Dell DCMA manual

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The rules should oblige the seller to give the purchaser an operating instrucion of Dell DCMA, along with an item. The lack of an instruction or false information given to customer shall constitute grounds to apply for a complaint because of nonconformity of goods with the contract. In accordance with the law, a customer can receive an instruction in non-paper form; lately graphic and electronic forms of the manuals, as well as instructional videos have been majorly used. A necessary precondition for this is the unmistakable, legible character of an instruction.

What is an instruction?

The term originates from the Latin word „instructio”, which means organizing. Therefore, in an instruction of Dell DCMA one could find a process description. An instruction's purpose is to teach, to ease the start-up and an item's use or performance of certain activities. An instruction is a compilation of information about an item/a service, it is a clue.

Unfortunately, only a few customers devote their time to read an instruction of Dell DCMA. A good user manual introduces us to a number of additional functionalities of the purchased item, and also helps us to avoid the formation of most of the defects.

What should a perfect user manual contain?

First and foremost, an user manual of Dell DCMA should contain:
- informations concerning technical data of Dell DCMA
- name of the manufacturer and a year of construction of the Dell DCMA item
- rules of operation, control and maintenance of the Dell DCMA item
- safety signs and mark certificates which confirm compatibility with appropriate standards

Why don't we read the manuals?

Usually it results from the lack of time and certainty about functionalities of purchased items. Unfortunately, networking and start-up of Dell DCMA alone are not enough. An instruction contains a number of clues concerning respective functionalities, safety rules, maintenance methods (what means should be used), eventual defects of Dell DCMA, and methods of problem resolution. Eventually, when one still can't find the answer to his problems, he will be directed to the Dell service. Lately animated manuals and instructional videos are quite popular among customers. These kinds of user manuals are effective; they assure that a customer will familiarize himself with the whole material, and won't skip complicated, technical information of Dell DCMA.

Why one should read the manuals?

It is mostly in the manuals where we will find the details concerning construction and possibility of the Dell DCMA item, and its use of respective accessory, as well as information concerning all the functions and facilities.

After a successful purchase of an item one should find a moment and get to know with every part of an instruction. Currently the manuals are carefully prearranged and translated, so they could be fully understood by its users. The manuals will serve as an informational aid.

Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    www .dell.com | support.dell.com Dell™ Inspiron™ 531 Owner’ s Manual Model DCMA book.book Page 1 Friday , April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 2

    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 ha rdware 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. If you purchased[...]

  • Page 3

    Contents 3 Contents 1 Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer . . . 15 Front View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Back Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Installing Y our Computer in an Enclosure . . . . . [...]

  • Page 4

    4 Contents Connecting One Monitor Wi th a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector . . . . . . 32 Connecting a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Changing the Display Settings . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Power Management Options in Microsoft ® Windows ® XP . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

  • Page 5

    Contents 5 3 Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 T roubleshooting T ips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Battery Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 CD and DVD drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

  • Page 6

    6 Contents Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 No sound from speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 No sound from headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Video and Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 If the screen is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 If the screen is difficult to read . . . . . . . . . . . 72[...]

  • Page 7

    Contents 7 5 Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . . 97 Before Y ou Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Recommended T ools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 T urning Off Y our Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Before W orking Inside Y our Computer . . . . . . . 98 Removing the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Insi[...]

  • Page 8

    8 Contents Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Replacing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Replacing the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Removing the Processor . . . . . . . . . [...]

  • Page 9

    Contents 9 A Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Sy stem Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Entering Sy stem Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Sy stem Setup Options . . . . . . . .[...]

  • Page 10

    10 Contents Problems With Y our Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Returning Items for Warran ty Repair or Credit . . . . . 186 Before Y ou Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Glossary . . . . . . . . . .[...]

  • Page 11

    Finding Information 11 Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and ma y not ship with your computer . Some features or media may n ot be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer . What Are Y ou Looking For? Find it Here • W arranty information • T erms and Conditions (U.S.[...]

  • Page 12

    12 Finding Information • Service T ag and Express Service Code • Microsoft W indows License Label Service T ag and Microsoft ® Windows ® License These labels are located on your computer . • Use the Service T ag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. • Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call[...]

  • Page 13

    Finding Information 13 • Solutions — T roubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses, frequently ask ed questions • Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers • Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory , the hard drive, and the operating system • Customer Care — Contac[...]

  • Page 14

    14 Finding Information • How to use your W indows ® operating system • How to work with programs and files • How to personalize my desktop Windows Help and Support Center 1 T o access W indows Help and Support: • In W indows XP , click Start and click Help and Support . • In W indows Vista ® , click the W indows Vista start button™ an[...]

  • Page 15

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 15 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Front V iew of the Computer 1 Service T ag (located on top of the chassis towards the rear) Use the Service T ag to identi fy your computer when you access the Dell Support websit e or call technical support. 2 CD or DVD drive Use the CD/D VD drive for playing a CD/DVD. 3 CD[...]

  • Page 16

    16 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 5 optional CD or DVD drive bay Can contain an optional CD/DVD drive. 6 optional CD or DVD eject button P ress to eject a disk from the optional CD or DVD drive. 7 FlexBay drive Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader . F or information on using the Media Card Reader , see the Sonic w[...]

  • Page 17

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 17 Back V iew of the Computer 1 power connector Insert the power cable. 2 power supply LED Indicates power availability for power supply . 3 back panel connectors Plug USB, audio , and other devices into the appropriate connector . See "Back P anel Connectors" on page 18 for more information. 4 card slo[...]

  • Page 18

    18 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Back Panel Connectors 1 network activity light Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state. 2 network adapter connector T o attach your computer to a network or broadband d[...]

  • Page 19

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 19 4 center/subwoofer connector Use the orange connector to attach a speaker to a Low F requency Effects (LFE) audio channel. LFE audio channel is found in digital surround sound audio schemes that carries only low frequency info rmation of 80 Hz and below . The LFE channel drives a subwoofer to provide e xtremel[...]

  • Page 20

    20 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Installing Y our Computer in an Enclosure Installing your computer in an enclosure can r estrict the airflow and impact your computer ’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. F ollow the guidelines below when installing your computer in an enclosure: NOTICE: The operating temperature specificat ions [...]

  • Page 21

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 21 • Do not install your computer in an en closur e that does not allow airflow . Restricting the airflow impacts your computer ’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. book.book Page 21 Friday , April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 22

    22 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating sy stem 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[...]

  • Page 23

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 23 3 T urn on the printer and then turn on the computer . 4 Depending on your computer ’s operat ing system, a printer wizard may be available to help you install the printer driver: If your computer is running the Microsoft ® W indows ® XP operating system and the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears , cli[...]

  • Page 24

    24 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Playing CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tr ay when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when you are not using the drive. NOTICE: Do not move the computer when you are playing CDs or DVDs. 1 P ress the eject button on the front of the drive. 2 Place the disc, label side up, in the[...]

  • Page 25

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 25 A D VD player includes the following basic buttons: F or more information on playing CDs or D VDs, click Help on the CD or D VD player (if available). Adjusting the V olume NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing. Wi n d o w s X P: 1 Click the Start button, point to All P rogra[...]

  • Page 26

    26 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Adjusting the Picture If an error message notifies you that the current r esolution and color depth are using too much memory and pr event ing DVD playback, adjust the display properties: W indows XP: 1 Click the Start button, and then click Control P anel . 2 Under Pick a category , click Appearance and Theme[...]

