Dell Dimension 8250 User Manual
Dell™Dimension™8250Series
Technical Overview
Controls and Lights
Solving Problems
Advanced Troubleshooting
Technical Specifications
System Setup Program
Adding and Replacing Parts
Documentation
Hints, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file.
IfyoupurchasedaDell™nSeriescomputer,anyreferencesinthisdocumenttoMicrosoft®Windows®operating systems are not applicable.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©2002–2003DellComputerCorporation.Allrightsreserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation
disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DHM
March2003Rev.A02
HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Back to Contents Page
Advanced Troubleshooting
Dell™Dimension™8250Series
Diagnostic Lights
Beep Codes
System Messages
Drivers
Using System Restore
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Reinstalling Microsoft®Windows®XP
Diagnostic Lights
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." These lights can be yellow or
green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and
sequence of the lights identify the problem.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
The computer is in a normal off
condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure
has occurred.
Verify that the computer power cable is plugged into the computer and a working electrical
outlet. Press the power button.
Other failure has occurred.
l Ensure that the cables are properly connected from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD
drive to the system board.
l If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
A possible expansion card failure has
occurred.
1. Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not the video card) and then
restarting the computer.
2. If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card,
and then restart the computer.
3. Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the
last card you removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving
Software and Hardware Incompatibilities").
4. If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory failure has occurred.
Remove and reinstall all memory modules and CRIMMs. Ensure that all the connector tabs
are locked. Restart the computer.
Install the memory modules in memory connectors RIMM1 (located closest to the
microprocessor) and RIMM2 and ensure that, if no additional memory is used, CRIMMs are
installed in memory connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4.
If you installed memory modules in memory connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4 that were not
purchased from Dell, remove the modules and replace them with the CRIMMs that were
originally installed in your computer.
If available, install Dell memory of the same type into your computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
A possible microprocessor failure has
occurred.
Reinstall the microprocessor and restart the computer.
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory configuration or compatibility
error exists.
l Ensure that there are no special memory module/memory connector placement
requirements (see "Adding Memory").
l Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your
computer. See "Memory" in the "Technical Specifications."
l Reinstall the memory modules and restart the computer.
l If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
A possible floppy or hard drive failure
has occurred.
Check all power and data cable connections and restart the computer.
Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies
a problem. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer
encountered a memory problem.
Reseating the memory modules may fix the beep code errors in the following table. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If you hear one of the following beep codes, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
No memory modules are detected.
l Reinstall all memory modules and restart the computer.
l If the problem persists, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
A possible BIOS failure has occurred;
the computer is in the recovery mode.
Run the BIOS Recovery Utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer.
A possible video card failure has
occurred or a bad on-board video
exists.
l If the computer has a video card, remove the card and reinstall it.
l If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video, contact Dell. See your
Owner's Manual for contact information.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Resinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
The computer is in a normal operating
condition after POST.
None.
Code
Cause
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
Memory not being properly identified or used
4-3-1
Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
Code
Cause
1-1-2
Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3
NVRAM
1-1-4
ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1
Programmable interval timer
1-2-2
DMA initialization failure
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write failure
3-1-1
Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2
Master DMA register failure
3-1-3
Master interrupt mask register failure
3-1-4
Slave interrupt mask register failure
3-2-2
Interrupt vector loading failure
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test failure
3-3-1
NVRAM power loss
3-3-2
NVRAM configuration
3-3-4
Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1
Screen initialization failure
3-4-2
Screen retrace failure
3-4-3
Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1
No time tick
4-2-2
Shutdown failure
4-2-3
Gate A20 failure
4-2-4
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-3
Timer-chip counter 2 failure
System Messages
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its
driver recognizes.
4-3-4
Time-of-day clock stopped
4-4-1
Serial or parallel port test failure
4-4-4
Cache test failure
HINT: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running
when the message appeared.
Message
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
8042 Gate-A20 error
The keyboard controller failed its test.
If you receive this message after you make changes in the system setup
program, enter the program and restore the original value(s).
