Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Models DCP, DCS, and MMP
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Throughout this guide, there may be blocks of text printed in bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are
used as follows:
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©2000-2001 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: Dell, OptiPlex, OptiFrame, Dell OpenManage, Dimension, Latitude, Inspiron, and DellWare are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation;
Microsoft, Windows, MS-DOS, and WindowsNT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Intel is a registered trademark, and Celeron is a trademark of Intel
Corporation; 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation; IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation; Novell and
NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR
guidelines for energy efficiency.
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.
Initial release: 18 May 1999
Last revised: 17 Jan 2001
NOTE: You can obtain the latest version of this document from the Dell support Web site at http://support.dell.com.
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your system.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate
injury.
Back to Contents Page
BasicChecks:Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Overview
If your Dell computer system is not working as expected, and if you are not sure what to do, start your troubleshooting with the procedures in this
section. This section guides you through basic steps to solve basic computer problems. It also directs you to further detailed troubleshooting
information and procedures to solve more complex problems.
Backing Up Your Files
If your system is behaving erratically, back up your files immediately. If your system has a tape drive installed, see the documentation that came
with the tape backup software for instructions on performing a backup operation. Otherwise, see your operating system documentation for
information on backing up data files.
Basic Checks
See the following sections in the order indicated until the problem is resolved:
l If your computer is wet or damaged, see "Troubleshooting a Wet Computer" or "Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer."
l Perform the steps in "Checking Connections and Switches."
l Perform the steps in "Look and Listen."
l If your system did not complete the boot (start-up) routine, see "Getting Help."
l If your system displayed a message or emitted a beep code, see "Messages and Codes."
l Verify the settings in System Setup.
l Run the Dell Diagnostics.
Checking Connections and Switches
Improperly set switches and controls and loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for your computer, monitor,
or other peripheral (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external equipment).
Complete the following steps in the order indicated to check all the connections and switches:
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals (such as the monitor, keyboard, printer, external drives, scanners, or plotters).
Disconnect all the AC power cables from their electrical outlets.
2. If your computer is connected to a power strip, turn the power strip off and then on again. If the problem is not resolved, try another power
strip or connect the system directly to an electrical outlet to see if the original power strip is faulty.
3. Connect the system to a different electrical outlet.
If doing so corrects the problem, the original outlet is faulty.
Checking Connections and Switches
NOTE: The boot routine is the operating system's attempt to load its files into memory from the boot-up sector on the hard-disk
drive or another bootable device.
NOTE: See "Controls and Indicators" and "Connecting Peripheral Devices" for the location of your computer's external connections
and switches.
4. Reconnect the system to an electrical outlet. Make sure that all connections fit tightly together, and turn on the system.
5. If the problem is resolved, you have corrected a faulty connection.
6. If your monitor is not operating properly, see "Troubleshooting the Monitor."
7. If your keyboard is not operating properly, see "Troubleshooting the Keyboard."
8. If your mouse or printer is not operating properly, see "Troubleshooting I/O Ports." Otherwise, see "Look and Listen."
Look and Listen
Looking at and listening to your system is important in determining the source of a problem. Look and listen for the indications described in Table
1.
If after looking and listening to your computer you have not resolved the problem, continue with the recommendations in "System Setup."
Table 1. Boot Routine Indications
See "Messages and Codes."
The monitor's power indicator
Most monitors have a power indicator (usually on the front bezel). If the monitor's power indicator does not light
up, see "Troubleshooting the Monitor."
The power and hard-disk
drive indicators
Use the power and hard-disk drive indicators to help you identify a system problem when you press the power
button to turn on the computer but the system does not boot.
Use the power indicator to help you identify a system problem when you press the power button to turn on the
computer but the system does not boot:
l A blinking yellow power indicator before power-on self-test (POST) indicates that the power supply may be
faulty. In rare cases, the system board may be faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on getting
technical assistance from Dell.
l A solid yellow power indicator before POST indicates that a device on the system board may be faulty or
isincorrectlyinstalled.Besurethatthemicroprocessorisproperlyseated,remove all expansion cards,
and then reboot. If the system does not boot, see "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical
assistance from Dell.
l A solid green power indicator and a beep code during POST indicate that a dual in-line memory module
(DIMM) may be faulty or is not properly seated. Remove all DIMMs, install only one DIMM, and then reboot.
Repeat this procedure until you identify the faulty or improperly seated DIMM.
l A solid green power indicator and no beep code and no video during POST indicate that the monitor or
the integrated video controller may be faulty. See "Troubleshooting the Monitor. "If the monitor is operating
properly and is correctly connected, see "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance
from Dell.
l A solid green power indicator and no beep code with video during POST indicate that an integrated
system board device may be faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance
from Dell.
