from the hard drives. 1 Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179). 2 Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight Drives, then press . 3 Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight SATA Operation, then press .
book.book Page 34 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Press the up- and down-arrow keys to select RAID0 (Stripe), then press . 6 If there are more than two hard drives available, press the up- and down-arrow keys and spacebar to select the two or three drives you want to use to make up your configuration, then press . NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume.
book.book Page 35 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 7 Select the desired capacity for the volume, then press . The default value is the maximum available size. 8 Press to create the volume. 9 Press to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume. 10 Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel RAID Option ROM utility screen. 11 Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select Exit, and then press .
book.book Page 36 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Using the Intel® Application Accelerator If you already have one hard drive with the operating system installed on it, and you want to add a second hard drive then reconfigure both drives into a RAID volume without losing the existing operating system or data, use the migrating option (see "Migrating to a RAID Level 0 Configuration" on page 38 or "Migrating to a RAID Level 1 Configuration" on page 39).
book.book Page 37 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 In the Specify Volume Size window, click the Volume Size desired, then click Next. 7 Click Finish to create the volume, or click Back to make changes. Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration NOTICE: The following procedure will result in the loss of all data on the hard drives in your RAID configuration. Back up any data you want to keep before continuing.
book.book Page 38 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Deleting a RAID Volume NOTE: While this procedure deletes the RAID 1 volume, it also splits the RAID 1 volume into two non-RAID hard drives with a partition, and leaves any existing data files intact. Deleting a RAID 0 volume, however, destroys all data on the volume. 1 Click the Start button and point to Programs→Intel(R) Application Accelerator→Intel Matrix Storage Manager to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
book.book Page 39 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 8 On the Select Source Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to migrate, and click Next. NOTE: The source hard drive should be the hard drive containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume. 9 On the Select Member Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive(s) to select the member drive(s) to span the stripe array, then click Next.
book.book Page 40 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 9 On the Specify Volume Size screen, select the volume size you want, then click Next. NOTICE: The next step will result in the loss of all data on the member drive. 10 Click Finish to start migrating, or click Back to make changes. You can use your computer normally during migration process. Creating a Spare Hard Drive A spare hard drive may be created with a RAID level 1 configuration.
book.book Page 41 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Dell DataSafe (Optional) Dell DataSafe is a solution to help you protect your data against unfortunate events such as data loss from system crashes, hard drive failures, software corruption, viruses, and other accidents. Using Intel technology, your computer has a robust level of data protection out of the factory.
book.book Page 42 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Enabling the QRT Feature in System Setup The QRT drivers must be installed before the Quick Resume feature becomes active. The QRT drivers are installed when this option is ordered. Also, Quick Resume is enabled in system setup when this feature is ordered. 1 Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179). 2 Press the arrow keys to highlight the Power Management menu option, then press to access the menu.
book.book Page 43 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that came with your computer. NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create media.
book.book Page 44 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to the previous title or chapter Eject These controls may not exist on all players in the system. For more information on playing CDs, DVDs, or BDs, click Help on the CD or DVD player (if available). Copying Media This section applies only to computers that have a DVD+/-RW drive or a BD-RE drive. NOTE: Ensure that you observe all copyright laws when copying media.
book.book Page 45 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Roxio Creator Plus. 1 Open Roxio Creator Plus. 2 Under the Copy tab, click Disc Copy. 3 To copy the CD or DVD: • If you have one CD/DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct, and then click Disc Copy. The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.
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book.book Page 47 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R. • See the Sonic website at sonic.com for additional information.
book.book Page 48 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 3 4 1 xD-Picture card and SmartMedia Card (SMC) 2 Memory Stick (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo) 3 Secure Digital card (SD/miniSD)/MultiMedia-Card (MMC/RS-MMC) 4 CompactFlash card Type I and II (CF I/II) and MicroDrive card 1 Inspect the media card to determine the proper orientation for insertion. 2 Slide the media card into the appropriate slot of the media card reader until it is completely seated in the connector.
book.book Page 49 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Understanding the Media Xcelerator™ (Optional) The Dell Media Xcelerator™ is an internal USB 2.0 bus-powered device that increases the speed and performance of MPEG transcoding and transrating for various 3rd party applications supporting the Sonic DVD engine. The Xcelerator™ device enables faster format conversion and facilitates resolution changes to MPEG-2 and DVD video streams.
book.book Page 50 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Understanding Windows® SideShow™ and the LCD display Your LCD display device is located at the top of the system. Powered by Windows Sideshow technology,the LCD display device is designed to provide quick to access to information available on a computer running Windows Vista. SideShow technology uses gadgets, which are add-in programs, to extend information from the computer onto devices such as the LCD display.
book.book Page 51 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Configuring the LCD display The LCD display is configured to start whenever your system is powered on. However, the default configuration can be modified by the user. To disable LCD Display 1 Enter system setup (see"Entering System Setup" on page 179). NOTE: The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. 2 On the system setup screen navigate to LCD display and change settings to Off. 3 Exit setup.