  • Page 27

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 27 Copying CDs and DVDs NOTE: Ensure that you observe al l copyright laws when creating CDs or DVDs. This section applies only to computers that have a CD-RW , DVD+/-R W , or CD-R W/DVD (combo) drive. NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offer ed by Dell may vary by country . The following instructions explain how[...]

  • Page 28

    28 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer W indows Vista ® : 1 Click Start , point to All P rograms  Sonic  DigitalMedia P rojects  Copy  Disc Copy . 2 T o copy the CD or DVD: • If you have one CD or DVD drive , ensure that the settings ar e correct and click the Disc Copy button. The computer reads your source CD or D VD and copies the[...]

  • Page 29

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 29 DVD-Writable Drives Helpful T ips • Use Microsoft ® W indows ® Explorer to drag and dr op files to a CD-R or CD-R W only after you start Sonic Digi talMedia and open a DigitalMedia project. • Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in r egular stereos. CD-R Ws do not play in most home or car st[...]

  • Page 30

    30 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Using a Media Card Reader (Optional) Use the Media Card Reader to transf er data dir ectly to your computer . The Media Card Reader supports the following memory types: •x D - P i c t u r e C a r d • SmartMedia (SMC) • CompactFlash T ype I and II (CF I/II) • MicroDrive Card • SecureDigital Car d (SD)[...]

  • Page 31

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 31 T o use the Media Card Reader: 1 Check the media or card to determin e the proper orientation for insertion. 2 Slide the media or card into the a ppropriate slot until it is completely seated in the connector . If you encount er resistance, do not force the media or card. Check the car d orientation and try ag[...]

  • Page 32

    32 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Connecting One Monitor With a VG A Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. 2 Connect the VGA connector on the mo nitor to the VGA (blue) connector on the back of the computer . 3 Connect the D VI connector on the other monitor to the[...]

  • Page 33

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 33 3 Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video input connector on your TV . 4 Connect the VGA or D VI monitor . Changing the Display Settings 1 After you connect the monitor(s) or TV , turn on the computer . The Microsoft ® W indows ® desktop displays on the primary monitor . 2 Enable extended d[...]

  • Page 34

    34 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer NOTICE: The graphics card in your computer is installed in the PCI Express x16 slot. When there is a card in this slot an d you add a peripheral that does not support s3 suspend, your computer wi ll not enter standby mode. T o set standby mode to automaticall y activate after a defined period of inactivity : 1[...]

  • Page 35

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 35 Power Options Properties Define your standby mode settings, hib ernate mode settings, and other power settings in the P ower Options P roperties window . T o access the Po w e r Options P roperties window: 1 Click Start  Control P anel  Pick a category  P erformance and Maintenance . 2 Under or pick a[...]

  • Page 36

    36 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer If you want to change the default se ttings for a scheme, click the drop-down menu in the T urn off monitor , T urn off hard disks , System stand by , or System hibernates field, and then select a time -out from the displayed list. Changing the time-out for a scheme fi eld permanently changes the default setti[...]

  • Page 37

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 37 W indows Vista has thr ee main defa ult power management modes: • Balanced • P ower Saver • High P erformance Dell has added a fourth, Dell-Recommended mode that sets power management to the most typical setting s for the majority of our customers. This is the active P ower Plan. Standby Mode Standby mod[...]

  • Page 38

    38 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Hibernate Mode Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved ar ea on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer . When the computer exits from hibernate mode, the de sktop is r estored to the state it was in before it enter ed hibernate mode. Windows V ista may mask Hibe[...]

  • Page 39

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 39 Power Management Modes W indows Vista has thr ee main de fault power management modes: • Balanced • P ower Saver • High P erformance Dell has added a fourth Dell-Recommended mode that sets power management to the most typical settings for the majority of our customers.This is the active P ower Plan for a[...]

  • Page 40

    40 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer CAUTION: There are many different settings in the Power Options, Advanced Settings dialog box. Use care when making setting changes. Click Start and then click Help and Support to explor e the capabilities of the advanced settings. Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet T echnology Cool 'n' Quiet ™ technology[...]

  • Page 41

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 41 The drives in a R AID configuration shou ld be the same size in order to ensure that the lar ger drive does not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space. RAID Level 1 Configuration R AID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as mirroring to enhance data integrity . When data is writ [...]

  • Page 42

    42 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer Configuring Y our Hard Drives for RAID Y our computer can be configured for R AID , even if you did not select a RAID configuration when the computer was purc hased. F o r an explanation of R AID levels and their requir ements, see "About RAID Configurations (F or W indows Vista only)" on page 40. F [...]

  • Page 43

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 43 Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility NOTICE: The following procedure wi ll result in the loss of all data on your hard drive(s). Back up any data you want to keep b efore continuing. Hard drives of any size may be used to cr eate a RAID configuration. Ideally , however , the drives should be of equal si ze[...]

  • Page 44

    44 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 10 P ress <Enter> to return to the pr evious screen. 11 P ress <Ctrl><X> to exit the R AID BIOS. Using Nvidia MediaShield Nvidia MediaShield allows you to view and manage R A ID configurations. Rebuilding a RAID Configuration If one of the hard drives in a R AID ar ray fails, you can rebuild [...]

  • Page 45

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 45 Y ou can transfer data, such as:. • E-mail messages • T oolbar settings • W indow sizes • Internet bookmarks T o prepare the new computer for the file transfer : 1 Click Start , point to All P rograms  Accessories  System T ools , and then click F iles and Settings T ransfer Wizard . The F iles a[...]

  • Page 46

    46 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer T o transfer data to the new computer: 1 On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer , click Next . 2 On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring your file s and settings, and then click Next . 3 The wizard r eads the collected files a nd sett[...]

  • Page 47

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 47 Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter NOTICE: Plug the network cable into the n etwork adapter c onnector on the computer . Do not plug the networ k cable into the modem connector on the computer . Do not plug a network ca ble into a teleph one wall jack. 1 Connect the network ca[...]

  • Page 48

    48 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 3 Click Checklist for creating a network . NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall pro vided with Windows XP SP1. 4 Complete the checklist and requir ed preparations. 5 Return to the Network Setup W iza rd and follow the instructions[...]

  • Page 49

    Setting Up and Using Y our Computer 49 • Dial-up connections that provide Int ernet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable (or satellite) modem connections. • W ireless LAN connections that prov ide Internet access using Bluetooth ® wireless technology . If you are using a dial-up connec[...]

  • Page 50

    50 Setting Up and Using Y our Computer • If you have alr eady obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD, click Set up my connection manually . • If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP . NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP . 5 Click Next . If you selected S[...]

  • Page 51

    Solving Problems 51 Solving Problems CAUTION: Some of the parts described in this chapter may be replaceable by a certified service technician only and are not custom replaceable. T roubleshooting T ips F ollow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer: • If you added or removed a part befo r e the problem started, review the installation pr[...]

  • Page 52

    52 Solving Problems Drive Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . E NSURE THAT M ICROSOFT ® W INDOWS ® RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE — Wi n d o w s X P: Click Start and click My Computer . Wi nd o w s Vi s t a ® : Click Start and click Computer . If the[...]