Most keyboards have one or more indicators (usually in the upper-right corner). Press the <Num Lock> key, the
<Caps Lock> key, and the <Scroll Lock> key to toggle the keyboard indicators on and off. If the keyboard
indicators do not light up, see "Troubleshooting the Keyboard."
The diskette-drive access
indicator
The diskette-drive access indicator should quickly flash on and off when you access data on the diskette drive.
On a system running a Microsoft®Windows®operating system, you can test the drive by opening Windows
Explorer and clicking the icon for drive A. If the diskette-drive access indicator does not light up, see
"Troubleshooting Drives."
The hard-disk drive access
indicator
The hard-disk drive access indicator should quickly flash on and off when you access data on the hard-disk
drive. On a system running a Windows operating system, you can test the drive by opening Windows Explorer
and clicking the icon for drive C. If the hard-disk drive access indicator does not light up, see "Troubleshooting
Drives."
See "Messages and Codes."
An unfamiliar constant
scraping or grinding sound
when you access a drive
Make sure the sound is not caused by the application program you are running. The sound could be caused by a
hardware malfunction. See "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance from Dell.
The absence of a familiar
sound
When you turn on your system, you can hear the hard-disk drive spin up, and the system tries to access the boot
files from the hard-disk drive or the diskette drive. If your system boots, see "Dell Diagnostics." If your system
does not boot, see "Getting Help."
System Setup
You can easily correct certain system problems by verifying the correct settings in System Setup. When you boot your system, your system checks
the system configuration information and compares it with the current hardware configuration. If your system hardware configuration does not
match the information recorded by System Setup, an error message may appear on your screen.
This problem can happen if you changed your system's hardware configuration and forgot to run System Setup. To correct this problem, enter
System Setup, correct the setting for the corresponding System Setup program option, and reboot your system.
If after checking the settings in System Setup you have not resolved the problem, see "Dell Diagnostics."
Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page
Battery:Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Overview
A 3.0-volt (V) CR2032 coin-cell battery installed on the system board maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special
section of memory.
The operating life of the battery can extend up to ten years. The battery may need replacing if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot
routine along with a message such as:
Time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program
or
Invalid configuration information please run SETUP program
or
Strike the F1 key to continue,
F2 to run the setup utility
To determine whether you need to replace the battery, reenter the time and date through System Setup and exit the program properly to save the
information. Turn off your system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet for a few hours; then reconnect and turn on your system. Enter System
Setup. If the date and time are not correct in System Setup, replace your battery.
You can operate your system without a battery; however, without a battery, the system configuration information is erased if the system is turned off
or unplugged from the electrical outlet. In this case, you must enter System Setup and reset the configuration options.
Replacing the Battery
Toreplacethesystembattery,performthefollowingsteps:
1. If you have not already done so, make a copy of your system configuration information in System Setup.
If the settings are lost while you are replacing the battery, refer to your written or printed copy of the system configuration information to
restore the correct settings.
2. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
3. Remove the battery.
See Figure 7 in "Inside Your Computer" for the location of the battery.
NOTICE: If you pry the battery out of its socket with a blunt object, be careful not to touch the system board with the object.
Make certain that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before you attempt to pry out the battery. Otherwise,
you may damage the system board by prying off the socket or by breaking circuit traces on the system board.
Pry the battery out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive object, such as a plastic screwdriver.
4. Install the new battery.
Orient the battery with the side labeled "+" facing up (see Figure 1). Then insert the battery into the socket, and snap it into place.
Figure 1. Replacing the System Battery
CAUTION: There is a danger of the 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.
CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."
5. Replace the computer cover, reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
6. Enter System Setup, and confirm that the battery is operating properly.
Enter the correct time and date through System Setup's System Time and System Date options. Also, use the copy you made in step 1 of
the system configuration information to restore the correct settings for other System Setup options. Then exit System Setup.
7. Turn off and unplug your computer. Leave the computer turned off for at least 10 minutes.
8. After 10 minutes, plug in the computer, turn it on, and enter System Setup. If the time and date are still incorrect, see "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page
ContactingDell:Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Overview
When you need to contact Dell, use the telephone numbers, codes, and electronic addresses provided in the following sections. "International
Dialing Codes" provides the various codes required to make long-distance and international calls. "Americas Contact Numbers," "Europe Contact
Numbers," and "Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers" provide local telephone numbers, area codes, toll-free numbers, and e-mail
addresses, if applicable, for each department or service available in various countries around the world.
If you are making a direct-dialed call to a location outside of your local telephone service area, determine which codes to use (if any) in
"International Dialing Codes," in addition to the local numbers provided in the other sections.
For example, to place an international call from Paris, France to Bracknell, England, dial the international access code for France followed by the
country code for the U.K., the city code for Bracknell, and then the local number as shown in the following illustration:
To place a long-distance call within your own country, use area codes instead of international access codes, country codes, and city codes. For
example, to call Paris, France from Montpellier, France, dial the area code plus the local number as shown in the following illustration:
The codes required depend on where you are calling from as well as the destination of your call; in addition, each country has a different dialing
protocol. If you need assistance in determining which codes to use, contact a local or an international operator.
International Dialing Codes
Click a listed country to obtain the appropriate contact numbers.
International Dialing Codes
Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers
NOTES: Toll-free numbers are for use only within the country for which they are listed. Area codes are most often used to call long
distance within your own country (not internationally)—in other words, when your call originates in the same country you are calling.
Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system direct your call
more efficiently.
International Access
Code
Canada (North York, Ontario)
France (Paris) (Montpellier)
South Africa (Johannesburg)
Department Name or Service
Customer Support, Technical Support
Web site: http://www.dell.com/br
Canada
(North York, Ontario)
Automated Order-Status System
toll free: 1-800-433-9014
AutoTech (Automated technical support)
toll free: 1-800-247-9362
Customer Care (From outside Toronto)
toll free: 1-800-387-5759
Customer Care (From within Toronto)
Customer Technical Support
toll free: 1-800-847-4096
Sales (Direct Sales—from outside Toronto)
toll free: 1-800-387-5752
Sales (Direct Sales—from within Toronto)
Sales (Federal government, education, and medical)
toll free: 1-800-567-7542
toll free: 1-800-387-5755
toll free: 1-800-950-1329
Chile
(Santiago)
NOTE: Customers in
Sales, Customer Support, and Technical Support
Chile call the U.S.A. for
sales, customer, and
technical assistance
Latin America
NOTE: Customers in Latin
America call the U.S.A. for
sales, customer, and
technical assistance.
Customer Technical Support (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
Customer Service (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
Fax (Technical Support and Customer Service)
(Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
Sales (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
SalesFax (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
Mexico
NOTE: Customers in
Mexico call the U.S.A. for
access to the Automated
Order-Status System and
AutoTech.
Automated Order-Status System (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)
AutoTech (Automated technical support) (Austin, Texas,
U.S.A.)
Customer Technical Support
228-7811
toll free: 91-800-900-37
toll free: 91-800-904-49
U.S.A.
(Austin, Texas)
Automated Order-Status System
toll free: 1-800-433-9014
AutoTech (for portable and desktop computers)
toll free: 1-800-247-9362
Dell Home and Small Business Group (for portable and desktop computers):
Customer Technical Support (Return Material
Authorization Numbers)
toll free: 1-800-624-9896
Customer Technical Support
(Home sales purchased via http://www.dell.com)
toll free: 1-877-576-3355
Customer Service
(Credit Return Authorization Numbers)
toll free: 1-800-624-9897
National Accounts (systems purchased by established Dell national accounts [have your account number handy],
medical institutions, or value-added resellers [VARs]):
Customer Service and Technical Support (Return
Material Authorization Numbers)
toll free: 1-800-822-8965
Public Americas International (systems purchased by governmental agencies [local, state, or federal] or
educational institutions):
Customer Service and Technical Support (Return
Material Authorization Numbers)
toll free: 1-800-234-1490
toll free: 1-800-289-3355
toll free: 1-800-879-3355
toll free: 1-800-357-3355
toll free: 1-800-753-7201
Desktop and Portable Fee-Based Technical Support
toll free: 1-800-433-9005
Server Fee-Based Technical Support
toll free: 1-800-967-0765
toll free: 1-800-426-5150
toll free: 1-800-727-8320
toll free: 1-800-950-1329
Dell Services for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or SpeechImpaired
Department Name or Service
Austria
(Vienna)
NOTE: Customers in
Austria call Langen,
Germany for Technical
Support and Customer
Care.
Home/Small Business Sales01795676-02
Home/Small Business Sales Fax01795676-05
Home/Small Business Customer Care01795676-03
Preferred Accounts/Corporate Customer Care
Home/Small Business Technical Support01795676-04
Preferred Accounts/Corporate Technical Support
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: tech_support_germany@dell.com
Home/Small Business Sales
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: czech_dell@dell.com
Denmark
(Horsholm)
NOTE: Customers in
Denmark call Sweden for
fax technical support.
Home/Small Business Customer Care32875505
Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: den_support@dell.com
Home/Small Business Customer Care
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:fin_support@dell.com
France
(Paris/Montpellier)
Switchboard (Alternative)
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_fr_tech@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_fr_tech@dell.com
Home/Small Business Customer Care
Global Segment Customer Care
Preferred Accounts Customer Care
Large Accounts Customer Care
Public Accounts Customer Care
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:tech_support_germany@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_it_tech@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_it_tech@dell.com
Technical Support (Brussels, Belgium)
NOTE: Customers in
Luxembourg call Belgium
for sales, customer, and
technical assistance.
Home/Small Business Sales (Brussels, Belgium)
Corporate Sales (Brussels, Belgium)
Customer Care (Brussels, Belgium)
Switchboard (Brussels, Belgium)
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
Home/Small Business Sales
Home/Small Business Sales Fax
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
Norway
(Lysaker)
NOTE: Customers in
Norway call Sweden for fax
technical support.
Home/Small Business Customer Care231 62298
Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: nor_support@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: pl_support@dell.com
E-mail es_support@dell.com
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_esp_tech@dell.com
Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:web_esp_tech@dell.com
Sweden
(Upplands Vasby)
Home/Small Business Customer Care
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:swe_support@dell.com
Technical Support (Home and Small Business)
Technical Support (Corporate)
Customer Care (Home and Small Business)
Customer Service (Corporate)0848 821 721
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail:swisstech@dell.com
Technical Support (Corporate/Preferred
Accounts/PAD [1000+ employees])
Technical Support (Direct/PAD and General)
Global Accounts Customer Care
Preferred Accounts (500-5000 employees)
Customer Care
Central Government Customer Care
Local Government Customer Care
Home/Small Business Sales 0870 907 4000
Corporate/Public Sector Sales
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com
Department Name or Service
Preferred Accounts Division (PAD)
Customer Technical Support
(Penang, Malaysia)
NOTE: Customers in
Brunei call Malaysia for
customer assistance.
Customer Service
(Penang, Malaysia)
Transaction Sales
(Penang, Malaysia)
Home and Small Business toll free: 800 858 2222
Preferred Accounts Division toll free: 800 858 2062
Large Corporate Accounts toll free: 800 858 2999
Hong Kong
NOTE: Customers in
Hong Kong call Malaysia
for customer assistance.
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)
Technical Support (Server)
TechnicalSupport(Dimension™andInspiron™)
Technical Support Outside of Japan (Dimension
and Inspiron)
TechnicalSupport(DellPrecision™,OptiPlex™,
andLatitude™)
Technical Support Outside of Japan (Dell Precision,
OptiPlex, and Latitude)
24-Hour Automated Order Status Service
Home and Small Business Group Sales
Preferred Accounts Division Sales
Web site: http://support.jp.dell.com
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)
Customer Service (Seoul, Korea)2194-6220
Macau
NOTE: Customers in
Macau call Malaysia for
customer assistance.
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)
Home and Small Business 0800 446 255
(Singapore)
NOTE: Customers in
Singapore call Malaysia
for customer assistance.
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)
South Africa
(Johannesburg)
Web site: http://support.euro.dell.com
E-mail: dell_za_support@dell.com
Southeast Asian/Pacific
Countries
(excluding Australia,
Brunei, China, Hong Kong,
Japan, Korea, Macau,
Malaysia, New Zealand,
Singapore, Taiwan, and
Thailand—refer to
individual listings for these
countries)
Customer Technical Support, Customer Service,
and Sales (Penang, Malaysia)
Technical Support (Servers)
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia) 633 4949
Thailand
NOTE: Customers in
Thailand call Malaysia for
customer assistance.
Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)
Back to Contents Page
Dell™Diagnostics:DellOptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Overview
Ifyouexperienceaproblemwithyourcomputer,runtheDellDiagnosticsbeforeyoucallDellfortechnicalassistance.Thediagnosticstestscheck
yourcomputer'shardwarewithoutadditionalequipmentandwithouttheriskofdestroyingdata.Whenthediagnosticstestscompletewithout
indicating problems, you can have confidence in your computer's operation. If the tests indicate a problem you cannot solve, the test error
messages provide important information you need when talking to Dell's service and support personnel.
NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell computer system. Using this program with other computers may cause
incorrect computer responses or result in error messages.
Features
The diagnostic test group features allow you to take the following actions:
l Perform quick checks or extensive tests on one or all devices
l Choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated
l Display or print test results or save them in a file
l Suspend testing if an error is detected or terminate testing when an adjustable error limit is reached
l Access online Help screens that describe the tests and tell how to run them
l Read status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests completed successfully
l Receive error messages that appear if problems are detected
Before You Start Testing
l Read "Safety First—For You and Your Computer" and the safety instructions in your System Information Guide.
l Turn on your printer if one is attached, and make sure it is online.
l Enter system setup, confirm your computer's system configuration information, and enable all of its components and devices, such as ports.
l Perform the checks in "Basic Checks."
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
1. Shut down and restart the computer.
2. Press <F2> at the start of the boot routine to access the System Setup screen.
3. Select the Boot Sequence option and press <Enter>.
4. Select CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive as the first device in the boot sequence.
5. Insert the Dell ResourceCD into the CD-ROM drive.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
NOTE: Dell recommends that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTE: Record your current boot sequence in the event you want to restore it after running the Dell Diagnostics.
6. Press <Alt><b> to exit system setup and save the change.
ThecomputerrebootsandtheDelllogoscreenappears,followedbyamessagetellingyouthatthediagnosticsisloading.Whenthe
diagnostics load, the following Diagnostics Main Menu screen appears:
7. Select an option from the Diagnostics Main Menu screen by pressing the up- or down-arrow key to highlight the option and pressing
<Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the option title.
l Test All Devices — Performs quick or extensive tests on all devices
l Test One Device —Performs quick or extensive tests on a single device after you select it from a list of device groups. After
you select Test One Device, press <F1> for more information about a test
l Advanced Testing —Allows you to modify the parameters of a test, select a group of tests to perform, and access additional
information about Advanced Testing
l Information and Results —Provides test results, test errors, version numbers of subtests, and additional information on the
Dell Diagnostics
l Program Options —Allows you to change the settings of the Dell Diagnostics
l Exit to MS-DOS —Exits to the MS-DOS®prompt
8. Select Quick Tests from the Test All Devices or Test One Device option to perform a quick check of your computer or a specific device.
Quick Tests runs only the subtests that run fast and do not require user interaction. Dell recommends that you select Quick Tests first to
increase your chance of locating the problem quickly.
9. Select Extended Tests from the Test All Devices or Test One Device option for a thorough check of your computer or to check a
particular area of your computer.
10. Select the Advanced Testing option to customize your test(s).
11. Remove the ResourceCD from the CD-ROM drive when you have finished running the Dell Diagnostics.
Advanced Testing
When you select Advanced Testing from the Diagnostics Main Menu screen, the following advanced testing screen appears.
Information in the Advanced Testing screen is presented as follows:
NOTE: To change the boot sequence, repeat steps 1 through 6, set the boot sequence to fit your needs, and restart your
computer.
l Device Groups — Lists the diagnostic test groups in the order they run if you select All from the Run tests menu option
To select a test device group, press the up- or down-arrow key to highlight the group.
l Devices for Highlighted Group —Lists the computer's current hardware
l Device groups: menu bar —Contains the options Run tests, Devices, Select, Config, and Help.
To select a menu option, press the left- or right-arrow key to highlight the option and press <Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the
highlighted letter in the category title.
For more information on using the Advanced Testing screen, select the Help menu option.
Advanced Testing Help Menu
The Help options and a description of their functions are presented in the following table.
Back to Contents Page
NOTE: The diagnostics may not list in the Device Groups area the names of all components or devices that are part of your
computer system. For example, it may not list a printer even though it is connected to your computer. However, the parallel
port to which the printer is connected appears in the Device Groups list. You can test your printer connection in the Parallel
Ports tests.
NOTE: The options displayed on your screen should reflect the hardware configuration of your computer.
Describes the Advanced Testing screen, the Device Groups, and the diagnostic menus and commands and gives
instructions on how to use them
Explains the functions of all keystrokes that can be used in the Dell Diagnostics
Describes the highlighted group in the Device Groups list on the main menu and provides reasons for using certain
tests
Describes the highlighted device in the Device Groups list on the Advanced Testing screen
Describes the test procedure for each highlighted test group subtest
Lists the version numbers of the subtests
Back to Contents Page
Diskette, Tape, and CD-ROMDrives:Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Installing a CD-ROM Drive in a Small-Form-Factor Chassis
To install a CD-ROM drive in the 5.25-inch drive bay in the small-form-factor chassis, perform the following steps.
1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electromagnetic static (EMS), ground yourself by touching an unpainted
metal surface on the back of the computer.
Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer system. Change any settings
necessary for your configuration.
2. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
3. If a drive is already installed in the drive bay, remove it.
Disconnect the power cable and interface cable from the back of the drive. Push down on the drive release tab on the right side of the
drive (see Figure 1), and slide the drive forward out of the chassis.
Figure 1. Removing a CD-ROM Drive From the Small-Form-Factor Chassis
4. Install the new drive in the chassis.
Align the tabs along the bottom of the drive with the notches on the chassis, and slide the drive toward the back of the chassis until it
snaps into place (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. Inserting a CD-ROM Drive in the Small-Form-Factor Chassis
Installing a CD-ROM Drive in a Small-Form-Factor Chassis
Installing a Diskette, Tape, or CD-ROM Drive in a Mini Tower
Chassis
Installing a Diskette, Tape, or CD-ROM Drive in a Low-Profile
Chassis
CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you install a drive, see
the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."
5. Connect a power cable and an interface cable to the appropriate connectors on the back of the drive (see Figure 3).
Figure 3. Attaching Cables to a CD-ROM Drive in the Small-Form-Factor Chassis
Check all cable connections. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
6. Replace the computer cover; reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
7. Update your system configuration information.
Set the Drive 0 option under Drives: Secondary to Auto. See "Primary Drive n and Secondary Drive n" for more information.