book.book Page 52 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer. See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to: • Obtain and install updated drivers. • Connect the printer to the computer. • Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge. For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.
book.book Page 53 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 3 1 USB connector on computer 2 USB connector on printer 3 USB printer cable 3 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. 4 Your operating system includes a printer wizard to help you install the printer driver: Click the Windows Vista Start button™ printer to start the Add Printer Wizard. and click Network →Add a 5 Install the printer driver if necessary.
book.book Page 54 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Connecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options: • DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service.
book.book Page 55 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP, perform the steps in the following section. NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 63. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage.
book.book Page 56 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Transferring Information to a New Computer You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is running. 1 Click Start Transfer. →Transfer files and settings→Start Windows Easy 2 In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
book.book Page 57 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Hibernate Mode Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode. To manually enter hibernate mode in Windows Vista, click Start , click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu, and then click Hibernate.
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book.book Page 59 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Optimizing for Greater Performance Understanding Intel™ SpeedStep® Technology SpeedStep technology controls your computer's processor performance automatically, dynamically adjusting the operating frequency and voltage, according to the task at hand. When an application does not require full performance, significant amounts of power can be saved.
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book.book Page 61 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Troubleshooting Solving Problems Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer: • If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed. • If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected. • If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message.
book.book Page 62 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Drive Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE — • Click the Windows Vista Start button™ and click Computer. If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.
book.book Page 63 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Hard drive problems RUN CHECK DISK — 1 Click Windows Vista Start and click Computer. 2 Right-click Local Disk C:. 3 Click Properties →Tools→Check Now. The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the desired action. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen.
book.book Page 64 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM R U N T H E M O D E M D I A G N O S T I C TO O L — 1 Click Start →All Programs→Modem Diagnostic Tool. 2 Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems. Modem diagnostics are not available on all computers. VE R I F Y T H A T T H E M O D E M I S C O M M U N I C A T I N G W I T H W I N D O W S — 1 Click Start →Control Panel→Hardware and Sound→Phone and Modem Options→Modems.
book.book Page 65 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY A G A I N — Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some cases, you may have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run the program that you want to use first. O P E R A T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D — Ensure that there is no non-bootable floppy or USB key attached during system power on.
book.book Page 66 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM TE S T T H E K E Y B O A R D — Connect a properly working keyboard to the computer, then try using the keyboard. W O R K I N G W I T H A N U S B K E Y B O A R D — During the first system boot, the operating system takes time to configure the USB keyboard. Reboot the system to configure the keyboard faster. U S B K E Y B O A R D O R M O U S E F A I L U R E — Connect the device to a different USB port and check if it starts working.
book.book Page 67 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM A program crashes repeatedly NOTE: Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk, CD, or DVD. C H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
book.book Page 68 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Memory Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. IF YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE — • Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem. • See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements. If necessary, install additional memory (see "Installing Memory" on page 106).
book.book Page 69 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the setup diagram. 4 Turn on the computer. TE S T T H E M O U S E — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, then try using the mouse. CHECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS — 1 Click Start →Control Panel→Hardware and Sound→Mouse. 2 Adjust the settings as needed. R E I N S T A L L T H E M O U S E D R I V E R — See "Drivers" on page 90.
book.book Page 70 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING BLUE — • The computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation. • USB keyboard and mouse wake up the system if these devices are configured as wake up devices in the operating system devices properties. Otherwise, press the power button. I F T H E P O W E R L I G H T I S O F F — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.
book.book Page 71 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Printer Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer. C H E C K T H E P R I N T E R D O C U M E N T A T I O N — See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.
book.book Page 72 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM VE R I F Y T H A T T H E S C A N N E R I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y M I C R O S O F T W I N D O W S — 1 Click Start →Control Panel→Hardware and Sound→Scanners and Cameras. 2 If the scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner. R E I N S T A L L T H E S C A N N E R D R I V E R — See the scanner documentation for instructions.
book.book Page 73 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM No sound from headphones C H E C K T H E H E A D P H O N E C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N — Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone connector (see "Front and Back View of the Computer" on page 15). A D J U S T T H E W I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
book.book Page 74 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM CHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT — • If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power. • If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on. • If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse to resume normal operation. TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
book.book Page 75 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Power Lights CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. The power button light located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states: • If the power light is blue and the computer is not responding, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 76. • If the power light is blinking blue, the computer is in standby mode.
book.book Page 76 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • • If the power light is steady amber, a device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed. – Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 104). – Remove and then reinstall any cards (see "Cards" on page 109). Eliminate interference.
book.book Page 77 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred. • If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see "Removing Memory" on page 108), then reinstall one module (see "Installing Memory" on page 106) and restart the computer.
book.book Page 78 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution No memory modules are detected. • If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see "Removing Memory" on page 108), then reinstall one module (see "Installing Memory" on page 106) and restart the computer.
book.book Page 79 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Light Pattern Problem Description A possible expansion card failure has occurred. Suggested Resolution 1 Determine if a conflict exists by removing an expansion card (not a graphics card) and restarting the computer (see "Removing a PCI Card" on page 114 and "Removing a PCI Express Card" on page 121). 2 If the problem persists, reinstall the card you removed, then remove a different card and restart the computer.
book.book Page 80 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Another failure has occurred. • Ensure that all hard drive and optical drive cables are properly connected to the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 103). • If there is an error message on the screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to make sure it is functioning properly.
book.book Page 81 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Beep Codes Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. For example, beep code 1-3-1 (one possible beep code) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem. Reseating the memory modules may correct the following beep code errors.
