Dell Aurora-R2, 0JYTRGA00, JYTRG User Manual

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ALIENWARE® DESKTOP MANUAL
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
e contents herein are subject to change without notice.
© 2010 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly prohibited.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Regulatory Model: D0IM Regulatory Type: D0IM001 and D0IM002
P/N JYTRG Rev. A00 February 2010
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP ................................... 7
Before Setting Up Your Desktop ......................................8
Connect the Display ..................................................9
Connect the Keyboard and Mouse....................................10
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)................................10
Connect the Power Cable ............................................ 11
Press the Power Button ............................................. 11
Set Up Microsoft Windows...........................................12
Connect to the Internet (Optional) ...................................12
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP ........................... 15
Front View Features .................................................16
Back View Features..................................................17
Top View Features...................................................21
CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP .......................................23
Alienware Command Center .........................................24
Working With RAID ..................................................24
Optimizing Performance ............................................27
Conguring the BIOS ............................................... 28
CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ....35
Before You Begin................................................... 36
Removing and Replacing the Side Panel ............................. 38
Inside View of Your Computer ....................................... 39
Removing and Replacing Memory Module(s)......................... 39 Removing and Replacing Hard Drive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Removing and Replacing Expansion Card(s) ......................... 44
CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................47
Basic Hints and Tips................................................ 48
Backup and General Maintenance................................... 48
Software Diagnostic Tools .......................................... 49
CHAPTER 7: SYSTEM RECOVERY ..........................................57
Dell DataSafe Local Backup ......................................... 58
CHAPTER 8: SPECIFICATIONS .............................................59
APPENDIX A: GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............64
APPENDIX B: CONTACTING ALIENWARE ...................................66
APPENDIX C: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ..................................67
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 Graphics Cards..............................67
CONTENTS
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Dear Valued Alienware Customer,
Welcome to the Alienware family. We are thrilled to include you among the growing number of savvy high-performance computer users.
e Alienware technicians who have crafted your computer have made certain that your high-performance computer is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. We build computers with a single unwavering purpose: Build It As If It Were Your Own. e technicians will not rest until your new computer meets or exceeds our very demanding criteria!
We have tested your computer extensively in order to ensure that you enjoy the highest levels of performance. In addition to a standard burn-in period, your computer has been evaluated using real-world tools such as synthetic performance benchmarks.
We invite you to share your experience with your new high-performance computer with us, so do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns. e entire sta shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you enjoy using your new computer as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.
Sincerely,
Alienware Sta
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP

CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Before Setting Up Your Desktop

Product Documentation and Media
Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware® Aurora!
Read all safety and setup instructions before connecting your new desktop. Begin by carefully opening the box and removing all components that were shipped to you. Before setting up your desktop or components, be sure to inspect all items for any physical damage that may have occurred during shipment.
Before setting up your desktop or components, see the included invoice to verify that all items ordered are present. Report any missing components to customer service within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Anything reported missing after the rst 5 days of receiving a shipment will not be honored. Some of the most common items to check for include:
Computer• Microsoft• Keyboard (if ordered)• Mouse (if ordered)• Multimedia speakers and sub-woofer (if ordered)• Joystick controllers (if ordered)
You may also need a small athead and/or a Phillips head screwdriver for connecting peripheral cables to the desktop.
®
CD-key located at the back of the desktop
e documentation that ships with your Alienware® desktop is designed to provide answers to many of the questions that may arise as you explore your new desktop’s capabilities. See the documentation for technical information or general use as required to answer questions in the future, or aid you in nding answers and solutions. e media included with your desktop is referenced in some sections of the documentation and may be needed to complete certain tasks. As always, our technical support sta is available to assist you.
Placing Your Desktop
WARNING: Do not place the desktop near or over a radiator or heating vent. If all or parts of your desktop are placed in a cabinet, ensure that adequate ventilation is provided. Do not place the desktop in a humid location or in any area where the desktop may be exposed to rain or water. Be careful not to spill liquid of any kind on or into the desktop.
When placing your desktop, ensure that:
It is placed on a surface that is both level and stable. • e power and other cable connectors are not jammed between the desktop
and a wall – or any other object. Nothing obstructs airow in front of, behind, or below the desktop.
e desktop has enough room so that optical drives and other external • storage drives can be easily accessed.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Connect the Display

Connect the display using the connector available on the graphics card on your computer.
NOTE: A DVI or HDMI connector may be available on the graphics card you purchased.
You can purchase the DVI-to-VGA adapter, HDMI-to-DVI adapter, and additional HDMI or DVI cables at www.dell.com.
Connection Type Computer Cable Display
DVI-to-DVI (DVI cable)
HDMI-to-HDMI (HDMI cable)
Use the appropriate cable based on the connectors available on your computer and display. See the following table to identify the connectors on your computer and display.
HDMI-to-DVI (HDMI-to-DVI adapter + DVI cable)
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Connect the Keyboard and Mouse

Connect the Network Cable (Optional)

CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Connect the Power Cable

Press the Power Button

WARNING: e power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to a
power strip or electrical outlet may cause re or equipment damage.
Press the power button on the top of the computer.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Set Up Microsoft Windows

Setting Up a Wireless Connection
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render your desktop unusable.
Your computer is precongured with the operating system settings that you selected while ordering your computer. To congure the remaining settings, follow the instructions on the screen.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, see support.dell.com/MyNewDell.