8. Verify that your system works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Installing a Diskette, Tape, or CD-ROM Drive in a Low-Profile Chassis
To install a diskette, tape, or CD-ROM drive in a 5.25-inch drive bay in a low-profile chassis, perform the following steps.
1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electromagnetic static (EMS), ground yourself by touching an unpainted
metal surface on the back of the computer.
Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer system. Change any settings
necessary for your configuration.
If you are installing an enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting. You usually
configure a drive for cable select by setting a jumper or switch, depending on the drive. For instructions on configuring the cable select
setting, see the documentation that accompanied the drive.
2. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
3. Remove the 3.5-inch diskette drive/bracket assembly.
Facing the front of the computer, press outward on the two tabs on the left side of the drive bay to disengage the bracket from the
chassis (see Figure 4). Then rotate the bracket upward, and remove it from the chassis.
Figure 4. Removing the 3.5-Inch Diskette Drive/Bracket Assembly
4. Lift the 5.25-inch drive bracket straight up and out of the chassis (see Figure 5).
CAUTION:Toavoidthepossibilityofelectricshock,turnoffthecomputerandanyperipherals,disconnectthemfromtheir
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you install a drive, see
the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."
If a drive is already installed in the bay and you are replacing it, be sure to disconnect the DC power cable and interface cable from the
back of the drive before you remove the drive/bracket assembly. To remove the old drive from the bracket, turn the drive/bracket
assembly upside down and unscrew the four screws that secure the drive to the bracket (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Removing the 5.25-Inch Drive Bracket
5. Attach the bracket to the new drive.
a. Turn the drive upside down, and locate the four screw holes around its perimeter. Fit the bracket over the drive so that the
notched end aligns with the front of the drive. Use the score marks on the drive bracket to help align the screw holes on the drive
with the screw holes on the bracket (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Installing a Drive in the 5.25-Inch Drive Bracket
b. To further ensure proper positioning of the drive in the bracket, insert and tighten all four screws in the order in which the holes
are numbered (the holes are marked "1" through "4").
6. Reinstall the 5.25-inch diskette drive/bracket assembly in the chassis.
Align the notches on the front of the drive bracket (see Figure 6) with the front of the computer. Hold the bracket level, and lower the
assembly straight down into place (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Inserting the Drive/Bracket Assembly Into the Drive Bay
7. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in an expansion slot.
8. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 8).
9. Connect the appropriate interface cable to the interface connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 8).
If your system came with an enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) CD-ROM or tape drive, use the spare connector on the
existing interface cable. Otherwise, use the EIDE interface cable provided in the drive kit.
Figure 8. Attaching Cables to a Drive in the 5.25-Inch Drive Bay
10. Connect the interface cable to the system board or a controller card, depending on the type of drive.
l For an EIDE tape drive or CD-ROM drive, connect the other end of the interface cable to the interface connector labeled "IDE2"
on the system board (see Figure 7 in "Inside Your Computer").
l For a diskette drive or non-EIDE tape drive, connect the cable from the drive to the interface connector labeled "DSKT" on the
system board (see Figure 7 in "Inside Your Computer").
l For a drive that comes with its own controller card, connect the other end of the interface cable to the controller card.
Check all cable connections. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
11. If the 5.25-inch drive bay was previously empty, remove the front-panel insert from the front bezel.
12. Replace the computer cover; reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
13. Update your system configuration information.
l For a diskette drive, enter System Setup and update the appropriate Diskette Drive A or Diskette Drive B option to reflect the
size and capacity of your new diskette drive.
l If you installed a non-EIDE tape drive as the second drive, set the Diskette Drive B option to Not Installed.
l For EIDE CD-ROM and tape drives, set the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives: Secondary to Auto. See "Primary
Drive n and Secondary Drive n" for more information.
14. Verify that your system works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Installing a Diskette, Tape, or CD-ROM Drive in a Mini Tower Chassis
To install a diskette, tape, or CD-ROM drive in a 5.25-inch drive bay, perform the following steps.
1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
NOTICE: To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electromagnetic static (EMS), ground yourself by touching an unpainted
metal surface on the back of the computer.
Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer system. Change any settings
necessary for your configuration.
If you are installing an enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting. The cable select
setting is located on the drive. To configure the cable select setting, see the documentation that accompanied the drive.
Diskette/tape drive interface cable
NOTE: Tape drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation. After you install a tape drive, refer to the
documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing and using the tape drive software.
CAUTION:Toavoidthepossibilityofelectricshock,turnoffthecomputerandanyperipherals,disconnectthemfromtheir
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you install a drive, see
the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."
2. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
3. Remove the front bezel (mini tower only) as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel."
4. Remove the drive bracket from the bay you want to use.
a. Squeeze the metal tabs that extend from each side of the drive bracket toward each other, and pull the bracket out of the bay (see
Figure 9).
Figure 9. Removing a Drive
b. If a drive is already installed in the bay and you are replacing it, disconnect the DC power cable and interface cable from the back
of the drive before you slide the bracket out of the bay.
c. To remove the installed drive from the bracket, turn the drive/bracket assembly upside down and unscrew the four screws that
secure the drive to the bracket (see Figure 10).
5. Attach the bracket to the replacement drive.
a. Turn the drive upside down, and locate the four screw holes around its perimeter.
b. Fit the bracket over the drive, and then tilt the front of the drive up so that the bracket drops down into place.
c. To ensure proper installation, align all screw holes and ensure that the tabs on the front of the bracket are flush with the front of the drive
(see Figure 10).
Figure 10. Attaching the Drive Bracket to the New Drive
d. To further ensure proper positioning of the drive in the bracket, insert and tighten all four screws in the order in which the holes
are numbered (the holes are labeled "1" through "4").
6. Slide the drive into the drive bay until the drive snaps securely into place (see Figure 11).
Make sure that both bracket tabs snap into place in the drive bay.
Figure 11. Inserting the New Drive Into the Drive Bay
NOTE: For easier access inside the chassis, you may want to rotate the power supply out of the way temporarily.
7. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 12).
8. Connect the appropriate interface cable to the interface connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 12).
If your system came with an EIDE CD-ROM or tape drive, use the spare connector on the existing interface cable. Otherwise, use the EIDE
interface cable provided in the drive kit.
NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive's interface connector to avoid possible damage
to your system.
Figure 12. Attaching Diskette Drive or Tape Drive Cables
9. Connect the interface cable to the system board.
l For an EIDE tape drive or CD-ROM drive, connect the other end of the interface cable to the interface connector labeled "IDE2"
on the system board (see Figure 7 in "Inside Your Computer").
l For a diskette drive, connect the cable from the drive to the interface connector labeled "DSKT" on the system board (see Figure
7 in "Inside Your Computer").
Check all cable connections. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
10. If the 5.25-inch drive bay was previously empty, remove the front-panel insert from the front bezel.
11. Replace the front bezel (mini tower only).
12. Replace the computer cover, reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
13. Update your system configuration information in System Setup.
l For a diskette drive, update the appropriate Diskette Drive option (A or B) to reflect the size and capacity of your new diskette
drive.
l For EIDE CD-ROM and tape drives, set the appropriate Secondary Drive option (0 or 1) to Auto.
14. Verify that your system works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Connecting Drives
When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and an interface cable—to the back of the drive. Your drive’s power input
connector(towhichyouconnecttheDCpowercable)resemblestheconnectorshowninFigure13.
Figure 13. Power Cable Connector
The drive’s interface connector is a card-edge connector or a header connector, as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14. Drive Interface Connectors
When you attach the interface cable to a drive, be sure to match the colored strip on the cable to pin 1 of the drive’s interface connector. For the
location of pin 1 on the drive’s interface connector, see the documentation that came with the drive.
When you disconnect an interface cable from the system board, be sure to press in on the locking tabs on the cable connector before you
disconnect the cable. When you attach an interface cable to the system board, be sure that the locking tabs snap into place so that the cable is
firmly attached to the connector on the system board.
Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the
other connector (see Figure 14). Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored strip along one edge of the
cable) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector.
The pin-1 end of a connector on a board or a card is usually indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed directly on the board or card.
NOTICE: When you connect an interface cable, do not reverse the interface cable (do not place the colored strip away from pin 1 of
the connector). Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both.
Back to Contents Page
NOTE: Tape drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation. After you install a tape drive,
refer to the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing and using the tape drive software.
Card-edge connector on drive
Header connector on drive
Back to Contents Page
ExpansionCards:Dell™OptiPlex™GX100SystemUser'sGuide
Overview
OptiPlex GX100 systems can accommodate a mix of 32-bitPeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)expansioncardsand,optionally,16-bit and
8-bit Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion cards, depending on the chassis and riser board. See Figure 1 for examples of the expansion
cards.
Figure 1. Expansion Cards
Riser Boards
The expansion-card connectors are located on a riser board that differs for each chassis:
l Small-form-factor chassis riser board
l Low-profile chassis riser board
l Mini tower chassis riser board
Small-Form-Factor Chassis Riser Board
The small-form-factor chassis riser board has two PCI expansion-card connectors (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. Small-Form-Factor Chassis Riser Board
Low-Profile Chassis Riser Board
The low-profile chassis is available with either a PCI riser board (see Figure 3) or a PCI/ISA riser board (see Figure 4). The PCI riser board
provides three PCI expansion card slots. The PCI/ISA riser board provides one PCI expansion slot, one ISA expansion slot, and one shared
PCI/ISA expansion slot.
