Dell OptiPlex GX1p Midsize Managed PC System Installation Guide

Dell OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p Midsize Managed PC Systems

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 and GX1p Midsize Managed PC Systems Reference and Installation Guide

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.

Model DCM

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 1998–2000 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.

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

Trademarks used in this text: 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

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Back to Contents Page

Introduction: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 and GX1p Midsize Managed

PC Systems

Overview	Using the Power Switch
System Features	Using the Optional Stand for Vertical
	Orientation
Hardware Features	ENERGY STAR® Compliance
Software Features	Accessing Online Documentation
Manageability Features	Getting Help
Connecting Peripheral Devices

Overview

Dell OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p midsize 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:

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 microprocessor 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.

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

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

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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.

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.

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 hard-disk drives shipped with OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p systems are SMART II-compliant.

A basic input/output system (BIOS), which resides in flash memory and can be upgraded by diskette, or remotely over a network, if required.

Full compliance with PCI specification 2.2.

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.

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."

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. USBcompliant devices can also be connected and disconnected while the system is running.

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

Hardware Features

The system board includes the following integrated features:

Two riser board options, each with five expansion slots. The active option includes three 32-bit PCI expansion slots and two PCI (32-bit)/ISA (16-bit) expansion slots; the passive option includes two PCI expansion slots, two ISA expansion slots, and one shared PCI/ISA expansion slot.

A 64-bit accelerated graphics port (AGP) video subsystem, which includes the ATI 3D Rage Pro super video graphics array (SVGA) video controller. On the Dell OptiPlex GX1, this video subsystem contains 4 MB (upgradable to 8 MB) of synchronous graphics random-access memory (SGRAM) video memory; the Dell OptiPlex GX1p comes with 8 MB of SGRAM video memory. Maximum resolutions are 1600 × 1200 with 65,536 colors noninterlaced and 1280 × 1024 and 1024 × 768 with true-colors noninterlaced. In 800 × 600 and 640 × 480 resolutions, 16.7 million colors are available for true-color graphics using a 32-bits per pixel (bpp) format. True-color provides higher performance, but uses more graphics memory. Table 1 lists the video memory requirements for the Microsoft Windows® 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems.

Table 1. Video Memory Requirements

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Video Resolution			Maximum Color		Maximum Refresh		Minimum SGRAM
			Depth		Rate		Required
640 × 480			True-color (32 bpp)		85 Hz		4 MB
800 × 600			True-color (32 bpp)		85 Hz		4 MB
1024	× 768		True-color (32 bpp)		85 Hz		4 MB
1280	× 1024		True-color (32 bpp)		75 Hz		8 MB
1600	× 1200		65,536 colors (16		75 Hz		8 MB
			bpp)

2X AGP provides a dedicated bus from the video subsystem to the system chip set. AGP-based video subsystems have two significant performance advantages over PCI-based video subsystems:

-The AGP bus reduces bandwidth requirements of the PCI bus, improving overall system performance.

-The AGP bus allows a 3D video subsystem to execute directly from main memory.

A diskette/tape drive interface, which supports a 3.5-inch diskette drive and, optionally, a second diskette drive or tape drive.

Enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) support. The primary and secondary interface are both located on the PCI bus to provide faster data throughput. Each interface supports high-capacity EIDE drives, as well as devices such as ATA 33 hard-disk drives, EIDE CD-ROM drives, and EIDE tape drives.

Two high-performance serial ports and one bidirectional parallel port for connecting external devices.

The parallel port is fully Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP)-compliant.

A Personal System/2 (PS/2)-style keyboard port and a PS/2-compatible mouse port.

An optional integrated, 10/100-megabit-per-second (Mbps) 3Com® PCI 3C905B-TX Ethernet network interface controller (NIC). The NIC is configured using software on the Dell ResourceCD.

A 16-bit, integrated Plug and Play Crystal CS4236B audio controller that provides all the sound functions of the Sound Blaster Pro expansion card. For information, see your online System User's

Guide.

Software Features

The following software is included with your Dell computer system:

System utilities that safeguard your system and enhance the operation of its features. More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.

Video drivers for displaying many popular application programs in high-resolution modes. More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.

Audio drivers for enabling the sound functions on the expansion sound card. More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.

Bus-mastering EIDE drivers to improve performance by off-loading certain functions from the microprocessor during multithreaded operation (when several applications are running simultaneously).

More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.

The System Setup program for quickly viewing and changing the system configuration information for your system. For more information on this program, see "Using the System Setup Program." Enhanced security features (a setup password, a system password, a system-password lock option, a

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write-protect option for diskette drives, and automatic display of the system's service tag number) available through the System Setup program. In addition, a customer-definable asset tag number can be assigned via a software support utility and viewed on the System Setup screens. For more information, see your online System User's Guide and "Using the System Setup Program."

Advanced power management options that can reduce the energy consumption of your system. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."

The ICU, which tells you how to configure ISA expansion cards manually. After resources have been assigned to these cards, the system BIOS can assign resources to PCI and Plug and Play expansion cards for a conflict-free configuration. For more information, see "Using the ISA Configuration Utility"

Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer's components and devices. For information on using the diagnostics, see the chapter titled "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the Diagnostics and

Troubleshooting Guide.