  • Page 53

    Solving Problems 53 CD and DVD drive problems NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibrati on is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD or DVD. NOTE: Because of different regi ons worldwide and differe nt disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives. Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive A DJUST T[...]

  • Page 54

    54 Solving Problems Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only . The modem does not operate while it is connected to a digi tal telephone network. [...]

  • Page 55

    Solving Problems 55 C HECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION — C HECK THE TELEPHONE JACK — C ONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK — U SE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE — • V erify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a c onnector -shaped icon next to it.) • Ensure t[...]

  • Page 56

    56 Solving Problems Error Messages If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared. V ERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH W INDOWS — W indows XP: 1 Click Start  Control P anel  P rinters and Other Hardware  Phone and Modem Options  Modems . 2[...]

  • Page 57

    Solving Problems 57 A REQUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND — The program that you ar e trying to open is missing an essential file. T o remove and the n r e install the program: Wi nd o w s ® XP: 1 Click Start  Control P anel  Add or Remove P rograms  P rograms and F eatures . 2 Select the program you want to remove. 3 Click Uninstall . 4 S[...]

  • Page 58

    58 Solving Problems Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . The computer does [...]

  • Page 59

    Solving Problems 59 The computer stops responding NOTICE: Y ou might lose data if you are unab le to perform an operating sy stem shutdown. A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD. T URN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to [...]

  • Page 60

    60 Solving Problems A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft ® Windows ® operating sy stem A solid blue screen appears R UN THE P ROGRAM C OMPATIBILITY W IZARD — W indows XP: The P r ogram Compatibility W izard configur es a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non- XP operating system environments. 1 Click Start  All P[...]

  • Page 61

    Solving Problems 61 Other software problems C HECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION — • Ensure that the program is compatible wi th the operating system installed on your computer . • Ensure that your computer meets the mi nimum hardware r equirements needed to run the software. S[...]

  • Page 62

    62 Solving Problems Media Card Reader Problems N O DRIVE LETTER IS ASSIGNED — When Microsoft ® W indows ® Operating System detects the Media Card Reader , the device is automatically assigned a drive letter as the next logical drive after all other physical drives in the system. If the next logical drive after the physical drives is mapped to a[...]

  • Page 63

    Solving Problems 63 Memory Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . F LEX B AY DEVICE IS D ISABLED — There is a FlexBay disable option in the BIOS setup that appears only when the FlexBay device is installed. If the Fle xBay de vice is physically i[...]

  • Page 64

    64 Solving Problems Mouse Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . C LEAN THE MOUSE — See "Mouse" on page 179 for in structions on cleaning the mouse. C HECK THE MOUSE CABLE — 1 Remove mouse extension cables, if used, an d connect the m[...]

  • Page 65

    Solving Problems 65 Network Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . C HECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS — Wi nd o w s ® XP: 1 Click Start , click Control P anel , and then click P rinters and Other Hardware . 2 Click Mouse . 3 Adjust the settings as needed[...]

  • Page 66

    66 Solving Problems Power Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . C HECK YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS — Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network to verify that your network settings are corr ect and that the network is fun[...]

  • Page 67

    Solving Problems 67 Printer Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer , contac t the printer’ s manufacturer . I F THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER — P ower problem or internal device malfunct[...]

  • Page 68

    68 Solving Problems C HECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS — • See the printer documentation for cable connection information. • Ensure that the printer cables are secu r ely connected to the printer and the computer (see "Setting Up a P rinter" on page 22). T EST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working [...]

  • Page 69

    Solving Problems 69 Scanner Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner , contact the scanner’ s manufacturer . C HECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION — See the scanner documentation for setup and tr[...]

  • Page 70

    70 Solving Problems Sound and Speaker Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . No sound from speakers NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 pl ayers overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been li stening to MP3 songs, ensure that you did no[...]

  • Page 71

    Solving Problems 71 No sound from headphones V ideo and Monitor Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTE: See the monitor documentation for troubleshooting procedures. R EINSTALL THE SOUND DRIVER — See "Manually Reinstalling Drivers"[...]

  • Page 72

    72 Solving Problems If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read C HECK THE MONITOR CABLE CONNECTION — • Ensure that the graphics cable is conne cted as shown on the setup diagram for your computer . If an optional video card is installed, ch eck that the monitor ca ble is connected to the card, rather than the vide o connector on [...]

  • Page 73

    Solving Problems 73 M OVE THE MONITOR AWAY FROM EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES — Fa n s , fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, and other electrical devices can cause the scr een image to appear "shaky ." T urn off near by devices to check for interference. R OTATE THE MONITOR TO ELIMINATE SUNLIGHT GLARE AND POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE A DJUST THE W IND[...]

  • Page 74

    74 Solving Problems book.book Page 74 Friday , April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 75

    T roubleshooting T ools 75 T roubleshooting T ools Power Lights CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . The power button light (b i-color LED) located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate differ ent states: • If [...]

  • Page 76

    76 T r oubleshooting T ool s • If the power light is blinking amber , the computer is receiving electrical power , a device might be malfun ctioning or incorrectly installed. – Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 107). – Remove and then reinstall any car ds (see "Cards" on page 111). – Remo[...]

  • Page 77

    T roubleshooting T ools 77 Code (repetitive short beeps) Description Suggested Remedy 3 P ossible motherboard failure. Contact Dell. 1 BIOS checksum failure. P ossible motherboard failur e. Contact Dell. 5 Real time clock failure. P ossible battery failure or motherboard failur e. 1 Replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page[...]

  • Page 78

    78 T r oubleshooting T ool s Sy stem Messages NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating sy stem or the program th at was running when the message appeared. A LERT ! P REVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT BOOTING THIS SY STEM HAVE FAILED AT CHECKPOINT [ NNNN ]. F OR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM , P[...]

  • Page 79

    T roubleshooting T ools 79 N O BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE — No bootable partition on HDD or Not a bootable floppy in floppy driver , or HDD/Floppy ca ble loose, or No bootable device exists. • If the floppy drive is your boot device, ensu re that a bootable floppy disk is in the drive. • If the har d drive is your boot device, ensure that the cabl[...]

  • Page 80

    80 T r oubleshooting T ool s Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . When to Use the Dell Diagnostics If you experience a problem with your computer , perform the checks in L ockups and Software P roblems (see "Lockups an d Software P r[...]

  • Page 81

    T roubleshooting T ools 81 Starting the 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 <F12> immediately . NOTE: If you wait too long and the oper ating sy stem logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft ®[...]

  • Page 82

    82 T r oubleshooting T ool s 2 After you have selected the Te s t S y s t e m option from the main menu, the following menu appears: NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended T est from the menu below to run a more thorough check of devices in the computer . 3 If a problem is encountered during a te st, a message appears with an error code a[...]

  • Page 83

    T roubleshooting T ools 83 5 When the tests are complete, close th e test scr een to return to the Main Menu screen. T o exit the Dell Diagnostics and r estart the computer , close the Main Menu screen. 6 Remove the Drivers and Utilities media (if applicable). Drivers What is a Driver? A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer [...]

  • Page 84

    84 T r oubleshooting T ool s Identifying Drivers If you experience a problem with any devi ce, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary , update the driver . NOTE: Y ou must be logged in with Administra tor privileges to perform this procedure. Wi n do w s ® XP: 1 Click Start , then click Control P anel . 2 Click[...]

