Network activity light (front panel) solid green indicates network
Link integrity light (on integrated
network adapter)
Activity light (on integrated network
adapter)
Diagnostic lights four lights on the front panel (see
Standby power light AUXPWR on the system board
Front panel LEDs eight multi-colored LEDs provide
Back panel LEDs two multi-colored lights provide
state; solid green for power-on state.
amber light — Blinking amber indicates
a problem with an installed device;
solid amber indicates an internal power
problem.
connection
green light — A good connection exists
between a 10-Mbps network and the
computer.
orange light — A good connection exists
between a 100-Mbps network and the
computer.
yellow light — A good connection exists
between a 1-GB (1000-Mbps) network
and the computer.
off (no light) — The computer is not
detecting a physical connection to the
network.
yellow blinking light when there is
activity on the network; if there is not
any network activity, the light will be
off
Diagnostic Lights)
illumination for the front of the
computer
NOTE: The color of the front panel
LEDs can be adjusted in system setup
(see System Setup).
illumination for the I/O panel on the
back of the computer
NOTE: The color of the back panel
LEDs can be adjusted in system setup
(see System Setup).
Power
DC power supply: CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire,
Wattage 750 W or
Voltage (see the safety
instructions located in the
Product Information Guide)
Backup battery 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell
Physical
Height
Without stand 55.5 cm (21.9 inches)
With stand 57.2 cm (22.5 inches)
Width
Without stand 21.9 cm (8.6 inches)
With stand 35.6 cm (14.0 inches)
Depth 59.4 cm (23.4 inches)
Weight
Typical configuration 21.7 kg (47.8 lb)
Maximum configuration 25.6 kg (56.4 lb)
electric shock, or injury, do not
overload an electrical outlet, power
strip, or convenience receptacle.
The total ampere rating of all
products plugged into an electrical
outlet, power strip, or other
receptacle should not exceed 80
percent of the branch circuit rating.
1 KW
auto-sensing power supply—90 V to
265 V at 50/60 Hz
To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your
computer
To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future
reference.
NOTICE: Do not change the settings in system setup unless you are an expert computer user. Certain changes
can cause your computer to work incorrectly.
Entering System Setup
1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2. When the DELL logo appears, press <F2> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To
avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F2> in even intervals until the system setup screen appears.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft®
Windows® desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
System Setup Screens
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on
the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, the active options field, and key functions.
Options List — This field appears on
the left side of the system setup
window. The field is a scrollable list
containing features that define the
configuration of your computer,
including installed hardware, power
conservation, and security features.
Scroll up and down the list with the upand down-arrow keys. As an option is
highlighted, the Options Field displays
more information about that option and
the option's current and available
settings.
Options Field — This field appears on
the right side of the system setup
window and contains information about
each option listed in the Options List.
In this field you can view information
about your computer and make
changes to your current settings.
Press the left- and right-arrow keys to
highlight an option. Press <Enter> to
make that selection active and return to
the Options List.
NOTE: Not all settings listed in the
Options Field are changeable.
Key Functions — This field appears
below the Options Field and lists keys
and their functions within the active
system setup field.
System Setup Options
Page 5
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or
Processor Info Identifies the processor type, clock
Memory Info Identifies the memory type, speed, and
PCI Info Indicates the expansion card type by
Date/Time Displays current date and time settings.
Boot Sequence The computer attempts to boot from
computer name, the BIOS version
number and date, the system service
tag, express service code and asset tag,
and other system-specific information.
speed, bus speed, L2 cache, L3 cache,
ID, and whether the processor is
multiple core capable, supports HyperThreading and supports 64-bit
technology.
channel mode (dual or single) by DIMM
slot location.
slot location.
the sequence of devices specified in this
list.
NOTE: If you insert a boot device and
restart the computer, this option
appears in the system setup menu. To
boot from a USB memory device, for
example, select the USB device and
move it so that it becomes the first
device in the boot sequence.
