Dell 4400 User Manual

Dell™ Dimension™ 4400

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HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better

use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of

data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage,

personal injury, or death.

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help
file. To access help files, see page 26.

____________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2001 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer
Corporation is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Dimension, Inspiron, Latitude, OptiPlex, Dell
Precision, DellPlus, and DellNet are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium
are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of
certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation
and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by
Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless
otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is
prohibited.

November 2001 P/N 6J373 Rev. A00

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

When Using Your Computer

Ergonomic Computing Habits

When Working Inside Your Computer

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

1 Setting Up

Connecting a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Parallel Printer

USB Printer

Installing the Printer Driver

Transferring Information to a New Computer
(Windows XP Only)

Setting Up a Home and Office Network
(Windows XP Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. . . . . . . . . . . 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Turning Off the Computer

Windows XP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Windows 2000

2 Solving Problems

Finding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Accessing Help Files

Power Problems

Start-Up Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Contents 3

Video and Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

If the screen is blank

If the screen is difficult to read

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Sound and Speaker Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

If you cannot print to a parallel port printer

If you cannot print to a USB printer

Scanner Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . 31

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Modem Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Mouse Problems

Keyboard Problems

Drive Problems

If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . 37

If you cannot play a music CD or install a
program from a CD

If you cannot play a DVD movie

If the CD-RW drive stops writing

If you have a hard drive problem

Network Problems

®

Microsoft

Windows® Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

4 Contents

General Program Problems

A program crashes

A program stops responding

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

A program error causes the system to lock up

A solid blue screen appears

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

A program is designed for an earlier
Windows operating system

Internet Connection Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

If you have a problem with your Internet connection

. . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . 44

E-Mail Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Resolving Other Technical Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Reinstalling Drivers

Using the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Windows XP

Windows 2000

Using System Restore

Creating a Restore Point

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

Undoing the Last System Restore

Reinstalling Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Reinstalling Windows 2000

3 Adding Parts

Front and Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms

Reattaching the Front Door

Reattaching the Hinge Arms

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . . 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

. . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Opening the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Looking Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

System Board

Adding Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Removing Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Adding Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Replacing the AGP Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Contents 5

Adding a Second Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Adding Other Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

5.25-Inch Devices

3.5-Inch Devices

Closing the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

4 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Standard Settings

Viewing Settings

System Setup Screens

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Replacing the Battery

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

. . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

Contacting Dell

Contact Numbers and Addresses

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Regulatory Information

FCC Notices (U.S. Only)

Battery Disposal

NOM Information (Mexico Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Información para NOM (únicamente para México)

Limited Warranties and Return Policy

One-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)

Two-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

. . . . . . . . . . . . 121

. . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Three-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)

Four-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 130

. . . . . 99

. . . . . . 99

. . . . . . . . . 114

. . . . . . . 120

. . . . . . . . . . . 127

6 Contents

One-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . 133

Two-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only)

Three-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only)

. . . . . . . . . . 135

. . . . . . . . . 138

"Total Satisfaction" Return Policy
(U.S. and Canada Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

One-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee
(Latin America and the Caribbean Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Contents 7

8 Contents

As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.

When Using Your Computer

CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s)

(including the computer cover, filler brackets, front-panel inserts,
and so on) removed or opened.

• To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure that the voltage

selection switch is set to match the AC power available at your
location:

– 115 V/60 Hz in most of North and South America and some Far

Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan

– 100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in western Japan

NOTE: The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position

even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V.

– 230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East

Also be sure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically
rated to operate with the AC power available in your location.

• To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network

cable, first unplug the cable from the network adapter on the back of
your computer, and then from the network jack. When reconnecting a
network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network
jack, and then into the network adapter.

• To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds

after turning off the computer before disconnecting or connecting a
non-USB device from the computer.

9

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• To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power

cables into properly grounded power sources. These cables are
equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not
use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you
must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded
plugs.

• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and

decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner,
or uninterruptible power supply.

• Be sure that nothing rests on your computer’s cables and that the

cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.

• Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the computer gets

wet, contact Dell (see page 100).

• Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so

can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

• Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not

block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your
computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a
bed, sofa, or rug.

Ergonomic Computing Habits

10

CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in

injury.

CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of

time may result in eye strain.

For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergonomic guidelines
when setting up and using your computer:

• Position your computer so that the monitor and keyboard are directly

in front of you as you work. Special shelves are available (from Dell and
other sources) to help you correctly position your keyboard.

• Set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance (usually 510 to

610 millimeters [20 to 24 inches] from your eyes).

• Make sure the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you

are sitting in front of the monitor.

• Adjust the tilt of the monitor, its contrast and brightness settings, and

the lighting around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the
curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize reflections and
glare on the monitor screen.

• Use a chair that provides good lower back support.

• Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral,

comfortable position while using the keyboard or mouse

• Always leave space to rest your hands while using the keyboard or

mouse.

• Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.

• Sit erect with your feet resting on the floor and your thighs level.

• When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on your feet and not

on the front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair’s height or use a
footrest, if necessary, to maintain proper posture.

• Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so that you do not

have to type for extended periods of time. When you stop typing, try
to do things that use both hands.

11

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monitor screen at or
below eye level

wrists relaxed
and flat

computer positioned
directly in front of
user

arms at desk
level

feet flat on the
floor

When Working Inside Your Computer

12

Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the
sequence indicated.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself,

except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in Dell
documentation. Always follow installation and service
instructions closely.

Turn off the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off all devices.

3 Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of

the computer before touching anything inside your computer.

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the
computer to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal
components.

4 Disconnect any devices connected to the computer, including the

monitor, from their electrical outlets to reduce the potential for
personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or
telecommunication lines from the computer.

5 Disconnect the power cable to your computer, and then press the

power button to ground the system board.

In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector, not on the cable

itself. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid
bending any pins. Also, before you connect a cable, make sure that
both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

• Handle components and cards with care. Don’t touch the components

on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal bracket.

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is

incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used
batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before
you touch anything inside your computer and periodically while you work
inside the computer. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface
on the back of the computer.

You can also take the following steps to prevent static damage:

• Do not remove items from their antistatic packing material until you

are ready to install them in your computer. Just before unwrapping the
antistatic packaging, be sure to discharge static electricity from your
body.

• When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic

container or packaging.

13

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14

SECTION 1

Connecting a Printer

Transferring Information to a New Computer

(Windows XP Only)

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

(Windows XP Only)

Turning Off the Computer

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See the documentation that came with the printer for any recommended
preparation procedures, such as:

• Removing the packaging

• Installing the toner or ink cartridge

• Loading paper

Then follow the instructions that came with the printer to connect it to the
computer. If no information is provided, see the following sections.

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Parallel Printer

Follow the instructions that came with the parallel printer to connect it to
the computer. If no information is provided, then follow the instructions in
this section.

1 Turn off the computer (see page 20).

NOTICE: Use only a standard IEEE parallel cable measuring 3 m (10 ft) or

less to connect the printer to the computer. Use of a nonstandard cable may
prevent the printer from working.

16 Setting Up

2 Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel connector on the

computer and tighten the two screws. Attach the cable to the parallel
connector on the printer and snap the two clips into the two notches.

screws (2)

parallel printer
cable

3 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New

parallel connector
on computer

parallel connector
on printer

clips (2)

notches (2)

Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel.

4 Install the printer driver if necessary (see "Installing the Printer Driver"

on page 18).

USB Printer

Follow the instructions that came with the USB printer to connect it to the
computer. If no information is provided, then follow the instructions in this
section.

1 Install the printer driver if necessary (see the following section).

2 Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connector on the computer

and the printer. The USB connectors only fit one way.

HINT: You can connect

USB devices while the
computer is turned on.

Setting Up 17

HINT: Your computer has

two USB connectors on
the back panel and two
USB connectors inside the
door on the front panel
(see page 61).

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USB connector

USB printer
cable

USB connector
on printer

Installing the Printer Driver

Follow the instructions that came with the printer to install printer drivers.
If no was information was provided with the printer, then refer to the
following instructions.

18 Setting Up

If you need to install a printer driver, insert the printer installation CD into
the CD or DVD drive. Then follow the prompts on the screen using the
instructions that came with the printer.

If your printer installation CD does not automatically run, click the Start

®

button on the Microsoft

x:\setup.exe (where x is the letter of your CD or DVD drive [usually

Windows® desktop, click Run, and type

drive D]). Then click OK and follow the prompts on your screen. If your
printer installation CD still does not run, check the documentation that
came with your printer for instructions on how to start the printer
installation CD.

If you connect an older printer and it doesn’t work after you install the
driver, access the system setup program (see page 94) and ensure that the
parallel port is set to operate in bidirectional mode.

To check if your printer driver is installed on a computer running the
Windows XP operating system, click the Start button, click Control Panel,
click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click View installed printers
or fax printers. If your computer runs Windows 2000, click the Start button,
point to Settings, and then click Printers. If your printer is listed in the
Printers window, the printer is ready to use.

Windows XP provides a Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data,
such as e-mails, window sizes, toolbar settings, and Internet bookmarks,
from one computer to another. First you collect the data from the source
computer, and then you import the data to the new computer.

If the source computer uses another Windows operating system, the wizard
can be launched from the Windows XP operating system CD or from a
floppy disk created on the Windows XP computer. You may transfer the
data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you may
store it on a removable medium, such as a floppy disk, a Zip disk, or a
writable CD.

1 On the computer running Windows XP, click the Start button, point

to All Programs—> Accessories—> System Tools, and then click
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

2 On the welcome screen, click Next.

3 On the Which computer is this? screen, select New Computer, and

then click Next.

4 Follow the instructions on the screen.

HINT: The CD that you

need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.

Setting Up 19

Windows XP provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the
process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between
computers in a home or small office.

1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs—>

Accessories—> Communications, and then click Network Setup
Wizard.

2 On the welcome screen, click Next.

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HINT: Selecting the

connection method This

computer connects
directly to the Internet

enables the integrated
firewall provided with
Windows XP.

HINT: If you are having

difficulty turning off your
computer, see "General
Program Problems” on
page 43.

3 Click checklist for creating a network.

4 Complete the checklist and required preparations, and then return to

the Network Setup Wizard.

5 Follow the instructions on the screen.

NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you must turn off your computer through the

Start menu rather than by pressing the power button.

Windows XP

1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

2 Click the Start button and then click Turn off Computer.

3 Click Tur n o f f.

The computer automatically turns off after the shutdown process
finishes.

4 Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power.

20 Setting Up

Windows 2000

1 Save and exit any programs and files you have open.

2 Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down.

3 Click the pull-down menu under What do you want the computer to

do?.

4 Click Shut down and then click OK.

The computer automatically turns off after the shutdown process
finishes.

5 Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power.

Setting Up 21

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22 Setting Up

SECTION 2

Finding Solutions
Accessing Help Files
Power Problems
Start-Up Error Messages
Video and Monitor Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
Modem Problems
Mouse Problems
Keyboard Problems
Drive Problems
Network Problems
Microsoft
General Program Problems
Internet Connection Problems
E-Mail Problems
Resolving Other Technical Problems
Reinstalling Drivers
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Using System Restore
Reinstalling Windows XP
Reinstalling Windows 2000

®

Windows® Error Messages

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Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this chart
to help you quickly find the answers to your questions.

See page 26.

Get technical assistance from
Dell. See page 100.

See page 27.

24 Solving Problems

See page 28.

See page 30.

See page 31.

See page 34.

See page 36.

See page 37.

See page 37.

See page 40.

See page 33.

See page 41.

See page 43.

See page 46.

See page 44.

See page 46.

Solving Problems 25

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TO ACCESS THE Tell Me How HELP FILE

Microsoft® Windows® XP

1 Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support.
2 Click User and system guides, and then click User’s guides.
3 Click Tell Me How.

Windows 2000

Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to User’s Guides, and then click
Tell Me How.

TO ACCESS HELP IN WINDOWS XP

1 Click the Start button, and then click 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.
4 Follow the instructions shown on the screen.

TO ACCESS HELP IN WINDOWS 2000

1 Click the Start button, and then click Help.
2 Click the Search tab.
3 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and then click List Topics.
4 Click the topic that describes your problem, and then click Display.
5 Follow the instructions shown on the screen.

HINT: See the Tell M e

How help file for

information on the
standby mode.

26 Solving Problems

CHECK THE POWER LIGHT— When the power light is solid green, the

computer has power. If the power light is blinking green, the computer is in
standby mode—press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. If the power
light is off, the computer is either not turned on or is not receiving electrical
power. If the power light is solid amber, the computer is receiving electrical
power, but an internal power problem may exist—call Dell for technical
assistance (see page 100).

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

CHECK THE POWER CABLE CONNECTION— Be sure that the power cable is

firmly inserted into the electrical outlet and the computer power connector.

CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET—

Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify
that the computer turns on.

SWAP THE COMPUTER AND MONITOR POWER CABLES— Swap the

computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective.

CHECK FOR INTER FERENCE— Electrical appliances on the same circuit or

operating near the computer can cause interference. Other causes of
interference: power extension cables, keyboard and mouse extension cables, too
many devices on a power strip, or multiple power strips connected to the same
electrical outlet.

CHECK THE POWER PROPERTIES— See the Tell Me How help file or search

for the keyword standby in the Help and Support Center (Help in Windows

2000). To access help files, see page 26.

OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND— Call Dell for technical assistance (see

page 100).

INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA— The operating system is trying to boot to a

nonbootable floppy disk or CD. Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD.

NON-SYSTEM DISK ERROR— There is a floppy disk in the floppy drive.

Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.

Solving Problems 27

HINT: See the

documentation that come
with your monitor for
fault indications and
troubleshooting
procedures specific to
your monitor.

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If the screen is blank

CHECK THE VIDEO CABLE CONNECTION— Check for bent pins (most video

cable connectors have missing pins, but not bent pins). Ensure that the video
cable is connected as shown on the START HERE sheet for your computer.

PRESS THE MONITOR POWER BUTTON— Be sure that you firmly pressed the

monitor power button.

CHECK THE POWER LIGHT— When the power light is lit or blinking, the

monitor has power. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or
move the mouse.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

SWAP THE COMPUTER AND MONITOR POWER CABLES— Swap the

computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective.

TEST THE VIDEO EX TENS ION CABLE (IF USED)—If you are using a video

extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is defective.

28 Solving Problems

TEST THE MONITOR— If another monitor is available, connect it to the

computer.

CHECK THE BACK PANEL LIGHTS— If all four lights below the serial

connector (see page 61) are not green, call Dell for technical assistance (see
page 100).

CHECK THE POWER PROPERTIES— See the Tell Me How help file or search

for the keyword standby in the Help and Support Center (Help in Windows

2000). To access help files, see page 26.

If the screen is difficult to read

ADJUST THE CONTRAST AND BRIGHTNESS— See the documentation that

came with your monitor for instructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness.

MOVE THE SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE MONITOR— If your speaker

system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 2 ft (60 cm)
away from the monitor.

MOVE THE MONITOR AWAY FROM EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES— Fans,

fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, and other electrical devices can cause the
screen image to appear “shaky.” Turn off nearby devices to check for interference.

ROTATE THE MONITOR TO FACE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION— Eliminate

sunlight glare, which can cause poor picture quality.

DEGAUSS (DEMAGNETIZE) THE MONITOR— See the documentation that

came with your monitor.