  • Page 85

    T roubleshooting T ools 85 3 In the System P roperties window , click the Hardware tab. 4 Click Device Manager . 5 Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click P roperties . 6 Click the Drivers tab  Roll Back Driver . W indows Vista: 1 Click Start and right-click Computer . 2 Click P roperties  Device Manager . NOTE[...]

  • Page 86

    86 T r oubleshooting T ool s 5 At the W elcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next . NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media display s driver s only for hardware that came installed in your computer . If you in stalled additional hardware, the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed by the Drivers and Utilities media. If those drivers ar[...]

  • Page 87

    T roubleshooting T ools 87 W indows Vista: 1 Click Start and right-click Computer . 2 Click P roperties  Device Manager . NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear . If you are an administrator on the computer , click Continue ; otherwise, contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager . 3 Double-click the type of device for which[...]

  • Page 88

    88 T r oubleshooting T ool s 3 Select the option that best desc ribes the problem and follow the troubleshooting steps. NOTE: Windows Vista is a new operating sy stem, so many older devices may not have drivers or applica tions for Windows Vista. Check with your hardware manufacturer for further i nformation on their device. NOTE: If you do not fin[...]

  • Page 89

    T roubleshooting T ools 89 Creating a Restore Point NOTICE: Make regular backups of your da ta files. Sy stem Restore does not monitor your data fi les or recover them. NOTE: Y ou must be logged in with Administr ator privileges to perform this procedure. Wi n d o w s X P: 1 Click Start  All P rograms  Accessories  System T ools  System[...]

  • Page 90

    90 T r oubleshooting T ool s NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any open prog rams. Do not alter , open, or delete any files or programs until the sy stem restoration is complete. NOTE: Y ou must be logged in with Admini strator privileges to perform this procedure. Wi n do [...]

  • Page 91

    T roubleshooting T ools 91 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore or Dell Fa ctory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer . If possible, back up the data before u sing these options. Use PC Restore or Dell[...]

  • Page 92

    92 T r oubleshooting T ool s 6 When prompted, click Ye s . The computer restarts. Because the co mputer is r estored to its original operating state, the screens that appe ar , such as the End User License Agreement, ar e the same ones that a ppeared the first time the computer was turned on. 7 Click Next . The System Restore screen appears and the[...]

  • Page 93

    T roubleshooting T ools 93 Removing Dell PC Restore NOTICE: Removing Dell PC Restore from the hard drive permanently deletes the PC Restore utility from your computer . After you have removed Dell PC Restore, you will not be able to use it to restor e your computer’ s operating sy stem. Dell PC Restore enables you to r estore your hard drive to t[...]

  • Page 94

    94 T r oubleshooting T ool s Using the Operating Sy stem CD Before Y ou Begin If you are considering r einstalling the Windows operating system to corr ect a problem with a newly installed driver , first try using W indows Device Driver Rollback. (see "Using W indows Device Driver Rollback" on page 84). If Device Driver Rollback does not [...]

  • Page 95

    T roubleshooting T ools 95 1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs. 2 Insert the Operating System CD. Click Exit if the Install Windows Vista message appears. 3 Restart the computer . Pr ess <F12> immediately after the DELL™ logo appears. If the operating system logo appear s, wait until you see the W indows desktop, and [...]

  • Page 96

    96 T r oubleshooting T ool s book.book Page 96 Friday , April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 97

    Removing and Installing Parts 97 Removing and Installing Parts CAUTION: T o guard against electrical shock, lac eration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, al way s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover . CAUTION: Do not operate your computer w ith any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, f[...]

  • Page 98

    98 Removing and Installing Parts T urning Off Y our Computer NOTICE: T o avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you tu rn off your computer . Wi n do w s ® XP: 1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs. 2 Click Start  T urn Off Computer  Tu r n o f f . 3 Ensure that the computer an[...]

  • Page 99

    Removing and Installing Parts 99 NOTICE: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locki ng tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cab le, press in on the locking tabs befo re you disconnect the cable. As you pull conn ectors apart, keep them ev enly aligned[...]

  • Page 100

    100 Removing and Installing Parts 3 Remove the two thumbscrews securing the cover , using a flat-blade screwdriver . 4 Release the computer cover by pulling it away from the front of the computer and lifting it up. 5 Set the cover aside in a secure location. 1 computer cover 2 front of computer 3 thumbscrew (2) 1 2 3 book.book Page 1 00 Friday, Apr[...]

  • Page 101

    Removing and Installing Parts 101 Inside V iew of Y our Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . 1 CD or D VD drive 2 power supply 3 optional CD or DVD drive 4 floppy drive or Media Reader (optional) 5 hard drive 6 optional hard drive 1 2 3 6 5 4 boo[...]

  • Page 102

    102 Removing and Installing Parts Sy stem Board Components 1 3 19 12 18 20 9 11 2 14 21 17 15 23 25 29 4 7 8 10 16 24 26 27 28 5 6 13 22 30 31 book.book Page 1 02 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 103

    Removing and Installing Parts 103 1 processor socket (CPU) 2 processor fan connector (CPU_F AN) 3 memory module connectors (DIMM_2) 4 memory module connectors (DIMM_1) 5 memory module connectors (DIMM_4) 6 memory module connectors (DIMM_3) 7 main power connector (A TX_POWER) 8 floppy drive connector (FLOPPY) 9 serial A T A drive connectors (SA T A3[...]

  • Page 104

    104 Removing and Installing Parts Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments DC Power Connector P1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 567 89 1 0 1 1 1 2 book.book Page 1 04 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 105

    Removing and Installing Parts 105 Pin Number Signal name Wire Color Wire Size 1 3.3 V Orange 20 A WG 2 3.3 V Orange 20 A WG 3 R TN Black 20 AWG 4 5 V Red 20 A WG 5 R TN Black 20 AWG 6 5 V Red 20 A WG 7 R TN Black 20 AWG 8 POK Gray 22 A WG 9 5 V A UX Purple 20 A WG 10 +12 V Y ellow 20 A WG 11 +12 V Y ellow 20 A WG 12 3.3 V Orange 20 A WG 13 3.3 V Or[...]

  • Page 106

    106 Removing and Installing Parts DC Power Connector P2 DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P8, and P9 Pin Number Signal Name 18-A WG Wire 1G N D B l a c k 2G N D B l a c k 3 +12 V ADC Y ellow 4 +12 V ADC Y ellow Pin Number Signal name 18-A WG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2G N D B l a c k 3+ 5 V D C R e d 4G N D B l a c k 5 +12 VBDC White 3 1 4 2 book.book Page [...]

  • Page 107

    Removing and Installing Parts 107 DC Power Connector P7 Memory Y ou can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. Y o ur computer supports DDR2 memory . F or additional information on the type of memory supported by your computer , see "Memory" on page 167. NOTICE: Do not install ECC or buffered memor[...]

  • Page 108

    108 Removing and Installing Parts Memory Installation Guidelines • DIMM connectors must be populated in a numerical order , beginning with connectors DIMM_1 and DIMM_2, then connectors DIMM_3 and DIMM_4. If a single DIMM is installed, you must install it in connector DIMM_1. • F or best performance, memory modules should be installed in pairs o[...]

  • Page 109

    Removing and Installing Parts 109 Installing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: Before installing memory , you must remove the PCI Express x16 card. See "Cards" on page 111. NOTICE: T o prevent static damage to componen ts insi[...]

