Dell Dimension 8300 Series, Dimension 8300N User Manual

Dell™ Dimension™ 8300 Series

CD or DVD activity light

CD or DVD drive eject button

floppy drive eject button*

floppy drive light*

USB 2.0 connectors (2)

headphone connector

Service Tag

power connector

voltage selection switch

serial connector

keyboard connector

center/LFE connector

line-out connector

hard drive light

power button

*On computers with an optional floppy drive.

parallel connector

diagnostic lights

mouse connector

surround connector

line-in connector

microphone connector

USB 2.0 connectors (6)

network adapter

video connector optional sound card connector

(see the setup diagram)

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 Tell Me How help file. To access help files, see page 32.

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

document to Microsoft

Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner w hatsoe ver wi thout the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex,

PowerApp, P owerEdge, PowerConnect, PowerVault, DellNet, Axim, and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc.; 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 Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DHM

March 2004 P/N M2972 Rev. A02

Contents

CAUTION: Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

SAFETY: General

SAFETY: When Using Your Computer

SAFETY: When Working Inside Your Computer

SAFETY: Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits

SAFETY: Battery Disposal

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . 11

. . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Finding Information for Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Setting Up a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Printer Cable

Connecting a Parallel Printer

Connecting a USB Printer

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Network Setup Wizard

Connecting to the Internet

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD

Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs

Helpful Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . 20

Contents 3

Hyper-Threading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Turning Off Your Computer

2 Solving Problems

Finding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Finding Help Information

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

Floppy drive problems

CD drive problems

Problems writing to a CD-RW drive

DVD drive problems

Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

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

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

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

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

4 Contents

General Problems

The computer stops responding

A program stops responding

A program crashes repeatedly

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft

Windows

A solid blue screen appears

Other technical problems

General hardware problems

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

Mouse Problems

operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Power Problems

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Sound and Speaker Problems

No sound from speakers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

No sound from headphones

Video and Monitor Problems

If the screen is blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

If the screen is difficult to read

3 Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Dell Diagnostics

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Drivers

Using Windows

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

What Is a Driver?

Identifying Drivers

Reinstalling Drivers

Creating a Restore Point

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

Undoing the Last System Restore

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Reinstalling Microsoft

Before You Begin

Reinstalling Windows XP

Windows® XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

. . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . 65

Contents 5

4 Adding Parts

Front and Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Front View

Back View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms

Reattaching the Hinge Arms

Reattaching the Front Door

Opening the Computer Cover

Looking Inside Your Computer

System Board

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Installing and Removing Cards

Installing a Card

Removing a Card

Adding Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

DDR Memory Overview

Memory Installation Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Addressing Memory with 4-GB Configurations

Installing Memory

Adding or Replacing the AGP Card

Removing an AGP Card

Installing an AGP Card

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

. . . . . . . . . . . 75

. . . . . . . . . 88

Adding a Second Hard Drive

Adding a Floppy Drive

Removing the Front-Panel Insert

Installing a Floppy Drive

Closing the Computer Cover

6 Contents

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

5 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Standard Settings

Viewing Settings

System Setup Screens

Boot Sequence

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Replacing the Battery

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

. . . . . . . . . . . . 112

. . . . . 112

. . . . . . 112

Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Regulatory Notices

NOM Information (Mexico Only)

Limited Warranties

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (Canada Only)

Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

. . . . . . . . . 139

1-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the Caribbean Only)

Warranty Statement for Pentium® and

Intel Celeron

Processors Only (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . . 141

. . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Contents 7

8 Contents

CAUTION: Safety Instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your computer and working environment from potential damage.

SAFETY: General

• Do not attempt to service the computer yourself unless you are a trained service technician. Always follow installation instructions closely.

• To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not use your computer during an electrical storm.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical storm.

• If your computer includes a modem, the cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-compliant RJ-11 modular plug.

• Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.

• To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from the computer.

• To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network cable, first unplug the cable from the network adapter on the back of your computer, and then from the network jack. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network jack, and then into the network adapter.

• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

• Ensure that nothing rests on your computer’s cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.

• Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

• Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.

Safety Instructions 9

SAFETY: When Using Your Computer

As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.

CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, filler

brackets, front-panel inserts, and so on) removed.

• Your computer is equipped with one of the following:

– A fixed-voltage power supply — Computers with a fixed-voltage power supply do not have a voltage

selection switch on the back panel and operate at only one voltage (see the regulatory label on the outside of the computer for its operating voltage).

– An auto-sensing voltage circuit — Computers with an auto-sensing voltage circuit do not have a voltage

selection switch on the back panel and automatically detect the correct operating voltage.

– A manual voltage selection switch — Computers with a voltage

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

• Before working inside the computer, unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock or system board damage.

selection switch on the back panel must be manually set to operate at the correct operating voltage. Set the switch to the position that most closely matches the voltage used in your location.

NOTICE: To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage

selection switch, set the switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location. For Japan, the voltage selection switch must be set to the 115-V position even though the AC power available in Japan is 100 V. Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in your location.

Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the computer is connected to AC power.

SAFETY: When Working Inside Your Computer

Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in your online Dell™

documentation or in instructions otherwise provided to you by Dell. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.

NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer

before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer.

Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.

Turn off your computer and any devices connected to the computer.

Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis, such as the metal around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer, before touching anything inside your computer.

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

Disconnect your computer and devices, including the monitor, from their electrical outlets. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.

10 Safety Instructions

In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before disconnecting the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

• Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a microprocessor chip by its edges, not by its pins.

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. Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

SAFETY: Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components, such as the microprocessor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated.

You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD):

• Do not remove components from their antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, discharge static electricity from your body.

• When transporting an electrostatic sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.

• Handle all electrostatic sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.

SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits

CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury.

CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in eye strain.

For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines in the computer. To access the help file, see page 32.

Tell Me How

help file when setting up and using your

SAFETY: Battery Disposal

Your computer uses a lithium coin-cell battery. The lithium coin-cell battery is a long-life battery, and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it. However, should you need to replace it, see page 110.

Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

Safety Instructions 11

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

12 Safety Instructions

Finding Information for 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

• How to set up a printer

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

• How to remove and install parts

• How to contact Dell

ResourceCD

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer when shipped from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see page 62), run the Dell Diagnostics (see page 58), 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 technical-reference material for experienced users or technicians.

Owner’s Manual

• How to set up my computer Setup Diagram

Finding Information for Your Computer 13

What are you looking for? Find It Here

• Tips on using Windows

• How to clean my computer

• How to use my mouse and keyboard

• Express Service Code and Service Tag

•Microsoft

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Windows® License Label

• Latest drivers for my computer

• Answers to technical service and support questions

• Online discussions with other users and technical support

• Documentation for my computer

Tell Me How Help 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.

Express Service Code and Product Key Label

These labels are located on your computer.

Dell Support Website

The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:

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

• Community Forum — Online discussion with other Dell customers

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

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

• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates

• Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications, and white papers

• How to use Windows XP

• Documentation for my computer

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

Windows Help and Support Center

1 Click the Start button and 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 on the screen.

14 Finding Information for Your Computer

What are you looking for? Find It Here

• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD

After you reinstall your operating system using the Operating System Reinstallation CD, use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

The product key for your operating system is located on your computer.

Finding Information for Your Computer 15

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

16 Finding Information for Your Computer

SECTION 1

Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Setting Up a Printer

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to the Internet

Copying CDs and DVDs

Hyper-Threading

Turning Off Your Computer

Setting Up a Printer

NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.

See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:

• Obtain and install updated drivers.

• Connect the printer to the computer.

• Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.

• Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Printer Cable

Your printer connects to your computer with either a USB cable or a parallel cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer box.

Connecting a Parallel Printer

1 Complete the operating system setup, if you have not already done so.

2 Turn off the computer (see page 27).

NOTICE: For best results, use a 3-m (10-ft) or shorter parallel cable.

18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

3 Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel connector on the computer and tighten

the two screws. Attach the cable to the connector on the printer and snap the two clips into the two notches.

parallel connector on computer

connector on printer

screws (2)

parallel printer cable

notches (2)

4 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard

clips (2)

window appears, click Cancel.

5 Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with

your printer.

Connecting a USB Printer

NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.