RUN THE MONITOR SELF- TEST— See the documentation that came with

your monitor.

RESTORE THE RECOMMENDED SETTINGS— Restore the original resolution

and refresh rate settings. See the Tell Me How help file for instructions. To access
help files, see page 26.

CHECK FOR ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS— See the documentation that

came with your monitor for any additional adjustments that your monitor may
require.

Solving Problems 29

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HINT: The volume

control in some MP3
players overrides the
Windows volume setting.
If you have been listening
to MP3 songs, make sure
that you did not turn the
player volume down or off.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2 Click Appearance and Themes.
3 Click Display, and then click the Settings tab.
4 Try different settings for Screen resolution and Color quality.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Pan el .
2 Double-click the Display icon, and then click the Settings tab.
3 Try different settings for Colors and Screen area.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED

ON— See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers.

ADJUST THE SPEAKER CONTROLS— If your speakers have volume controls,

adjust the volume, bass, or treble to eliminate distortion.

30 Solving Problems

VERIFY THE SPEAKER CABLE CONNECTIONS— Ensure that the speakers

are connected as shown on the START HERE sheet for your computer and the
setup diagram supplied with the speakers.

BE SURE THAT HEADPHONES ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE FRONT-

PANEL HEADPHONE JACK— Sound from the speakers is automatically

disabled when headphones are connected to the computer’s front-panel
headphone jack.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL— In Windows XP, click the

speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows 2000, double­click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Be sure that the
volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

RUN THE SPEAKER DIAGNOSTICS— Some speaker systems have self-

contained diagnostics. See the speaker documentation for diagnostics
instructions.

ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTER FERENCE— Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent

lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

REINSTALL THE SOUND (AUDIO) DRIVER— See page 47.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

If you cannot print to a parallel port printer

VERIFY THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS— Ensure that the printer

cable is connected as described on page 16.

ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON— See the documentation

supplied with the printer.

HINT: If you need

technical assistance for
your printer, call the
printer’s manufacturer
(see the documentation
that came with the printer
for the correct phone
number). Dell does not
cover the printer’s
warranty.

Solving Problems 31

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VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Printers and Other Hardware.
4 Click View installed printers or fax printers. If the printer is listed, right-click

the printer icon.

5 Click Properties, and then select the Ports tab. Ensure that the Print to the

following port(s): setting is LPT1 (Printer Port).

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.

2 Click Properties, and then select the Ports tab. Ensure that the Print to the

following port(s): setting is LPT1 (Printer Port).

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER— See page 18.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

32 Solving Problems

If you cannot print to a USB printer

VERIFY THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS— Ensure that the printer

cable is connected as described on page 17.

ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON— See the documentation

supplied with the printer.

VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Printers and Other Hardware.
4 Click View installed printers or fax printers. If the printer is listed, right-click

the printer name.

5 Click Properties, and then select the Ports tab. Ensure that the Print to the

following port(s): setting is USB.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.

2 Click Properties, and then select the Ports. Ensure that the Print to the

following port(s): setting is USB.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER— See page 18.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

CHECK THE POWER CABLE CONNECTION— If your scanner has a power

cable, ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to a working electrical
power source and that the scanner is turned on.

CHECK THE SCANNER CABLE CONNECTION— Ensure that the scanner

cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the scanner.

UNLOCK THE SCANNER— Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a

locking tab or button.

HINT: If you need

technical assistance for
your scanner, call the
scanner’s manufacturer
(see the documentation
that came with the
scanner for the correct
phone number). Dell does
not cover the scanner’s
warranty.

Solving Problems 33

HINT: Connect the

modem to an analog
telephone jack only. The

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

modem does not operate
while it is connected to a
digital telephone network.

REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER— Reinstall the scanner driver. See the

scanner documentation for instructions.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

CHECK THE CONNECTION— Verify that the telephone line is connected to the

green jack on the modem. (The green line-in jack has either a LINE IN label or a
connector-shaped icon next to it.) Make sure you hear a click when you insert the
telephone line connector.

CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK— Disconnect the telephone line from the

modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone.

CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK— If

you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine,
fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and connect the
modem directly to the telephone wall jack with the telephone line.

34 Solving Problems

CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE— Try using a different telephone line. If you

are using a line that is 10 ft (3 m) or more in length, try a shorter one.

VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2 Click Printers and Other Hardware.
3 Click Phone and Modem Options.
4 Click the Modems tab.
5 Click the COM port for your modem.
6 Click Properties, click the Diagnostics tab, and then click Query Modem to

verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2 Double-click Phone and Modems.

If multiple entries for the same modem or modems are listed but not installed,
delete the entries, restart the computer, and repeat steps 1 and 2.

3 Click the Modems tab.
4 Click the COM port for your modem.
5 Click Properties, click the Diagnostics tab, and then click Query Modem to

verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.

BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO AN INTERNET SER VICE

PROVIDER— Contact an Internet service provider to subscribe.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

Solving Problems 35

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IF YOU CONNECTED THE MOUSE BEFORE TURNING ON THE

COMPUTER, RECONNECT THE MOUSE CABLE

1 Press <Ctrl><Esc> to display the Start menu.
2 In Windows XP, type u, press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down

or Turn Off, and then press <Enter>. In Windows 2000, press the keyboard
arrow keys to highlight Shut Down, and then press <Enter>.

3 After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the

START HERE sheet for your computer.

4 Start the computer.

IF YOU CONNECTED THE MOUSE AFTER TURNING ON THE COMPUTER,

REMOVE THE POWER CABLE, AND THEN RECONNECT THE MOUSE
CABLE— If the mouse is connected after the power is turned on, the mouse will

appear to be nonfunctional. To make the mouse function properly:

1 While your computer is on, remove the power cable from the back of the

computer.

2 Connect the mouse to the computer.
3 Reconnect the power cable.
4 Turn on your computer.

Pressing the power button does not clear the computer’s settings and does not
restore mouse functionality.

CHECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other

Hardware.

2 Click Mouse.

Try adjusting the settings.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2 Double-click the Mouse icon.

Try adjusting the settings.

36 Solving Problems

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

RECONNECT THE KEYBOARD CABLE— Shut down the computer (see

page 20), reconnect the keyboard cable as shown on the
your computer, and then restart the computer.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

START HERE sheet for

If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk

ENSURE THAT WINDOWS RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE— In Windows XP,

Click the Start button, and then click My Computer. In Windows 2000, double-
click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop. If the floppy 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.

TEST THE DRIVE WITH ANOTHER FLOPPY DISK— Insert another floppy

disk to eliminate the possibility that the original floppy disk is defective.

Solving Problems 37

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HINT: High-speed CD

drive vibration is normal
and may cause noise. This
does not indicate a defect
in the drive or the CD.

CANNOT SAVE FILES TO A FLOPPY DISK— Ensure that the floppy disk is

not full or write-protected (locked). See the following illustration.

back of floppy disk

write-protected

not write­protected

If you cannot play a music CD or install a program from a CD

ENSURE THAT WINDOWS RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE— In Windows XP,

click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows 2000,
double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. If the CD
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.

38 Solving Problems

TEST THE DRIVE WITH ANOTHER CD—Insert another CD to eliminate the

possibility that the original CD is defective.

CLEAN THE DISC— See the Tell Me How help file for instructions. To access

help files, see page 26.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL— In Windows XP, click the

speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows 2000, double­click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Be sure that the
volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

IF HEADPHONES ARE CONNECTED TO THE FRONT- PANEL HEADPHONE

JACK, CHECK FOR SOUND FROM THE HEADPHONES— Sound from the

speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the
computer’s front-panel headphone jack.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

If you cannot play a DVD movie

ENSURE THAT WINDOWS RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE— In Windows XP,

Click the Start button, and then click My Computer. In Windows 2000, double-
click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop. If the DVD 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.