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book.book Page 83 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM System Messages NOTE: 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 8042 Gate-A20 error The keyboard If you receive this message controller failed its test. after you make changes in the system setup program, enter the system setup program and restore the original value(s).
book.book Page 84 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Message Possible Cause Corrective Action CMOS Battery State Low The system configuration information in the system setup program is incorrect or the battery charge may be low. Enter the system setup program (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179), verify the system configuration, and then restart the computer. Diskette Boot Failure Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST.
book.book Page 85 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Message Possible Cause Corrective Action FDD Controller Failure The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive or hard drive controller. Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly in the computer (see "Drives" on page 128) and defined correctly in the system setup program (see "System Setup" on page 178). Check the interface cable at both ends. An interrupt channel on the system board failed to POST.
book.book Page 86 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Message Possible Cause Corrective Action KB/Interface Error An error occurred with the keyboard connector. Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck, carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the keyboard. No ROM Basic The operating system cannot be located on drive A or drive C.
book.book Page 87 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Starting Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly. 2 Turn on (or restart) your computer. 3 When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately. Select Diagnostics from the boot menu and press .
book.book Page 88 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Starting Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media 1 Insert the Drivers and Utilities media. 2 Shut down and restart the computer. When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again. NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only.
book.book Page 89 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 2 After you have selected the Test System option from the main menu, the following menu appears: NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended Test from the menu below to run a more thorough check of devices in the computer. Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of system devices. The test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part.
book.book Page 90 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Tab Function Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered. Errors Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description. Help Describes the test and any requirements for running the test. Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
book.book Page 91 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft Windows operating system. You may need to install drivers if you: • Upgrade your operating system. • Reinstall your operating system. • Connect or install a new device. Identifying Drivers If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.
book.book Page 92 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties. 4 Click Drivers and click Roll Back Driver. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 94)to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the driver.
book.book Page 93 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM If a particular driver is not listed, that driver is not required by your operating system.
book.book Page 94 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Restoring Your Operating System You can restore your operating system in the following ways: • System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files. • Dell Factory Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer.
book.book Page 95 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the last system restore. Undoing the Last System Restore NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1 Click Start . 2 In the Start Search box, type System Restore and press .
book.book Page 96 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 To access the recovery options, log on as a local user. To access the command prompt, type administrator in the User name field, then click OK. 5 Click Dell Factory Image Restore. NOTE: Depending upon your configuration, you may need to select Dell Factory Tools, then Dell Factory Image Restore. The Dell Factory Image Restore welcome screen appears. 6 Click Next. The Confirm Data Deletion screen appears.
book.book Page 97 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM To reinstall Windows, you need the following items: • Dell™ Operating System media • Dell Drivers and Utilities media NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers.
book.book Page 98 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Troubleshooting LCD Display Problems LCD display includes a built in self-test which allows the user to diagnose and troubleshoot any issues related to the application. To run the Built-in Self-Test 1 Ensure that the system is switched off. 2 Press and hold the menu button (see "Understanding Windows® SideShow™ and the LCD display" on page 50). 3 Power the system on. Release the menu button. 4 The system enters diagnostic test menu.
book.book Page 99 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Removing and Installing Parts Before You Begin This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: • You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 99 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 100. • You have read the safety information in your Dell™ Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 100 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Before Working Inside Your Computer Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety. CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 101 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Removing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer.
book.book Page 102 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Locate the three hinge tabs on the bottom edge of the computer. 6 Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up. 7 Lift the cover away and set it aside in a secure location. Inside View of Your Computer CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
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book.book Page 105 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOTE: Always install memory modules in the order indicated on the system board.
book.book Page 106 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Channel A: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM_1 and DIMM_2 (white securing clips) Channel B: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM_3 and DIMM_4 (black securing clips) Addressing Memory With 8-GB Configurations Your computer supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory when you use four 2-GB DIMMs. However, the amount of memory available to the operating system is less than 8 GB.
book.book Page 107 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 1 memory slot on system board 2 memory slot 5 Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector. 3 2 1 4 1 cutouts (2) 2 memory module 3 notch 4 crossbar NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the module.
book.book Page 108 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 Insert the module into the connector until the module snaps into position. If you insert the module correctly, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module. 7 Replace 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 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
book.book Page 109 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector. 4 Grasp the module and pull up. If the module is difficult to remove, gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector. Cards CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 110 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing a PCI Card NOTE: Dell offers an optional customer kit for Audigy II and IEEE 1394 PCI add-incards that includes a front-mounted IEEE 1394 connector. NOTE: The PCI connector adjacent to the hard drive can accommodate a card 5.5 inches in length. Inorder to accommodate a longer card (upto 10.5 inches) remove the hard-drive bracket. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99.