Connect to the Internet (Optional)

Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial-up connection, connect the telephone line to the • external USB modem (optional) and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection.
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP • or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions in “Setting Up Your Internet Connection” on page 13.
NOTE: To set up your wireless router, see the documentation that shipped with your router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet connection, you need to connect to your wireless router.
To set up your connection to a wireless router:
Save and close any open les, and exit any open programs.1. Click 2. Start Control Panel. In the search box, type 3. network, and then click Network and Sharing
Center Connect to a network. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.4.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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Setting Up Your Internet Connection
ISPs and ISP oerings vary by country. Contact your ISP for oerings available in your country.
If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet wizard can help you get one.
To set up your Internet connection:
Save and close any open les, and exit any open programs.1. Click 2. Start Control Panel. In the search box, type 3. network, and then click Network and Sharing
Center Set up a new connection or Network Connect to the Internet. e Connect to the Internet window appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information 4. provided by your ISP to complete the setup.
CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP YOUR DESKTOP
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CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP

CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR DESKTOP
is chapter provides information about your new desktop to familiarize you with its various features, and to get you up and running quickly.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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Front View Features

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1 Hard drive activity light — Blinks to indicate hard drive activity when the
computer reads or writes data.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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CAUTION: To avoid loss of data, never turn o the computer while
the hard drive activity light is blinking.
2 Alienhead Lowers the drive panel when pressed. e drive panel can
also be lowered when the computer is turned o.
3 Optical drive Plays or records CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs.
4 Optical drive bays (2) — Can support additional optical drive(s).
5 Drive panel Covers the optical drive(s) or optical drive bay(s).
NOTE: e drive panel is shown in the open position.
6 Optical drive eject button — Ejects the optical drive tray.

Back View Features

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1 Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to
the computer. NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it ts into the security
cable slot on your computer.
2 Latch — Closes or opens the security cable slot and locks or unlocks the
release panel. Slide the latch to the right to open the security lock slot and to unlock the release panel.
3 Back panel connectors — Connect USB, audio, and other devices into the
appropriate connectors. For more information, see “Back Panel Connectors” on page 19.
4 Expansion card slots — Access connectors for any installed PCI and
PCI Express cards.
5 Power connector — Connects to the power cable.
6 Diagnostic light — Indicates if the power supply is in working condition.
7 Diagnostic button — Turns on the diagnostic light when pressed.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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Back Light Button
Press the back light button to turn on the light to view the back panel connectors. is light automatically turns o after a few seconds.
NOTE: In Alienware Aurora Standard, the back light will function only when the computer is turned on. In Alienware Aurora ALX, the back light will function even when the computer is turned o, as the light is powered by internal batteries.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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Back Panel Connectors
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NOTE: Some back panel connectors may not be available on your computer.
For details, see “Specications” on page 59.
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4 Audio connectors Connect to speakers, microphones, and headphones.
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Optical S/PDIF connector Connects to ampliers, speakers, or TVs
for digital audio output through optical digital cables. is format carries an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only).
eSATA connector Connects to eSATA compatible storage devices
such as external hard drives or optical drives.
USB 2.0 connectors (6) Connect to USB devices, such as a mouse,
keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
NOTE: For information on audio connectors, see “Connecting External Speakers” on page 20 .
Network connector Connects your computer to a network or
broadband device.
IEEE 1394 connector Connects to high-speed serial multimedia
devices such as digital video cameras.
Coaxial S/PDIF connector Connects to ampliers, speakers, or TVs
for digital audio output through coaxial digital cables. is format carries an audio signal without going through an analog audio conversion process (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only).
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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Connecting External Speakers
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Your Alienware desktop has ve integrated audio out connectors and one audio in connector. e audio out connectors deliver quality sound and support
7.1 surround audio. You can connect the audio input connector from a home stereo or speaker system for a heightened gaming and media experience.
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Side L/R surround connector Connects to side L/R surround
speakers.
Rear L/R surround connector Connects to rear L/R surround
speakers.
NOTE: On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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Center/subwoofer connector Connects to a center speaker or
subwoofer.
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Line-in connector Connects to recording or playback devices such
as a microphone, cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
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Front L/R line-out connector Connects to front L/R speakers.
Microphone connector Connects to a microphone for voice or audio
input into a sound or telephony program.

Top View Features

Accessing the Top Panel Connectors
Press the top panel downwards to access the top panel connectors.
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1 Top panel
CHAPTER 2: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DESKTOP
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