TEST THE DRIVE WITH ANOTHER DVD—Insert another DVD to eliminate

the possibility that the original DVD is defective.

HINT: Because of

different worldwide file
types, not all DVD titles
work in all DVD drives.

CLEAN THE DISC— See the Tell Me How help file for instructions.

If the CD-RW drive stops writing

TURN OFF STANDBY IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD-RW

DISC— See the Tell Me How help file or search for the keyword standby in the

Help and Support Center (Help in Windows 2000). To access help files, see
page 26.

HINT: If you disable

standby mode to write to a
CD-RW drive, remember
to reenable standby mode
when you finish writing to
the CD.

Solving Problems 39

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CHANGE THE WRITE SPEED TO A SLOWER RATE— The CD-RW drive

must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an
error occurs. Closing all programs before writing to the CD-RW may also
alleviate the problem.

If you have a hard drive problem

RUN CHECK DISK

1 In Windows XP click the Start button, and then click My Computer. In

Windows 2000 double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop.

2 Right-click on the drive letter (local disk) that you want to scan for errors, and

then click Properties.

3 Click the Tools tab.
4 Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
5 Click Start.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

40 Solving Problems

CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR— Ensure that the network

cable connector is firmly connected to the connector on the computer and the
network wall jack as shown on the

START HERE sheet for your computer.

CHECK THE NETWORK LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF THE COMPUTER— A

green light indicates a 10-Mbps network connection, and an orange light
indicates a 100-Mbps network connection. The light blinks amber when there is
any network traffic. If the light is dark, try replacing the network cable.

RESTART THE COMPUTER— Try to log on to the network again.

CONTACT YOUR NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR— Verify that your network

settings are correct and that the network is functioning.

CHECK FOR INTERRUPT REQUEST CONFLICTS— See page 49.

® ®

x:\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY— Insert a disk into

the drive and try again.

A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? “ < > |— Do not use these characters in

filenames.

NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND

TRY AGAIN— You have too many programs open. Close all windows and open

the program that you want to use. In some cases, you might have to restart your
computer to restore computer resources. If so, try running the program that you
want to use first.

THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE DESTINATION

DRIVE— The file that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk. Try

copying the file to a blank disk or use a larger-capacity disk.

Solving Problems 41

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A REQUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND— The program that you are

trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the
program:

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Add or Remove Programs.
4 Select the program you want to remove.
5 Click the Change or Remove Program icon.
6 See the program documentation for installation instructions.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2 Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
3 Select the program that you want to remove.
4 Click Change/Remove and follow the prompts on the screen.
5 See the program documentation for installation instructions.

42 Solving Problems

A program crashes

SEE THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION— Many software manufacturers

maintain websites with information that may help you to solve the problem.

A program stops responding

END THE PROGRAM

1 Simultaneously press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc>.
2 Click the Applications tab, and then select the program that is no longer

responding.

3 Click the End Task button.

A program error causes the system to lock up

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF— If your computer locks up and you are unable to

get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press
and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns
off. Then press the power button again to turn on the computer. You might lose
data if you are unable to perform a Microsoft Windows shutdown.

HINT: Check Disk may

run when you restart the
computer. Follow the
instructions on the screen.

A solid blue screen appears

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF— If your computer locks up and you are unable to

get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press
and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns
off. Then press the power button again to turn on the computer. The solid blue
screen appears because you were not able to perform a proper Windows
shutdown. You might lose data if you are unable to perform a Microsoft Windows
shutdown.

HINT: Check Disk may

run when you restart the
computer. Follow the
instructions on the screen.

Solving Problems 43

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A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system

RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD

Windows XP provides a Program Compatibility Wizard that configures a
program to run in an environment more similar to older Windows operating
system environments.

1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs—> Accessories, and then click

Program Compatibility Wizard.

2 On the welcome screen, click Next.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

If you have a problem with your Internet connection

REVIEW “MODEM PROBLEMS”—See page 34.

44 Solving Problems

TURN OFF CALL WAITING (CATCH-PHONE)— See your telephone directory

for instructions on deactivating this feature. Then adjust the dial-up networking
connection properties.

Windows XP

1 Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2 Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Phone and Modem

Options.

3 Click to highlight your connection type in the displayed list.
4 Click the Dialing Rules tab, and then click the Edit button.
5 Click to place a checkmark in the To Disable Call Waiting box.
6 Select the disable code from the drop down menu (for example, *70).
7 Click Apply, and then click OK.

Windows 2000

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2 Double-click the Phone and Modems Options icon.
3 In the Locations window, select the location for which you want to disable call

waiting, and then click Edit.

4 Ensure that To disable call waiting, dial: is checked and then select the proper

code according to the information in your telephone directory.

5 Click Apply and then click OK.
6 Close the Phone and Modems Options window.
7 Close the Control Panel.

BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO AN INTERNET SER VICE

PROVIDER— Contact an Internet service provider to subscribe.

CONTACT YOUR INTERNET SER VICE PROVIDER— Contact your Internet

service provider for assistance.

Solving Problems 45

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET— With the

Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. If Work Offline has a check
next to it, click the check to remove it and connect to the Internet.

CONTACT YOUR INTERNET SER VICE PROVIDER— Contact your Internet

service provider for assistance.

GO TO THE DELL SUPPORT WEBSITE— Go to the Dell | Support website

for help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions. See "Dell
Technical Support Policy" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and
software support provided by Dell.

E-MAIL DELL— Go to the Dell | Support website, and then click E-Mail Dell

in the Communicate list. Send an e-mail message to Dell about your problem;
you can expect to receive an e-mail message from Dell within hours. See "Dell
Technical Support Policy" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and
software support provided by Dell.

CALL DELL— If you cannot solve your problem using the Dell support website

or e-mail service, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 100). See "Dell
Technical Support Policy" on page 98 for a description of the hardware and
software support provided by Dell.

46 Solving Problems

NOTICE: The Dell | Support website and the Dell Dimension ResourceCD

provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained
from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

A driver is a software program that allows a hardware device controller to
function properly and to communicate with the computer. Sometimes you
can fix a device problem by reinstalling its driver:

1 From the Windows desktop, insert the Dell Dimension ResourceCD

into the CD or DVD drive.

If this is your first time to use the ResourceCD, go to step 2. If not, go
to step 5.

2 When the ResourceCD Installation program starts, follow the

prompts on the screen.

3 When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, remove

the ResourceCD and click Finish to restart the computer.

4 When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the ResourceCD into the

CD or DVD drive.

5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.

A message appears that says the ResourceCD is detecting hardware in
your computer.

The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed
in the My Drivers—The ResourceCD has identified these
components in your system window.

Solving Problems 47

HINT: The ResourceCD

displays drivers only for
hardware that Dell
installed at the time of
purchase. If you installed
any additional hardware,
those drivers may not be
displayed by the
Resour ceCD. If those
drivers are not displayed,
exit the ResourceCD
program and refer to the
documentation and

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

drivers that came with
that product.

Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions

6

on the screen.

If a particular driver is not listed, then that driver is not required by
your operating system.

To view other contents on the ResourceCD:

1 Verify that your computer is selected in the System Model list.

2 Verify that your operating system is selected in the Operating System

list.

3 Select the type of device in the Device Type list.

NOTICE: The ResourceCD contains drivers for devices that are not part of

your computer. Only reinstall the specific drivers for hardware included in your
computer. Otherwise, your computer might not work correctly.

Select a topic in the Topic list.

4

If you select Drivers in the Topic list and a particular driver is not
listed, then that driver is not required by your operating system.