book.book Page 111 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Push the two release tabs on the card retention door from the inside to pivot the door open. Because the door is hinged, it will remain in the open position. 3 1 1 release tab 2 2 card retention mechanism 3 card retention door 4 If your computer includes a card retention mechanism to secure the x16 card, press the release tab downward gently and then pivot the mechanism upward to access the card slots.
book.book Page 112 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 8 Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot. 2 3 1 6 4 5 1 fully seated card 2 not fully seated card 3 bracket within slot 4 bracket caught outside of slot 5 alignment bar 6 alignment guide 9 Before you close the card retention door, ensure that: 112 • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
book.book Page 113 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 1 card retention door 2 release tabs (2) 10 Close the card retention door by snapping it into place to secure the card(s). 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. 11 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation for the card for information about the card cable connections.
book.book Page 114 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 15 Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 16 If you installed a sound card: a Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio Controller, and then change the setting to Off. b Connect external audio devices to the sound card connectors. Do not connect external audio devices to the integrated microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel.
book.book Page 115 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 If you removed a sound card: a Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio Controller, and then change the setting to On. b Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel of the computer. 7 If you removed an add-in network connector: a Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC Controller, and then change the setting to On. b Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel of the computer.
book.book Page 116 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing a PCI Express Card 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 3 1 6 5 4 1 card retention door 2 release tabs (2) 3 lever on chassis wall (may not be present on all computers) 4 filler bracket alignment guide 6 alignment bar 5 2 If present on your computer, rotate the lever on the chassis wall upward. 3 Push the two release tabs on the card retention door toward each other and pivot the door open.
book.book Page 117 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 If your computer includes a card retention mechanism to secure the x16 card, press the release tab downward gently and then pivot the mechanism upward to access the card slots. 1 1 release tab 3 2 2 card retention mechanism 3 card retention door 5 If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 7.
book.book Page 118 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 7 Pull the securing tab, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector. 4 2 3 5 1 1 PCI Express x16 card slot 2 PCI Express x16 card 4 PCI Express x1 card 5 PCI Express x1 card slot 3 securing tab 8 Prepare the card for installation. See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
book.book Page 119 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 2 3 1 6 4 5 1 fully seated card 4 bracket caught outside of slot 5 2 not fully seated card 3 bracket within slot alignment bar 6 alignment guide 11 Ensure that: • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar. • The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide. 12 If you removed a card retention mechanism, snap it into place, securing the PCI Express card.
book.book Page 120 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 2 1 release tab 1 2 card retention mechanism 3 3 card retention door 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. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug the cable into the computer.
book.book Page 121 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 15 If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network adapter: a Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC Controller, and then change the setting to Off. b Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter’s connectors. Do not connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel. 16 Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
book.book Page 122 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 If present on your computer, rotate the lever on the chassis wall upward. 4 Push the two release tabs on the card retention door toward each other and pivot the door open. Because the door is hinged, it will remain in the open position.
book.book Page 123 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOTICE: Ensure that you release the securing tab to unseat the card. If the card is not removed correctly, the system board may be damaged. 6 Release the securing tab on the card slot to unseat the card. 7 If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 200).
book.book Page 124 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Drive Panels CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. Removing the Drive Panel 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101).
book.book Page 125 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Grasping the lever on the sliding plate, pull the sliding plate downward and hold in place. NOTE: The sliding plate secures and releases the drive panel and helps to secure the drives. Push from the inside and pivot the drive panel to the left to release the panel from its side hinges. 4 The drive panel clicks open, gently ease it out and set it aside in a secure location.
book.book Page 126 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert 1 3 1 drive panel 2 2 drive-panel insert tab 3 drive-panel insert 1 Align the notches on the drive-panel insert to the corresponding slots on the drive panel and snap into place. 2 Ensure that the drive-panel insert is correctly seated in the drive panel.
book.book Page 127 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Replacing the Drive Panel 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 2 1 3 1 sliding plate 2 sliding plate lever 3 drive panel 3 Align the drive panel tabs with the side-door hinges. 4 Rotate the drive panel toward the computer until the sliding plate lever clicks into place and the drive panel snaps into place on the front panel.
book.book Page 128 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Drives Your computer supports: • Two hard drives (Serial ATA) • Two FlexBay drives (can contain an optional floppy drive, an optional Media Card Reader, or an optional hard drive). • Two CD or DVD drives General Installation Guidelines Connect the hard drives to the connectors labeled "SATA0" and "SATA1", starting with SATA0. Connect CD/DVD drives to the connectors labeled "SATA2","SATA3", or "SATA4", starting with "SATA2".
book.book Page 129 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Hard Drive CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 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.
book.book Page 130 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out. 1 2 1 tabs (2) 2 hard drive 5 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). 6 If removing this drive changes the drive configuration, then be sure to reflect these changes in the BIOS. When you restart your computer, enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 178).