Address Line Short!
An error in the address decoding circuitry in the
memory has occurred.
Reseat the memory modules.
C: Drive Error
C: Drive Failure
The hard drive is not working or is not configured
correctly.
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined
correctly in the system setup program.
Cache Memory Bad, Do
Not Enable Cache
The cache memory is not operating.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
CH-2 Timer Error
An error is occurring on the timer on the system
board.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
CMOS Battery State
Low
CMOS Checksum Failure
CMOS System Options
Not Set
CMOS Display Type
Mismatch
CMOS Memory Size
Mismatch
CMOS Time and Date
Not Set
The system configuration information in the system
setup program is incorrect or the battery charge
may be low.
Enter the system setup program, verify the system configuration, and then
restart the computer.
Diskette Boot Failure
Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST.
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined
correctly in the system setup program. Check the interface cable at both
ends.
DMA Error
DMA 1 Error
DMA 2 Error
Error in the DMA controller on the system board.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
FDD Controller
Failure
HDD Controller
Failure
The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive
or hard drive controller.
Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly in the
computer and defined correctly in the system setup program. Check the
interface cable at both ends.
INTR1 Error
INTR2 Error
An interrupt channel on the system board failed to
POST.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
Invalid Boot Diskette
The operating system cannot be located on drive A
or drive C.
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is
properly identified.
Keyboard Error
The BIOS has detected a stuck key.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck,
carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the
keyboard.
KB/Interface Error
An error occurred with the keyboard connector.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck,
carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the
keyboard.
No ROM Basic
The operating system cannot be located on drive A
or drive C.
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is
properly identified.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft®Windows®operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:
l Upgrade your operating system
l Reinstall your operating system
l Connect or install a new device
If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if
necessary, to update the driver.
Identifying Drivers
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3. In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.
4. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
5. Click Device Manager.
6. In the Device Manager window, scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.
If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver.
Reinstalling Drivers
Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback
If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously
installed version.
To use Device Driver Rollback:
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3. In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.
4. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
5. Click Device Manager.
6. In the Device Manager window, right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties.
7. Click the Drivers tab.
8. Click Roll Back Driver.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you
installed the new driver.
Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD
If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem, then reinstall the driver from the Dell Dimension ResourceCD:
1. With the Windows desktop displayed, insert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive.
If this is your first time to use the ResourceCD, go to step2. If not, go to step5.
2. When the ResourceCD installation program starts, follow the prompts on the screen.
3. When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, remove the ResourceCD and click Finish to restart the computer.
4. When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive.
5. At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.
A message stating that the ResourceCD is detecting hardware in your computer appears.
The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers—The ResourceCD has identified these components in your
system window.
6. Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions on the screen.
If a particular driver is not listed, then that driver is not required by your operating system.
NOTICE: The Dell Support website and your Dell Dimension ResourceCD provideapproveddriversforDell™computers.Ifyouinstalldriversobtained
from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.
HINT: The ResourceCD displays drivers only for hardware that came on your computer. If you installed additional hardware, the drivers for the new
hardware might not be displayed by the ResourceCD. If those drivers are not displayed, exit the ResourceCD program. For drivers information, see the
documentation that came with the device.
Using System Restore
The Microsoft®Windows®XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting
data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See Windows Help for
information on using System Restore. To access Windows Help, see "Finding Help Information."
Creating a Restore Point
1. Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2. Click System Restore.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
If problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver Rollback to resolve the problem. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore.
1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
2. Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next.
3. Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points
appear in bold.
4. Select a restore point and click Next.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the
restore point that you prefer.
5. Click Next.
The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the computer restarts.
6. After the computer restarts, click OK.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.
Undoing the Last System Restore
1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore.
2. Click Undo my last restoration and click Next.
3. Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.
4. After the computer restarts, click OK.
Enabling System Restore
If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space available, System Restore is automatically disabled. To see if System Restore is
enabled:
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click System.