Using the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback

The Windows XP Device Driver Rollback can replace a device driver with
the previously installed version if you install a new device driver that causes
system instability. If you cannot reinstall your previous driver with the
Driver Rollback process, then use System Restore (see page 51) to attempt
to return your operating system to its previous operating state before the
new device driver installation:

48 Solving Problems

1 Click the Start button, and then right-click My Computer.

2 Click Properties.

3 Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.

4 In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the

new driver was installed, and then click Properties.

5 Click the Drivers tab.

6 Click Roll Back Driver.

Windows XP and Windows 2000 IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not
detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly
configured.

Windows XP

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:

1 Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

2 Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

3 Click the Hardware tab, and then click the Device Manager button.

4 In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (

!) beside the

conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled.

5 Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties

window so you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or
removed from the Device Manager.

Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices.

6 Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager

list.

7 Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.

The Properties window appears.

8 Resolve any IRQ conflicts.

If there is an IRQ conflict, the Device status area in the Properties
window reports what cards or devices are sharing the device's IRQ.

You can also use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter. To use the
troubleshooter, click the Start button and click Help and Support. Type

hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and then click the arrow

to start the search. Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results
list. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware
conflict on my computer, and then click Next.

Solving Problems 49

Windows 2000

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows 2000:

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.

2 In the Control Panel, double-click System.

3 Click the Hardware tab.

4 Click Device Manager.

5 Click View, and then click Resources by connection.

6 Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (
conflicting device or a red

7 Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties

X if the device has been disabled.

!) beside the

window so you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or
removed from the Device Manager. Resolve these conflicts before
checking specific devices.

8 Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager

list.

9 Double-click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list.

The Properties window appears.

10 If there is an IRQ conflict, the Device status area in the Properties

window reports what cards or devices are sharing the device's IRQ.
Resolve the IRQ conflicts.

You can also use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter. To use the
troubleshooter, click the Start button and click Help. Click

Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click
Windows 2000 troubleshooters, and then click Hardware. In the Hardware
Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer, and then click Next.

50 Solving Problems

Windows XP provides a System Restore feature that allows you to return
your computer to an earlier operating state if changes to the computer’s
hardware or software (including new hardware or program installations), or
other system settings, have left the computer in an undesirable operating
state. You can also undo the last System Restore.

System Restore automatically creates system checkpoints. You can also
manually create your own checkpoints by creating Restore Points. To limit
the amount of hard disk space used, older restore points will be
automatically purged.

If your computer experiences an operating system problem, you can use
System Restore from Safe Mode or Normal Mode to return your computer
to an earlier operating state.

System Restore does not cause you to lose personal files stored in the My
Documents folder, data files, or e-mail messages after restoring the
computer to an earlier time. If you restore the computer to a point before
you installed a program, the program’s data files won’t be lost, but you will
have to reinstall the actual program again.

NOTICE: It is important to make regular backups of your data files. System

Restore does not monitor changes to or recover your data files. If the original
data on the hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten, or becomes
inaccessible because of a hard disk malfunction, you will need your backup
files to recover the lost or damaged data.

Solving Problems 51

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System Restore is enabled on your new computer. However, if you reinstall
Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available,
System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is
enabled:

1 Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

2 Click Performance and Maintenance.

3 Click System.

4 Click the System Restore tab.

5 Make sure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.

Creating a Restore Point

Using the Windows XP System Restore Wizard

In Windows XP you can manually create restore points or you can use the
System Restore Wizard to create the restore points for you. To use the
System Restore Wizard, click the Start button, click Help and Support,
click System Restore, and then follow the instructions on the screen. You
can also create and name a restore point if you are logged on as the
computer administrator or a user with administrator rights.

Manually Creating the Restore Points

52 Solving Problems

1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs—>

Accessories—> System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2 Click Create a restore point.

3 Click Next.

4 Type a name for your new restore point in the Restore point

description field.

The present date and time are automatically added to your restore
point.

5 Click Create.

6 Click OK.

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device
Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.

NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier time, save and close all

open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or
programs until the system restoration is complete.

Click the Start button, point to All Programs—> Accessories—>

1

System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2 Be sure Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and then

click Next.

3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you
to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available
restore points appear in bold.

4 Select a restore point, and then click Next.

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is
automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click
the restore point that you want to use.

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not

alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is
complete.

Click Next.

5

The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore
completes collecting data, and then the computer automatically
restarts.

6 After the computer restarts, click OK.

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a
different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Solving Problems 53

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Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before undoing the last system restore, save and close all open files

and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs
until the system restoration is complete.

Click the Start button, point to All Programs—>

1

Accessories—> System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2 Select Undo my last restoration and click Next.

NOTICE: Save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not

alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is
complete.

Click Next.

3

4 The System Restore screen appears, and then the computer

automatically restarts.

5 After the computer restarts, click OK.

Before reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem,
try correcting the problem by performing a Windows XP System Restore
(see page 51).

HINT: The CD that you

need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.

54 Solving Problems

NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling your

Windows XP operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files
installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive.
Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system
unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.

NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, you must disable any

virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall
Windows XP.

Insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.

1

Close any program or utility that may start to run after you insert the
CD into the drive.

2 Turn off the computer (see page 20), and then turn the computer on

again.

3 When the blue Dell logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to
wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down
the computer and try again.

4 Use the arrow keys to select the CD-ROM option, and then press

<Enter>.

5 When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to

select To set up Windows now.

6 Read the information in the License Agreement window, and then

press <F8> on your keyboard to agree with the license information.

7 If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to

recover your current Windows XP data, type

R to select the repair

option, and then go to step 16.

If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to
select the fresh copy option, and then press <Enter> on the next
screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow
the instructions on the screen.

8 The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to

copy files and install the devices. The computer automatically restarts
multiple times before it requires additional input.

9 When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow

icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the on-screen
directions to finish.

10 When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for

your locale, and then click Next.

11 Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software

screen, and then click Next.

12 If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, enter a name for

your computer when the Computer Name window appears, and then
click Next.

If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, enter a name for your
computer and a password when the Computer Name and
Administrator Password window appears, and then click Next.

13 If you have a modem installed, the Modem Dialing Information

screen appears. Enter the requested information, and then click Next.

Solving Problems 55

14 Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings

window, and then click Next.

15 If you have a network card in your computer, select the appropriate

network settings. If you do not have a network card, you will not see
this option.

Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the
computer. The computer automatically restarts.

16 When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click the green arrow

icon at the bottom of the screen to continue. Follow the on-screen
directions to finish.

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HINT: The CD that you

need to place in your CD
or DVD drive is titled
Operating System.

17 Remove the CD from the drive.

18 Reinstall the appropriate drivers (see page 47).

19 Reinstall your virus protection software.

NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling your

Windows 2000 operating system. The options can potentially overwrite files
installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive.
Therefore, Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system
unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.

NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows 2000, you must disable any

virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall
Windows 2000.

Insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.

1

Close any program or utility that may start to run after you insert the
CD into the drive.

2 Turn off the computer (see page 20), and then turn the computer on

again.

3 When the blue Dell logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to
wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down
the computer and try again.

56 Solving Problems

4 Use the arrow keys to select the CD-ROM option, and then press

<Enter>.

5 When the Windows 2000 Setup screen appears, ensure that the To

setup Win2000 now, press ENTER option is highlighted. Then press

<Enter>.

6 Read the information in the License Agreement screen, and then press

<F8> to continue.

7 When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, use the

arrow keys to select the Windows 2000 partition option that you want.
To continue, press the key specified in the partition option that you
chose.

8 When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen reappears, use

the arrow keys to select the type of file system that you want
Windows 2000 to use, and then press <Enter>.

9 Press <Enter> again to restart your computer.

10 Click Next when the Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard

screen appears.

11 When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for

your locale, and then click Next.

12 Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software

screen, and then click Next.