  • Page 110

    110 Removing and Installing Parts 3 Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector . NOTICE: T o avoid damage to the memory modu le, press the modu le straight down into the connector whil e you apply equal force to each end of the module. 4 Insert the module into the connector until the module snaps into position. I[...]

  • Page 111

    Removing and Installing Parts 111 8 Right-click the My Computer icon and click P rop erties . 9 Click the General tab. 10 T o verify that the memory is insta lled correctly , check the amount of memory (R AM) listed. Removing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Infor[...]

  • Page 112

    112 Removing and Installing Parts PCI and PCI Express Cards Y our computer supports two PCI cards, one PCI Expr ess x16 card and one PCI Express x1 car d. • If you are installing or r eplacing a car d, follow the procedures in the ne xt section. • If you are r emoving but not replac ing a car d, see "Removing a PCI/PCI Express Card" o[...]

  • Page 113

    Removing and Installing Parts 113 3 Remove the screw holding the car d retention bracket. 4 Lift the card r etention bracket and set it aside in a secur e location. 5 If you are installing a new card, r e move the filler bracket to cr eate a card-slot opening. 6 If you are r eplacing a card that is alr e ady installed in the computer , remove the c[...]

  • Page 114

    114 Removing and Installing Parts 9 If you are installing the PCI Expr ess card into the x16 card connector , position the card so the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab. 10 Place the card in the connector and pr es s down firmly . Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot. 1 alignment bar 2 fully-seated card 3 not fully seated c[...]

  • Page 115

    Removing and Installing Parts 115 11 Replace the card r etention bracket ensuring that: • The guide clamp is aligned with the guide notch. • The tops of all car ds and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar . • The notch in the top of the car d or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide. 12 F ix the card r etention bracket by[...]

  • Page 116

    116 Removing and Installing Parts 13 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation for the card for information about the car d’s cable connections. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or be hind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing proper ly or cause damage to the e[...]

  • Page 117

    Removing and Installing Parts 117 5 If you are r eplacing a card that is alr e ady installed in the computer , remove the card. If necessary , disconnect any cables connected to the card. • F or PCI card, grasp the card by its to p corners, and ease it out of its connector . • F or PCI Express car d, pull the securing tab, grasp the card by its[...]

  • Page 118

    118 Removing and Installing Parts Bezel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the pro cedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: T o guard against electrica l shock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, alwa y s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before openi[...]

  • Page 119

    Removing and Installing Parts 119 3 Grasp and lift the bezel grips one at a time to release it from the front panel. 4 Rotate and pull the bezel away from th e front of the computer to release bezel clamps from bezel clamp slot. 5 Set aside the bezel in a secure location. Replacing the Bezel 1 Align and insert the bezel clamps in the bezel clamp sl[...]

  • Page 120

    120 Removing and Installing Parts Drives Y our computer supports a combination of these devices: • Up to two serial A T A hard drives • One optional floppy drive or an optional Media Card Reader • Up to two CD or D VD drives 1 CD or D VD drive 2 optional CD or DVD drive 3 floppy drive or Media Card Reader 4 optional hard drive 5 hard drive 1 [...]

  • Page 121

    Removing and Installing Parts 121 Recommended Drive Cable Connections • Connect serial A T A hard drives to connectors labeled "SA T A0" or "SA T A1" on the system board. • Connect serial A T A CD or DVD drives to connectors labeled "SA T A2" or "SA T A3" on the system board. Connecting Drive Cables When [...]

  • Page 122

    122 Removing and Installing Parts Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables When connecting and disconnecting a s erial A T A data cable, disconnect the cable using the pull-tab. The serial A T A interface connectors are keyed for corr ect insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other c[...]

  • Page 123

    Removing and Installing Parts 123 5 Remove the four screws securing the har d drive. 6 Slide the drive out away from the front of the computer . 7 If removing this drive changes the dr ive configuration, then be sur e to reflect these changes in system setup. When you r estart your computer , enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page[...]

  • Page 124

    124 Removing and Installing Parts Installing a Hard Drive 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "R emoving the Computer Cover" on page 99). 3 Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer . 4 Slide the hard drive into the har d driv[...]

  • Page 125

    Removing and Installing Parts 125 8 Connect the data cable to the system board. 9 Check all cables to be certain that they are properly connected and firmly seated. 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Rep lacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). NOTICE: T o connect a network cabl e, first plug the cable into the network port or device and[...]

  • Page 126

    126 Removing and Installing Parts 6 Replace and tighten the four screws to secur e the hard drive. 7 Connect the power and data cables to the drive. 8 Connect the data cable to the system board. 9 Check all cables to be certain that th ey are properly connected and firmly seated. 10 Replace the computer cover (see "R eplacing the Computer Cove[...]

  • Page 127

    Removing and Installing Parts 127 11 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 12 See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software r equired for drive operation. 13 Check the system setup for drive co nfiguration changes (see "Entering System Setup" on page 17[...]

  • Page 128

    128 Removing and Installing Parts 4 Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the floppy drive. NOTE: If you have installed a PCI Express x16 card, th is card may cover the floppy-drive connectors. Remove this ca rd before disconnec ting the floppy- drive cables (see "Removing a PCI/PCI Express Card " on page 116 ). 5 Disconne[...]

  • Page 129

    Removing and Installing Parts 129 8 If you are not r eplacing the drive, reinstall the drive panel insert (see "Media Card Reader" on page 133). 9 Replace the bezel (see "Replac ing the Bezel" on page 119). 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Rep lacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). 11 Connect your computer and dev[...]

  • Page 130

    130 Removing and Installing Parts 10 Check all cable connections, and fo ld cables out of the way to avoid blocking airflow between the fan and cooling vents. 11 Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel" on page 119). 12 Replace the computer cover (see "R eplacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). NOTICE: T o connect a networ[...]

  • Page 131

    Removing and Installing Parts 131 13 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software r equired for drive operation. 14 Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 172) and select the appropriate Diskette Drive opt[...]

  • Page 132

    132 Removing and Installing Parts Replacing the Drive Panel Insert 1 Align the drive panel insert along th e edges of the empty slot for the floppy drive. 2 P ush the panel insert. Drive panel insert is locked in place. NOTE: T o comply with FCC regulations, it is recommended that you replace the drive panel insert wheneve r the floppy drive is re [...]

  • Page 133

    Removing and Installing Parts 133 Media Card Reader CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: T o guard against electrical shock, lac eration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, al way s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet [...]

  • Page 134

    134 Removing and Installing Parts 4 Disconnect the FlexBay USB cable and the power cable from the back of the Media Card Reader and from the internal USB connector on the system board (see "System Boar d Components" on page 102). 5 Remove the two screws securing the Media Car d Reader . 6 Slide the Media Card Reader out through the front [...]

  • Page 135

    Removing and Installing Parts 135 10 Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel" on page 119 11 Replace the computer cover (see "Rep lacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). 12 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 1 Media Card Reader 2 data cable 3 power cable 4 system board connector [...]

  • Page 136

    136 Removing and Installing Parts CD or DVD Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: T o guard against electrical s hock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, alwa y s unplug your computer from the electrical o[...]