Drives
Diskette Drive
(Internal default)
SATA Drives 0 through 5
(On default)
PATA Drives 0 through 1
(On default)
SMART Reporting
(Off default)
Enables and disables the floppy drive
attached to the DSKT connector on the
system board and sets read
permissions for the drive.
Off — All floppy drives are
disabled.
USB — USB floppy drives are
enabled
Internal — The integrated
floppy drive is enabled.
Read Only — The integrated
floppy drive is enabled with readonly access.
NOTE: Operating systems with USB
support will recognize USB floppy drives
regardless of this setting.
Enables or disables drives attached to
the SATA connectors on the system
board.
Off — A device attached to the
interface is not usable.
On — A device attached to the
interface is usable.
RAID On - A device attached to
the interface is configured for
RAID (see About Your RAID
Configuration).
Enables or disables drives attached to
the ATA connectors on the system
board, and lists the controller details.
Off — A device attached to the
interface is not usable.
On — A device attached to the
interface is usable.
Determines whether hard-drive errors
for internal drives are reported during
system startup.
Off — Errors are not reported.
On — Errors are reported.
Onboard Devices
Integrated NIC
(On default)
Enables or disables the integrated
network interface controller (NIC).
On w/PXE — The integrated
NIC is on (with PXE enabled).
NOTE: PXE is required only if you are
booting to an operating system located
on another computer. If a boot routine
is not available from the remote
system, the computer attempts to boot
from the next device listed in the boot
sequence.
Enables or disables the onboard audio
controller.
Off — Integrated audio is
disabled.
On — Integrated audio is
enabled.
Enables or disables the internal USB
controller.
Off — The USB controller is
disabled.
On — The USB controller is
enabled.
No Boot — The USB controller is
enabled; however, the BIOS will
not recognize USB storage
devices.
NOTE: Operating systems with USB
support will recognize USB storage
devices regardless of the No Boot
setting.
Enables or disables the integrated IEEE
1394 controller.
Off — The 1394 controller is
disabled.
On — The 1394 controller is
enabled.
Enables or disables the onboard PS/2compatible mouse controller.
Off — The PS/2 legacy mouse
port is disabled.
On — The PS/2 legacy mouse
port is enabled.
LED Control
Front Upper LED
Front Lower LED
Rear Panel LED
LED Intensity
Performance
Multiple CPU Core
(On default)
Advanced Displays processor type and current
Adjusts the color of the upper front
panel LEDs (see Front and Back View of
the Computer).
Adjusts the color of the lower front
panel LEDs (see Front and Back View of
the Computer).
Adjusts the color of the rear panel LEDs
(see Front and Back View of the Computer).
Adjusts the intensity for the color of the
upper and lower front panel LEDs and
the rear panel LEDs.
Specifies whether the processor has
more than one core enabled.
Off — Multiple CPU core
technology is disabled.
On — Multiple CPU core
technology is enabled.
NOTE: The performance of some
applications may improve with an
additional core enabled.
BIOS settings for processor clock
speed, processor multiplier, front side
bus (FSB) clock, and CPU core voltage.
These settings may have been set by
performance tuning applications or may
change depending on settings in
performance applications that you have
installed.
For systems with Intel Extreme
processors, the following fields are
adjustable through the BIOS:
Processor Clock Speed: Adjusts
the multiplier of the processor.
For processors that cannot be
overclocked, this field reports the
current settings and cannot be
changed.
Performance Application
Support: Enables software
applications to display and
modify key system parameters to
tune system performance. These
applications are not installed or
supported by Dell. The default is
Off.
NOTE: To enable overclocking of other
system components, you first need to
enable the Performance Application
Support option in BIOS and then
download an application like NVIDIA
nTune version 5.0 or higher.
NOTE: Pressing <Alt><F> returns your
system to the factory defaults including
RAID settings.
Specifies whether Enhanced Intel
SpeedStep® technology is enabled for
all supported processors in the system.