Network device drivers for several network operating systems. More information is available on the Dell

ResourceCD.

Desktop Management Interface (DMI) support, which enables the management of your computer system's software and hardware. DMI defines the software, interfaces, and data files that enable your system to determine and report information about system components.

Manageability Features

Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 or GX1p Managed PC system incorporates many hardware and software features to improve the manageability of the system. Installed features include:

Dell OpenManage program

Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE)

Wakeup On LAN

Auto Power On

Temperature monitoring

Security features

Dell OpenManage Program

The Dell OpenManage program is the Dell software-management application interface for DMI. It allows you to manage system-level information, such as system configuration information and management information format (MIF) database values (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Dell OpenManage Program

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On systems running Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0, the Dell OpenManage program is available in client and administrator versions. The Dell OpenManage administrator version enables system administrators to view, manage, and inventory remote systems in a Dell DMI client network and incorporates the following manageability features, which are based on the DMI 2.0 specification.

Fault Management

Fault management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:

Alerts to warn you about events generated by SMART drives on a local or remote system and about thermal errors

An event log that stores events in a text file and reports information about the event under the following options: System Name, Component Name, Date and Time, Event Type, Event Severity, Event Class,

Event System

Configuration Management

Configuration management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:

Wakeup On LAN support, which allows network administrators to remotely turn on Managed PC systems with Wakeup On LAN capability in a Dell DMI network.

A System Properties window that enables network administrators to view, set, or disable certain hardware configuration settings for the local and remote systems in a Dell DMI network.

Support for the Microsoft System Management Server (SMS), which allows the exporting of one or more groups to an SMS directory that the SMS administrator can access.

A Monitor component for systems running Windows 95 and having a display data channel (DDC)- compliant video subsystem and monitor.

Automated inventory control of one or more groups for the remote systems in a Dell DMI network.

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Network administrators can automate inventory to occur every day, week, or month at a certain hour, on the hour; or they can enable inventory as needed. Dell OpenManage creates a text file for the group(s) and saves it to a user-defined directory.

Support for the application program used to create user-definable attributes (UDAs).

Asset Management

Asset management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:

Support that enables network administrators to remotely view, enter, and modify an asset tag for a remote system in a Dell DMI network

Automated and manual mapping of one or more groups to a user-defined directory

Security Management

Security management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:

Password security that enables network administrators to maintain standard attribute values for the local and remote systems in a Dell DMI network

For more information about the Dell OpenManage, refer to the online Dell OpenManage Help that accompanied the software.

PXE

The PXE allows a personal computer to be managed by one or more configuration management servers running the LANDesk Configuration Manager (LCM) software, which provides management services for the many Managed PC systems on the network. The LCM allows network administrators to do the following:

Provide preboot support for a new Managed PC system that depends on the server for its initial operating system installation

Service the network boot requests from the Managed PC systems Download diagnostics and BIOS update utilities

Format the hard-disk drive, if required

Download and install the operating system, based on previously established profiles Download and install applications software

Update the operating system and applications as required

For additional information about the Intel LCM, refer to the documentation that accompanied the software.

Wakeup On LAN

The Wakeup On LAN feature allows you to remotely turn on a Managed PC system that is in a sleep state.

The ability to turn on the Managed PC systems remotely allows you to perform remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when users are not using the systems and network traffic is at a minimum.

To use the Wakeup On LAN feature, each Managed PC system must contain a NIC that supports Wakeup

On LAN. You must also enable the Wakeup On LAN option in the System Setup program.

Auto Power On

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Auto Power On enables you to turn on the computer system automatically on certain days of the week at a preset time. You can set Auto Power On to turn on the system either every day or every Monday through

Friday.

NOTE: This feature does not work if the system is shut off using a power strip or surge protector.

Temperature Monitoring

Your system includes temperature probes to sense when the processor becomes overheated. In such a case, a message appears on the screen when Dell OpenManage is running or at the next system start-up notifying you of the problem.

Security Features

Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 or GX1p system has the following integrated security features.

Chassis Intrusion

A built-in chassis intrusion alarm displays the status of the system chassis intrusion monitor. If the computer cover is removed, the setting changes to Detected and the following message appears during the boot sequence at the next system start-up:

Alert! Cover was previously removed.

The field can be cleared using the System Setup program to enable future intrusions to be detected. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."

Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and padlock ring (see Figure 2) for attaching commercially available antitheft devices. Security cables for personal computers usually include a segment of galvanized cable with an attached locking device and key. To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into the security cable slot on the back of your computer, and lock the device with the key provided. Complete instructions for installing this kind of antitheft device are usually included with the device.

NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure it will work with the cable slot on your computer.

The padlock ring allows you to secure the computer cover to the chassis to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock ring, insert a commercially available padlock through the ring and then lock the padlock.

Figure 2. Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

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Passwords

The password feature enables you to set a user-defined password to restrict access to the system.