book.book Page 131 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 If your replacement hard drive does not have the hard-drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the old hard drive by unsnapping it from the drive. 6 Snap the hard-drive bracket bracket onto the replacement hard drive. 7 Install the hard drive into the computer by sliding the drive into place until it clicks into place. 1 2 1 hard drive hard-drive bracket 2 8 Connect the power and hard drive cables to the hard drive.
book.book Page 132 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 9 Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug the cable into the computer. 11 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
book.book Page 133 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Snap the hard-drive bracket onto the new hard drive. NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until you have removed the hard-drive bracket from the inside of the hard drive bay. 6 Slide the new hard drive into the empty bay and click it into place. 1 2 1 hard drive 2 hard-drive bracket 7 Connect the power and hard drive cables to the drive.
book.book Page 134 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 9 Replace the computer cover ("Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 10 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 11 When you restart your computer, enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 178).
book.book Page 135 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Remove the drive panel (see "Removing the Drive Panel" on page 124). 4 Remove the shoulder screws from the inside of the drive-panel insert and attach the screws to the new drive (see "Removing the Drive-Panel Insert" on page 125). 5 Turn the FlexBay knob on the cage at 90 degrees, in the anti-clockwise direction. NOTICE: Ensure the FlexBay knob is turned in the anticlockwise direction. Failure to heed can result in the knob being broken.
book.book Page 136 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 3 Disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the back of the drive. 4 Pull the sliding plate down and hold in place. 5 Slide the hard drive out of the FlexBay. NOTICE: Ensure the FlexBay knob is turned in the anticlockwise direction. Failure to heed can result in the knob being broken.
book.book Page 137 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 1 5 2 4 3 1 power cable 2 floppy-drive cable 3 floppy drive 4 sliding plate lever 5 sliding plate 6 processor airflow shroud 6 Pull the sliding plate down and hold in place. 7 Slide the floppy drive out of the floppy drive bay.
book.book Page 138 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 8 If you are not replacing the drive, replace the drive-panel insert (see "Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert" on page 126). 9 Replace the drive panel (see "Replacing the Drive Panel" on page 127). 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172. 11 If you are not replacing the drive, then ensure that these changes are reflected in the BIOS. When you restart your computer, enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 178).
book.book Page 139 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 7 Slide the floppy drive into the floppy drive bay until the sliding plate clicks into place and the drive snaps into position. 8 Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive. 9 Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172).
book.book Page 140 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Media Card Reader For information on using the Media Card Reader, see "Using a Media Card Reader" on page 47. Removing a Media Card Reader CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components.
book.book Page 141 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Disconnect the USB cable on the back of the Media Card Reader. Disconnect the other end of the cable from the USB connector on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 103). Remove the cable from any clips and lift out of the computer.
book.book Page 142 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing a Media Card Reader CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
book.book Page 143 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 8 Gently slide the drive into place till it clicks in securely. NOTE: Ensure that the Media Card Reader is installed before connecting the USB cable. 9 Connect the USB cable to the back of the Media Card Reader and to the USB connector on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 103). 2 1 1 Media Card Reader (optional) 2 USB cable 10 Route the USB cable through the cable routing clip.
book.book Page 144 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM CD/DVD Drive CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. Removing a CD/DVD Drive 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101).
book.book Page 145 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Slide the drive release mechanism to the right to release the shoulder screw and slide the drive out to remove it from the drive bay. 1 2 1 sliding plate 2 CD drive 6 If you are not replacing the drive, replace the drive panel insert (see "Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert" on page 126). 7 Replace the drive panel (see "Replacing the Drive Panel" on page 127). 8 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172).
book.book Page 146 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 3 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.
book.book Page 147 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 3 1 CD/DVD cable 2 power cable 3 system board 8 Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 9 Replace the drive panel (see "Replacing the Drive Panel" on page 127). 10 Replace the computer cover (See "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.
book.book Page 148 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Processor Airflow Shroud CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Assembly 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). CAUTION: The processor heat sink can get very hot during normal operation.
book.book Page 149 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOTICE: The processor heat sink is attached to the processor airflow shroud. When you remove the airflow shroud, lay it upside down or on its side to avoid damaging the heat sink thermal interface. 4 Loosen the captive screws securing the processor airflow shroud to the chassis, then pivot the shroud forward and ease it out of the hinges. 5 Lift the processor airflow shroud out of the computer, and set it aside.
book.book Page 150 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Lift and hold the release tab present on the bottom of the fan cage, press down on the top of the cage and slide it towards the back of the system to dislodge the tabs from the grooves that hold them down. 6 Ease the cage out of the housing. Installing the Processor Fan Cage 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101).
book.book Page 151 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Removing the Processor Fan 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 3 Disconnect the fan cable from the FAN_CPU connector on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 103). 4 Remove the processor airflow shroud (see "Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Assembly" on page 148).
book.book Page 152 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing the Processor Fan 1 With the fan power cable oriented downward, align the rubber grommets in the fan with the holes in each corner of the processor airflow shroud, then pull the grommets through until they snap into place. NOTE: Airflow direction and orientation are shown on the side of the fan. 2 Replace the processor fan cage into the cage housing (see "Installing the Processor Fan Cage" on page 150).