Off — Disable Enhanced
SpeedStep technology
On — Enable Enhanced
SpeedStep technology
Specifies whether a virtual machine
monitor (VMM) can utilize the additional
hardware capabilities provided by Intel
Virtualization Technology
Off — Disable Virtualization
Technology
On — Enable Virtualization
Technology
Determines the acoustic mode at which
the hard drive operates.
Bypass — Do nothing (needed
for older drives).
Quiet — The hard drive operates
at a slower, but quieter speed.
Suggested — Allow the hard
drive manufacturer to select the
mode.
Performance — The hard drive
operates at a faster, but possibly
noisier speed.
NOTE: Switching to performance mode
may cause an increase in noise
produced by the drive, but does not
affect the drive's performance.
NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting
does not alter your hard drive image.
Security
Admin Password
(Not Set default)
System Password
(Not Set default)
Password Changes
(Unlocked default)
Execute Disable
(On default)
Used to prohibit an unauthorized user
from changing any configuration
settings in the system setup.
Used to prohibit an unauthorized user
from booting to the operating system.
This option locks the system password
field with the administrator (admin)
password.
NOTE: When the system password field
is locked, you can no longer disable
password security by pressing
<Ctrl><Enter> when the computer
starts.
Enables or disables Execute Disable
Memory Protection technology.
On — Execute Disable Memory
Protection technology is enabled.
Power Management
AC Recovery
(Off default)
Auto Power On
(Off default)
Auto Power Time Specifies the time to automatically turn
Low Power Mode
(Off default)
Suspend Mode
(S3 default)
Specifies how the computer will behave
when AC power is restored after an AC
power loss.
Off — The system stays off after
AC power is restored.
On — The system powers on
after AC power is restored.
Last — The system returns to
the previous state after AC power
is restored.
Disables or selects when to
automatically turn on the computer.
Off — Do not use the Auto
Power Time.
Everyday — Turn the computer
on every day at the time set in
Auto Power Time.
Weekdays — Turn the computer
on Monday through Friday at the
time set in Auto Power Time.
NOTE: This feature does not work if
you turn off your computer using a
power strip or surge protector.
on the computer.
Change the time to automatically turn
on the computer by pressing the up- or
down-arrow key to increase or decrease
the numbers, or type the numbers in
the appropriate time field.
NOTE: This feature does not work if
you turn off your computer using a
power strip or surge protector.
Specifies how aggressive the system is
at conserving power while in hibernate
mode or turned off.
Off — Add more functionality.
On — Conserve more power.
Specifies the power management
suspend mode.
S1 — The computer resumes
more quickly from sleep mode.
S3 — The computer conserves
more power when not in use
(system memory remains
active).
Maintenance
Service Tag Displays the system service tag.
SERR Message
(On default)
Load Defaults This setting restores the computer's
Event Log Displays the system event log.
Controls the SERR message
mechanism. Some graphics cards
require that the SERR Message
mechanism be disabled.
Off — Do not use the SERR
message mechanism.
On — Use the SERR message
mechanism.
factory-installed default settings.
Cancel — Do not restore factoryinstalled default settings.
Enables or disables the option to speed
up the boot process by skipping some
compatibility tests.
Off — Do not skip any steps in
the boot process.
On — Boot quickly.
Enables or disables the numerical and
mathematical features of the rightmost
bank of keys on the keyboard.
Off — Right keypad keys
function as arrows.
On — Right keypad keys function
as numbers.
Specifies the function keys to display on
the screen when the computer starts.
Setup & Boot Menu — Display
both messages (F2=Setup and
F12=Boot Menu).
Setup — Display the setup
message only (F2=Setup).
Boot Menu — Display the
Quickboot message only
(F12=Boot Menu).
None — Neither message is
displayed.
Enables or disables keyboard error
reporting when the computer starts.
Report — Display any keyboard
errors.
Do not report — Do not display
any keyboard errors.