Additional protection is available through the System Setup program. When the Setup Password option is set to Enabled, Password Status allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled at boot time. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Figure 3 shows the connectors on the back of your computer for attaching external devices.

Figure 3. I/O Ports, Connectors, and Indicators

When you connect external devices to your computer's back panel, follow these guidelines:

Check the documentation that accompanied the device for specific installation and configuration instructions.

For example, you must connect most devices to a particular input/output (I/O) port or connector to operate properly. Also, external devices like a mouse or printer usually require you to load device drivers into system memory before they will work.

Always attach external devices while your computer is turned off. Then turn on the computer before turning on any external devices, unless the documentation for the device specifies otherwise. (If the computer does not seem to recognize the device, try turning on the device before turning on the computer.)

NOTICE: When you disconnect external devices from the back of the computer, wait 5

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seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect any devices to avoid possible damage to the system board.

Parallel Port Connector

The integrated parallel port uses a 25-pin D-subminiature connector on the computer's back panel.

This I/O port sends data in parallel format (where 8 data bits, or 1 byte, are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines in a single cable). The parallel port is used primarily for printers.

The default designation of your computer's integrated parallel port is LPT1. Port designations are used, for example, in software installation procedures to identify the port to which your printer is attached, thus telling your software where to send its output. (An incorrect designation prevents the printer from printing or causes scrambled print.)

NOTE: The integrated parallel port is automatically disabled if the system detects an installed expansion card containing a parallel port configured to the same address as specified in the Parallel Port option in the System Setup program.

Mouse Connector

Your system uses a PS/2-compatible mouse. The mouse cable attaches to a 6-pin miniature Deutsche

Inductive Norm (DIN) connector on the back panel of your computer. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals before connecting a mouse to the computer.

A PS/2-compatible mouse works as does an industry-standard serial mouse or bus mouse except that it has its own dedicated connector, which frees up the serial ports and does not require an expansion card. Mouse driver software gives the mouse priority with the microprocessor by issuing interrupt request (IRQ) 12 whenever a new mouse movement is made. The drivers also pass along the mouse data to the application that is in control.

USB Connectors

Your system contains two USB connectors for attaching USB-compliant devices. USB-compliant devices are typically peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, and computer speakers.

If you reconfigure your hardware, you may need pin number and signal information for the USB connectors.

Integrated NIC Connector

Your system has an integrated 10/100-Mbps 3Com PCI 3C905B-TX Ethernet NIC. The NIC provides all the functions of a separate network expansion card and supports both the 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX

Ethernet standards.

The NIC includes a Wakeup On LAN feature that enables the computer to be started by a special local area network (LAN) signal from a server management console. Wakeup On LAN provides remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when

LAN traffic is typically at a minimum.

The NIC connector on the computer's back panel has the following indicators:

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A yellow activity indicator flashes when the system is transmitting or receiving network data. (A high volume of network traffic may make this indicator appear to be in a steady "on" state.)

A dual-colored link integrity indicator, which lights up green when there is a good connection between a

10-Mbps network and the NIC, or it lights up orange when there is a good connection between a 100-

Mbps network and the NIC. When the green indicator is off, the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

Audio Connectors

You can use the microphone jack to attach a standard personal computer microphone. Connect the audio cable from the microphone to the microphone jack. The microphone input is a monaural source with maximum signal levels of 89 millivolts root-mean-squared (mVrms).

You can use the line-out jack to attach most computer speakers. The line-out jack is amplified, so speakers with integrated amplifiers are not required. Connect the audio cable from the speakers to this jack.

You can use the line-in jack to attach record/playback devices such as cassette players, CD players, and VCRs. Connect the line-out cable from any of these devices to the line-in jack on the back of your computer.

Video Connector

The system uses a 15-pin high-density D-subminiature connector on the back panel for attaching a VGAcompatible monitor to your system.

Serial Port Connectors

The serial ports use 9-pin D-subminiature connectors on the back panel. These ports support devices such as external modems or plotters that require serial transmission (sending one bit of data at a time over one line).

The default designations for these integrated serial ports are COM1 for serial port 1 and COM2 for serial port 2. Port designations are used in software installation procedures to identify the port used by a device—for example, specifying the port used by a modem when installing communications software.

The system contains a reconfiguration feature to reassign the serial port's designation if you add an expansion card containing a serial port using this designation.

If you set the system’s integrated serial ports to Auto in the System Setup program and add an expansion card containing a serial port configured to a specific designation, the computer automatically maps (assigns) the integrated ports to the appropriate COM setting as necessary.

Before you add a card with a serial port, check the documentation that accompanied your software to make sure that the software can be mapped to the new COM port designation.

Keyboard Connector

Your system uses a PS/2-style keyboard. The keyboard cable attaches to a 6-pin miniature DIN connector on the back panel of your computer.

Network Cable Requirements

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Your computer's NIC connector (an RJ45 connector located on the back panel) is designed for attaching an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable. Press one end of the UTP cable into the NIC connector until the cable snaps securely into place.

Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port on a UTP concentrator or hub, depending on your network configuration.

