Dell OptiPlex GX1p User Manual

Dell™OptiPlex™GX1andGX1pMiniTowerManagedPCSystemsReferenceand

Installation Guide

Model MMP

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, OptiPlex, DellWare, Dell OpenManage, and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks, and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks, and Windows for Workgroups is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation; IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation; 3Com and EtherLink are registered trademarks, and Fast EtherLink is a trademark of 3Com Corporation; VESA is a registered trademark of Video Electronics Standards Association; UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. 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: 7 Dec 1998 Last revised: 31 Jan 2000

Introduction

Using the System Setup Program

Using the ISA Configuration Utility

Working Inside Your Computer

Installing System Board Options

Installing Drives

Technical Specifications

ISA Configuration Utility Messages

NOTE: You can obtain the latest version of this document from the Dell Web support site at http://support.dell.com.

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Working Inside Your Computer:Dell™OptiPlex™GX1andGX1pMiniTowerManaged PC Systems

Overview

Your Dell computer system supports a variety of internal options that expand system capabilities. This chapter prepares you to install options inside the computer. It describes how to remove and replace the computer cover and expansion-card cage, as well as rotate the power supply away from the system board. It also familiarizes you with the internal components you may handle if you install Dell hardware options.

Before You Begin

To make working inside your computer easier, make sure you have adequate lighting and a clean work space. If you temporarily disconnect cables or remove expansion cards, note the position of the connectors and slots so that you can reassemble the system correctly.

You will use the information in this section every time you install a hardware option inside your computer. Read this section carefully, because the information is not repeated in detail elsewhere in this guide.

Safety First — For You and Your Computer

Working inside your computer is safe—if you observe the following precautions.

Before starting to work on your computer, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated:

1. Touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis, such as the power supply, 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. Also avoid touching components or contacts on a card and avoid touching pins on a chip.

2. Turn off your computer and all peripherals.

3. Disconnect your computer and peripherals from their AC power sources. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.

4. If you are disconnecting a peripheral from the computer or are removing a component from the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting the peripheral or removing the component to avoid possible damage to the system board.

In addition, Dell recommends that you periodically review the safety instructions in your System Information Guide.

Unpacking Your Hardware Option

When you remove an option from its shipping carton, you may find it wrapped in antistatic packing material designed to protect it from electrostatic damage. Do not remove the packing material until you are ready to install the option.

Removing the Computer Cover

Use the following procedure to remove the computer cover:

1. Turn off your computer and peripherals, and observe the Caution for Your Personal Safety and Protection of Your Equipment described in "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."

2. If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back panel (see Figure 1), remove the padlock.

Overview

Inside Your Computer

Before You Begin

Removing and Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage

Removing the Computer Cover

Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board

Replacing the Computer Cover

CAUTION FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF YOUR EQUIPMENT

Figure 1. Padlock Installed

3. Remove the cover.

Face the back of the computer and slide the upper half of the padlock ring to the left to unlock the cover release mechanism. Face the left side cover and press the left-cover release button that is located at the bottom-left corner of the front panel (see Figure 2). Lift the bottom of the cover, allowing it to pivot up toward you. Disengage the tabs that secure the cover to the top of the chassis, and lift the cover away.

Figure 2. Removing the Computer Cover

Replacing the Computer Cover

Use the following procedure to replace the computer cover:

1. Check all cable connections, especially those that might have come loose during your work. Fold cables out of the way so that they do not catch on the computer cover. Make sure cables are not routed over the drive cage. They will prevent the cover from closing properly.

2. Check to see that no tools or extra parts (including screws) are left inside the computer's chassis.

3. Replace the cover.

Face the left side of the computer and hold the cover at a slight angle as shown in Figure 3. While aligning the top of the cover with the top of the chassis, insert the hooks on the cover into the recessed slots on the computer chassis.

Pivot the cover down toward the bottom of the chassis and into position. With both hands, press against the bottom edge of the cover to make sure that the securing hooks at the bottom of the cover click into place.

Slide the two halves of the padlock ring together to lock the cover release mechanism.

Figure 3. Replacing the Computer Cover

4. If you are using a padlock to secure your system, reinstall the padlock.

Inside Your Computer

Figure 4 shows a side view of your computer to help orient you when installing hardware options. Unless otherwise specified, locations or

directions relative to the computer are as shown.

Figure 4. Computer Orientation View

Figure 5 shows your computer with its cover removed. Refer to this illustration to locate interior features and components discussed in this guide.