  • Page 137

    Removing and Installing Parts 137 6 Remove the two screws securing the CD or D VD drive. 7 Slide the CD or D VD drive out th rough the front of the computer . 8 If you are not r eplacing the drive, repl ace the drive panel insert (see "Media Card Reader" on page 133). 9 Replace the drive panel insert (see "Rep lacing the Drive P anel[...]

  • Page 138

    138 Removing and Installing Parts 9 Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel" on page 119). 10 Replace the computer cover (see "Repla cing the Computer Cover" on page 164). NOTICE: T o connect a network cable, first pl ug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer . 11 Connect your computer and devic[...]

  • Page 139

    Removing and Installing Parts 139 Installing a Second CD or DVD Drive 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "R emoving the Computer Cover" on page 99). 3 Remove the bezel (see "Removing the Bezel" on page 118). 4 Align the tip of a Phillips screwdriver wi th the s[...]

  • Page 140

    140 Removing and Installing Parts 10 Check all cable connections, and fo ld cables out of the way to avoid blocking airflow between the fan and cooling vents. 11 Replace and tighten the two screws securing the CD or D VD drive. 12 Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel" on page 119). 13 Replace the computer cover (see "Repla cin[...]

  • Page 141

    Removing and Installing Parts 141 15 Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 172) and select the appropriate Drive option. 16 V erify that your computer works correc tly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 80). Replacing the CD or DVD Panel Insert 1 Align the CD or D VD panel insert along the e[...]

  • Page 142

    142 Removing and Installing Parts Battery Replacing the Battery CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . NOTICE: T o prevent static damage to co mponents inside your computer , discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer?[...]

  • Page 143

    Removing and Installing Parts 143 7 Replace the computer cover (see "Rep lacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). NOTICE: T o connect a network cabl e, 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 (se[...]

  • Page 144

    144 Removing and Installing Parts 5 Remove the four screws that attach the power supply to the back of the computer chassis. 6 Slide the power supply towards the fron t of the computer and lift it out. 7 Place and slide the replacement power su pply towar d the back of the computer . 8 Replace and tighten all screws that se cur e the power supply t[...]

  • Page 145

    Removing and Installing Parts 145 Processor CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide . NOTICE: T o prevent static damage to compon ents inside your computer , discharge static electricity from your bod y before you touch any of your computer’ s electr[...]

  • Page 146

    146 Removing and Installing Parts NOTICE: Unless a new heat sink is required for the new processor , reuse the original heat sink assembly when you replace the processor . 7 P ull the release lever straight up until the processor is released. 1 fan 2 fan cover 3 heat sink 4 bracket 5 clamp grip 6 bracket projection 7 clamp lever 1 2 3 4 7 6 5 book.[...]

  • Page 147

    Removing and Installing Parts 147 NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you remove the processor . Bending the pins can permane ntly damage the processor . 8 Remove the processor from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the r e lease position so that the socket is ready for the new processor . NOTICE: After removing the pr[...]

  • Page 148

    148 Removing and Installing Parts Installing the Processor NOTICE: Ground yourself by touch ing an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer . 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you unpack the processor . Bending the pins c an permanently damage the pr[...]

  • Page 149

    Removing and Installing Parts 149 NOTICE: T o avoid damage, ensure that the proc essor aligns pr operly with the socket, and do not use excessive forc e when you instal l the processor . 5 Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensur e that the processor is positioned correctly . 6 While lightly pressing down on the processor , rotate the rele[...]

  • Page 150

    150 Removing and Installing Parts 10 Connect any cables disconnected before r emoving the heat sink assembly . 11 Replace the computer cover (see "R eplacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). 12 Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on. 13 V erify that the computer works correc tly by running the Dell Di[...]

  • Page 151

    Removing and Installing Parts 151 I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: T o guard against electrical shock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, al way s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before op[...]

  • Page 152

    152 Removing and Installing Parts Installing the I/O Panel 1 Place the I/O panel into the slot. NOTICE: T ake care not to damage the cable connectors and the cab le routing clips when sliding the I/O pan el into the computer . 2 Align and slide the I/O panel clamp in the I/O panel clamp slot. 3 Replace and tighten the screw that secur es the I/O pa[...]

  • Page 153

    Removing and Installing Parts 153 6 Replace the computer cover (see "Rep lacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). 7 Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and turn them on. 8 V erify that the computer works correc tly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 80). 1 I/O panel clamp 2 I/O[...]

  • Page 154

    154 Removing and Installing Parts Processor Fan CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proc edures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide . CAUTION: T o guard against electrical s hock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, alwa y s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet befo[...]

  • Page 155

    Removing and Installing Parts 155 8 Hold the heat sink firmly in one hand and using moderate force, pull up the fan cover to separate it from the heat sink. 1 fan 2 fan cover 3 heat sink 1 2 3 book.book Page 1 55 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 156

    156 Removing and Installing Parts NOTICE: Do not touch the fan blades to av oid damage to the fan blades. 9 P ull outwards the two fan cover grips on one side and slightly lift the fan from the fan cover . 10 P ull outwards the other two fan cover gri ps on the other side and lift the fan to release the fan from the fan cover . 1 fan 2 fan cover gu[...]

  • Page 157

    Removing and Installing Parts 157 Installing the Processor Fan NOTICE: When reinstalling the fan, ensure that you do not pinch the wires that run between the sy stem board and the fan. 1 Align the holes in the fan with the guides on the fan cover . 2 P ress the fan and fan cover together till the fan cover grips snap in place. 1 fan 2 fan cover gui[...]

  • Page 158

    158 Removing and Installing Parts 3 Align and press the heat sink and fan assembly till both snap in place. 4 Replace the heat sink assembly (see step 9 of "Installing the P rocessor" on page 148). 5 Replace the cables that were r emoved fr om the routing clips on top of the processor fan assembly . 1 fan 2 fan cover 3 heat sink 1 2 3 boo[...]

  • Page 159

    Removing and Installing Parts 159 6 Connect the processor fan cable to the system board (see "System Boar d Components" on page 102). NOTICE: Ensure that the fan is co rrectly seated and secure. 7 Replace the cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 164). 8 Connect your computer and devices to an electrical outlet, and [...]

  • Page 160

    160 Removing and Installing Parts Removing the Chassis Fan 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "R emoving the Computer Cover" on page 99). 3 Disconnect the chassis fan cable from the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 102). 4 Remove the four scr[...]

  • Page 161

    Removing and Installing Parts 161 Replacing the Chassis Fan 1 F ollow the procedures in "Befor e Y ou Begin" on page 97. 2 Remove the computer cover (see "R emoving the Computer Cover" on page 99). 3 Slide the chassis fan in place towa rds the back of the computer . 4 Connect the chassis fan cable to the system board (see "[...]

  • Page 162

    162 Removing and Installing Parts Sy stem Board Removing the Sy stem Board CAUTION: T o guard against electrical s hock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other unexpected injuries, alwa y s unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover . CAUTION: The heat sink assembly , power sup ply, and other com ponents may be very[...]

  • Page 163

    Removing and Installing Parts 163 Sy stem Board Screws 9 Place the system board that you just r emoved next to the replacement system board to compar e and ensure they ar e identical. 1 screws (8) 2 system board 1 2 book.book Page 1 63 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 164

    164 Removing and Installing Parts Installing the Sy stem Board 1 Gently align the board into the chassis and slide it toward the back of the computer . 2 Using the eight screws, secur e the system board to the chassis. 3 Replace the cables that you re moved from the system boar d. 4 Replace the processor and the heat sink assembly (see "Instal[...]