book.book Page 153 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 1 fan cage 2 tab 6 One by one, carefully pull on each corner of the fan to detach the four rubber grommets securing the fan to the fan cage.
book.book Page 154 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing the Card Fan NOTICE: Ensure the fan cable is correctly routed through the opening in the lowerright corner of the fan cage. 1 With the fan power cable oriented downward, align the rubber grommets in the fan with the holes in each corner of the fan cage, then pull the grommets through until they snap into place. NOTE: Airflow direction and orientation are shown on the side of the fan.
book.book Page 155 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 Remove the airflow shroud (see "Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Assembly" on page 148). 5 Push down and out on the socket release lever. 6 Lift the socket release lever and open the processor cover. 1 2 3 4 1 processor cover 2 processor 3 socket 4 socket release lever 7 Remove the processor from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor.
book.book Page 156 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Align the pin-1 corner of the processor and socket. 1 2 3 4 5 1 processor cover 2 processor 4 socket release lever 5 socket pin-1 indicator 3 socket NOTICE: Socket pins are delicate. To avoid damage, ensure that the processor is aligned properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor. Be careful not to touch or bend the pins on the system board.
book.book Page 157 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 9 Close the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug it into the computer. 10 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
book.book Page 158 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Installing the System Board NOTICE: The system board and metal tray are connected and are installed as one piece. NOTICE: If you are replacing the system board, visually compare the replacement system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part. NOTE: Some components and connectors on replacement system boards may be in different locations than corresponding connectors on the existing system board.
book.book Page 159 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 6 Replace the processor airflow shroud (see "Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud Assembly" on page 149) and the Processor Fan assembly (see "Installing the Processor Fan Cage" on page 150 and "Installing the Processor Fan" on page 152). 7 Replace the card fan assembly (see "Installing the Card Fan" on page 154). 8 Replace any additional components that you removed from the system board. 9 Reconnect all cables to the system board.
book.book Page 160 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Power Supply CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 161 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 375-W Power Supply 425-W Power Supply Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 +3.3VDC Orange +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange +3.
book.book Page 162 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM DC Power Connector P2 3 4 1 2 375-W Power Supply 425-W Power Supply Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 COM Black COM Black 2 COM Black COM Black 3 +12 VA DC Yellow +12 VA DC Yellow 4 +12 VA DC Yellow +12 VA DC Yellow DC Power Connector P3 and P5 1 2 3 4 5 375-W Power Supply 425-W Power Supply Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 +3.
book.book Page 163 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM DC Power Connector P7 1 2 3 4 375-W Power Supply 425-W Power Supply Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 +5 V DC Red +5 V DC Red 2 COM Black COM Black 3 COM Black COM Black 4 +12 VADC Yellow +12 VADC Yellow DC Power Connectors P8, P9, P13, and P14 5 4 3 2 1 375-W Power Supply 425-W Power Supply Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color Signal name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 +3.
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book.book Page 165 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM DC Power Connector P15 (For 425-W PSU Only) 4 5 6 1 2 3 Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire Color 1 +12 VC DC Blue/White 2 +12 VC DC Blue/White 3 +12 VC DC Blue/White 4 COM Black 5 COM Black 6 COM Black NOTE: The P15 connector is intended for use with the PCI Express graphics cards whose power requirements exceed 75 watts. Removing the Power Supply 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99.
book.book Page 166 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Press and hold the metal release tab at the bottom of the power supply unit, push the power supply towards the front of the computer to free it from the securing tabs on the computer chassis. 6 Gather the power supply bundles that stem from the power supply, for easy removal and lift it out of the computer.
book.book Page 167 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 4 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug it into the computer. 5 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
book.book Page 168 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Removing the Front I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). NOTICE: Carefully note the routing of each cable before you disconnect it, so that you are sure to re-route cables correctly.
book.book Page 169 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1 2 1 Front I/O panel 2 mounting screws (2) 8 Remove the two screws that hold the I/O panel assembly to the front of the chassis. 9 Gently ease out the lower end of the I/O assembly first from its groove on the chassis followed by the upper end. Installing the Front I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
book.book Page 170 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Align the screw holes on the I/O panel with the screw holes on the chassis, and replace the two screws. 4 Reconnect the cable that attaches the power button to the I/O panel. 5 Reconnect the 1394 cable, and audio cable (if it exists and you had removed it). 6 Reconnect the control-panel cable to the I/O panel connector. 7 Replace the front bezel by aligning the six tabs on the corresponding slots on the front chassis and snapping it back into place.
book.book Page 171 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM To replace the battery: 1 Enter the system setup program and record the values for all the screens (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179) so that you can restore the correct settings after installing the new battery. 2 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 99. 3 Remove the computer cover (see "Removing the Computer Cover" on page 101). 4 Locate the battery socket (see "System Board Components" on page 103).
book.book Page 172 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer. 8 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 9 Enter system setup and restore the settings you recorded in step 1 (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179). 10 Properly dispose of the old battery. See the Product Information Guide for battery disposal information.