1 Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so.

2 Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with

your printer.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19

3 Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer.

The USB connectors fit only one way.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

USB connector on computer

USB printer cable

USB connector on printer

Transferring Information to a New Computer

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer. You can move data such as:

•E-mails

• Toolbar settings

• Window sizes

• Internet bookmarks

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.

20 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:

1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools, and then

click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

2 When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.

3 On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.

4 On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the

Windows XP CD and click Next.

5 When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source

computer. Do not click Next at this time.

To copy data from the old computer:

1 On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.

2 On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.

3 Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.

4 On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.

5 On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.

6 On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.

7 On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer

and click Next.

After the information has been copied, the Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.

8 Click Finish.

To transfer data to the new computer:

1 On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.

2 On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for

transferring your settings and files and click Next.

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the Finished screen appears.

3 Click Finished and restart the new computer.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 21

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it.

To connect a network cable:

NOTE: Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that

it is secure.

Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

your computer.

NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall jack.

2 Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device, such as a

network wall jack.

network adapter connector on computer

Network Setup Wizard

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.

1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications, and

then click Network Setup Wizard.

2 On the welcome screen, click Next.

22 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

network wall jack

network cable

3 Click Checklist for creating a network.

NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables

the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP.

Complete the checklist and required preparations.

5 Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.

Connecting to the Internet

NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.

To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:

• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a phone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections.

• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing phone line. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your phone on the same line simultaneously.

• Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV line.

If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL or cable modem connection, contact your ISP for setup instructions.

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an AOL or MSN connection:

1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

2 Double-click the MSN Explorer or AOL icon on the Windows

3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 23

desktop.

If you do not have an MSN Explorer or AOL icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP:

1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

2 Click the Start button and click Internet Explorer.

The New Connection Wizard appears.

3 Click Connect to the Internet.

4 In the next window, click the appropriate option:

• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs).

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

• If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD, click Set up my connection manually.

• If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP.

5 Click Next.

If you selected Set up my connection manually, continue to step 6. Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.

Click the appropriate option under How do you want to connect to the Internet?, and then click Next.

7 Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems" on page 35. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Copying CDs and DVDs

NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.

This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, or DVD/CD-RW combo drive.

The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came with your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the window, and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial.

How to Copy a CD or DVD

NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check

for available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com.

NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic

RecordNow.

Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Sonic→ RecordNow!→ RecordNow!.

2 Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD you are

planning to copy.

3 Click Exact Copy.

4 To copy the CD or DVD:

• If you have one CD or DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct and click

Copy. The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.

When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click OK.

• If you have two CD or DVD drives, select the drive into which you have inserted

your source CD or DVD and click Copy. The computer copies the data on the CD or DVD to the blank CD or DVD.

Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have created automatically ejects.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25

Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs

Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again without changing your method of recording (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.

Helpful Tips

• Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

• You must use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.

• You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic RecordNow.

• Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.

• Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 650-MB file to a 650-MB blank CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1 or 2 MB of the blank CD to finalize the recording.

• Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R.

• See the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com for additional information.

Hyper-Threading

Hyper-Threading is an Intel® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical microprocessor to function as two logical microprocessors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft Windows Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.

XP operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of

26 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:

1 Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

2 Click Hardware and click Device Manager.

3 In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type.

If Hyper-Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through the system setup program. For more information on accessing the system setup program, see page 107. For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

Turning Off Your Computer

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows

operating system shutdown, as described next, rather than by pressing the power button.

Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the Start button, and then

click Turn Off Computer.

2 In the Turn off computer window, click Turn off.

The computer turns off after the shutdown process finishes.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 27

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

28 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

SECTION 2

Solving Problems

Finding Solutions

Finding Help Information

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

General Problems

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

Mouse Problems

Network Problems

Power Problems

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

Video and Monitor Problems

Finding Solutions

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this chart to help you quickly find the answers to your questions.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

See page 44.

Press a key or move the mouse. See the Tell Me How help file for information on standby mode. For more information, see page 44.

Get technical assistance from Dell. See page 113.

See page 37.

30 Solving Problems

+ 116 hidden pages

Dell Dimension 8300 Series, Dimension 8300N User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual