Dell DCTA User Manual

Dell Precision™ Workstation 490

Quick Reference Guide

Model DCTA

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid

the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in your

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft

User’s Guide

Windows®

operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Xeon, 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 Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DCTA

January 2006 P/N MD504 Rev. A00

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)

Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)

About Your Computer

Front View (Tower Orientation) Back View (Tower Orientation) Back Panel Connectors Front View (Desktop Orientation) Back View (Desktop Orientation) Inside View

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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

Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out System Board Components Cable Colors

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

Locating Your User’s Guide

Removing the Computer Cover

Caring for Your Computer

Solving Problems

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

Troubleshooting Tips

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

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

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

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

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft

Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Using the Last Known Good Configuration Dell Diagnostics Before You Start Testing

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Beep Codes

Diagnostic Lights

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Error Messages

Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Light Codes During POST

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

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

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

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

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

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Contents 3

4 Contents

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may

not be available in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

• Drivers for my computer

• My computer documentation

• My device documentation

• Desktop System Software (DSS)

• How to set up my computer

• How to care for my computer

• Basic troubleshooting information

• How to run the Dell Diagnostics

• Error codes and diagnostic lights

• How to remove and install parts

• How to open my computer cover

Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as Resource CD)

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run the Dell Diagnostics, or access your documentation. Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-

minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technicalreference material for technicians or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found

at support.dell.com.

Quick Reference Guide

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at

support.dell.com.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Warranty information

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

• How to remove and replace parts

• Specifications

• How to configure system settings

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft Windows License Label

User’s Guide

Microsoft

Windows® XP Help and Support Center

Click the Start button and click

Click User’s and system guides and click

Help and Support

User’s Guide

The User’s Guide is also available on the Drivers and Utilities CD.

Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License

These labels are located on your computer.

• Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use

support.dell.com

or contact technical support.

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support.

6 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked questions

• Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the

appropriate support site.

NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers

can also use the customized Dell Premier support website at premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be available in all regions.

operating system

• Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information

• Service and support — Service call status and support history, service contract, online discussions with technical support

• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software updates

• Desktop System Software (DSS)— If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should reinstall the DSS utility prior to installing any of the drivers. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, optical drives, and USB devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration.

• How to use Windows XP

• How to work with programs and files

• Documentation for devices (such as modem)

Windows Help and Support Center

Click the

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon.

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Start

button and click

Help and Support

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System CD

devices that came with your computer. Your operating system product key label is located on your computer.

NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating

system you ordered.

NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may

not ship with your computer.

• How to use Linux

• E-mail discussions with users of Dell Precision™ products and the Linux operating system

• Additional information regarding Linux and my Dell Precision computer

Dell Supported Linux Sites

• Linux.dell.com

• Lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-precision

The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System CD. See your User’s Guide for instructions. After you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities CD (Resource CD) to reinstall drivers for the

8 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)

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

in the Product Information Guide.

You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.

Connect the keyboard and the mouse.

Connect the modem or the network cable.

NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the

network adapter. Voltage from telephone communications can damage the network adapter.

NOTE: If your computer has a network card installed,

connect the network cable to the card.

Quick Reference Guide 9

Depending on your graphics card, you can connect your monitor in various ways.

Connect the monitor.

NOTE: You may need to use

the provided adapter or cable to connect your monitor to the computer.

10 Quick Reference Guide

For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector

One VGA adapter:

VGA

Use the VGA adapter when you have a single-monitor graphics card and you want to connect your computer to a VGA monitor.

Dual VGA Y cable adapter:

Dual DVI Y cable adapter:

VGA

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two VGA monitors.

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.

DVI

The dual-monitor cable is color-coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black connector is for the second monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached to the computer when you start the computer.

Quick Reference Guide 11

For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector

One DVI connector and one VGA connector:

DVI

VGA

Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:

VGA

Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want to connect your computer to one or two monitors.

For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors

Two DVI connectors:

Two DVI connectors with one VGA adapter:

DVI

Use the DVI connectors to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.

Use the VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor to one of the DVI connectors on your computer

DVI

Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect your computer to two VGA monitors.

Two DVI connectors with two VGA adapters:

VGA

Use two VGA adapters to connect two VGA monitors to the DVI connectors on your computer.

12 Quick Reference Guide

Connect the speakers.

NOTE: If your

computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.

Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.

Quick Reference Guide 13

Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is compatible with your computer and operating system.

You have now completed the setup for your tower computer.

Install additional software or devices.

Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)

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

the Product Information Guide.

You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.

Connect the keyboard and the mouse.

NOTICE: Do not connect a

modem cable to the network adapter. Voltage from telephone communications can damage the network adapter.