13 Type the Windows product key in the fields provided, and then click

Next.

The product key is the bar code number found on the Microsoft
Windows label, which is located behind the front-panel connector
door as shown on the START HERE sheet for your computer.

14 When the Computer Name and Administrator Password screen

appears, enter a name for your computer and a password, if desired.
Then click Next.

15 Enter the date and time in the Date and Time Settings screen, and

then click Next.

Windows 2000 now begins to install its components and configure the
computer.

16 When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard screen

appears, remove the CD from the drive, and then click Finish.

The computer automatically restarts.

Solving Problems 57

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58 Solving Problems

SECTION 3

Front and Back View of the Computer

Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms

Opening the Computer Cover

Looking Inside Your Computer

Adding Cards

Removing Cards

Adding Memory

Replacing the AGP Card

Adding a Second Hard Drive

Adding Other Drives

Closing the Computer Cover

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CD volume
control dial

CD activity light

CD drive eject
button

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CD headphone jack

floppy drive light

power button

floppy drive
eject button

hard drive light

60 Adding Parts

Windows
license label

USB connectors

power connector

voltage selection switch

headphone
connector

HINT: To prevent

damage to your computer,
the front door is designed
to "break away" if it is
lifted up too far. See
page 62 for instructions
on how to reattach the
door.

service tag

keyboard connector

serial connector

parallel connector

diagnostic lights

USB connectors

microphone
connector

line-out
connector

line-in
connector

mouse connector

video connector

Adding Parts 61

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To prevent damage to your computer, the front door is designed to "break
away" if it is lifted up too far. If the front door breaks away, you might need
to reattach both the front door and the hinge arms.

Reattaching the Front Door

1 Shut down the computer (see page 20).

2 Lower the hinge arms to the vertical position.

3 Align the two clips on the inside of the front door with the two hinge

arms.

4 Press inward on the front door until it clips to both hinge arms.

front-door
clips (2)

hinge arms (2)

62 Adding Parts

front door

Reattaching the Hinge Arms

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Disconnect the power cable from your computer.

3 Remove the front door, if it is attached.

The front door snaps off of the two hinge arms.

4 Remove the front-panel insert above the front-door bay area.

Pull the bottom of the insert with your fingers to remove it.

front-panel
insert

use fingers
to pull here

Adding Parts 63

5 Lift both hinge arms to the horizontal position.

6 Use the two view slots to align the pivot bar with the two pivot-bar

slots.

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view slots (2)

hinge arms in
horizontal
position

pivot-bar slots (2)

pivot bar

64 Adding Parts

NOTICE: Using excessive force to pull the hinge arms into place may damage

the arms or the front panel.

Pull the arms toward you until they snap into place.

7

If the hinge arms don’t snap back into place on the first attempt,
slightly reposition the arms and try again.

8 After the hinge arms clip into place, lower and raise the arms two or

three times to properly seat them.

9 Reattach the front-panel insert.

10 Reconnect the power cable to your computer.

11 Reattach the front door as described on page 62.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

Adding Parts 65

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NOTICE: Ensure that there is sufficient space to support the open cover—at

least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top space.

4

Lay the computer on its side so that the arrow on the bottom of the
computer points up.

5 Locate the two release buttons shown in the illustration.Then, press

the two release buttons as you lift the cover.

release
button

release button

arrow

66 Adding Parts

back of computer

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do

not inadvertently disconnect cables from the system board.

drive cables
(page 81)

power cables
(page 81)

HINT: The AGP card is

removed from the
following illustration to
provide a better view of
the inside of your
computer.

computer cover*
(page 65 and
page 87)

power supply

back of computer

filler brackets for
empty card slots (4)
(page 69 and page 72)

* Depending on the types of drives installed in your computer, the cover

hard drive
(page 78)

system board
(page 68)

may not open as widely as shown in the figure.

Adding Parts 67

System Board

floppy drive
connector (FLOPPY)

CD drive connector
(SEC IDE) page 81

main power connector
(MAIN POWER)

standby power light
(CR3F1)

memory module
connectors
(DIMM 0, DIMM 1)
page 74

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microprocessor fan
connector (J1D2)

microprocessor
connector (J1D1)

hard drive connector
(PRI IDE)

front panel switch
connector (J60H1)

configuration jumper
(J6F2) page 96

AGP slot connector
(AGP SLOT) page 76

battery socket
(BATTERY) page 97

PCI card connectors
(PCI SLOT1–PCI SLO
page 69

front panel audio
cable connector
(J706A4)

68 Adding Parts

12-V power
connector (J4B1)

back of computer

*

On computers with the optional telephony modem

telephony voice modem
connector (J5B1)

CD audio connector

*

(J5B2)

*

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your

computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

The computer’s card connectors allow you to install different types of
devices such as modems, network adapters, and video cards.

1 Shut down the computer (see page 20).

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

5 To raise the securing lever, press the tab until it is free from the latch

and then lift the lever.

Adding Parts 69

HINT: The AGP card is

removed from the
following two illustrations
to provide a better view of
the inside of your
computer.

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Insert the card into the connector.

6

card bracket

securing lever

back of computer

card

slot connector

system board

70 Adding Parts

7 Ensure that the card is fully seated in the connector.

not fully seated

fully seated

bracket caught
outside of slot

bracket within slot

back of computer

8 Lower the plastic securing lever.

9 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.

See the card documentation for information about the card cable
connections.

10 Close the computer cover (see page 87).

11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card

12

documentation.

Adding Parts 71

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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

5 If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.

6 To raise the securing lever, press the tab until it is free from the latch

and then lift the lever.

tab

72 Adding Parts

securing lever

back of computer

card
bracket

latch

7 To remove the card, grasp the card by the top corners and lift it out.

If the card is difficult to remove, gently ease the card back and forth to
remove it from the connector.

card

securing lever

slot connector

system board

filler bracket in empty
card-slot opening

back of computer

If you are not replacing the card, install a filler bracket in the empty

8

card-slot opening.

If you are adding a card, see page 69.

9 Lower the securing lever.

10 Close the computer cover (see page 87).

11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

HINT: The AGP card is

removed from the
following illustration to
provide a better view of
the inside of your
computer.

HINT: Installing filler

brackets over empty card­slot openings is necessary
to maintain Federal
Communications
Commission (FCC)
certification of the
computer. The brackets
also keep dust and dirt out
of your computer.

Adding Parts 73

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on
the system board. For information on the type of memory supported by your
computer, see "Memory type" under "Memory" on page 91.

HINT: Memory

purchased from Dell is
covered under your

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computer warranty.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

5 Remove the AGP card (see page 76).

6 If necessary, remove a memory module:

a Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module

connector.

b 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.

74 Adding Parts

7 To insert a module, press out the securing clip at each end of the

memory module connector.

memory module connectors

securing clips (2)

notches (2)

memory module

connector

cutouts (2)

step 7

step 8

step 9

8 Align the notches on the bottom of the module with the crossbars in

the connector.

NOTICE: To avoid breaking the memory module, do not press near the middle

of the module.

Adding Parts 75

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9 Insert the module straight down into the connector, ensuring that it

fits into the vertical guides at each end of the connector. Press firmly
on the ends of the module until it snaps into place.

During most installations, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at
each end of the module. During some installations, you have to use
your fingers to gently push the clips into the cutouts.

NOTICE: Visually inspect the position of the securing clips and make sure

that they have snapped into the vertical position in the cutouts on the ends of
the memory modules. Otherwise, the securing clips may prevent the AGP card
from being properly reinstalled.

Reinstall the AGP card (see the following section).

10

11 Close the computer cover (see page 87).

12 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

Right-click the My Computer icon and then click Properties

13

14 Click the General tab.

15 To verify that the memory is installed correctly, check the amount of

memory (RAM) listed.