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for the bootable devices installed o n your computer.
Option Settings
Diskette Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not
bootable, if no floppy disk is in the drive, or if there is no floppy drive installed in the computer, the computer
attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the boot sequence.
Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the
drive, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the boot sequence.
CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no
operating system, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the boot sequence.
USB Flash Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot
Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the
USB flash option to the boot menu.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check
the device documentation.
NOTE: An error message is generated only after the computer attempts to boot from every device in the boot
sequence and no operating system is found.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so that you can run the Dell
Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities med ia, but you want the computer to boot from the hard drive when the
diagnostic tests are complete. You can also use this feature to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy
drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive.
NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup (see
System Setup).
1. If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector (see Back View).
2. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
3. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To
avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals until the Boot Device Menu appears.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows
Page 10
desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
4. At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the keyboard
to highlight the device that is to be used for the current boot only, and then press <Enter>.
For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Flash Device and press <Enter>.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check
the device documentation.
Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup ).
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press <Enter> to access the menu.
NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.
3. Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
4. Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).
5. Press plus (+) or minus (–) to move a selected device up or down the list.
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: This process erases both the system and setup passwords
1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin .
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
3. Locate the 2-pin password jumper (PASSWORD) on the system board (see System Board Components), then
remove the jumper plug and set the plug aside.
4. Close the computer cover.
5. Connect your keyboard and mouse, then connect your computer and monitor to electr ical outlets and turn them
on.
6. After the Microsoft® Windows® desktop appears on your computer, turn the computer off:
a. Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.
b. Shut down the operating system:
In Windows XP, click Start→→→→ Turn Off Computer→→→→ Turn off.
In Windows Vista, click Start , click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as
shown below, and then click Shut Down .
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is complete.
NOTE: Ensure that the computer is off and not in a power management mode. If you cannot shut down the
computer using the operating system, press and hold the power button for 4 seconds.
7. Disconnect the keyboard and mouse, then disc onnect the computer and monitor from their electrical outlets.
8. Press the power button on the computer to ground the system board.
9. Open the computer cover (see
Removing the Computer Cover).
Page 11
NOTICE: The password jumper plug must be reinstalled on the password jumper pins in order to enable the
10. Locate the 2-pin password jumper on the system board (see System Board Components), and then reinstall the
jumper plug to enable the password feature.
11. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the
computer.
12. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
NOTE: In system setup (see Entering System Setup), both system and administrator passwo rd options appear as
Not Set. The password feature is enabled but a password is not assigned.
Clearing CMOS Settings
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
NOTE: This procedure does not clear or reset system and setup passwords.
1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin .
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
3. Locate the password (PASSWORD) and CMOS (RTCRST) jumpers on the system board (see System Board
Components).
4. Remove the password jumper plug, then place the plug on the CMOS jumper pins and wait approximately 5
seconds.
NOTICE: The password jumper plug must be reinstalled on the password jumper pins in order to enable the
password feature.
5. Remove the jumper plug from the CMOS jumper pins, and then reinstall the plug on the password jumper pins to
enable the password feature.
6. Close the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the
computer.
7. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
Cleaning Your Computer
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor
CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer fro m the electrical outlet. Clean
your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which
may contain flammable substances.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove dust from the slots and holes on your computer
and from between the keys on the keyboard.
NOTICE: Do not wipe the display screen with any soap or alcohol solution. Doing so may damage the antiglare
coating.
To clean your monitor screen, lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with water. If possible, use a special screencleaning tissue or solution suitable for the monitor's antistatic coating.
Wipe the keyboard, computer, and plastic part of the monitor with a soft cleaning cloth moistened with water.
Do not soak the cloth or let water drip inside your computer or keyboard.
Mouse
If your screen cursor skips or moves abnormally, clean the mouse. To clean a non-optical mouse:
1. Turn the retainer ring on the underside of your mouse counterclockwise, and then remove the ball.
3. Blow carefully into the ball cage to dislodge dust and lint.
4. If the rollers inside the ball cage are dirty, clean the rollers with a cotton swab moistened lightly with isopropyl
alcohol.