14 Quick Reference Guide

Connect the modem or the network cable.

NOTE: If your computer

has a network card installed, connect the network cable to the card.

Depending on your graphics card, you can connect your monitor in various ways.

Connect the monitor.

NOTE: You may need to use the

provided adapter or cable to connect your monitor to the computer.

Quick Reference Guide 15

For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector

VGA adapter:

VGA

Use the VGA adapter when you have a single monitor graphics card and you want to connect your computer to a VGA monitor.

Dual VGA Y cable adapter:

Dual DVI Y cable adapter:

VGA

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two VGA monitors.

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.

DVI

16 Quick Reference Guide

For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector

One DVI connector and one VGA connector:

DVI

VGA

Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:

VGA

Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want to connect your computer to one or two monitors.

For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors

Two DVI connectors:

Two DVI connectors with one VGA adapter:

DVI

Use the DVI connector(s) to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.

Use the VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor to one of the DVI connectors on your computer.

DVI

Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect your computer to two VGA monitors.

Two DVI connectors with two VGA adapters:

VGA

Use two VGA adapters to connect two VGA monitors to the DVI connectors on your computer.

Quick Reference Guide 17

Connect the speakers.

NOTE: If your computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.

Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.

You have now completed the setup for your desktop computer.

18 Quick Reference Guide

Install additional software or devices.

About Your Computer

Front View (Tower Orientation)

1 upper 5.25-inch drive bay Holds a CD/DVD drive.

2 lower 5.25-inch drive bay You can use this bay for an optional CD/DVD drive.

3 FlexBay You can use this bay for an optional third hard drive (SATA or SAS), a floppy

drive or Media Card Reader.

4 hard-drive activity light The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to

the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is operating.

5 IEEE 1394 connector

(optional)

Use the optional IEEE 1394 connector for high-speed data devices such as digital video cameras and external storage devices.

Quick Reference Guide 19

6 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as

flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see in your User’s Guide for more information on booting to a USB device).

It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

7 Dell™ rotatable badge To rotate the Dell badge for tower-to-desktop conversion; remove the

, turn it over, and rotate the plastic handle behind the badge.

panel

8 power button Press to turn on the computer.

"System Setup"

front

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer.

Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the system or to place it into

a power-saving state. See "Power Management" in your User’s Guide for more information.

9 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different

states:

• No light — The computer is turned off.

• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.

• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving state.

• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in your

To exit from a power-saving state, press the power button or use the keyboard or the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For more information about sleep states and exiting from a power-saving state, see your User’s Guide.

See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

10 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones.

11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for

voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

12 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps,

100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.

13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the

diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38.

User’s Guide

20 Quick Reference Guide

Back View (Tower Orientation)

1 power connector Insert the power cable.

2 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI, PCI-X, or PCI Express cards.

NOTE: The center four slots support full-length cards: one PCI-X slot, one PCI

Express x8 slot (wired as x4), one PCI Express x16 slot, and one PCI slot); and the top and bottom slots support half-length cards: one PCI-X slot and one PCI Express x8 slot (wired as x4).

3 back panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the

appropriate connectors

Quick Reference Guide 21

Back Panel Connectors

1 23 5

11 10 9 8 7

1 parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have

a USB printer, plug it into a USB connector.

NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically disabled if the computer

detects an installed card containing a parallel connector configured to the same address. For more information, see your User’s Guide.

2 line-out/ headphone

connector

3 PS/2 mouse connector Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer

4 link integrity light

Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers.

On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

and any attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. If you have a USB mouse, plug it into a USB connector.

If your computer is running the Microsoft the necessary mouse drivers have been installed on your hard drive.

• Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer.

• Orange — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer.

• Yellow — A good connection exists between a 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.

• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

Windows® XP operating system,

22 Quick Reference Guide

5 network adapter

connector

To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network or broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.

NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector.

On computers with an additional network connector card, use the connectors on the card and on the back of the computer when setting up multiple network connections (such as a separate intra- and extranet).

It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.

6 network activity light Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or receiving network

data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.

7 USB 2.0 connectors (5) It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you

connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices. Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

8 PS/2 keyboard connector If you have a standard keyboard, plug it into the purple keyboard connector.

If you have a USB keyboard, plug it into a USB connector.

9 line-in connector Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such

as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.

On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

10 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. If necessary,

the address for this port can be modified through system setup. See your User’s Guide for more information.

11 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. If necessary,

the address for this port can be modified through system setup. See your User’s Guide for more information.

Quick Reference Guide 23

Front View (Desktop Orientation)

1 23 56 7

1 upper 5.25-inch drive bay Holds a CD/DVD drive.

2 lower 5.25-inch drive bay You can use the bay for an optional CD/DVD drive, or a SATA hard drive.