Using the Power Switch

The power button controls the system's AC input power.

The Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) operating systems let you configure the function of the power button through the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) feature (see

Table 2).

NOTICE: When you turn off your computer system, perform an orderly system shutdown using the operating system menu when possible.

Table 2. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE Operating Systems With ACPI

		Results
	System Turned On	System in Standby	System Turned Off
Action	and ACPI Enabled	Mode
Press power button	System goes into	System turns on	Boots and system turns
	standby mode or turns		on
	off (depending on the
	operating system setup)
Hold power button	System turns off	System turns off	Boots and system turns
for 6 seconds*	immediately	immediately	on

* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.

Microsoft Windows 95 does not support ACPI. Table 3 shows power button functions for Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems that have the ACPI feature disabled.

Table 3. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98 (With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)

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			Results
		System Turned On	System in Suspend	System Turned Off
Action			Mode
Press power button		System turns off	System turns off	Boots and system turns
				on
Hold power button for 6		System turns off	System turns off	Boots and system turns
seconds*		immediately	immediately	on

* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.

Table 4 shows power button functions for Microsoft Windows NT operating systems.

Table 4. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows NT (With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)

Action		Results
	System Turned On	System Turned Off
Press power button	System shuts down	Boots and system turns on
Hold power button for 6 seconds*	System turns off immediately	Boots and system turns on

* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.

If the system does not turn off when you press the power button, the system may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the system turns off completely (this process may take several seconds). Alternatively, press the reset button to reset the system and reboot. If the system is hung and both buttons fail to function properly, unplug the AC power cable from the computer, wait for it to completely stop running, plug in the AC power cable, and if it the system does not restart, press the power button to restart the system.

Using the Optional Stand for Vertical Orientation

Dell offers an optional stand that you can attach to the computer for a mini tower (vertical) orientation. Although you can attach (and remove) the stand at any time with a minimum of system disruption, it is

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easiest to attach before you set up your computer and connect the back-panel cables.

Attach the stand as follows:

1.Turn the computer onto its right side, so that the drive bays are at the bottom.

2.Fit the stand onto what was the left side of the computer.

Position the stand as shown in Figure 4. Align the large round hole in the stand with the securing button on the side of the cover, and align the captive thumbscrew in the stand with the screw hole in the cover.

Figure 4. Attaching the Optional Stand for Vertical Orientation

As you lower the stand into place, make sure that the locator pin (see Figure 4) fits into the corner hole of the hole pattern as shown. When the stand is in place, tighten the thumbscrew.

3. Rotate the computer so that the stand is at the bottom and the drives are at the top.

To remove the stand, turn the computer over so the stand is at the top, loosen the screw, lift the stand away, and place the computer in a horizontal position.

ENERGY STAR® Compliance

Certain configurations of Dell computer systems comply with the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for energy-efficient computers. If the front panel of your computer bears the ENERGY STAR® Emblem (see Figure 5), your original configuration complied with these requirements and all ENERGY STAR power management features of the computer are enabled. To disable or change the operation of these features, you must change the setting for the Power Management option in the System

Setup program. For instructions, see "Using the System Setup Program."

NOTES: As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

Any Dell computer bearing the ENERGY STAR® Emblem is certified to comply with EPA Energy Star requirements as configured when shipped by Dell. Any changes you make to this configuration (such as installing additional expansion cards or drives) may increase the system's power consumption beyond the limits set by the EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program.

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Figure 5. ENERGY STAR® Emblem

The EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program is a joint effort between the EPA and computer manufacturers to reduce air pollution by promoting energy-efficient computer products. The EPA estimates that use of ENERGY STAR® computer products can save computer users up to two billion dollars annually in electricity costs. In turn, this reduction in electricity usage can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the gas primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are the two primary causes of acid rain.

Computer users can also help to reduce electricity usage and its side effects by turning off their computer systems when they are not in use for extended periods of time — particularly at night and on weekends.

Accessing Online Documentation

The online System User's Guide installed on your hard-disk drive contains information on the following topics:

How to use the online System User's Guide

System features

Using drivers and utilities

Using the integrated audio controller

Using the System Setup program

Configuring expansion cards

Securing your computer

Connecting external devices

Maintaining the system

Contacting Dell

The guide also contains a glossary of commonly used terms and abbreviations.

The System User's Guide is located in the Dell Accessories folder.

To print any of the topics from this guide, display the topic you want on your screen and select Print Topic from the File menu.

Getting Help

Dell provides a number of tools to help you if you don't understand a procedure described in this guide or if

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your system does not perform as expected. For information on these help tools, see the chapter titled

"Getting Help" in your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide or the "Contacting Dell" section in the online

System User's Guide.

Back to Contents Page

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Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 and GX1p Midsize Managed PC Systems

Overview	Using the System Password Feature
Entering the System Setup Program	Using the Setup Password Feature
System Setup Screens	Disabling a Forgotten Password
Using the System Setup Program	Responding to Error Messages
System Setup Options

Overview

Each time you turn on your computer system or press the reset button, the system compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter the System Setup program to correct the setting.

