Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small Form Factor User's Guide

Contents: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Introduction
Setup and Operation
Using the System Setup Program
Installing Upgrades
Troubleshooting
Specifications

NOTE: You can obtain the latest version of this document from the Dell Web support site at

http://support.dell.com

.

Model DCP

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

Throughout this guide, there may be blocks of text printed in bold type or in italic type. These blocks are
notes, notices, and cautions, and they are used as follows:

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your system.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how
to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1999–2000 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, Dimension , Inspiron, Latitude, DellWare , Dell OpenManage, and the DELL logo are

trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel, Pentium, and LANDesk are registered trademarks and MMX is a trademark of Intel
Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT , and DirectX 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
is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation; VESA is a registered trademark of Video Electronics Standards Association. As an
ENERGY STAR Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for
energy efficiency.

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Contents: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

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: 9 Jun 1999
Last revised: 17 Feb 2000

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Introduction: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

Introduction: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor System
User's Guide

Overview Manageability Features

System Features Security Features

Hardware Features ENERGY STAR® Compliance

Software Features

Overview

Dell OptiPlex GX1 small-form-factor systems are high-speed, expandable personal computers designed
around the Intel® Pentium® II or III microprocessor. 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.

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.

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 256­MB synchronous dynamic RAM (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 "System Memory

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" for details.

Introduction: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

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 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 2.1.
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. 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 turned on 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.

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 32-bit PCI expansion slots on a riser board (half-length PCI expansion cards only).
A 64-bit accelerated graphics port (AGP) video subsystem, which includes the ATI 3D Rage Pro super

video graphics array (SVGA) video controller. This video subsystem contains 4 MB (upgradable to 8
MB) of synchronous graphics RAM (SGRAM) video memory. Maximum resolutions are 1600 x 1200
with 65,536 colors noninterlaced and 1280 x 1024 and 1024 x 768 with true-colors noninterlaced. In
800 x 600 and 640 x 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 and Windows NT

4.0 operating systems.

Table 1. Video Memory Requirements

Video
Resolution

640 x 480 True-Color

Maximum Color
Depth

Maximum
Refresh Rate

85 hertz (Hz) 4 MB

(32 bpp)

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Maximum SGRAM
Required

Introduction: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

800 x 600 True-color

85 Hz 4 MB

simultaneously). For more information, see the Dell ResourceCD.

(32 bpp)

1024 x 768 True-color

(32 bpp)

1280 x 1024 True-color

(32 bpp)

1600 x 1200 65,536 colors

(16 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 interface, which supports a 3.5-inch diskette 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 and EIDE CD-ROM drives.

85 Hz 4 MB

75 Hz 8 MB

75 Hz 8 MB

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 more information, see the Dell ResourceCD.

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. For more
information, see the Dell ResourceCD.

Video drivers for displaying many popular applications in high-resolution modes. For more information,
see the Dell ResourceCD.

Audio drivers for enabling the sound functions on the expansion sound card. For more information, see
the Dell ResourceCD.

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

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The System Setup program for quickly viewing and changing the configuration information for your
system. For more information on this program, see "System Setup Program

Enhanced security features (a setup password, a system password, a system-password lock option,
a 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 screen
information, see "System Setup Program

."

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

Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer's components and devices.

Network device drivers for several network operating systems. For more information, see 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.

."

. For more

."

Manageability Features

Your system incorporates many hardware and software features to improve the manageability of the system.
Installed features include:

Dell OpenManage™ program
Fault management
Configuration management
Asset management
Security management
Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE)
Wakeup On LAN
Auto Power On

Temperature monitoring

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:

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:

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 that have a display data channel (DDC)-

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compliant video subsystem and monitor.

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

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:

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 Dell OpenManage, refer to the online Dell OpenManage Help that accompanied
the software.

PXE

The Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) allows a personal computer to be managed by one or more
configuration management servers running the Intel 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 application software
Update the operating system and applications as required

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

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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

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 system has the following integrated security features.

Chassis intrusion
Security cable slot and padlock ring
Passwords

Chassis Intrusion

An integrated chassis intrusion alarm displays the status of the system chassis intrusion monitor. If the
chassis has been opened, the setting changes to Detected and the following message is displayed during
the boot sequence at 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 "System Setup Program

."

Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

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

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and then lock the padlock.

On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and padlock ring (see Figure 3 in "Setup and
Operation") for attaching commercially available antitheft devices. (The padlock ring is recessed inside the
cover.) 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.

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

Installing a security cable with a locking device in the security cable slot also prevents unauthorized
access to the inside of the computer.

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 "System Setup Program

."

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 2
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

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.

Figure 2. ENERGY STAR Emblem

), your original configuration complied with these requirements and

option in the System

The EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program is a joint effort between the EPA and computer

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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.

Back to Contents Page

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Setup and Operation: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

Setup and Operation: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor
System User's Guide

Getting Started Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

Connecting Peripheral Devices Using the System Password Feature

Controls and Indicators Using the Setup Password Feature

Chassis Intrusion Disabling a Forgotten Password

Getting Started

If you need to set up your computer system yourself (rather than having it set up by a network administrator),
see "Getting Started" in the System Information Guide that accompanied your system for instructions on
connecting cables and turning on your system for the first time.

After you correctly connect all the cables to your system and turn it on, see the setup guide for your
operating system to complete its installation. When the operating system is installed, you can connect
peripheral devices such as a printer or install application programs not already installed by Dell.

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Figure 1 shows the connectors on the back of your computer for attaching external devices.

Figure 1. I/O Ports, Connectors, and Indicators

1 Parallel port connector
2 Mouse connector
3 USB connectors
4 Link integrity indicator (see

"Integrated NIC Connector

")

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5 Activity indicator (see "Integrated

NIC Connector")

6 Audio connectors
7 Integrated NIC connector
8 Video connector
9 Serial port 2 connector

10 Keyboard connector

Setup and Operation: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

11 Serial port 1 connector

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
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 eight data bits, or one 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 Personal System/2 (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

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Your system contains two Universal Serial Bus (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.

Click one of the pins in the illustration for information on a particular signal.

Integrated NIC Connector

Your system has an integrated 10/100-megabit-per-second (Mbps) 3Com® Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) 3C905B-TX Ethernet network interface controller (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:

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 100­Mbps 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 video
graphics array (VGA)-compatible 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).

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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

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.

Controls and Indicators

Figure 2 shows the controls and indicators on the front panel of your computer.

Figure 2. Controls and Indicators

1 Hard-disk drive access indicator
2 Power indicator
3 Power button
4 Diskette-drive access indicator

Hard-Disk Drive Access Indicator

The hard-disk drive access indicator lights up when a hard-disk drive is reading data from or writing data to
the drive.

Power Indicator

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The power indicator in the center of the power button lights up when the computer is receiving power. Use

operating systems and for Windows 98 operating systems that have the ACPI feature disabled.

the power indicator to help you identify a system problem if the system does not boot when you press the
power button to turn on the computer.

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

A solid green power indicator and a beep code during power-on self-test (POST) indicate that a dual in­line memory module (DIMM) may be faulty or is not properly seated. Remove all DIMMs

, install only
one DIMM, and then reboot. Repeat this procedure until you identify the faulty or improperly seated
DIMM.

A solid green power indicator and no beep code and no video during POST indicate that the monitor or
the integrated video controller may be faulty. See "Troubleshooting the Monitor
operating properly and is correctly connected, see "Getting Help

" for instructions on getting technical

." If the monitor is

assistance from Dell.
A solid green power indicator and no beep code with video during POST indicate that an integrated

system board device may be faulty. See "Getting Help

" for instructions on getting technical assistance

from Dell.

Power Button

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 1).

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

Table 1. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE Operating Systems
With ACPI

Action Results

System Turned On
and ACPI Enabled

Press power button System goes into

standby mode or turns

System in Standby

System Turned Off

Mode

System turns on Boots and system turns

on
off (depending on the
operating system setup)

Hold power button
for 6 seconds*

System turns off
immediately

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.

Microsoft Windows 95 does not support ACPI. Table 2 shows power button functions for Windows 95

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Table 2. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98 (With Dell
AutoShutdown Loaded)

Action Results

System Turned On System in Suspend

System Turned Off

Mode

Press power button System turns off System turns off Boots and system turns

on

Hold power button for 6
seconds*

System turns off
immediately

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.

Table 3 shows power button functions for Microsoft Windows NT® operating systems.