76 Adding Parts

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then
press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

5 Press the card clip lever on the side of the AGP card to release the card

from the slot connector, and remove the card.

AGP card

card clip
lever

AGP card clip

slot connector

NOTICE: Visually inspect the position of the securing clips on the memory

connectors and make sure that they are secured in the vertical position in the
cutouts on the ends of the memory modules (see page 75). Otherwise, the
securing clips may prevent the AGP card from being properly reinstalled.

To replace the AGP card, gently press it down into the slot connector

6

back of computer

until it clicks into place. Press the card clip lever while inserting the
card into the slot connector.

AGP card

card clip
lever

AGP card clip

slot connector

back of computer

Adding Parts 77

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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Your computer includes one hard drive. To add a second hard drive:

1 Shut down the computer (see page 20).

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.

See the drive documentation to ensure that the drive is set up for your
computer.

5 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

HINT: Two sets of rails

are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives.
Use the shorter rails for

3.5-inch drives. Rails for
a second hard drive are
attached inside the hard­drive bay.

78 Adding Parts

Remove the two green plastic rails from the inside of the hard-drive

6

bay.

These rails are not attached to the inside of the hard-drive bay with
screws. To remove the rails, gently pull the rails up and out of the bay.

7 Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the

rails.

Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive.

NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until after you

have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard-drive cage.

Remove the first hard drive from the upper bay and install it in the

8

lower bay:

a Disconnect the power cable and the data cable from the back of

the first hard drive.

b Press in the two green rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of

the upper bay.

c Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear a

click.

d Reconnect the power cable and the data cable to the back of the

first hard drive.

9 Gently slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until you hear a

click.

rail tabs (2)

second hard drive
in upper bay

first hard drive in
lower bay

hard drive cage

10 Connect a power cable to the drive.

NOTICE: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive.

Adding Parts 79

HINT: Your computer

uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure that the

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jumper setting on the new
device is set for "cable
select" (see the
documentation that came
with the drive for
information).

11 Locate the extra connector on the drive cable that is attached to your

first hard drive and attach the connector to the second hard drive.

power cable

second hard-drive
cable (secondary
drive)

first hard-drive
cable (primary
boot drive)

80 Adding Parts

Close the computer cover (see page 87).

12

13 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on

14

installing any software required for drive operation.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electrostatic discharge

(ESD), ground yourself by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on
the back of the computer.

Your computer includes a floppy drive and a CD or DVD drive. You can add
other devices, such as a Zip drive, a CD-RW drive, or a tape drive.

5.25-Inch Devices

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.

See the documentation that came with the drive to ensure that the
drive is set up for your computer.

HINT: Drives sold by Dell

come with their own
operating software and
documentation. After you
install a drive, refer to the
documentation that came
with the drive for
instructions on installing
and using the drive
software.

Remove the two longer, green plastic rails from the inside of the

5

computer cover.

These rails are not attached to the computer cover with screws. To
remove the rails, gently ease the rails up and out.

6 Attach the rails to the drive using the two screws supplied with the

drive.

Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive.

7 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

HINT: Two sets of rails

are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives.
Use the shorter rails for

3.5-inch drives. Rails for
a second hard drive are
attached inside the hard­drive bay.

Adding Parts 81

8 To remove the front panel insert, carefully press the panel out from the

inside of the computer.

remove front panel
insert through here

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securing tabs (4)

front-panel insert
securing tab

drive-bay cover panel

front panel insert

82 Adding Parts

9 Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click.

rail tabs (2)

drive

drive bay

10 Connect a power cable to the drive.

11 See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on

connecting a drive cable to the drive and system board.

power cable

drive cable

HINT: Your computer

uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure the jumper
setting on the new device
is set for "cable select"
(see the documentation
that came with the drive
for information).

Adding Parts 83

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12 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on

13

installing any software required for drive operation.

3.5-Inch Devices

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

follow the safety instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your
Computer" on page 12.

Shut down the computer (see page 20).

1

2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their

electrical outlets.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then

3

press the power button to ground the system board.

4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.

See the documentation that came with the drive to ensure that the
drive is setup for your computer.

84 Adding Parts

5 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

6 To remove the front panel insert, carefully press the panel out from the

inside of the computer.

7 To remove the drive-bay cover panel, press the four tabs and pull the

insert away from the panel.

remove front panel
insert through here

securing tabs (4)

front-panel insert
securing tab

drive-bay cover panel

front panel insert

Remove the two shorter, green plastic rails from the inside of the

8

computer cover.

These rails are not attached to the computer cover with screws. To
remove the rails, gently ease the rails up and out.

9 Attach the rails to the drive using the two captive screws on each rail.

Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive.

HINT: Two sets of rails

are attached to the inside
of the computer cover.
Use the two longer rails
on 5.25-inch drives.
Use the shorter rails for

3.5-inch drives. Rails for
a second hard drive are
attached inside the hard­drive bay.

Adding Parts 85

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10 Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click.

rail tabs
(2)

drive

drive bay

11 Carefully replace the front panel insert.

You do not need to replace the drive-bay cover panel.

12 Connect a power cable to the drive.

86 Adding Parts

13 See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on

connecting a drive cable to the drive.

power cable

drive cable

Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

14

turn them on.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

HINT: Your computer

uses cable-select drive
cables. This means that
the device connected to
the end connector of the
drive cable is the master
device and the device
connected to the middle
connector is the slave
device. Be sure the jumper
setting on the new device
is set for "cable select"
(see the documentation
that came with the drive
for information).

Install any drivers required for the drive as described in the drive

15

documentation.

1 Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way.

2 Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer.

3 Pivot the cover down and ensure that the release buttons click into

place.

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network

wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and

4

turn them on.

Adding Parts 87

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88 Adding Parts

SECTION 4

Specifications

Standard Settings

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Replacing the Battery

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

Contacting Dell

Regulatory Information

Limited Warranties and Return Policy

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Microprocessor

®

Microprocessor type Intel

Pentium® 4 microprocessor

L1 cache 8 KB first-level

L2 cache integrated 256-KB or 512-KB at full

microprocessor speed

System Information

System chip set Intel 845D

DMA channels four

Interrupt levels 15

System BIOS chip 4 Mb (512 KB)

System clock 400-MHz data rate

Expansion Bus

Bus types PCI and AGP

Bus speed PCI: 33 MHz; AGP: 66 MHz

AGP connector one

AGP connector size 172 pins

AGP connector data width

32 bits

(maximum)

AGP bus protocols 4x/2x modes at 1.5 V

PCI connectors four

PCI connector size 120 pins

PCI connector data width

32 bits

(maximum)

90 Appendix

Memory

Architecture DDR SDRAM

Memory connectors two

Memory capacities 128-, 256-, and 512-MB non-ECC DDR

SDRAM

Minimum memory 128 MB

Maximum memory 1 GB

Memory type DDR (non-ECC)

BIOS address F8000h

Drives

Externally accessible two 5.25-inch bays

two 3.5-inch bays

Internally accessible two bays for 1-inch–high IDE hard drives

Available devices ATA-66 or ATA-100 Ultra DMA hard drive,

CD drive, Zip drive, DVD drive, DVD+RW
drive, and CD-RW drive

Ports and Connectors

Externally accessible:

Serial 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible

Parallel 25-hole connector (bidirectional)

Video 15-hole connector

Keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector

Mouse 6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector

USB two front-panel and two back-panel

USB–compliant connectors

Headphone front-panel miniature connector

1

Audio

three miniature connectors for line-in, line­out, and microphone

1

Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities.