When you look inside your computer, note the DC power cables coming from the power supply. These cables supply power to the system board; to internal diskette drives, hard-disk drives, and tape drives; and to certain expansion cards that connect to external peripherals.

The flat ribbon cable in Figure 5 is typical of the interface cables for internal drives. An interface cable connects a drive to a connector on the system board or on an expansion card.

The system board—the large printed circuit board mounted vertically inside the chassis—holds the computer's control circuitry and other electronic components. Some hardware options are installed directly onto the system board. The riser board at the bottom of the chassis contains the expansion-card connectors.

During an installation procedure, you may be required to change a jumper setting on the system board and/or a jumper setting on an expansion card or on a drive. Jumpers provide a convenient and reversible way of reconfiguring the circuitry on a printed circuit board. For more information, see "Jumpers."

Figure 5. Inside the Chassis

NOTE: The computer should be placed fully on a flat surface. It is difficult to align the cover if the front to the computer is hanging over the edge of table.

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Jumpers

Jumpers are small blocks on a circuit board with two or more pins emerging from them. Plastic plugs containing a wire fit down over the pins. The wire connects the pins and creates a circuit.

To change a jumper setting, pull the plug off its pin(s) and carefully fit it down onto the pin(s) indicated.

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A jumper is referred to as open or unjumpered when the plug is pushed down over only one pin or if there is no plug at all. When the plug is pushed down over two pins, the jumper is referred to as jumpered. In some documents, the jumper setting may be shown in text as two numbers, such as 1-2. The number 1 is printed on the circuit board so that you can identify each pin number based on the location of pin 1.

Figure 6 shows the location and default settings of the jumper blocks on your system board. See Table 1 for the designations, default settings, and functions of your system's jumpers.

Figure 6. System Board Jumpers

Table 1. System-Board Jumper Settings

NOTICE: Make sure your system is turned off before you change a jumper setting. Otherwise, damage to your system or unpredictable results may occur.

Jumper

Setting

Description

PSWD

Password features are enabled.

System Board and Riser Board Labels

Table 2 lists the labels for connectors and sockets on your system board and riser board, and it gives a brief description of their functions. Table 2. System Board and Riser Board Connectors and Sockets

Password features are disabled.

BIOS

Reserved (do not change).

BUS66M

Reserved (do not change).

266MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

300MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

333MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

350MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

400MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

450MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

500MHZ*

Reserved (do not change).

The correct microprocessor speed is automatically detected and set by the system. Do not change the settings of these jumpers.

The system can operate with a microprocessor speed up to 600 MHz.

NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in your online System User's Guide.

jumpered

unjumpered

Connector or Socket

Description

AMC

ATI multimedia channel

BATTERY

Battery socket

CD_IN

CD-ROM audio interface connector

DIMM_x

DIMM socket

DSKT

Diskette/tape drive interface connector

ENET

NIC connector (optional)

FAN

Microprocessor fan connector

HDLED

Hard-disk drive LED connector (on riser board)

IDEn

EIDE interface connector

INTRUSION

Chassis intrusion switch connector

ISAn*

ISA expansion-card connector (on riser board)

KYBD

Keyboard connector

LINE-IN

Audio line-in jack

LINE-OUT

Audio line-out jack (amplified source)

MIC

Microphone jack

MONITOR

Video connector

MOUSE

Mouse connector

Wakeup On LAN power connector (on riser board)

PANEL

Control panel connector

PARALLEL

Parallel port connector; sometimes referred to as LPT1

PCIn*

PCI expansion-card connector (on riser board)

POWER_1

Main power input connector

POWER_2

3.3-V power input connector

RISER

Riser board connector

SERIALn

Serial port connectors

SLOT1

Pentium II processor SEC cartridge connector

TAPI

Telephony connector

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Removing and Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage

Your Dell computer has a removable expansion-card cage, which greatly simplifies many installation procedures by allowing you to remove the riser board and all installed expansion cards in a single step.

Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

Use the following procedure to remove the expansion-card cage:

1. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

2. Check any cables connected to expansion cards through the back-panel openings. Disconnect any cables that will not reach to where the cage must be placed upon removal from the chassis.

3. Locate the securing lever (see Figure 7). Rotate the lever toward the back of the computer until it stops.

Figure 7. Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

4. Slide the expansion-card cage out of the chassis.

5. Lift the expansion-card cage up and away from the chassis.

Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage

Use the following procedure to replace the expansion-card cage:

1. With the securing lever in its extended position, align the tabs on the left and right sides of the expansion-card cage with the slots on the back and bottom of the chassis (see Figure 7). Slide the expansion-card cage into place.