Table 3. 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.

Diskette-Drive Access Indicator

The diskette-drive access indicator lights up when the drive is reading data from or writing data to a diskette.
Wait until the access indicator turns off before removing a diskette from the drive.

Chassis Intrusion

An integrated chassis intrusion alarm displays the status of the system chassis intrusion monitor. If the
chassis has been opened, the setting changes to Detected and the following message is displayed during
the boot sequence at system start-up:

Alert! Cover was previously removed.

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Use the the Chassis Intrusion options in the System Setup program to reset the alarm so that future

intrusions are detected.

Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and padlock ring (see Figure 3) for attaching
commercially available antitheft devices. (The padlock ring is recessed inside the cover.) 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 works
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 3. Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring

1 Padlock ring
2 Security cable slot

Using the System Password Feature

NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system.
However, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain
and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.

Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a
concern, operate your system only with system password protection.

You can assign a system password, as described in "Assigning a System Password

System Setup program

. After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full

," whenever you use the

use of the system.
When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the computer system prompts you for the system

password just after the system boots. See "Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

" for more

information.
To change an existing system password, you must know the password (see "Deleting or Changing an

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Existing System Password"). If you assign and later forget a system password, you must remove the

computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature (see "Disabling a

Forgotten Password"). Note that you erase the setup password at the same time.

NOTICE: If you leave your system running and unattended without having a system password
assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that someone can disable the password by
changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard-disk drive.

Assigning a System Password

Before you can assign a system password, you must enter the System Setup program

System Password

When a system password is assigned, the setting shown in System Password

option.

is Enabled. When the

and check the

system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the setting shown is Disabled
by Jumper. You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of these options is displayed.

When no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the Enabled
position (its default), the option shown for the System Password

option is Not Enabled. Only when System

Password is set to Not Enabled can you assign a system password, using the following procedure:

1. Verify that Password Status

2. Highlight System Password

is set to Unlocked.

, and then press the left- or right-arrow key.

The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square
brackets.

3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in

the field. The password assignment operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard,
without distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase characters. For example, if you have an
M in your password, the system recognizes either M or m as correct.

Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits
a beep.

To erase a character when entering your password, press the <Backspace> key or the left-arrow
key.

NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press the <Tab>
key or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move to another field, or press the <Esc> key
at any time prior to completing step 5.

4. Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders.

Then the option heading changes to Verify Password, followed by another empty 32-character
field in square brackets.

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5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Enabled. Your system password is now set; you can exit the

System Setup program and begin using your system. Note, however, that password protection
does not take effect until you reboot the system by pressing the reset button or by turning the
system off and then on again.

Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

Whenever you either turn on your system or press the reset button, or when you reboot the system by
pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key combination, the following prompt appears on the screen when

Password Status

is set to Unlocked:

Type in the password and

- press <ENTER> to leave password security enabled.

- press <CTRL><ENTER> to disable password security.
Enter password:

If Password Status

is set to Locked, the following prompt appears:

Type the password and press <Enter>.

After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system boots and you can use the
keyboard and/or mouse to operate your system as usual.

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see "Using the Setup Password Feature"), the system
accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

If you enter a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:

** Incorrect password. **
Enter password:

If you again enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen.
The third and subsequent times you enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the system displays

the following message:

** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.

The number of unsuccessful attempts made to enter the correct system password can alert you to an
unauthorized person attempting to use your system.

Even after your system is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time an incorrect or
incomplete system password is entered.

NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Setup Password
to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

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To delete or change an existing system password, perform the following steps:

1. Enter the System Setup program

, and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.

2. Reboot your system to force it to prompt you for a system password.

3. When prompted, type the system password.

4. Press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password, instead of pressing <Enter> to continue
with the normal operation of your system.

5. Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option of the System Setup program.
If Not Enabled appears in the System Password option, the system password has been deleted.

If you want to assign a new password, continue to step 6. If Not Enabled is not displayed for the
System Password option, press <Alt><B> to reboot the system, and then repeat steps 3 through

5.

6. To assign a new password, follow the procedure in "Assigning a System Password

."

Using the Setup Password Feature

Your Dell system is shipped to you without the setup password feature enabled. If system security is a
concern, you should operate your system with setup password protection.

