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Dell™ Dimension™ 8100 System
SOLUTIONS GUIDE
www.dell.com |
D^LOCOM" |
supperl.dell.com |
Hints, Notices, and Cautions
^ HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
O 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 potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete listing of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in the Tell Me How help file (see the START HERE sheet for instructions on how to open the help file).
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2000 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: De//, the logo, the DELL E COM logo, Dimension, and DeiiWareare trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Inteiand Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com 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.
October 2000 P/N 65JDG Rev. A00
Contents
|
Safety Instructions.......................................................................................... |
7 |
|
When Using Your Computer................................................................... |
7 |
|
When Working Inside Your Computer.................................................... |
8 |
|
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge........................................... |
9 |
1 |
Setting Up |
|
|
Connecting a Printer..................................................................................... |
12 |
|
Parallel Printer...................................................................................... |
12 |
|
USB Printer........................................................................................... |
13 |
|
Installing the Printer Driver................................................................... |
14 |
|
Turning Off the Computer............................................................................. |
14 |
|
Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) |
|
|
and Windows Millennium Edition (Me)................................................. |
15 |
|
Windows 2000 ..................................................................................... |
15 |
2 |
Solving Problems |
|
|
Finding Solutions.......................................................................................... |
18 |
|
Power Problems............................................................................................ |
20 |
|
Start-Up Error Messages............................................................................... |
21 |
|
Video and Monitor Problems......................................................................... |
21 |
|
If the screen is blank.............................................................................. |
21 |
|
If the screen is difficult to read.............................................................. |
22 |
|
Sound and Speaker Problems....................................................................... |
23 |
Contents I 3
Printer Problems......................................................................................... |
24 |
If you cannot print to a parallel port printer........................................ |
24 |
If you cannot print to a USB printer...................................................... |
25 |
Scanner Problems......................................................................................... |
25 |
Modem Problems....................................................................................... |
26 |
Mouse Problems........................................................................................... |
27 |
Keyboard Problems....................................................................................... |
27 |
Drive Problems.............................................................................................. |
27 |
If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk................................................ |
27 |
If you cannot play a music CD or install a |
|
program from a CD............................................................................. |
2 8 |
If you cannot play a DVD movie............................................................ |
29 |
If the CD-RW drive stops writing........................................................... |
29 |
If you have a hard drive problem........................................................... |
29 |
Network Problems...................................................................................... |
30 |
Windows Error Messages............................................................................ |
30 |
General Program Problems......................................................................... |
31 |
A program crashes.............................................................................. |
31 |
A program stops responding............................................................... |
31 |
A solid blue screen appears ................................................................ |
31 |
Internet Connection Problems.................................................................... |
32 |
E-Mail Problems.......................................................................................... |
32 |
Resolving Other Technical Problems.......................................................... |
32 |
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities.................................................................... |
33 |
Reinstalling Windows 98............................................................................... |
35 |
Reinstalling Windows Me.............................................................................. |
37 |
Reinstalling Windows 2000 ........................................................................... |
39 |
^ I Contents
3 |
Adding Pauts |
|
|
Removing the Computer Cover.................................................................... |
42 |
|
Looking Inside Your Computer..................................................................... |
44 |
|
System Board....................................................................................... |
45 |
|
Rotating the Power Supply........................................................................... |
46 |
|
Removing and Replacing the Front Panel..................................................... |
47 |
|
Removing and Replacing the AGP Card Brace.............................................. |
4 s |
|
Adding Cards................................................................................................ |
49 |
|
Installing a Card.................................................................................... |
50 |
|
Removing Cards............................................................................................ |
52 |
|
Adding Memory............................................................................................ |
53 |
|
Adding or Replacing Other Drives................................................................. |
54 |
|
Replacing the Computer Cover..................................................................... |
59 |
4 |
Appendix |
|
|
Specifications............................................................................................... |
62 |
|
Standard Settings......................................................................................... |
6 5 |
|
Viewing Settings................................................................................... |
6 6 |
|
System Setup Screens.......................................................................... |
6 7 |
|
Clearing Forgotten Passwords.............................................................. |
6 7 |
|
Replacing the Battery........................................................................... |
6s |
|
Contacting Dell............................................................................................. |
6 9 |
Index............................................................................................................................. |
S3 |
|
Contents I 5
^ I Contents
Safety Instructions
Use the following safety guidelines |
to proteet yourself and your eomputer. |
For eomfort and effieieney, observe |
the ergonomie guidelines provided in |
the Tell Me How help file. |
|
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.
• To help avoid damaging your eomputer, the power voltage is automatieally sensed to mateh the AC power available at your loeation. If your eomputer does not automatieally sense the power voltage, please set it to the proper voltage for your loeation.