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book.book Page 174 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Computer Information (continued) Memory speed 667/800 MHz NIC Integrated Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 System clock 800/1066/1333 MHz (depending on processor) Video Type PCI Express Gen2 x16 Audio Type HDA 7.1 channel Expansion Bus Bus type PCI Express x1, x8, and x16 PCI 32-bit (PCI specification 2.3) PCI Connectors three Connector size 124 pins Connector data width (maximum) 32 bit, version 2.
book.book Page 175 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Expansion Bus (continued) Bus throughput 16 GB/s PCI Express Connector one x8 (electrically configured for an x4 card) Connector size 98 pins Connector data width (maximum) 8 PCI Express lanes Bus throughput 2 GB/s Drives Available devices Serial ATA drive, floppy drive, memory devices, Blu-ray Disc™ drive, DVD drive, DVD-RW drive, CD-RW/DVD combo drive, media card reader, and Media Xcelerator(optional). Externally accessible: two 3.
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book.book Page 178 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Environmental (continued) Maximum vibration: Operating 0.25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 0.5 octave/min Storage 0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1 octave/min Maximum shock: Operating bottom half-sine pulse with a change in velocity of 20 inches/sec (50.8 cm/sec) Storage 27-G faired square wave with a velocity change of 200 inches/sec (508 cm/sec) Altitude: Operating −15.2 to 3048 m (−50 to 10,000 ft) Storage −15.
book.book Page 179 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Entering System Setup 1 Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the DELL logo appears, press immediately. NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release in even intervals until the system setup screen appears.
book.book Page 180 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM System Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed. System System Info Lists system information, such as the computer name, the BIOS version number and date, the system service tag, express service code and asset tag, and other system-specific information.
book.book Page 181 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM SATA Drives 0 through 4 (On default) Enables or disables drives attached to the SATA connectors on the system board. • Off — A device attached to the interface is not usable. • On — A device attached to the interface is usable. • RAID On - A device attached to the interface is configured for RAID (see "About Your RAID Configuration" on page 30).
book.book Page 182 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 1394 Controller (On default) Enables or disables the integrated IEEE 1394 controller. • Off — The 1394 controller is disabled. • On — The 1394 controller is enabled. LCD Display Enables or disables the LCD display on the top bezel. (On default) • Off — The LCD device is disabled. • On — The LCD device is enabled. NOTE: When the LCD display is set to On, it starts whenever the system is powered on.
book.book Page 183 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM SpeedStep (Off default) Specifies whether Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology is enabled for all supported processors in the system. • Off — Disable Enhanced SpeedStep technology • On — Enable Enhanced SpeedStep technology HDD Acoustic Mode Determines the acoustic mode at which the hard drive operates. (Bypass default) • Bypass — Do nothing (needed for older drives). • Quiet — The hard drive operates at a slower, but quieter speed.
book.book Page 184 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Execute Disable (On default) Enables or disables Execute Disable Memory Protection technology. • Off — Execute Disable Memory Protection technology is disabled. • On — Execute Disable Memory Protection technology is enabled. Power Management AC Recovery (Off default) Specifies how the computer will behave when AC power is restored after an AC power loss. • Off — The system stays off after AC power is restored.
book.book Page 185 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Suspend Mode (S3 default) Specifies the power management suspend mode. • S1 — The computer resumes more quickly from sleep mode. • S3 — The computer conserves more power when not in use (system memory remains active). Quick Resume This feature enables/disables the Intel® Viiv™ Quick Resume Technology. The default setting is Off. Maintenance Service Tag Displays the system service tag. SERR Message Controls the SERR message mechanism.
book.book Page 186 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM POST Hotkeys (Setup & Boot Menu default) Specifies the function keys to display on the screen when the computer starts. • Setup & Boot Menu — Display both messages (F2=Setup and F12=Boot Menu). • Setup — Display the setup message only (F2=Setup). • Boot Menu — Display the Quickboot message only (F12= Boot Menu). • None — Neither message is displayed.
book.book Page 187 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device. • USB Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press . The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB option to the boot menu.
book.book Page 188 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots 1 Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179). 2 Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press to access the menu. NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it. 3 Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices. 4 Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).
book.book Page 189 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 3 Locate the RTCRST_PSWD jumper on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 103), then remove the jumper plug (located on pins three and four) and set the plug aside. 4 Close the computer cover. 5 Connect your keyboard and mouse, then connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets and turn them on.
book.book Page 190 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 11 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 172). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 12 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. NOTE: In system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 179), both system and administrator password options appear as Not Set.
book.book Page 191 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Cleaning Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
book.book Page 192 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM 5 Recenter the rollers in their channels if they are misaligned. Ensure that fluff from the swab is not left on the rollers. 6 Replace the ball and retainer ring, and turn the retainer ring clockwise until it clicks into place. Floppy Drive NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. The heads may become misaligned and prevent the drive from operating. Clean your floppy drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
book.book Page 193 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Most Dell computer systems are classified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as Class B digital devices. To determine which classification applies to your computer system, examine all FCC registration labels located on the bottom, side, or back panel of your computer, on cardmounting brackets, and on the cards themselves.