2. Rotate the securing lever inward until it is flush with the side of the chassis. Make sure that the riser board is fully seated in the RISER connector on the system board.

3. Reconnect any cables you removed in step 2 of "Removing the Expansion-Card Cage."

4. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.

Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board

USB

USB connectors

VIDEO_UPGRADE

Video-memory upgrade socket

For information on ISA and PCI connectors, see "Expansion Cards."

NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in your online System User's Guide.

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."

NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

To access some components on the system board, you may have to rotate the system power supply out of the way. Use the following procedure to rotate the power supply:

1. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

2. Disconnect the AC power cable from the AC power receptacle on the back of the power supply (see Figure 8).

Figure 8. Rotating the Power Supply

3. Free the power supply from the securing tab labeled "RELEASE —>, " and rotate it upward until it locks in its extended position.

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CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."

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Installing Drives:Dell™OptiPlex™GX1andGX1pMiniTowerManagedPCSystems

Overview

Your Dell computer has six drive bays for installing the following types of drives (see Figure 1):

l The externally accessible drive bays at the front of the computer consist of one 3.5-inch drive bay (dedicated to a 3.5-inch diskette drive) and

three 5.25-inch bays that can hold up to three half-height, 5.25-inch devices—typically tape drives or CD-ROM drives. Alternately, 3.5-inch devices can be installed in the 5.25-inch bays using adapters available from Dell.

l The two hard-disk drive bays can each hold a 3.5-inch enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) or small computer system interface

(SCSI) hard-disk drive. Together, the bays can hold one 1-inch-high (or smaller) drive and one 1.6-inch-high (or smaller) drive.

The next three sections contain information that you will need in several installation procedures. The remaining sections cover each type of drive installation.

Figure 1. Drive Locations

Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel

The bezel is secured to the front of the chassis by two tabs and two hooks. The tab release for the bezel is at the top of the computer chassis and can be accessed only with the computer cover removed (see "Removing the Computer Cover"). With the cover removed, release the bezel by pressing the tab release marked with the icon (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Removing the Front Bezel

Overview

Installing a Drive in a 5.25-Inch Drive Bay

Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel

Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive

Removing and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts

Installing SCSI Devices

Connecting Drives

NOTE: In all of the following procedures, left and right refer to your left and right as you face the front of the computer.

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While pressing the tab release, tilt the bezel away from the chassis, disengage the two retaining hooks at the bottom of the bezel, and carefully pull the bezel away from the chassis.

To replace the bezel, fit the two retaining hooks on the bezel into their corresponding slots at the bottom of the chassis. Then rotate the top of the bezel toward the chassis until the top tabs snap into their corresponding slots on the bezel.

Removing and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts

Empty drive bays contain a front-panel insert to protect the inside of the computer from dust particles and also to ensure proper airflow within the computer. Before you install a drive in an empty drive bay, you must first remove the front-panel insert.

To remove the insert covering a 5.25-inch bay, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all the AC power cables from their power sources.

2. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

3. Remove the front bezel as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel."

4. With your thumbs, press in each end of the insert until it snaps free of the bezel (see Figure 3). Figure 3. Removing the Front-Panel Insert for a 5.25-Inch Bay

To replace a front-panel insert for a 5.25-inch bay, work from inside the bezel. Position the insert behind the bay opening, insert the two ring-tabs (one on each end of the insert) over the posts on the inside of the opening, and firmly press both ends of the insert into place (see Figure 3).

Connecting Drives

When installing 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 (to which you connect the DC power cable) resembles the connector shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4. DC Power Cable Connector

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."

The drive's interface connector is a card-edge connector or a header connector, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5. Drive Interface Connectors

When attaching 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 disconnecting an interface cable from the system board, be sure to press in on the locking tabs on the cable connector before disconnecting the cable. When attaching an interface cable to the system board, be sure that the locking tabs snap into place, ensuring 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 5). Keying ensures 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 card-edge connector is usually identified by a notch cut about a quarter of an inch from the end of the connector, as shown in

Figure 5. A header connector is usually keyed by the omission of one of its pins (see Figure 5), with the corresponding hole filled in on the

connector cable. 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.

Installing a Drive in a 5.25-Inch Drive Bay

The 5.25-inch drive bays can accommodate any of the following types of drives:

l A diskette drive or tape drive that uses the diskette/tape drive interface on the system board l A CD-ROM or tape drive that uses an EIDE interface on the system board l A CD-ROM or tape drive that uses its own controller card

To install a drive in a 5.25-inch drive bay, follow these steps.

1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.

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.

NOTICE: When connecting 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.

NOTE: For information on configuring, connecting, and installing SCSI drives, see "Installing SCSI Devices."

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 "Safety First — For You and Your Computer."

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

If you are installing an EIDE CD-ROM or EIDE tape drive, configure the drive for the Cable Select setting.

2. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

3. Remove the front bezel as instructed in "Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel."

4. Remove the drive bracket from the bay you want to use.

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 6).

Figure 6. Removing a Drive

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 sliding the bracket out of the bay. 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 7).

5. Attach the bracket to the new drive.

Turn the drive upside down and locate the four screw holes around its perimeter. Fit the bracket over the drive, and then tilt the drive (front upward) so that the bracket drops down into place. To ensure proper installation, all screw holes should be aligned and the tabs on the front of the bracket should be flush with the front of the drive (see Figure 7).

Figure 7. Attaching the Drive Bracket to the New Drive

To further ensure proper positioning of the drive in the chassis, insert and tighten all four screws in the order in which the holes are numbered (the holes are marked "1" through "4").

6. Slide the new drive into the drive bay until it snaps securely into place (see Figure 8).

Make sure that both bracket tabs snap into place in the drive bay.

Figure 8. Inserting the New Drive Into the Drive Bay

NOTE: If you are installing a non-EIDE tape drive, check the documentation for the drive to determine the jumper or switch settings used to designate the drive as drive address DS4 (not DS2 or DS3 as may be indicated in the drive documentation). Unless the drive is already set to drive 4, reconfigure its jumper or switch setting (see "Jumpers.")

NOTE: For easier access inside the chassis, you may want to rotate the power supply out of the way temporarily. To do so, see "Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board."

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7. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in an expansion slot.

See "Installing an Expansion Card."

8. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 9).

9. Connect the appropriate interface cable to the interface connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 9).

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 cable provided in the drive kit.

Figure 9. Attaching Diskette Drive or Tape Drive Cables

10. 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.

For a diskette drive, connect the cable from the drive to the interface connector labeled "DSKT" on the system board. 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. See "Removing and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts."

12. Replace the front bezel and computer cover.

If the bezel on your drive is not flush with the bezel on your computer, remove the drive and adjust the position of the drive on the bracket, making sure to insert and tighten the screws in the order marked. Replace the drive in the drive bay, and then replace the computer cover.

13. Reconnect your computer and peripherals to an electrical outlet, and turn them on.

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.

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NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

14. Enter the System Setup program and update your system configuration.

For a diskette drive, update the appropriate Diskette Drive option (A or B) on Page 1 of the System Setup screens to reflect the size and capacity of your new diskette drive.

If you installed a non-EIDE tape drive as the second drive, set the Diskette Drive B option to Not Installed. For EIDE CD-ROM and tape drives, set the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives: Secondary to Auto.

15. Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that your system works correctly.

See your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the Dell Diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may occur. Use the following guidelines to determine which test to use:

¡ If you installed a diskette drive, test it by running all of the subtests in the Diskette Drive(s) test group of the Dell Diagnostics. ¡ If you installed a CD-ROM drive, see the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on loading device drivers and using the

drive. If it is an EIDE CD-ROM drive, test it by running all of the subtests in the integrated drive electronics (IDE) CD-ROM Drives test group of the Dell Diagnostics.

¡ If you installed a tape drive, first verify that your diskette drive is still operating correctly by running all of the subtests in the Diskette

Drive(s) test group of the Dell Diagnostics. Then perform a tape backup and verification test with the drive as instructed in the software documentation that came with the tape drive.

Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive

This section includes information on installing, partitioning, and formatting EIDE hard-disk drives. For instructions on installing, partitioning, and formatting SCSI hard-disk drives, see "Installing SCSI Devices."

Up to two EIDE drives (one of which must be 1 inch high or less) can be installed in the hard-disk drive bracket below the drive cage. The first EIDE drive is installed in the 1-inch (lower) drive bay labeled "HD1"; a second drive is installed in the 1.6-inch bay labeled "HD2."

EIDE Drive Addressing

All EIDE devices should be configured for the Cable Select jumper position, which assigns master and slave status to devices by their position on the interface cable. When two EIDE devices are connected to a single EIDE cable and are configured for the Cable Select jumper position, the device attached to the last connector on the interface cable is the master, or boot, device (drive 0), and the device attached to the middle connector on the interface cable is the slave device (drive 1). Refer to the drive documentation in your upgrade kit for information on setting devices to the Cable Select jumper position.

With the two EIDE interface connectors on the system board, your system can support up to four EIDE devices. EIDE hard-disk drives should be connected to the EIDE interface connector labeled "IDE1." (EIDE tape drives and CD-ROM drives should be connected to the EIDE interface connector labeled "IDE2.")

Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive in the Hard-Disk Drive Bracket

Install an EIDE hard-disk drive in the hard-disk drive bracket as follows:

1. If you are replacing a hard-disk drive that contains data you want to keep, be sure to make a backup of your files before you

begin this procedure.

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

NOTE: The 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.

NOTE: If you want to install a second EIDE drive that is a different type from the first drive but you do not have the specifications for the first drive, do one of the following:

l If you purchased the drive from Dell, you can contact Dell for the necessary reconfiguration information. (See the chapter titled

"Getting Help" in the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.)

l If you did not purchase the drive from Dell, call the drive manufacturer.

2. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.

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 EIDE CD-ROM or EIDE tape drive, configure the drive for the Cable Select setting.

3. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

4. Remove the drive bracket from the chassis.

If a hard-disk drive is already installed on the drive bracket, disconnect the DC power cable and EIDE cable from the drive. Remove the screw securing the hard-disk drive bracket to the front wall of the chassis. Grasp the bracket, and rotate it outward from the chassis until the sliding tab clears the slide rail on the drive cage (see Figure 10). Lift the

bracket up slightly to free its hinge tabs from the chassis slots.

Figure 10. Removing the Hard-Disk Drive Bracket

5. Slide the drive into the chosen bay of the bracket, oriented so that the connectors on the back of the drive will face the back of the chassis when the bracket is reinstalled (see Figure 11).

6. Align the four screw holes of the drive and bracket. Insert and tighten the screws that came with your upgrade kit.

If you are replacing a drive in the 1.6-inch slot, use the four screw holes in the side of the bracket (see Figure 11). If you are replacing a drive in the 1-inch slot, use the four screw holes in the bottom of the bracket.

Figure 11. Inserting a 1.6-Inch Hard-Disk Drive in the Bracket

7. Reinstall the hard-disk drive bracket in the chassis (see Figure 12).

Insert the bracket's hinge tabs into the chassis slots so that the tabs hook over the slots. Then rotate the bracket toward the drive cage, and fit

the bracket's sliding tab on the drive-cage slide rail. Slide the bracket into place. Reinstall the screw you remove in step 4.

Figure 12. Inserting the Drive Bracket in the Chassis

NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the EIDE cable with pin 1 on the drive's interface connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

8. Connect one of the device connectors on the EIDE cable to the 40-pin interface connector on the back of the hard-disk drive (see Figure 13).

Figure 13. Attaching Hard-Disk Drive Cables

NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the EIDE cable with pin 1 on the system board IDE connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

9. If it is not already connected, connect the other end of the EIDE cable to the IDE connector on the system board.

To locate the system board IDE connector, see "System Board Features."

10. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive (see Figure 13).

Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.

11. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their power sources.

12. Turn on the peripherals connected to the computer.

13. Start the computer system.

l To boot the system from a diskette, insert a bootable diskette (such as an operating system installation or recovery diskette) into

diskette drive A, and turn on the computer.

l To boot the system from a CD, enter the System Setup program and set the Boot Sequence to CD-ROM First. Insert a bootable CD

(such as an operating system installation CD or the Dell ResourceCD) into CD-ROM drive, and turn on the computer.

14. Enter the System Setup program and update the Drives: Primary and Secondary options.

NOTE: If the drive you just installed is the primary drive and no operating system is installed, you must start the computer using a bootable diskette or CD.

NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

After you update the System Setup options, reboot the system.

15. Partition and logically format your drive, as described in "Partitioning and Logically Formatting Your EIDE Hard-Disk Drive,"

before proceeding to the next step.

16. Run the Hard-Disk Drive(s) Test Group in the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the new hard-disk drive is operating properly.

See your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the Dell Diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may occur.

17. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install the operating system on the hard-disk drive.

Refer to the documentation that came with the operating system.

Partitioning and Logically Formatting Your EIDE Hard-Disk Drive

EIDE hard-disk drives must be physically formatted, partitioned, and logically formatted before they can be used to store data. Every hard-disk drive from Dell is physically formatted before it is sent to you.

To partition and logically format your hard-disk drive, use the program(s) offered by your operating system. For MS-DOS, use the fdisk and format commands to perform these procedures. The fdisk and format commands are described in the MS-

DOS reference documentation.

For the OS/2®operating system, see the discussion on partitioning and logical formatting in the documentation that came with the operating system.

For Windows NT, see the discussion on partitioning and logical formatting in the documentation that came with the operating system. For the UNIX®operating system, refer to your UNIX documentation.

Installing SCSI Devices

To use SCSI devices in your Dell computer, you must have a SCSI host adapter card, which comes with its own SCSI cable. This cable can be used to attach a variety of SCSI devices (hard-disk drives, tape drives, and so on). The SCSI host adapter configures the devices attached to it as one subsystem, not as independent devices.

Although SCSI devices are installed essentially the same way as other devices, their configuration requirements are different.

SCSI Configuration Guidelines

For details on configuring your SCSI subsystem, refer to the documentation that came with your SCSI devices and/or your host adapter card. The following subsections offer some general guidelines.

SCSI ID Numbers

Each device attached to a SCSI host adapter card, as well as the card itself, must have a unique SCSI ID number from 0 to 7. When SCSI devices are shipped from Dell, the default SCSI ID numbers are assigned as follows:

l A SCSI host adapter card is configured as SCSI ID 7 (typically the default ID for a host adapter card). l A SCSI tape drive or digital audio tape (DAT) drive is configured as SCSI ID 6 (typically the default ID number for a tape drive). l A SCSI CD-ROM drive is configured as SCSI ID 5. l SCSI hard-disk drives are usually configured as SCSI ID 0. (The drive used to boot your system should always be configured as SCSI ID 0.)

NOTE: On systems with hard-disk drives larger than 2 gigabytes (GB), create a primary partition of 2 GB and divide the remaining capacity into partitions of 2 GB or less. For example, a system with a 2.5-GB hard-disk drive would have a primary partition of 2 GB (drive C) and a second partition of 500 megabytes (MB) (drive D).

Hard-disk drives must be partitioned this way because MS-DOS®-based operating systems (including Microsoft®Windows NT®when you use a file allocation table [FAT] 16 file system) do not support drive partitions larger than 2 GB.

NOTICE: If you format your hard-disk drive under the OS/2 High Performance File System (HPFS), you cannot reformat the drive for MS-DOS without losing all HPFS data. See your OS/2 documentation for details.

NOTICE: If you format your hard-disk drive under the Windows NT File System (NTFS), you cannot reformat the drive for MS-DOS without losing all NTFS data. See your Windows NT documentation for details.

SCSI Cable and SCSI Termination

The type of cabling you receive with your SCSI device depends on the type of device you are installing.

l If you are installing internal SCSI devices (such as CD-ROM, hard-disk, or tape drives), you have internal SCSI cables as shown in Figure

14. Narrow SCSI devices use a 50-pin cable; wide SCSI devices use a 68-pin SCSI cable. One end of each cable attaches to the SCSI host

adapter. The connectors on the other end of the cable attach to the internal SCSI devices.

l If you are installing an external SCSI device, you have a shielded external cable that connects to the external SCSI connector on the SCSI

host adapter card. You have a separate power cable to connect the SCSI device to an AC power source.

Before installing SCSI devices in your computer, you may need to configure the termination on your SCSI device(s). Both types of internal SCSI cables contain terminators on the device end of the cables, so the devices connected to these cables must have termination disabled (see Figure

14). External SCSI cables do not have terminators, so termination must be enabled on the SCSI device itself. Figure 14. Internal SCSI Cables

If you are installing only internal SCSI devices, verify that termination is enabled on the SCSI host adapter and disabled for all other internal SCSI devices. If you are installing both internal and external SCSI devices, verify that termination is enabled on the external SCSI device and disabled for the SCSI host adapter and all internal SCSI devices.

General Procedure for Installing SCSI Devices

Configure and install one or more SCSI devices in your computer as follows:

1. Determine which connector on the internal SCSI cable you will attach to each SCSI device. See "SCSI Configuration Guidelines."

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

2. Unpack each SCSI device and prepare it for installation.

Configure the device for a SCSI ID number and, if necessary, enable or disable termination. For instructions, see the documentation that came with the SCSI device and "SCSI Configuration Guidelines."

3. Remove the computer cover as instructed in "Removing the Computer Cover."

4. If you are installing a SCSI host adapter card, configure the adapter card.

For instructions on configuring the card, see the documentation that came with the adapter card and "SCSI Configuration Guidelines."

5. Install the SCSI devices as appropriate.

l To install an internal SCSI hard-disk drive, complete steps 3 through 7 of "Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive in the Hard-Disk

Drive Bracket." Then continue with step 5 of this procedure.

l To install a SCSI tape drive, CD-ROM drive, or DAT drive, complete steps 2 through 6 of "Installing a Drive in a 5.25-Inch Drive

Bay." Then continue with step 5 of this procedure.

NOTE: There is no requirement that SCSI ID numbers be assigned sequentially or that devices be attached to the cable in order by ID number.

NOTICE: Do not connect devices to all three connectors (internal narrow connector, internal wide connector, and external connector) on a single SCSI host adapter card. Such a configuration is a violation of the SCSI specification. You can safely connect devices to any two of these three connectors on a single SCSI host adapter card.

l To install an external SCSI tape drive, continue with step 5 of this procedure.

6. If you are installing a new SCSI host adapter card, install it in an expansion slot now.

See "Installing an Expansion Card." If a SCSI host adapter card is already installed, remove, reconfigure, and reinstall the card at this time. See the documentation that came

with the SCSI host adapter card, "Removing an Expansion Card," and "Installing an Expansion Card." Connect the hard-disk drive access cable to the SCSI host adapter card and to the HDLED connector on the riser board (see "Riser-Board

Expansion-Card Connectors"). This cable carries a signal from the SCSI host adapter card to the hard-disk drive access indicator on the

computer's front panel whenever one of the SCSI hard-disk drives is accessed.

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.

7. Attach a SCSI cable to each SCSI device.

For additional instructions on connecting SCSI devices, see "SCSI Cable and SCSI Termination." If you are installing an internal SCSI device, firmly press the SCSI cable's header connector onto the 50- or 68-pin connector on the back of

the device. The connectors on narrow SCSI cables are keyed for proper positioning. A raised area on the outside of the header connector fits into a

notch on the device connector. The connectors on wide SCSI cables are shaped so that they can be attached one way only. If you are installing an external SCSI device, connect one end of the external SCSI cable to the SCSI bus connector on the back of the

device.

NOTICE: You must match the colored strip on the internal SCSI cable with pin 1 on the adapter card connector to avoid possible damage to your system.

8. Attach the SCSI cable to the connector on the SCSI host adapter card.

l If you are installing an internal SCSI device, connect the colored edge on the internal SCSI cable to the pin-1 end of the 50-pin

connector (for a narrow SCSI device) or the 68-pin connector (for a wide SCSI device) on the adapter card, and then press the cable connector firmly onto the adapter card connector.

l If you are installing an external SCSI device, connect the other end of the external SCSI cable to the external connector on the adapter

card.

For additional instructions, see the documentation that came with the adapter card.

9. Connect the SCSI device(s) to power.

l If you are installing an internal SCSI device, connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the SCSI device. l If you are installing an external SCSI device, connect the socket end of the power cable into the AC power receptacle on the back of

the SCSI device. Connect the other end of the power cable into a standard electrical wall outlet.

Check all other cable connections. Fold all internal cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan or cooling vents.

10. If you installed an externally accessible device, remove the front bezel and remove a front-panel insert for the drive bay.

See "Removing and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts" for instructions.

11. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their power sources.

12. Turn on the peripherals connected to the computer.

13. Start the computer system.

l To boot the system from a diskette, insert a bootable diskette (such as an operating system installation or recovery diskette) into

diskette drive A, and turn on the computer.

l To boot the system from a CD, enter the System Setup program and set the Boot Sequence to CD-ROM First. Insert a bootable CD

(such as an operating system installation CD or the Dell ResourceCD) into CD-ROM drive, and turn on the computer.

NOTE: If the device you just installed is the primary hard-disk drive and no operating system is installed, you must start the computer using a bootable diskette or CD.

NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

14. If necessary, enter the System Setup program and update the system configuration information.

If you installed a SCSI hard-disk drive, set the Drive Type option for the appropriate drive under Drives: Primary and Secondary to None.

After you update the System Setup options, reboot the system.

15. If you installed a SCSI hard-disk drive, partition and format the drive, as described in "Partitioning and Formatting SCSI Hard-

Disk Drives," before proceeding to the next step.