You can use the System Setup program as follows:

To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your system

To set or change user-selectable options — for example, the time or date on your system

You can view the current settings at any time. When you change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the system before the change takes effect.

After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by pressing the <Print Screen> key) or write down the information for future reference.

Before you use the System Setup program, you need to know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s) installed in your computer. If you are unsure of any of this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that was shipped with your system and is located in the Dell Accessories folder.

NOTE: Dell recommends that you upgrade your basic input/output system (BIOS) to the latest version. Refer to the Dell support Web site at http://support.dell.com for instructions.

Entering the System Setup Program

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Enter the System Setup program as follows:

1.Turn on your system.

If your system is already on, shut it down and then turn it on again.

2.Press <F2> immediately when the F2 = Setup prompt appears in the upper-right corner of the

Dell logo screen.

If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation; then shut down the system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that accompanied your operating system.

You can also enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. See "Responding to Error Messages" at the end of this chapter.

System Setup Screens

The two System Setup screens, Page 1 and Page 2, display the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. (Typical examples are illustrated in Figure 1.)

Figure 1. System Setup Screens

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Information on the two System Setup screens is organized in five boxed areas:

Title box

The box at the top of both screens lists the system name, page number (Page 1 or Page 2), and the revision number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).

Configuration options

The box on the left half of both screens lists the options that define the installed hardware in your computer.

Fields beside the options contain options or values; those that appear bright on the screen can be changed. Options or values that you cannot change because they are determined by the system appear less bright.

Some options have multiple fields, which may show options or values as bright or less bright depending upon what options or values you entered in other fields.

Help

The box on the upper-right half of both screens displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field.

System data

The box in the lower-right corner of both screens displays information about your system.

Key functions

The line of boxes across the bottom of both screens lists keys and their functions within the System

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Setup program.

Using the System Setup Program

Table 1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screens and to exit the program.

Table 1. System-Setup Navigation Keys

Keys Action

Moves to the next field.

Moves to the previous field.

Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.

Scrolls through help information. Switches between Page 1 and Page 2.

Exits the System Setup program without rebooting the system and returns the system to its previous state—the boot routine.

For most of the options, any changes you make are recorded but do not take effect until the next time you boot the system. For a few options (as noted in the help area), the changes take effect immediately.

Exits the System Setup program and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made.

Resets the selected option to its default setting.

Enters the Device List screen when the Boot Devices menu option is set to Device List. See Table 2 for more information on the keys you use in the Device List screen.

System Setup Options

The following subsections explain in detail each of the options on the System Setup screens.

Time

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Time resets the time on the computer's internal clock.

Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes:seconds). To change the time, press the right-arrow key to increase the number in the highlighted field or press the left-arrow key to decrease the number. If you prefer, you can type numbers in each of the appropriate fields.

Date

Date resets the date on the computer's internal calendar.

Your system automatically displays the day of the week corresponding to the settings in the three fields that follow (month, day-of-month, and year).

To change the date, press the right-arrow key to increase the number in the highlighted field or press the left-arrow key to decrease the number. If you prefer, you can type numbers in the month and day-of-month fields.

Diskette Drive A, Diskette Drive B, and Use ZIP as A or B

Diskette Drive A and Diskette Drive B identify the type of diskette drives installed in your computer. With the standard cabling configuration, Diskette Drive A (the boot diskette drive) is the 3.5-inch diskette drive installed in the top externally accessible drive bay; Diskette Drive B is any drive installed in the bottom externally accessible drive bay that is connected to the system's diskette/tape drive interface.

The option settings always match the physical locations of the drives in your computer—the first drive listed on Page 1 of the System Setup screens is the top drive in your computer.

The options are:

5.25 Inch, 360 KB

5.25 Inch, 1.2 MB

3.5 Inch, 720 KB

3.5 Inch, 1.44 MB

Not Installed

The diskette option labeled "Use ZIP as A or B" is used to control the operation of an internally installed ATAPI Zip drive. The options are On and Off. When set On, the Zip drive operates as a diskette drive and can be booted. When set to Off, the Zip drive operates as a normal ATAPI device.

You can have a total of two diskette devices, either diskette drives or Zip drives.

NOTE: Tape drives are not reflected in the Diskette Drive A and Diskette Drive B options. For example, if you have a single diskette drive and a tape drive attached to the diskette/tape drive interface cable, set the Diskette Drive A option to match the characteristics of the diskette drive and set the Diskette Drive B option to Not Installed.

Drives: Primary and Secondary

Primary identifies drives attached to the primary enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) interface connector (labeled "IDE1") on the system board; Secondary identifies drives connected to the secondary EIDE interface connector (labeled "IDE2"). It is recommended that you use the secondary EIDE interface

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connector for EIDE CD-ROM and EIDE tape drives.

NOTES: For all devices from Dell that use the built-in EIDE controller, set the appropriate Drive option to Auto. For small computer system interface (SCSI) devices, set the appropriate Drive option to

None.

You must have an EIDE device connected to the primary EIDE interface if you have an EIDE device connected to the secondary EIDE interface.