book.book Page 194 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Class B This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
book.book Page 195 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Getting Help Obtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem: 1 See "Troubleshooting" on page 61 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.
book.book Page 196 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Technical Support and Customer Service Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about Dell™ hardware. Our support staff uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers. To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page 198, and then see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com.
book.book Page 197 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM • Dell Marketing and Sales e-mail addresses apmarketing@dell.com (Asian/Pacific countries only) sales_canada@dell.com (Canada only) • Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) ftp.dell.com Log in as user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your password. AutoTech Service Dell's automated support service—AutoTech—provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable and desktop computers.
book.book Page 198 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as follows: 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number, and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box. For the telephone number to call for your region, see "Contacting Dell" on page 200. 2 Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return.
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book.book Page 200 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Contacting Dell NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1 Visit support.dell.com.
book.book Page 201 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Glossary Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer. A AC — alternating current — The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet.
book.book Page 202 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM B battery life span — The length of time (years) during which a portable computer battery is able to be depleted and recharged. battery operating time — The length of time (minutes or hours) that a portable computer battery powers the computer. BIOS — basic input/output system — A program (or utility) that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system.
book.book Page 203 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor. L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor architecture. carnet — An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Also known as a merchandise passport. CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R.
book.book Page 204 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM D DDR SDRAM — double-data-rate SDRAM — A type of SDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle, improving system performance. DDR2 SDRAM — double-data-rate 2 SDRAM — A type of DDR SDRAM that uses a 4-bit prefetch and other architectural changes to boost memory speed to over 400 MHz. device — Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, or keyboard that is installed in or connected to your computer. device driver — See driver.
book.book Page 205 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as extended display mode. DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version of a DVD. Data can be recorded only once onto a DVD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over. DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be written to a DVD+RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten).
book.book Page 206 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Express Service Code — A numeric code located on a sticker on your Dell™ computer. Use the Express Service Code when contacting Dell for assistance. Express Service Code service may not be available in some countries. extended display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as dual display mode.
book.book Page 207 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM GHz — gigahertz — A measurement of frequency that equals one thousand million Hz, or one thousand MHz. The speeds for computer processors, buses, and interfaces are often measured in GHz. graphics mode — A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors. Graphics modes can display an unlimited variety of shapes and fonts.
book.book Page 208 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM infrared sensor — A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared-compatible devices without using a cable connection. integrated — Usually refers to components that are physically located on the computer’s system board. Also referred to as built-in. I/O — input/output — An operation or device that enters and extracts data from your computer. Keyboards and printers are I/O devices.
book.book Page 209 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM LED — light-emitting diode — An electronic component that emits light to indicate the status of the computer. local bus — A data bus that provides a fast throughput for devices to the processor. LPT — line print terminal — The designation for a parallel connection to a printer or other parallel device. M Mb — megabit — A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb. Mbps — megabits per second — One million bits per second.
book.book Page 210 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Mini-Card — A small card designed for integrated peripherals, such as communication NICs. The Mini-Card is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card. modem — A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers over analog telephone lines. Three types of modems include: external, PC Card, and internal. You typically use your modem to connect to the Internet and exchange e-mail. module bay — See media bay.
book.book Page 211 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM partition — A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives. PC Card — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems and network adapters are common types of PC Cards.
book.book Page 212 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM R RAID — redundant array of independent disks — A method of providing data redundancy. Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 50. RAM — random-access memory — The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your computer. readme file — A text file included with a software package or hardware product.
book.book Page 213 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM S SAS — serial attached SCSI — A faster, serial version of the SCSI interface (as opposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture). SATA — serial ATA — A faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface. ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk’s surface for errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped responding.
book.book Page 214 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM StrikeZone™ — Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences resonating shock or is dropped (whether the computer is on or off). surge protectors — Prevent voltage spikes, such as those that may occur during an electrical storm, from entering the computer through the electrical outlet.
book.book Page 215 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM TPM — trusted platform module — A hardware-based security feature that when combined with security software enhances network and computer security by enabling features such as file and e-mail protection. travel module — A plastic device designed to fit inside the module bay of a portable computer to reduce the weight of the computer.
book.book Page 216 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM video memory — Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions. Video memory is usually faster than system memory. The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display. video mode — A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a monitor.
book.book Page 217 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM write-protected — Files or media that cannot be changed. Use write-protection when you want to protect data from being changed or destroyed. To write-protect a 3.5-inch floppy disk, slide its write-protect tab to the open position. WWAN — wireless wide area network. A wireless high-speed data network using cellular technology and covering a much larger geographic area than WLAN.
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book.book Page 219 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM Index A audio.
book.book Page 220 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:29 AM cover replacing, 172 CPU overclocking, 59 D Dell contacting, 193, 200 support site, 13 Dell Diagnostics, 86 Dell Premier Support website, 12 DellConnect, 196 Device Driver Rollback, 91 diagnostic lights, 76 diagnostics beep codes, 81 Dell, 86 lights, 76 display.
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