  • Page 165

    Removing and Installing Parts 165 6 Replace and tighten the two screws that secur e the computer cover , using a flat-blade screwdriver . 7 Move the computer to the upright position. NOTICE: T o connect a network cabl e, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer . NOTICE: Ensure that none of the air -vents of t[...]

  • Page 166

    166 Removing and Installing Parts book.book Page 1 66 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]

  • Page 167

    Appendix 167 Appendix Specifications Processor P rocessor type AMD™ Athlon™ 64 X2 dual-core processor AMD Athlon 64 processor AMD Sempron™ processor Level 2 (L2) cache Up to 2 MB for Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor Up to 512 KB for Athlon 64 processor Up to 256 KB for Sempron processors Memory T ype 667-MHz, 800-MHz DDR2 SDR AM Memory connec[...]

  • Page 168

    168 Appendix Audio T ype Realtec ALC888 (7.1 Channel audio) Expansion Bus Bus type PCI 2.3 PCI Express 1.0A SA T A 1.0 and 2.0 USB 2.0 Bus speed PCI: 133 MB/s PCI Express: x1 slot bidirectional speed - 500 MB/s x16 slot bidirectional speed - 8GB/s SA T A: 1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps USB: 480 Mbps high speed, 12 Mbps full speed, 1.2 Mbps low speed PCI con[...]

  • Page 169

    Appendix 169 Drives Externally accessible: Bays one 3.5-inch drive bay (Fle xBay) two 5.25-inch drive bays A vailable devices Serial A T A drives (4), floppy drive, USB memory devices, CD or D VD drive, and Media Card Reader Internally accessible: two bays for 1- inch high serial A T A har d drives Connectors External connectors: Vid eo 15-hole con[...]

  • Page 170

    170 Appendix Memory four 240-pin connectors Po w e r 1 2 V one 4-pin connector Po w e r one 24-pin connector Controls and Lights F ront of computer: Po w e r b u t t o n push button P ower light blue light — Blinking blue in sleep state; solid blue for power -on state amber light — The blinking amber indicates a problem with the system bo ard. [...]

  • Page 171

    Appendix 171 V oltage (see the safety instructions located in the P roduct Information Guide for important voltage setting information) 115/230 V ac, 50/60 Hz, 7 A/4 A Coin cell battery 3- V CR2032 lithium coin cell Phy sical Height 36.2 cm (14.2 inches) W idth 17.0 cm (6.7 inches) Depth 43.5 cm (17.1 inches) W eight 12.7 kg (28.0 lb) Environmental[...]

  • Page 172

    172 Appendix Sy stem Setup Overview Use System Setup as follows: • T o change the system configuration infor mation after you add, change, or remove any har dware in your computer • T o set or change a user-selectable option such as the user passwor d • T o read the current amount of memo ry or set the type of har d drive installed Before you[...]

  • Page 173

    Appendix 173 Sy stem Setup Screen The system setup screen displays curr ent or changeable configuration information for your computer . Informatio n on the screen is divided into four areas: the menu at the top, the ma in window , the Item Help field on the right, and key functions listed on the bottom. Sy stem Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your[...]

  • Page 174

    174 Appendix Advanced CPU Type Displays the T ype of P rocessor installed in the system. CPU Speed Displays CPU Speed. Cache RAM Displays the amount of Cache RAM available. Frame Buffer Displays the amount of F rame Buffer available. Advanced Chipset Features Displays the V ideo Memory size. Integrated peripherals Displays information about periph [...]

  • Page 175

    Appendix 175 Boot Sequence This feature allows you to change the Boot Device P roperty for devices. Option Settings • Bootable Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the hard drive. • Onboard Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. • Onboard CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD dr[...]

  • Page 176

    176 Appendix 4 P ress the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the item you want to change, and then press <Enter>. 5 P ress the up- and down-arrow keys to select the boot device you want to change, and then press <Enter>. 6 P ress <F10> and then press <Enter> to e xit system setup and resume the boot process. Clearing Forgo[...]

  • Page 177

    Appendix 177 5 Replace the computer cover (see "Repla cing the Computer Cover" on page 164). NOTICE: T o connect a network cabl e, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer . 6 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. Clearing CMOS Settings CAUTION: Before you begin a[...]

  • Page 178

    178 Appendix Flashing the BIOS The BIOS may requir e flashing when an update is available or when replacing the system board. 1 T urn on the computer . 2 Locate the BIOS update file for your computer at the Dell Support website at support.dell.com . 3 Click Download Now to download the file. 4 If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, cli[...]

  • Page 179

    Appendix 179 Cleaning Y our Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the proced ures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide . Computer , Keyboard, and Monitor CAUTION: Before you clean your computer , dis connect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer wi th a soft cloth dampen[...]

  • Page 180

    180 Appendix Floppy Drive NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads wi th a swab. Y ou might accidentally misalign the heads, which preve nts the drive from operating. Clean your floppy drive using a commercia lly available cleaning kit. These kits contain pretr eated floppy disks to remove contaminants that accumulate during normal operation. CD[...]

  • Page 181

    Appendix 181 Dell provides limited technical support for the computer and any "Dell-installed" software and peripherals 1 . Support for thir d-party software and peripherals is provided by the or iginal manufacturer , including those purchased and/or installed throug h Dell Software and P eripherals, Readyware, and Custom F actory Integra[...]

  • Page 182

    182 Appendix This device complies with P art 15 of t he FCC R ules. Operation is subject to the following tw o conditions: 1 This device may not cause harmful interference. 2 This device must accept any interference r eceived, including interference that may cause undesired operation. NOTICE: The FCC regulations provide that ch anges or modificatio[...]

  • Page 183

    Appendix 183 Getting Help Obtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the comp uter cover , first disconnect the computer power and modem c ables 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 "T roubleshooting T ools&quo[...]

  • Page 184

    184 Appendix T o contact Dell's support service, see "Before Y ou Call" on page 186, and then see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com . DellConnect DellConnect is a simple online access tool that allows a Dell service and support associate to access your computer th rough a broadband connection, diagnose[...]

  • Page 185

    Appendix 185 • Dell Mark eting and Sales e-mail addresses apmarketing@dell.com (Asian/P acific 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 passwor d. AutoT ech Service Dell's automated support service—AutoT ech—[...]

  • Page 186

    186 Appendix Returning Items for W arranty Repair or Credit P repare all items being r eturned, wheth er for repair or credit, as follows: 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Materi al Authorization Number , and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box. F or the telephone number to call for yo ur region, see "Contacting Dell"[...]

  • Page 187

    Appendix 187 Diagnostics Checklist Name: Date: Address: Phone number: Service T ag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer): Express Service Code: Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support technician): Operating system and version: Devices: Expansion cards: Are you connected to a network? Y es No Network, version, an[...]

  • Page 188

    188 Appendix Contacting Dell F or customers in the United States, call 800- WWW .DELL (800.999.3355). NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, yo u can find contact information on your purchase invoice, pa cking slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and teleph one-based support and service options. Availab[...]

  • Page 189

    Glossary 189 Glossary T erms in this Glossary are provided fo r informational purposes only and may or may not describe features inclu ded 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. ACP I — advanced configur[...]