3 FlexBay You can use the bay for a floppy drive, or a Media Card Reader.

4 IEEE 1394 connector

(optional)

5 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as

6 hard-drive activity light The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to

7 Dell™ rotatable badge To rotate the Dell badge for tower-to-desktop conversion; remove the

8 power button Press to turn on the computer.

Use the optional IEEE 1394 connector for high-speed data devices such as digital video cameras and external storage devices.

flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see

User’s Guide for more information on booting to a USB device).

in your

It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is operating.

turn it over, and rotate the plastic handle behind the badge.

910111213

"System Setup"

front panel

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer.

Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the system or to place it into

a power-saving state. See your User’s Guide for more information.

24 Quick Reference Guide

9 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate

different states:

• No light — The computer is turned off.

• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.

• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving state.

• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in your

See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

10 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones.

11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for

voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

12 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps,

100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.

13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the

diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38.

User’s Guide

Back View (Desktop Orientation)

1 2 3

1 back panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the

2 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI, PCI-X, or PCI Express cards.

NOTE:

The slot farthest to the left and the two slots on the right support half-length cards: one PCI Express x8 slot (wired as x4) and two PCI-X slots. The center three slots support full-length cards: one PCI Express x16 slot, one PCI Express x8 slot (wired as x4) and one PCI slot.

3 power connector Insert the power cable.

appropriate connector

Quick Reference Guide 25

Inside View

1 power supply 2 rotatable hard drive bay 3 FlexBay

4 lower 5.25-inch drive bay 5 upper 5.25-inch drive bay

26 Quick Reference Guide

Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out

1 power supply 2 system board 3 memory fan

4 front fan 5 card fan

Quick Reference Guide 27

System Board Components

3 4567 12

119

22232425

28 Quick Reference Guide

1 primary processor connector (CPU_0) 15 Flexbay connector (USB)

2 secondary processor connector (CPU_1) 16 SATA connectors (SATA_2, SATA_1, SATA_0)

3 front fan connector (FAN_FRONT) 17 floppy drive (DSKT)

4 card cage fan (FAN_CCAG) 18 front panel connector (FRONTPANEL)

5 internal speaker connector (INT_SPKR) 19 PCI-X card slot (SLOT6_PCIX)

6 power connector (POWER2) 20 PCI-X card slot (SLOT5_PCIX)

7 IDE drive connector (IDE) 21 chassis intrusion header (INTRUDER)

8 standby power light (AUX_PWR) 22 PCI card slot (SLOT4_PCI)

9 password jumper (PSWD) 23 PCI-Express x8 card slot, wired as x4

(SLOT3_PCIE)

10 auxiliary hard-drive LED connector

(AUX_LED)

11 RTC reset jumper (RTCRST) 25 PCI-Express x8 card slot, wired as x4

12 battery socket (BATTERY)) 26 memory module connectors (DIMM_1-8)

13 main power connector (POWER1) 27 memory fan connector (FAN_MEM)

14 SATA connectors (SATA_4, SATA_3)

24 PCI-Express x16 card slot (SLOT2_PCIE)

(SLOT1_PCIE)

Cable Colors

Device Color

SATA Hard drive blue cable

Floppy drive black pull-tab

CD/DVD drive orange pull-tab

front panel yellow pull-tab

Locating Your User’s Guide

Your

User’s Guide

• Technical specifications

• Information for changing the orientation of your computer from a desktop to a tower

• Front and back views of your computer, including all of the available connectors

• Inside views of your computer, including a detailed graphic of the system board and the connectors

• Instructions for cleaning your computer

• Information on software features, such as Legacy Select Technology control, using a password, and system setup options

contains additional information about your computer such as:

Quick Reference Guide 29

• Tips and information for using the Microsoft Windows XP operating system

• Instructions for removing and installing parts, including memory, cards, drives, the microprocessor, and the battery

• Information for troubleshooting various computer problems

• Instructions for using the Dell Diagnostics and reinstalling drivers

• Information on how to contact Dell

You can access the

User’s Guide

from your hard drive or the Dell Support website at

support.dell.com

Removing the Computer Cover

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

Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before

removing the cover.

NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your

body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" in your

NOTICE: Opening the computer cover while the computer is running could result in a shutdown without warning

and a loss of data in open programs. The computer cooling system cannot function properly while the cover is removed.

If you have installed a security cable, remove it from the security cable slot.

User’s Guide

NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to support the removed cover—at least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top space.

NOTICE: Ensure that you are working on a level, protected surface to avoid scratching either the computer or the

surface on which it is resting.

Lay your computer on a flat surface with the cover facing up.

30 Quick Reference Guide

+ 350 hidden pages