For older EIDE hard-disk drives not shipped with the system from Dell and less than 528 megabytes (MB) in capacity, you can use one of the following options if the Autodetect feature does not work:

A specific drive-type number

Usr1 or Usr2

For each drive, seven parameters can be chosen as a group by drive-type number or entered individually from the keyboard. A drive-type number specifies the parameters of a hard-disk drive, based on a table recorded in the system's BIOS.

NOTE: Operating systems that bypass the system BIOS may not obtain optimum hard-disk drive performance.

If you choose the Usr1 or Usr2 option, you must supply the following parameters for the drive:

Type is the drive-type number for the selected hard-disk drive (in this case, Usr1 or Usr2). Cyls is the number of logical cylinders.

Hds indicates the number of logical heads in the drive.

Pre (precompensation cylinder) is the cylinder number at which the electrical current for the drive head changes to compensate for differences in data density across the disk surface (this parameter has no effect for EIDE drives).

Lz is the cylinder number that is used as the drive's landing zone for the heads when the drive is not in use.

Sec is the number of logical sectors per track.

Size (automatically calculated by the system) indicates the number of millions of bytes of storage provided by the drive.

Reserved Memory

Reserved Memory allows you to designate a region of system board memory that can be supplied by an expansion card. You should not enable the reserved memory feature unless you are using an expansion card that requires special addressing.

For example, you may have a memory expansion card that needs to be addressed starting at 15 MB.

Selecting the 15M - 16M option in the Reserved Memory option specifies that the base memory from 15 to 16 MB come from the memory expansion card (the base memory below the 15-MB address comes from the dual in-line memory modules [DIMMs] on the system board).

The Reserved Memory option has the following options:

None (the default option) 512K - 640K

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15M - 16M

CPU Speed

CPU Speed indicates the processor speed at which your system boots.

Press the leftor right-arrow key to toggle the CPU Speed option between the resident microprocessor's rated speed (the default) and a lower compatibility speed, which lets you accommodate speed-sensitive application programs. A change to this option takes effect immediately (rebooting the system is not required).

You can also toggle between the rated processor speed and the compatibility speed while the system is running in real mode by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><\>. (For keyboards that do not use American English, press

<Ctrl><Alt><#>.)

Num Lock

Num Lock determines whether your system boots with the Num Lock mode activated on 101or 102-key keyboards (it does not apply to 84-key keyboards).

When Num Lock mode is activated, the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard provides the mathematical and numeric functions shown at the tops of the keys. When Num Lock mode is turned off, these keys provide cursor-control functions according to the label on the bottom of each key.

Chassis Intrusion

Chassis Intrusion displays the status of the system chassis intrusion monitor. The settings for this option are Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled. The default is Enabled.

If the computer cover is removed while the intrusion monitor is set to Enabled, the setting changes to Detected, and the following message appears during the boot sequence at the next system start-up:

Alert! Cover was previously removed.

If the computer cover is removed while the intrusion monitor is set to Enabled-Silent, the setting changes to Detected, but the alert message is not displayed during the boot sequence at the next system start-up.

If the intrusion monitor is set to Disabled, no intrusion monitoring occurs and no messages are displayed.

To reset the Detected setting, enter the System Setup program during the system's power-on self-test

(POST). Highlight the Chassis Intrusion option and press the leftor right-arrow key to choose Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled.

NOTE: When the setup password is enabled, you must enter the setup password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion option.

DAC Snoop

DAC Snoop lets you correct video problems that may occur when certain video add-in cards are used. The default is Off. If you are using a video add-in card and problems such as incorrect colors or blank windows occur, set DAC Snoop to On.

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ACPI

This option controls the operation of the system's Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) feature.

When ACPI is set to On, momentarily pressing the power button places the system in a power-saving mode.

To turn the system off completely, press the power button for more than 4 seconds. When ACPI is set to On, interrupt request (IRQ) line 9 is not available for use by an expansion card.

When ACPI is set to Off, momentarily pressing the power button turns off the system completely. With this setting, IRQ9 is available for use by an expansion card.

Keyboard Errors

Keyboard Errors enables or disables reporting of keyboard errors during the POST, which is a series of tests that the system performs on the hardware each time you turn on the system or press the reset button.

This option is useful when applied to self-starting servers or host systems that have no permanently attached keyboard. In these situations, selecting Do Not Report suppresses all error messages relating to the keyboard or to the keyboard controller during POST. This option does not affect the operation of the keyboard itself if a keyboard is attached to the computer.

System Password

System Password displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you to assign and verify a new password. No one can assign a new password unless the current status is Not

Enabled, which is displayed in bright characters.

The settings for the System Password option are:

Not Enabled (the default option)

Enabled

Disabled by Jumper

NOTE: Read "Using the System Password Feature" found later in this chapter for instructions on assigning a system password and using or changing an existing system password. See "Disabling a

Forgotten Password" found later in this chapter for instructions on disabling a forgotten system password.

Password Status

When Setup Password is set to Enabled, Password Status allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled at system start-up.

To lock the system password, you must first assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, the system password cannot be changed through the System Password option and cannot be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.