5. Recenter the rollers in their channels if they are misaligned. Ensure that fluff from the swab is not left on the
rollers.
6. Replace the ball and retainer ring, and turn the retainer ring clockwise until it clicks into place.
Floppy Drive
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. The heads may become misaligned and prevent the
drive from operating.
Clean your floppy drive using a commercially available cleaning kit. These kits contain pretreated floppy disks to
remove contaminants that accumulate during normal operation.
CDs and DVDs
NOTICE: Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the optical drive, and follow the instructions that come
with the compressed air. Never touch the lens in the drive.
If you notice problems, such as skipping, with the playback quality of your discs, try cleaning the discs.
1. Hold the disc by its outer edge. You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging the surface, do not wipe in a circular motion around the disc.
2. With a soft, lint-free cloth, gently wipe the bottom of the disc (the unlabeled side) in a straight line from the
center to the outer edge of the disc.
For stubborn dirt, try using water or a diluted solution of water and mild soap. You can also purchase commercial
products that clean discs and provide some protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches. Cleaning products
for CDs are safe to use on DVDs.
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)
Most Dell computer systems are classified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as Class B digital devices.
To determine which classification applies to your computer system, examine all FCC registration labels located on the
bottom, side, or back panel of your computer, on card-mounting brackets, and on the cards themselves. If any one of
the labels carries a Class A rating, your entire system is considered to be a Class A digital device. If all labels carry an
FCC Class B rating as distinguished by either an FCC ID number or the FCC logo, ( ), your system is considered to
be a Class B digital device.
Once you have determined your system's FCC classification, read the appropriate FCC notice. Note that FCC regulations
provide that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Dell could void your autho rity to operate this
equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Class A
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference with radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.
Class B
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual, may cause interference with radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with FCC
regulations:
Product name: Dell™ XPS™ 720
Model number: DCDO
Company name:
Dell Inc.
One Dell Way
Round Rock, Texas 78682 USA
512-338-4400
Contacting Dell
You can contact Dell through the Internet and by phone:
For support through the web, go to support.dell.com.
For worldwide support through the web, use the Choose A Country/Region menu near the bottom of the
page, or see the web addresses listed in the following table.
For support by e-mail, see the e-mail addresses listed in the following table.
NOTE: Toll-free numbers are for use within the country for which they are listed.
NOTE: In certain countries, support specific to Dell™ XPS™ computers is available at a separate telephone
number listed for participating countries. If you do not see a telephone number listed that is specific for XPS
computers, you may contact Dell through the support number listed and your call will be routed appropriately.
For support by phone, use the phone numb ers and codes provided in the following table. If you need assistance
in determining which codes to use, contact a local or an international operator.
NOTE: The contact information provided was deemed correct at the time that this document went to print and is
subject to change.
Country (City)
International Access
Code Country Code
City Code
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aomen
Country Code: 853
Argentina (Buenos
Aires)
International Access
Code: 00
Country Code: 54
City Code: 11
Aruba
Australia (Sydney)
Service Type
Web and E-mail Address
Online Support www.dell.com/ai
E-mail Address la-techsupport@dell.com
Technical Support, Customer Service,
Sales
Online Support
Technical Support, Customer Service,
Sales
Technical Supporttoll-free: 0800-105
Customer Service (Xiamen, China) 34 160 910
Transaction Sales (Xiamen, China) 29 693 115
Online Support www.dell.com.ar
E-mail for Desktops and Portables la-techsupport@dell.com
E-mail for Servers and EMC® Storage
Products
Customer Service toll-free: 0-800-444-0730
Technical Support – Dell PowerApp™, Dell
PowerEdge™, Dell PowerConnect™, and
Dell PowerVault™
Technical Support Services toll-free: 0-800-444-0724