  • Page 190

    190 Glossary B battery life span — The length of time (years) duri ng which a portable computer battery is able to be depleted and rechar ged. battery operating time — The length of time (minutes or hours) that a portable computer battery powers the computer . BIOS — basic input/output system — A prog ram (or utility) that serves as an inte[...]

  • Page 191

    Glossary 191 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 recor dable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be [...]

  • Page 192

    192 Glossary device — Hardwar e such as a disk drive, printer , or k eyboard that is installed in or connected to your computer . device driver — See driver . DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit board with memory chips that connects to a memory module on the system board. DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector th at conforms[...]

  • Page 193

    Glossary 193 D VD+RW drive — drive that can r ead DVDs and most CD media and write to D VD+RW (r ewritable DVDs) discs. DV I — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display . E ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing t[...]

  • Page 194

    194 Glossary F Fa h r e n h e i t — A temperature measurement scale wher e 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water . FBD — fully-buffered DIMM — A DIMM with DDR2 DR AM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) that speeds communication between the DDR2 SDR AM chips and the system. FCC — F ederal Communications Com[...]

  • Page 195

    Glossary 195 H hard drive — A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The terms har d drive and hard di sk are often used interchangeably . heat sink — A metal plate on some proce ssors that helps dissipate heat. hibernate mode — A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a reserved space on the har d drive and then t[...]

  • Page 196

    196 Glossary IRQ — interrupt request — An electronic path way assigned to a specific device so that the device can communica te with the processor . Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ. Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, you cannot operate both devices simultaneously . ISP — Internet service provider — A comp[...]

  • Page 197

    Glossary 197 MB — megabyte — A measurement of data st orage that equals 1,048,576 bytes. 1 MB equals 1024 KB. When used to refer to har d drive storage, the term is often rounded to 1,000,000 bytes. MB/sec — megabytes per second — One millio n bytes per second. This measurement is typically used for data transfer ratings. media bay — A ba[...]

  • Page 198

    198 Glossary N network adapter — A chip that provides network capabilities. A computer may include a network adapter on its system boa rd, or it may contain a PC Car d with an adapter on it. A network adapte r is also r eferred to as a NIC (network interface controller). NIC — See network adapter . notification area — The section of the W ind[...]

  • Page 199

    Glossary 199 PIO — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two devices through the processor as part of the data path. pixel — A single point on a display screen. P ixe ls are arranged in rows and columns to create an image. A video r e solution, such as 800 x 600, is expr essed as the number of pixels across by the nu[...]

  • Page 200

    200 Glossary refresh rate — The frequency , measured in Hz, at which your scr een's horizontal lines are r e charged (sometimes also r eferred to as its vertical frequency ). The higher the refr esh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye. resolution — The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or display[...]

  • Page 201

    Glossary 201 Service T ag — A bar code label on your compute r that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer service or technical support. setup program — A program that is used to install and configure har dware and software. The setup.ex e or install.exe program comes with mo[...]

  • Page 202

    202 Glossary SXGA — super -extended graphics array — A video standard for video card s and controllers that supports res olutions up to 1280 x 1024. SXGA+ — super -extended graphics array plus — A video standard for video car ds and controllers that supports res olutions up to 1400 x 1050. system board — The main circuit board in your com[...]

  • Page 203

    Glossary 203 broadband devices (DSL and cable modems), imaging devices, or storage devices. Devices are plugged dir ectly in to a 4-pin socket on your computer or in to a multi-port hub that plugs in to your computer . USB devices can be connecte d and disconnected while the computer is turned on, and they can also be daisy-chained together . UTP ?[...]

  • Page 204

    204 Glossary W W — watt — The measurement of electrical power . One W is 1 ampere of current flowing at 1 volt. WHr — watt-hour — A unit of measure commo nly used to indicate the approximate capacity of a battery . F or example, a 66- WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1 hour or 33 W for 2 hours. wallpaper — The background pattern o[...]

  • Page 205

    Index 205 Index A audio . See sound B battery problems, 5 1 replacing, 1 4 2 beep codes, 76 bezel r e m o v i n g , 118 replacing, 1 1 9 BIOS, 172 boot sequence a b o u t , 175 changing, 1 7 5 option settings, 1 7 5 booting to a USB device, 1 7 5 C cards installing PCI, 1 1 2 P C I , 112 removing PCI, 1 1 6 s l o t s , 111 types supported, 1 1 1 CD[...]

  • Page 206

    206 Index copying D VDs general information, 2 7 helpful tips, 2 9 how to , 2 7 cover removing, 9 9 replacing, 1 6 4 D Dell c o n t a c t i n g , 183, 188 support policy , 1 8 0 support site, 1 3 Dell Diagnostics, 80 DellConnect, 184 diagnostics beep codes, 7 6 Dell, 8 0 documentation End User License Agreement, 1 1 ergonomics, 1 1 F inding Informa[...]

  • Page 207

    Index 207 F F iles and Settings T ransfer Wi z a r d , 4 4 F inding Information, 11 Flex Bay drive Media Card Reader , 1 6 floppy drive installing, 1 2 9 r e m o v i n g , 127 H hard drive installing, 1 2 4 installing second, 1 2 5 problems, 5 4 r e m o v i n g , 122 hardwar e beep codes, 7 6 conflicts, 8 7 Dell Diagnostics, 8 0 Help and Support Ce[...]

  • Page 208

    208 Index memory installing, 1 0 9 problems, 6 3 messages error , 5 6 modem problems, 5 4 monitor blank, 7 2 clone mode, 3 3 connect DVI, 3 1 - 3 2 connect TV , 3 1 - 3 2 connect two , 3 1 - 3 2 connect VGA, 3 1 - 3 2 display settings, 3 3 extended desktop mode, 3 3 ha rd t o re ad , 7 2 motherboard. See system board mouse problems, 6 4 N network N[...]

  • Page 209

    Index 209 problems ( continued ) conflicts, 8 7 Dell Diagnostics, 8 0 drives, 5 2 D VD drive, 5 3 e-mail, 5 4 error messages, 5 6 general, 5 8 hard drive, 5 4 Internet, 5 4 key b oa rd , 5 8 Media Card Reader , 6 2 memory , 6 3 modem, 5 4 monitor is blank, 7 2 monitor is hard to r ead, 7 2 mouse, 6 4 network, 6 5 power , 6 6 power light conditions,[...]

  • Page 210

    210 Index software conflicts, 8 7 p r o b l e m s , 59-61 sound problems, 7 0 volume, 7 0 speaker problems, 7 0 volume, 7 0 specifications a u d i o , 168 computer information, 1 6 7 connectors, 1 6 9 controls and lights, 1 7 0 drives, 1 6 9 environmental, 1 7 1 expansion bus, 1 6 8 memory , 1 6 7 p h y s i c a l , 171 p o w e r , 170 processor , 1[...]

  • Page 211

    Index 211 V volume adjusting, 7 0 W warranty information, 11 W indows Vista Device Driver Rollback, 8 4 F iles and Settings T ransfer Wi z a r d , 4 4 Hardwar e T roubleshooter , 8 7 Help and Support Center , 1 4 Network Setup W izard, 4 7 P rogram Compatibility Wi z a r d , 6 0 scanner , 6 9 System Restore, 8 8 wizards F iles and Settings T ransfe[...]

  • Page 212

    212 Index book.book Page 2 12 Friday, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM[...]