Appendix 91

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Ports and Connectors (continued)

Internally accessible:

Primary IDE channel 40-pin connector on PCI local bus

Secondary IDE channel 40-pin connector on PCI local bus

Floppy drive 34-pin connector

2

Audio

Audio controller ADI 1885

Video

Video controller AGP 4X

Controls and Lights

Power control push button

Power light green light on power button—blinking green

in sleep state; solid green for power on state;
solid amber for possible internal power
problem

Hard-drive access light green

Diagnostic code lights four bicolor (amber and green) located on

back panel

92 Appendix

Power

DC power supply:

Wattage 250 W

Heat dissipation 534 BTU (fully-loaded computer without

monitor)

Voltage (switch-selectable
on back panel)

90 to 135 V at 50/60 Hz;180 to 265 V at 50/60
Hz;100 V at 50/60 Hz for Japanese computers

Backup battery 3-V CR2032 coin cell

2

Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities.

Physical

Height x Width x Depth 42.5 x 18.1 x 44.7 cm

(16.7 x 7.1 x 17.6 inches)

Weight 12.7 kg (28 lb)

Environmental

Temperature:

Operating 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F)

3

Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F)

Relative humidity 20% to 80% (noncondensing)

Maximum vibration:

Operating 0.25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min

Storage 0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min

Maximum shock:

Operating bottom half-sine pulse with a change in

velocity of 50.8 cm/sec (20 inches/sec)

Storage 23-G faired-square wave with a velocity

change of 508 cm/sec (200 inches/sec)

Altitude:

Operating –15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft)

Storage –15.2 to 10,670 m (–50 to 35,000 ft)

3

At 35°C (95°F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m (3000 ft).

3

Appendix 93

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

The system setup program contains the standard settings for your
computer.

NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings

for this program. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly.

See the following figure for an example of the Main screen of the program.

94 Appendix

Viewing Settings

1 Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2 When the blue Dell logo appears, press <Del> immediately.

3 If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to

wait until you see the Windows
computer and try again.

®

desktop. Then shut down your

System Setup Screens

The system setup screens are organized into the following sections:

• The menu bar at the top provides access to the main program screens:

– Main provides settings for the basic computer configuration.

– Advanced provides detailed settings for some computer features.

– Security provides indications and settings for user and setup

passwords.

– Power provides settings for system power management features.

– Boot provides information about how the computer starts.

– Exit provides selections for saving and loading the program

settings.

• The left side lists configuration options and their settings for the

hardware installed in your computer.

You can change settings enclosed in brackets, but not those that are a
lighter gray. Options identified by an arrowhead (>) provide access to
submenus.

• The bottom-right side lists keys and their functions for the displayed

screen.

Appendix 95

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CAUTION: Before you begin this procedure, follow the safety

instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your Computer" on
page 12.

If you forget your supervisor or setup password, you cannot operate your
computer or change settings in the system setup program until you clear the
forgotten password(s).

NOTICE: The following procedure resets all standard settings for your

computer. Before proceeding, record all current settings so that you can
restore them when you finish this procedure.

Turn off the computer and unplug it from the electrical outlet (see

1

page 20).

2 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

3 Locate the configuration jumper on the system board (see page 68),

and move the jumper plug so that pins 2 and 3 are jumpered (to
“clear” the password when you turn on the computer).

4 Close the computer cover (see page 87), connect your computer to an

electrical outlet, and turn on the computer.

5 Access the system setup program (see page 94) and assign a new

supervisor or setup password in the Maintenance menu.

6 Exit and save the system setup program settings.

96 Appendix

7 After the computer boots, turn it off, and unplug it from the electrical

outlet.

8 Open the computer cover again.

9 Move the configuration jumper plug so that pins 1 and 2 are jumpered

(the “normal” setting).

10 Close the computer cover, connect your computer to an electrical

outlet, and turn on the computer.

CAUTION: Before you begin this procedure, follow the safety

instructions listed in "When Working Inside Your Computer" on
page 12.

A coin-cell battery maintains computer configuration, date, and time
information. The battery can last several years.

If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on
the computer, replace the battery.

CAUTION: A new battery can explode if it is incorrectly installed.

Replace the 3-V CR2032 battery only with the same or equivalent
type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Record all the screens in the system setup program (see page 95) so

1

that you can restore the correct settings in step 7.

2 Open the computer cover (see page 65).

3 Locate the battery socket BATTERY (see page 68).

4 Remove the battery by carefully prying it out of its socket with your

fingers or with a blunt, nonconducting object such as a plastic
screwdriver.

Appendix 97

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the system board while you pry the battery

loose, be sure to insert the plastic screwdriver between the battery and the
socket (not the system board).

battery

battery socket
(BATTERY)

Insert the new battery into the socket with the side labeled "+" facing

5

up and snap it into place.

6 Close the computer cover (see page 87), and plug your computer and

devices into their electrical outlets.

7 Access the system setup program (see page 95) and restore the settings

you recorded in step 1.

8 Properly dispose of the old battery (see page 118).

98 Appendix

Technician-assisted technical support requires the cooperation and
participation of the customer in the troubleshooting process and provides
for restoration of the operating system, application software, and hardware
drivers to the original default configuration as shipped from Dell, as well as
the verification of appropriate functionality of the computer and all Dell­installed hardware. In addition to this technician-assisted technical support,
online technical support is available at support.dell.com. Additional
technical support options may be available for purchase.

Dell provides limited technical support for the computer and any "Dell-

1

installed" software and peripherals

. Support for third-party software and
peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer, including those
purchased and/or installed through Dell Software and Peripherals,

2

Readyware, and Custom Factory Integration (DellPlus™)

1

Repair services are provided pursuant to the terms and conditions of your limited
warranty and any optional support service contract purchased with the
computer.

2

All Dell-standard components included in a Custom Factory Integration (CFI)
project are covered by the standard Dell limited warranty for your computer.
However, Dell also extends a parts replacement program to cover all nonstand­ard, third-party hardware components integrated through CFI for the duration
of the computer’s service contract.

.

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals

Dell-installed software includes the operating system and some of the
application software that is preinstalled on the computer during the
manufacturing process (Microsoft Office, Norton Antivirus, and so on).

Dell-installed peripherals include any internal expansion cards, or Dell­branded module bay or PC Card accessories. In addition, any Dell-branded
monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, microphones for telephonic modems,
docking stations/port replicators, networking products, and all associated
cabling are included.

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

Third-party software and peripherals include any peripheral, accessory, or
application software sold by Dell not under the Dell brand (printers,
scanners, cameras, games, and so on). Support for all third-party software
and peripherals is provided by the original manufacturer of the product.

Appendix 99

HINT: Toll-free numbers

are for use within the
country for which they are
listed.

When you need to contact Dell, use the telephone numbers, codes, and
electronic addresses provided in the following tables. If you need assistance
in determining which codes to use, contact a local or an international
operator.

See "Dell Technical Support Policy" on page 98 for a description of the
hardware and software support provided by Dell.

Contact Numbers and Addresses

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Country (City)
International Access Code
Country Code
City Code

Antigua and Barbuda General Support 1-800-805-5924

Argentina (Buenos Aires)

International Access Code: 00

Country Code: 54

City Code: 11

Australia (Sydney)

International Access Code: 0011

Country Code: 61

City Code: 2

Department Name or Service Area,

Website and E-mail Address

Tech Support and Customer Care toll free: 1-800-444-0733

Sales toll free: 1-800-444-3355

Tech Support Fax [phone]

Customer Care Fax [phone]

Website: http://www.dell.com.ar

Home and Small Business 1-300-65-55-33

Government and Business toll free: 1-800-633-559

Preferred Accounts Division (PAD) toll free: 1-800-060-889

Customer Care toll free: 1-800-819-339

Corporate Sales toll free: 1-800-808-385

Transaction Sales toll free: 1-800-808-312

Fax toll free: 1-800-818-341

Local Numbers, and

Area Codes,

Toll Free Numbers

100 Appendix