4. Click the System Restore tab.
5. Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Windows XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.
To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them.
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or
delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.
NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or
programs until the system restoration is complete.
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance and click System.
3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
4. In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.
Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red (X) if the device has been disabled.
5. Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.
If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.
6. Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices from the Device Manager.
To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:
1. Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2. Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field and click the arrow to start the search.
3. Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.
4. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer, and click Next.
Reinstalling Microsoft®Windows®XP
Before You Reinstall
If you are reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace
the device driver with the previously installed version.
If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you
installed the new device driver.
Reinstalling Windows XP
To reinstall Windows XP, perform the steps in the following sections in the order in which they are listed.
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After the reinstallation is complete, you need to reinstall the device drivers, virus protection
program, and other software.
Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD
1. Insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive.
2. Exit any program or utility that might run after you insert the CD.
3. Shut down and restart the computer.
4. Press<F12>immediatelyaftertheDELL™logoappears.
If the operating system logo appears, wait until you see the Windows desktop, and then shut down the computer and try again.
5. Use the arrow keys to select CD-ROM and press <Enter>.
6. When the Press any key to boot from CD message appears on the screen, press any key.
Starting Windows XP Setup
1. When the Windows XP Setup screen appears, press <Enter> to select To set up Windows now.
2. Read the information in the Microsoft Windows Licensing Agreement screen, and then press <F8> to accept the license agreement.
3. If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair option, and then
remove the CD from the drive.
4. If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press <Esc> to select the fresh copy option.
5. Press <Enter> to select the highlighted partition (recommended), and then follow the instructions on the screen.
The Windows XP Setup screen appears, and the operating system begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer restarts multiple times.
Completing the GUI Setup
NOTICE: The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed
on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative.
NOTICE: To prevent conflicts with Windows XP, disable any virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP. See
the documentation that came with the software for instructions.
HINT: The time required to complete the setup depends on the size of the hard drive and the speed of your computer.
1. When the Regional and Language Options screen appears, select the settings for your location and click Next.
2. Enter your name and organization (optional) in the Personalize Your Software screen and click Next.
3. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition, at the What's your computer's name window, enter a name for your computer (or accept the name
provided) and click Next.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, at the Computer Name and Administrator Password window, enter a name for your computer (or accept
the one provided) and a password, and then click Next.
4. If you have a modem installed, enter the requested information and click Next when the Modem Dialing Information screen appears.
5. Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window and click Next.
6. If your computer has a network adapter, click Typical in the Networking Settings screen and click Next.
If your computer does not have a network adapter, this option does not appear.
7. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional, you may be prompted to provide further network information regarding your network configuration,
such as the domain name or workgroup name. If you are unsure of your settings, accept the default selections.
Windows XP installs the operating system components, configures the computer, and then restarts the computer.
Completing the Operating System Setup
1. When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next.
2. When the How will this computer connect to the Internet? message appears, click Skip.
3. When the Ready to register with Microsoft? screen appears, click No, not at this time and click Next.
When the Who will use this computer? screen appears, you can enter up to five users.
4. Click Next.
5. Click Finish to complete the setup and remove the CD from the drive.
Reinstalling Drivers and Software
1. Reinstall the appropriate drivers.
2. Reinstall your virus protection software. See the documentation that came with the software for instructions.
3. Reinstall your other software programs. See the documentation that came with the software for instructions.
Back to Contents Page
NOTICE: When the computer restarts, the following message appears: Press any key to boot from the CD. Do not press any key when this message
appears.
NOTICE: When the computer restarts, the following message appears: Press any key to boot from the CD. Do not press any key when this message
appears.
Back to Contents Page
Documentation
Dell™Dimension™8250Series
Finding Information for Your Computer
Printed Documentation
Online Documentation
Finding Information for Your Computer
What Are You Looking For?