To unlock the system password, you must enter the setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, the system password can be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then changed through the System Password option.

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Boot Sequence

Boot Sequence can be set to Diskette First (the default option), Hard Disk Only, CD-ROM First, or Device

List.

The term boot refers to the system's start-up procedure. When turned on, the system "bootstraps" itself into an operational state by loading into memory a small program, which in turn loads the necessary operating system. Boot Sequence tells the system where to look for the files that it needs to load.

Diskette First

Selecting Diskette First causes the system to try booting from drive A first. If the system finds a diskette that is not bootable in the drive or finds a problem with the drive itself, it displays an error message. If it does not find a diskette in the drive, the system tries to boot from the hard-disk drive (drive 0), then from the CD-ROM drive, and finally from the Plug and Play network adapters in the order found.

Hard Disk Only

Selecting Hard Disk Only causes the system to attempt to boot first from the hard-disk drive and then from the Plug and Play network adapters in the order found.

CD-ROM First

Selecting CD-ROM First causes the system to try booting from the CD-ROM drive first. If the system finds a

CD that is not bootable in the drive or finds a problem with the drive itself, it displays an error message. If it does not find a CD in the drive, the system tries to boot from drive A, then from drive C, and finally from the Plug and Play network adapters in the order found.

Device List

Device List provides access to the Device List screen where you can choose from a list of available boot devices to boot from and specify the order in which your computer attempts to boot from these devices. To view the Device List screen, press <Ctrl> and the right-arrow key. Table 2 lists other navigation keys used on the Device List screen.

Table 2. Device-List Screen Navigation Keys

Keys

Action

Returns the boot device lists to the default settings

Moves the selected item up or down in the boot sequence

Exits to Page 2 of the System Setup screens

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Moves the selected item from one Boot Device Priority list to the other

NOTICE: Only a technically knowledgeable person should change the settings in the Device List screen.

The Device List screen (see Figure 2) provides three options for listing and prioritizing the available boot devices in your system.

Figure 2. Sample Device List Screen

Boot Device Priority

The Boot Device Priority option lists all bootable devices (hard-disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and so on) that are controlled by the system BIOS and any Plug and Play network adapters installed in the computer.

Exclude From Boot Device Priority

The Exclude From Boot Device Priority option allows you to remove from the Boot Device Priority option any boot devices that you want the system to ignore during system start-up.

Device Controller Priority

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The Device Controller Priority option lists the system BIOS controller; any non-Plug and Play devices, such as network adapter cards; and any secondary controller cards, such as a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter, installed in the computer.

NOTE: Non-Plug and Play devices appear in this list as Adapters without ID support.

When determining the order of devices to boot from, the system first considers the order of the devices listed under the Device Controller Priority option, then the order of devices under Boot Device Priority.

To specify your priority preferences, order the devices under these options so that the highest-priority controller is at the top of the Device Controller Priority option and the highest-priority device is at the top of the Boot Device Priority option. Order the remainder of the devices in the Boot Device Priority option according to your preferences. Move any devices that you want the system to ignore during system start-up into the Exclude From Boot Device Priority option.

NOTE: The system defines drive C in the Boot Device Priority option as the first hard-disk drive attached to the highest-priority device controller. Therefore, if you have a SCSI adapter installed in your computer and you want the SCSI drive 0 to be drive C, you must move the SCSI adapter item to the top of the Device Controller Priority option.

To change the order of the devices, press <Ctrl> and the upor down-arrow key. If you want to revert to the original Boot Device Priority option settings, press <Ctrl><Del>.

NOTE: If you exit the Device List option by pressing <Esc> or <Alt><b> without making any changes, the Boot Sequence option is set to the Device List option.

Setup Password

Setup Password indicates whether a password is required before you can change option settings on the

System Setup screen. The settings for this option are normally Enabled or Not Enabled. A third setting, Disabled By Jumper, displays if the Setup Password option is deactivated. (You can set a jumper on the system board to deactivate the Setup option.)

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can change the settings for the majority of the System Setup options. If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system lets you view, but not change, the settings on the System Setup screen, with one exception: if Password Status is Unlocked, you may change the system password.

NOTE: Read "Using the Setup Password Feature" for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password. See "Disabling a Forgotten Password" for instructions on disabling a forgotten setup password.

Auto Power On

Auto Power On allows you to set the time and days of the week to turn on the computer system automatically. You can set Auto Power On to turn on the system either every day or every Monday through Friday.

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NOTE: This feature does not work if you turn off your system using a power strip or surge protector.

Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). To change the start-up time, press the right-arrow key to increase the number in the highlighted field or press the left-arrow key to decrease the number. If you prefer, you can type numbers in both fields.

The default for Auto Power On is Disabled.

Power Management

For certain types of monitors and most EIDE hard-disk drives, you can reduce system power consumption by enabling the power management feature. With Power Management enabled, these monitors and drives automatically switch into low-power mode during periods of system inactivity.

Power Management can be implemented at three levels: Maximum, Regular, and Minimum. (The different levels apply to the monitor only; hard-disk drive operation is the same for all three.) The default setting for this option is Disabled.

Saving Monitor Power

If you have a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) Display Power Management Signaling

(DPMS)-compliant monitor, enabling the Power Management option reduces monitor power consumption during periods of keyboard and mouse inactivity

NOTICE: Check your monitor documentation to make sure you have a DPMS-compliant monitor before you enable this feature. Otherwise, you risk damaging the monitor.

NOTE: The power management feature monitors activity of a mouse connected to the Personal

System/2 (PS/2)-compatible mouse port.

By setting Power Management to Maximum, Regular, or Minimum, you can set predefined time-out periods (see Table 3) for the two successive monitor shutdown stages, standby and off.

NOTE: Each monitor manufacturer defines the details of the shutdown stages for its own monitors. But in all cases, power consumption decreases with each stage from "on" (full power) to "standby" (reduced power; the display image usually disappears) to "off" (where power consumption is minimal).

To define these stages for your monitor, see the documentation that came with the monitor.

From either shutdown stage, you can return full power to the monitor in one of the following ways:

For most DPMS-compliant monitors, any subsequent activity—including moving the mouse—should return full power to the monitor.

A few DPMS-compliant monitors require that you turn monitor power off and then on again to return to full power.

Check your monitor documentation for information on how your monitor is designed to operate.

Saving EIDE Hard-Disk Drive Power

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For most systems, enabling Power Management at any level causes EIDE hard-disk drives to switch to lowpower mode after about 20 minutes of system inactivity (see Table 3).

NOTES: All EIDE drives shipped with your system support this feature. (For more information on

Energy Star systems, see "ENERGY STAR® Compliance".)

However, not all EIDE hard-disk drives support this feature. Enabling this feature for drives that do not support it may cause the EIDE drive to become inoperable until the computer is restarted and the Power Management option is disabled.

In low-power mode, the disks inside the drive stop spinning. They remain idle until the next drive access, which causes them to start spinning again. (Because the disks take a few seconds to regain full speed, you may notice a slight delay when you next access the hard-disk drive.)

When Power Management is set to Disabled (the default), the disks spin constantly as long as the system is turned on.

Table 3. Power Time-Out Periods

Power	EIDE Drive	Monitor
Management	Spindown	Standby	Monitor Off
Setting	Time-Outs	Time-Outs	Time-Outs
Disabled	Never	Never	Never
Maximum	20 minutes	10 minutes	1 hour
Regular	20 minutes	20 minutes	1 hour
Minimum	20 minutes	1 hour	Never
Wakeup On LAN

Wakeup On LAN determines whether the Wakeup On LAN feature is set to On or Off. You must reboot your system before a change takes effect.

Sound

Sound determines whether the integrated audio controller is On or Off. You must reboot your system before a change takes effect.

NIC

NIC determines whether an integrated network interface controller (NIC) is On or Off. You must reboot your system before a change takes effect.

Mouse

Mouse enables or disables the system's built-in PS/2-compatible mouse port. Disabling the mouse allows an expansion card to use interrupt request (IRQ) 12.

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For more information about built-in ports, port designations, IRQs, and the remapping of ports, see

"Connecting External Devices" in your online System User's Guide.

Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2

Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 configure the system's built-in serial ports. These options can be set to Auto

(the default) to automatically configure a port, to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3 for Serial Port 1; COM2 or COM4 for Serial Port 2), or to Off to disable the port.

If you set a serial port to Auto and add an expansion card containing a port configured to the same designation, the system automatically remaps the built-in port to the next available port designation that shares the same IRQ setting as follows:

COM1 (input/output [I/O] address 3F8h), which shares IRQ4 with COM3, is remapped to COM3 (I/O address 3E8h).

Likewise, COM2 (I/O address 2F8h), which shares IRQ3 with COM4, is remapped to COM4 (I/O address 2E8h).

NOTES: When two COM ports share an IRQ setting, you can use either port as necessary, but you may not be able to use them both at the same time. If the second port (COM3 or COM4) is also in use, the built-in port is turned off.

If you are using the Microsoft Windows 95 or IBM OS/2 operating system, you cannot use both serial ports at the same time.

For more information about built-in ports, port designations, IRQs, and the remapping of ports, see "Connecting External Devices" in your online System User's Guide.

Parallel Port

Parallel Port configures the system's built-in parallel port. This option can be set to 378h (the default), to alternate addresses 278h or 3BCh, or to Off to disable the port.

NOTE: Do not set Parallel Port to 278h if you have an Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP) device connected to the port.

Parallel Mode

Parallel Mode controls whether the system's built-in parallel port acts as an AT-compatible (unidirectional) or PS/2-compatible (bidirectional) port.

Your system also supports ECP mode, which can be used by Windows 95 and Windows 98. Windows 95 and Windows 98 use ECP protocol automatically if the operating system detects an ECP-capable device, eliminating the need for an ECP setting in this option.

Set this option according to the type of peripheral device connected to the parallel port. To determine the correct mode to use, see the documentation that came with the device.

IDE Hard Disk

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