Figure 3. Low-Profile Chassis PCI Riser Board (Standard)
Installing an Expansion Card
Removing an Expansion Card
16-bit ISA expansion card
32-bit PCI expansion card
NOTE: If you choose one of the optional riser boards with ISA expansion-card connectors, evaluate the performance of any ISA
expansion cards on a single system before you order other ISA riser boards. Dell recommends this step due to the broad range of ISA
implementations in the computer industry.
Auxiliary power indicator (AUX_LED)
Remote Wakeup header (WOL)
PCI expansion-card connector 1 (PCI1)
PCI expansion-card connector 2 (PCI2)
Figure 4. Low-Profile Chassis PCI/ISA Riser Board (Optional)
Mini Tower Chassis Riser Board
The mini tower chassis is available with either a PCI riser board (see Figure 5) or a PCI/ISA riser board (see Figure 6). The PCI riser board
provides five PCI expansion card slots. The PCI/ISA riser board provides three PCI expansion slots, two ISA expansion slots, and two shared
PCI/ISA expansion slots.
Figure 5. Mini Tower Chassis PCI Riser Board (Standard)
Figure 6. Mini Tower Chassis PCI/ISA Riser Board (Optional)
Auxiliary power indicator (AUX_LED)
Remote Wakeup header (WOL)
PCI expansion-card connector 1 (PCI1)
PCI expansion-card connector 2 (PCI2)
PCI expansion-card connector 3 (PCI3)
Standby power indicator (AUX_LED)
ISA expansion slot 1 (ISA1)
ISA expansion slot 2 (ISA2)
Remote Wakeup header (WOL)
PCI expansion slot 1 (PCI1)
PCI expansion slot 2 (PCI2)
Auxiliary power indicator (AUX_LED)
PCI expansion-card connector 5 (PCI5)
Remote Wakeup header (WOL)
PCI expansion-card connector 1 (PCI1)
PCI expansion slot 1 (PCI1)
PCI expansion slot 2 (PCI2)
PCI expansion slot 3 (PCI3)
PCI expansion slot 4 (PCI4)
ISA expansion slot 1 (ISA1)
Standby power indicator LED (AUX_LED)
ISA expansion slot 4 (ISA4)
ISA expansion slot 3 (ISA3)
ISA expansion slot 2 (ISA2)
PCI expansion slot 5 (PCI5)
Remote Wakeup header (WOL)
Installing an Expansion Card
To install an expansion card, perform the following steps.
1. Prepare the expansion card for installation, and remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the
Computer Cover."
2. See the documentation that came with the expansion card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise
customizing it for your system.
3. Unscrew and remove the metal filler bracket that covers the card-slot opening for the expansion-card connector you intend to use (see Figure
7).
Save the screw for use when you install the expansion card later in this procedure.
Figure 7. Removing the Filler Bracket
4. Insert the expansion card into the expansion-card connector.
a. If the expansion card is full-length, insert the front end of the card into the corresponding card guide on the inside front of the
chassis as you insert the card into its connector.
b. Insert the card's edge connector firmly into the expansion-card connector.
c. Gently rock the card into the connector until it is fully seated (see Figure 8, Figure 9, or Figure 10 for instructions for the small-
form-factor, low-profile, and mini tower chassis, respectively).
Figure 8. Installing an Expansion Card in a Small-Form-Factor Chassis
Figure 9. Installing an Expansion Card in a Low-Profile Chassis
CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you install an
expansion card, see the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."
CAUTION: Some network cards automatically start up the system when they are connected. To guard against electrical
shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before you install any expansion cards.
Figure 10. Installing an Expansion Card in a Mini Tower Chassis
5. When the card is firmly seated in the connector, secure the card's mounting bracket to the chassis with the screw you removed in step 2.
6. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
7. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
ALERT! Cover was previously removed.
8. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter System Setup and reset Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
See "Chassis Intrusion" for instructions.
9.
While in System Setup, if you installed an entry-level OptiPlex sound card, change the setting for Sound to Off.
Removing an Expansion Card
To remove an expansion card, perform the following steps.
1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector causes the following message to appear on the
screen at the next system start-up:
NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting
the chassis intrusion detector.
CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you remove or replace
an expansion card, see the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."
2. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
3. Unscrew the mounting bracket of the card you want to remove.
4. Grasp the card by its outside corners, and ease it out of its connector.
5. If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty card-slot opening.
6. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
ALERT! Cover was previously removed.
7. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter System Setup and reset Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
8.
Back to Contents Page
NOTE: You must install filler brackets over empty card-slot openings to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector causes the following message to appear on the
screen at the next system start-up:
NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting
the chassis intrusion detector.