Also be sure that your monitor and attaehed deviees are eleetrieally rated to operate with the AC power available in your loeation.
•To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seeonds after turning off the eomputer before diseonneeting or eonneeting a non-USB deviee from the eomputer.
•To help prevent eleetrie shoek, plug the eomputer and deviee power eables into properly grounded power sourees. These eables are equipped with 5-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a eable. If you must use an extension eable, use a 5-wire eable with properly grounded plugs.
•To help proteet your eomputer from sudden, transient inereases and deereases in eleetrieal power, use a surge suppressor, line eonditioner, or uninterruptible power supply.
•Be sure that nothing rests on your eomputer’s eables and that the
eables are not loeated where they ean be stepped on or tripped over.
•Do not spill food or liquids on your eomputer. If the eomputer gets wet, eontaet Dell (see page 69).
•Do not push any objeets into the openings of your eomputer. Doing so ean eause fire or eleetrie shoek by shorting out interior eomponents.
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•Keep your eomputer away from radiators and heat sourees. Also, do not Eloek eooling vents. Avoid plaeing loose papers underneath your eomputer; do not plaee your eomputer in a elosed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.
When Working Inside Your Computer
Before you remove the eomputer eover, perform the following steps in the sequenee indieated.
o NOTICE: 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.
1Turn off your eomputer and all deviees.
2Ground yourself by touehing an unpainted metal surfaee at the baek of the eomputer before touehing anything inside your eomputer.
While you work, periodieally toueh an unpainted metal surfaee on the eomputer to dissipate any statie eleetrieity that might harm internal eomponents.
3Diseonneet any deviees eonneeted to the eomputer, ineluding the monitor, from their eleetrieal outlets to reduee the potential for personal injury or shoek. Also, diseonneet any telephone or teleeommunieation lines from the eomputer.
4Diseonneet the power eable to your eomputer, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:
•When you diseonneet a eable, pull on its eonneetor, not on the eable itself. As you pull eonneetors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any pins. Also, before you eonneet a eable, make sure that both eonneetors are eorreetly oriented and aligned.
•Handle eomponents and eards with eare. Don’t toueh the eomponents on a eard. Hold a eard by its edges or by its metal braeket.
A 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.
8 1
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
To prevent statie damage, diseharge statie eleetrieity from your body before you toueh anything inside your eomputer and periodieally while you work inside the eomputer. You ean do so by touehing an unpainted metal surfaee on the baek of the eomputer.
You ean also take the following steps to prevent statie damage:
•Do not remove items from their antistatie paeking material until you are ready to install them in your eomputer. -ust before unwrapping the antistatie paekaging, be sure to diseharge statie eleetrieity from your body.
•When transporting a sensitive eomponent, first plaee it in an antistatie eontainer or paekaging.
I 9
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S E C T I O N 1
¡Setting Up
Connecting a Printer
Turning Off the Computer
Connecting a Printer
See the doeumentation that eame with the printer for any reeommended preparation proeedures, sueh as:
•Removing the paekaging
•Installing the toner or ink eartridge
•Loading paper
Then follow the instruetions that eame with the printer to eonneet it to the eomputer. If no information is provided, see the following seetions.
Parallel Printer
1 Turn off the eomputer (see page 14).
O 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.
2Attaeh the parallel printer eable to the parallel eonneetor on the eomputer and tighten the two serews. Attaeh the eable to the parallel eonneetor on the printer and snap the two elips into the two notehes.
1^ I Setting Up
parallel connector on
computer
screws (2)
parallel connector on printer
clips (2)
3Turn on the printer and then turn on the eomputer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, eliek Cancel.
4Install the printer driver if neeessary (see page 14).
USB Printer
1Install the printer driver if neeessary (see page 14).
2Attaeh the USB printer eable to the USB eonneetor on the eomputer and the printer. The USB eonneetors only fit one way.
^ HINT: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
Setti nj I 13
HINT: Dell installs drivers for some new printers. 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.
USB connector on printer
Installing the Printer Driver
If you need to install a printer driver, insert the |
installation CD into the CD |
or DVD drive. Then follow the prompts on the |
sereen using the instruetions |
that eame with the printer. |
|
If your printer installation CD does not automatieally run, eliek the Start button on the Windows desktop, eliek Run, and type x : \ s e t u p . e x e (where x is the letter of your CD or DVD drive [usually drive D]). Then eliek OK and follow the prompts on your sereen.
If you eonneet an older printer and it doesn’t work after you install the driver, aeeess the system setup program (see page 65) and ensure that the parallel port is set to operate in bidireetional mode.
Turning Off the Computer
O NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you must perform the licrosoft® Windows^ shutdown procedure.
1^ I Setting Up
Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium
Edition (Me)
1Save and exit any programs and files you have open.
2Cliek the Start button, and then eliek Shut Down.
3In the Shut Down Windows window, eliek Shut down and then eliek
OK.
The eomputer automatieally turns off after the shutdown proeess finishes.
4Turn off your monitor and any other deviees eonneeted to power.
Windows 2000
1Save and exit any programs and files you have open.
2Cliek the Start button, and then eliek Shut Down.
3Cliek the pull-down menu under What do you want the computer to do".
4Cliek Shut down and then eliek OK.
The eomputer automatieally turns off after the shutdown proeess finishes.
5Turn off your monitor and any other deviees eonneeted to power.
Setti ng I 15
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S E C T I O N 2
SolYing Problems
Finding Solutions
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
Windows Error Messages
General Program Problems
Internet Connection Problems
E-Mail Problems
Resolving Other Technical Problems
Reinstalling Drivers
Reinstalling Windows 98
Reinstalling Windows Me
Reinstalling Windows 2000
Finding Solutions
Sometimes it’s diffieult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this ehart
to help you quiekly find the answers to your questions.
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CONTINUE
I Solving Problems
Solving Problems I 19
HINT: Seethe Tell Me //oM/help file for information on the standby mode.
Power Problems
CH E C K T H E P O W E R L I G H T — When the power light is lit or blinking, the eomputer has power. If the power light is blinking, the eomputer is in standby mode—press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.
TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the eleetrieal outlet is working by testing it with another deviee, sueh as a lamp.
CH E C K T H E P O W E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N— Be sure that the power eable is firmly inserted into the eleetrieal outlet and the eomputer power eonneetor.
CO N N E C T T H E C O M P U T E R D I R E C T L Y T O A N E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T —
Bypass power proteetion deviees, power strips, and the extension eable to verify that the eomputer turns on.
SW A P T H E C O M P U T E R A N D M O N I T O R P O W E R C A B L E S — Swap the
eomputer and monitor power eables to determine if the power eable is defeetive.
CH E C K F O R I N T E R F E R E N C E — Eleetrieal applianees on the same eireuit or operating near the eomputer ean eause interferenee. Other eauses of
interferenee: power extension eables, keyboard and mouse extension eables, too many deviees on a power strip, or multiple power strips eonneeted to the same eleetrieal outlet.
CH E C K T H E PO W E R PR O P E R T I E S — See Windows Help.
To aeeess Windows Help:
1 Cliek the Start button and then eliek Help.
2For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, eliek the Search tab.
3For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, type standby and then eliek List Topics. For Windows Me, type standby and then eliek Go.
4For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, eliek To change the elapsed time before your computer automatically goes on standby. For Windows Me, eliek Changing the elapsed time before computer goes on standby or hibernate.
2^ I Solving Problems
Start-Up Error Messages
OP E R A T I N G S Y S T E M N O T F O U N D — Call Dell for technical assistance (see page 69).
IN S E R T B O O T A B L E M E D I A — The operating system is trying to boot to a nonbootable floppy disk or CD. Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD.
NON-SYSTEM D I S K E R R O R — There is a floppy disk in the floppy drive. Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.
Video and Monitor Problems
If the screen is blank
PR E S S T H E M O N I T O R P O W E R B U T T O N— Be sure that you firmly pressed the monitor power button.
CH E C K T H E P O W E R L I G H T — 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.
TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
SW A P T H E C O M P U T E R A N D M O N I T O R P O W E R C A B L E S — Swap the
computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective.
TE S T T H E V I D E O E X T E N S I O N C A B L E (I F U S E D )— If removing the video
extension cable solves the problem, the cable is defective.
TE S T T H E M O N I T O R — if another monitor is available, connect it to the computer.
^ HINT: See the monitor documentation for fault indications and troubleshooting procedures specific to your monitor.
Solving Problems I 21
CH E C K T H E B A C K P A N E L L I G H T S— If all four lights below the serial port are not green, eall Dell for teehnieal assistanee (see page 69).
CH E C K T H E PO W E R PR O P E R T I E S I F T H E M O N I T O R S C R E E N O C C A S I O N A L L Y T U R N S B L A N K — See Windows Help.
To aeeess Windows Help:
1 Cliek the Start button and then eliek Help.
2For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, eliek the Search tab.
3For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, type standby and then eliek List Topics. For Windows Me, type standby and then eliek Go.
4For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, eliek To change the elapsed time before your computer automatically goes on standby. For Windows Me, eliek Changing the elapsed time before computer goes on standby or hibernate.
If the screen is difficult to read
AD JUST THE CONTRAST AND BRIGHTNESS— See the monitor
doeumentation for instruetions on adjusting the eontrast and brightness.
MOVE THE SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE MONITOR — If your speaker
system ineludes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 2 ft (60 em) away from the monitor.
ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE— Turn off nearby fans, fluoreseent lights, or halogen lamps to eheek for interferenee.
ROTATE THE MONITOR TO FACE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION — Eliminate
sunlight glare, whieh ean eause poor pieture quality.
DEGAUSS (DEMAGNETIZE ) THE MONITOR — See the monitor
doeumentation.
RUN THE MONITOR SELF -TEST — See the monitor doeumentation.
RESTORE THE RECOMMENDED SETTINGS— Restore the original resolution and refresh rate settings. See the Tell Me How help file for instruetions.
2^ I Solving Problems
CH E C K F O R A D D I T I O N A L AD JUSTMENTS — See the monitor doeumentation for any additional adjustments that your monitor may require.
AD JUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS— Cliek the Start button,
point to Settings, and eliek Control Panel. Double-eliek the Display ieon and then eliek the Settings tab. Try different settings for Colors and Screen area.
Sound and Speaker Problems
VERIFY THE SPEAKER CABLE CONNECTIONS— Ensure that the speakers
are eonneeted as shown on the START HERE sheet for your eomputer and the setup diagram supplied with the speakers.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the eleetrieal outlet is working by testing it with another deviee, sueh as a lamp.
ENSURE THAT THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON— See the setup diagram
supplied with the speakers.
AD JUST THE SPEAKER CONTROLS — Adjust the volume, bass, or treble eontrols to eliminate distortion.
AD JUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL — Double-eliek the yellow
speaker ieon in the lower-right eorner of your sereen. Be sure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
TEST THE SPEAKERS — Plug the speaker audio eable into the headphone jaek of the CD drive. Ensure that the headphone volume eontrol is turned up. Play a musie CD.
RUN THE SPEAKER SELF -TEST — Some speaker systems have a self-test button on the subwoofer. See the speaker doeumentation for self-test instruetions.
HINT: The volume control In some 0 P3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been listening to 0P3 songs, make sure that you did not turn the player volume down or off.
Solving Problems I 23
MO V E T H E S U B W O O F E R A W A Y F R O M T H E M O N I T O R — If your speaker
system ineludes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 2 ft (6 em) away from the monitor.
EL I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I N T E R F E R E N C E— Turn off nearby fans, fluoreseent lights, or halogen lamps to eheek for interferenee.
RE I N S T A L L T H E SO U N D (A U D I O) D R I V E R — See page 33.
Printer Problems
If you cannot print to a parallel port printer
VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S— Ensure that the printer
eable is eonneeted as deseribed on page 16.
TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the eleetrieal outlet is working by testing it with another deviee, sueh as a lamp.
EN S U R E T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S T U R N E D O N— See the doeumentation
supplied with the printer.
VE R I F Y T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y WI N D O W S
1 Cliek the Start button, point to Settings, and then eliek Printers.
If the printer is listed, right-eliek the printer ieon, eliek Properties, and then seleet the Details tab.
2 Ensure that the Print to the following port: setting is LPTl (Printer Port).
RE I N S T A L L T H E P R I N T E R D R I V E R — See page 14.
2^ I Solving Problems
If you cannot print to a USB printer
VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S— Ensure that the printer
eable is eonneeted as deseribed on page 16.
TE S T T H E E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T — Ensure that the eleetrieal outlet is working b\ testing it with another deviee, sueh as a lamp.
EN S U R E T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S T U RONE—D See the doeumentation
supplied with the printer.
VE R I F Y T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y WI N D O W S — Cliek the
Start button, point to Settings, and then eliek Printers. If the printer is listed, right-eliek the printer ieon, eliek Properties, and then seleet the Details tab.
RE I N S T A L L T H E P R I N T E R D R I V E R — See page 14.
Scanner Problems
CH E C K T H E P O W E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N— Ensure that the seanner power eable is firmly eonneeted to a working eleetrieal power souree and that the
seanner is turned on.
CH E C K T H E S C A N N E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N— Ensure that the seanner
eable is firmly eonneeted to the eomputer and to the seanner.
UN L O C K T H E S C A N N E R — Ensure that your seanner is unloeked if it has a loeking tab or button.
RE I N S T A L L T H E S C A N N E R D R I V E R — Reinstall the seanner driver. See the seanner doeumentation for instruetions.
Solving Problems I 25
Modem Problems
NOTICE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. Connecting the modem to a digital telephone network damages the modem.
CH E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E 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.
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.)
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
1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2 In the Control Panel, double-click Modems.
If there are multiple entries for the same modem or modems listed that are not installed, delete the entries and restart the computer.
3Click the Diagnosties tab.
4Click the COM port for your modem.
5Click More Info to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows. If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.
2^ I Solving Problems
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