Find it Here
l A diagnostic program for my computer
l Drivers for my computer
l My computer documentation
l My device documentation
ResourceCD
You can use this CD to access documentation or reinstall drivers
l How to set up a printer
l How to troubleshoot and solve problems
l How to add parts
l How to contact Dell
Owner's Manual
l Express Service Code and Service Tag
Number
l Microsoft®Windows®License Label
Express Service Code and Product Key
These labels are located on your computer.
l How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System CD
If you reinstall your operating system, use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers for the devices that
came with your computer.
l Latest drivers for my computer
l Answers to technical service and support
questions
l Online discussions with other users and
technical support
l Documentation for my computer
Dell Support Website
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:
l Knowledge Base — Hints, tips, and online courses
l Customer Forum — Online discussion with other Dell customers
l Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the
operating system
l Customer Care — Contact information, order status, warranty, and repair information
l Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates
Printed Documentation
To save PDF files (files with an extension of .pdf) to your hard drive, right-click the document title, click Save Target As in Microsoft®Internet Explorer or Save
Link As in Netscape Navigator, and specify a location on your hard drive.
Right-click only the following link:
Dell Dimension 8250 setup diagram (.pdf) (1.41 MB) — Provides instructions on how to go through initial setup of your computer.
Dell Dimension 8250 Owner's Manual (.pdf) (1.69 MB) — Provides information on adding upgrades, performing basic troubleshooting procedures, and
reinstalling drivers. It also provides technical specifications.
Online Documentation
The Tell Me How help file is already loaded on your hard drive when you receive your computer. To open the file:
1. Click the Start button, and click Help and Support.
2. Click User and system guides, and click User's guides.
3. Click Tell Me How.
The Tell Me How help file allows you to search for information in multiple ways. You can quickly link to information on the following topics:
l Hardware and software features of your computer
l The Windows desktop, where you can change your wallpaper and screen saver, create shortcuts, and position icons
l Software access, installation, and removal
l Basic file management, such as finding, copying, deleting, and renaming files
l Tips on using your computer hardware
Downloading the Tell Me How Help File
1. Right-click the following link to the file: Dell Dimension 8250 System Tell Me How (.chm) (563 KB).
l Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications, and white papers
l How to set up my computer
Setup Diagram
l Tips on using Windows
l How to clean my computer
l How to use my mouse and keyboard
Tell Me How Help File
1. Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support.
2. Click User and system guides, and then click User's guides.
3. Click Tell Me How.
l How to use Windows XP
l Documentation for my computer and devices
Windows XP Help and Support Center
1. Click the Start button and then click Help and Support.
2. Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon.
3. Click the topic that describes your problem.
4. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
HINT: You must right-click the link for a portable document format (PDF) file and save the file to your hard drive. Attempting to open large PDF files
through your browser causes your computer to freeze.
HINT: PDFfilesrequireAdobe™AcrobatReader,whichcanbedownloadedfromtheAdobeWorldWideWebsiteatwww.adobe.com/acrobat/. To
view a PDF file, launch Acrobat Reader. Click File® Open and select the PDF file.
HINT: Tell Me How help files (files with an extension of .chm) require Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later.
2. Click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator, and specify a location on your hard drive.
Viewing the Tell Me How Help File
1. Click the Start button on the Windows desktop, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the directory in which you saved the Tell Me How help file.
3. Double-click the file (tellhow.chm).
Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page
Adding and Replacing Parts
Dell™Dimension™8250Series
Turning Off the Computer
1. Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.
2. Click the Start button and then click Turn off Computer.
3. Click Turn off.
The computer automatically turns off after the shutdown process finishes.
4. Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power.
Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms
To prevent damage to your computer, the front door is designed to "break away" if it is lifted up too far. If the front door breaks away, you might need to
reattach both the front door and the hinge arms.
Reattaching the Front Door
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2. Lower the hinge arms to the vertical position.