16. Run the SCSI Device(s) test group of the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the new SCSI device is operating properly.

See your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the Dell Diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may occur.

To test a SCSI tape drive, refer to the documentation for the tape drive software to perform a tape drive backup and verification test.

17. If the device you just installed is the primary hard-disk drive, install the operating system on the hard-disk drive.

Refer to the documentation that came with the operating system.

Partitioning and Formatting SCSI Hard-Disk Drives

You may need to use different programs than those provided with the operating system to partition and format SCSI hard-disk drives. Refer to the documentation that came with your SCSI software drivers for information on installing the appropriate drivers and preparing your SCSI hard-disk drive for use.

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NOTE: Tape drives attached to a SCSI host adapter card are not part of the system configuration information.

NOTE: On systems with hard-disk drives larger than 2 GB, create a primary partition of 2 GB and divide the remaining capacity into partitions of 2 GB or less. For example, a system with a 2.5-GB hard-disk drive would have a primary partition of 2 GB (drive C) and a second partition of 500 MB (drive D). Hard-disk drives must be partitioned this way because MS-DOS-based operating systems (including Windows NT when you use a FAT 16 file system) do not support drive partitions larger than 2 GB.

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Introduction:Dell™OptiPlex™GX1andGX1pMiniTowerManagedPCSystems

Overview

Dell OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p mini tower Managed PC systems are high-speed, expandable personal computers designed around the Intel® Pentium®II and Pentium III microprocessors. Each computer system uses a high-performance Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) design that allows you to configure the computer system to your initial requirements and then add Dell-supported upgrades as necessary. These systems also support the Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) bus for older expansion devices.

This section describes the major hardware and software features of your system, provides information about accessing the online documentation, and tells you where to find help if you need it.

System Features

Your system offers the following features:

l An Intel Pentium II or Pentium III microprocessor.

TheIntelPentiumIIandPentiumIIImicroprocessorsincludeMMX™technologydesignedtohandlecomplexmultimediaand

communications software. This microprocessors incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.

l A keyboard command (<Ctrl><Alt><\>) that lets you switch between the microprocessor's rated speed and a slower compatibility speed.

l A secondary cache of 512 KB of static random-access memory (SRAM) included within the single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge, which also

contains the microprocessor.

l System memory that can be increased up to 768 megabytes (MB) by installing 32-, 64-, 128-, or 256-MB synchronous dynamic random-

access memory (SDRAM) dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) in the three DIMM sockets on the system board. The system also supports both error checking and correction (ECC) and nonparity DIMMs. See "Adding Memory" for details.

l Self-Monitoring and Analysis Reporting Technology II (SMART II) support, which warns you at system start-up if your hard-disk drive has

become unreliable. To take advantage of this technology, you must have a SMART II-compliant hard-disk drive in your computer. All harddisk drives shipped with OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p systems are SMART II-compliant.

l A basic input/output system (BIOS), which resides in flash memory and can be upgraded by diskette or remotely over a network, if required. l Full compliance with PCI specification 2.2. l Full Plug and Play version 1.0a capability, which greatly simplifies the installation of expansion cards. Plug and Play support included in the

system BIOS allows you to install Plug and Play expansion cards without setting jumpers or switches or performing other configuration tasks. The ISA Configuration Utility (ICU) allows you to configure existing non-Plug and Play ISA expansion cards for conflict-free operation. Also, because the system BIOS is stored in flash memory, it can be updated to support future enhancements to the Plug and Play standard.

l Wakeup On LAN capability, which, when enabled in the System Setup program, allows the system to be powered up from a server

management console. Wakeup On LAN capability also allows remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when network traffic is at a minimum. For more information, refer to "Using the System

Setup Program."

l Universal Serial Bus (USB) capability, which can simplify connecting peripheral devices such as mice, printers, and computer speakers. The

USB connectors on your computer's back panel, which are enabled by default, provide a single connection point for multiple USB-compliant devices. USB-compliant devices can also be connected and disconnected while the system is running.

l A modular computer chassis with a minimum number of screws for easy disassembly and improved serviceability.

Overview

Connecting Peripheral Devices

System Features

Using the Power Switch

Hardware Features

ENERGY STAR®Compliance

Software Features

Accessing Online Documentation

Manageability Features

Getting Help

NOTE: This keyboard command is not available under the Microsoft®Windows NT®and IBM®OS/2®operating systems.

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