3. Align the two clips on the inside of the front door with the two hinge arms.
4. Press inward on the front door until it clips to both hinge arms.
Reattaching the Hinge Arms
Turning Off the Computer
Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms
Opening the Computer Cover
Installing and Removing Cards
Adding Memory
Adding or Replacing the AGP Card
Drives
Hard Drive
Front-Panel Inserts
Floppy Drive
CD/DVD Drive
Replacing the Microprocessor
Removing the Front I/O Panel
Power Supply
System Board
Closing the Computer Cover
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you must turn off your computer through the Start menu rather than by pressing the power button.
HINT: If you are having difficulty turning off your computer, see "General Problems."
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2. Disconnect the power cable from your computer.
3. Remove the front door, if it is attached.
The front door snaps off of the two hinge arms.
4. Remove the front-panel insert above the front-door bay area.
Pull the bottom of the insert with your fingers to remove it.
5. Lift both hinge arms to the horizontal position.
6. Use the two view slots to align the pivot bar with the two pivot-bar slots.
7. Pull the arms toward you until they snap into place.
If the hinge arms don't snap back into place on the first attempt, slightly reposition the arms and try again.
8. After the hinge arms clip into place, lower and raise the arms two or three times to properly seat them.
9. Reattach the front-panel insert.
10. Reconnect the power cable to your computer.
11. Reattach the front door.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions listed in your Owner's Manual.
NOTICE: Using excessive force to pull the hinge arms into place may damage the arms or the front panel.
Opening the Computer Cover
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
4. Lay the computer on its side so that the arrow on the bottom of the computer points up.
5. Open the cover:
a. Facing the back of the computer, press the release button on the right side of the computer with one hand while pulling up on the top of the
cover with the other hand.
b. Press the release button on the left side of the computer with one hand while pulling up on the top of the cover with the other hand.
c. Hold the bottom of the computer with one hand, and then pull open the cover with the other hand.
Installing and Removing Cards
YourDell™computerprovidesslotsforuptofour32-bit, 33-MHz cards.
Cards
If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a Card."
Installing a Card
1. If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
2. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
3. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps listed in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to support the open cover—at least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top space.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
4. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
5. Open the computer cover.
6. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
7. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 9.
8. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
9. Prepare the card for installation.
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your
computer.
10. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert
the card firmly into the card connector on the system board.
11. Before you lower the retention arm, ensure that:
l The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar
l The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide
Press the arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be
sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards. Verify that the standby power light on the system board is off.
12. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
13. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
14. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Removing a Card
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
4. Open the computer cover.
5. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
6. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
7. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
8. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. See your Owner's Manual for contact information.
9. Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
10. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
11. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
Adding Memory
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. For information on the type of memory supported by your
computer, look under "Memory" in "Technical Specifications."
RDRAM Overview
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or
cause damage to the equipment.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
RDRAM technology requires that all memory connectors have either a memory module or a continuity module installed. Memory modules and continuity modules
are easily identified—memory modules have a metal cover on one side of the module and continuity modules do not.
Memory modules are the actual components that provide memory for the microprocessor; continuity modules are used only to complete the memory circuit if
memory modules are not installed in all of the memory connectors.
Another RDRAM requirement is that memory modules must be installed in pairs of matched memory size. This means that if you purchased your computer with
128 MB of memory installed and you want to add another 128 MB of memory, you must remove the two continuity modules and replace them with two 64-MB
memory modules.
The only two valid memory configurations are:
l A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors RIMM1 and RIMM2 with continuity modules installed in connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4
or
l A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors RIMM1 and RIMM2 and another matched pair installed in connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4
Removing a Memory Module
NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that
you may have, even if the new modules were purchased from Dell. Your original memory modules must be installed as a pair in either connectors RIMM1
and RIMM2 or RIMM3 and RIMM4. Do not pair one original memory module with one new memory module in connectors RIMM1 and RIMM2 or RIMM3 and
RIMM4. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly.
HINT: The metal cover on a memory module is manufactured in various colors. The color of the metal cover has no effect on the module's performance.
NOTICE: You can only install continuity modules in connectors RIMM3 and RIMM4.
HINT: Mixed pairs of PC1066 and PC800 modules all function as PC800.
HINT: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty.
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