You can assign a setup password, as described in "Assigning a Setup Password," whenever you use the
System Setup program. After you assign a setup password, only those who know the password have full use
of the System Setup program. See "Operating Your System With A Setup Password Enabled

" for more

information.
To change an existing setup password, you must know the setup password (see "Deleting or Changing an

Existing Setup Password"). If you assign and later forget a setup password, you need to remove the

computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the setup password feature (see "Disabling a

Forgotten Password"). Note that you erase the system password at the same time.

Assigning a Setup Password

You can assign a setup password only if Setup Password is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup
password, highlight Setup Password and press the left- or right-arrow key. The system prompts you to
enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep.

NOTES: The setup password can be the same as the system password.
If the two passwords are different, the setup password can be used as an alternate system password.

However, the system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.

After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter
the System Setup program, the system prompts you for the setup password.

A change to Setup Password becomes effective immediately (rebooting the system is not required).

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Operating Your System With a Setup Password Enabled

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify the
majority of the System Setup options.

When you start the System Setup program, the System Setup screen appears with Setup Password
highlighted, prompting you to type the password.

If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System
Setup screen—with the following exceptions:

You can still modify the Date, Time, CPU Speed, Num Lock, and Speaker options.
If System Password is not enabled and is not locked via the Password Status option, you can assign

a system password (however, you cannot disable or change an existing system password).

NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Setup Password to protect the system
password from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password

To delete or change an existing setup password, perform the following steps:

1. Enter the System Setup program.

2. Highlight Setup Password and press the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing setup password.
The setting changes to Not Enabled.

3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password

."

Disabling a Forgotten Password

If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the

System Setup program

the passwords, and erase the existing passwords.
To disable a forgotten password, perform the following steps.

until you remove the computer cover, change the password jumper setting to disable

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

Computer."

1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer

Cover."

2. Remove the jumper plug from the PSWD jumper to disable the password feature.
Refer to "System Board Jumpers

" for jumper information and to Figure 4 in "Inside Your

Computer" for the location of the password jumper (labeled "PSWD") on the system board.

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3. Replace the computer cover.

4. Reconnect your computer and peripherals to an electrical outlet, and then turn them on.
Booting your system with the PSWD jumper plug removed erases the existing password(s).

5. Enter the System Setup program, and verify that the password is disabled. Proceed to step 6 if you
want to assign a new password.

NOTE: Before you assign a new system and/or setup password, you must replace the
PSWD jumper plug.

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

Computer."

6. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer

Cover."

7. Replace the PSWD jumper plug.

8. Replace the computer cover, and then reconnect the computer and peripherals to an electrical outlet
and turn them on.

Booting your system with the PSWD jumper installed reenables the password feature. When you
enter the System Setup program, both password options appear as Not Enabled, meaning that
the password feature is enabled but that no password has been assigned.

9. Assign a new system and/or setup password.
To assign a new system password, see "Assigning a System Password

password, see "Assigning a Setup Password

."

." To assign a new setup

Back to Contents Page

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Using the System Setup Program: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small­Form-Factor System User's Guide

Overview System Setup Navigation Keys

Entering the System Setup Program System Setup Options

System Setup Screens

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.

Entering the System Setup Program

To enter the System Setup program, perform the following steps:

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

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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."

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. Typical Examples of System Setup Screens (Page 1 and Page 2)

1 Configuration

options

2

Title box

3

Help

4

Key functions

5

System data

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

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 settings; those that appear bright on the screen can be
changed. Settings that you cannot change because they are determined by the system appear
less bright.

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

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).

Help

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

Key functions

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

System data

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

System Setup Navigation Keys

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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.

*

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

Resets the selected option to its default.

Enters the Device List screen when the Boot
Devices menu option is set to Device List. See

Table 2 in "System Setup Options" for more

information on the keys you use in the Device List
screen.

*

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.

System Setup Options

See System Setup Options for information.

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Installing Upgrades: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor
System User's Guide

Inside Your Computer Microprocessor

Expansion Cards Battery

System Memory CD-ROM Drives

Video Memory Hard-Disk Drives

Back to Contents Page

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Troubleshooting: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

Troubleshooting: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor
System User's Guide

Basic Checks External Components
Messages and Codes Internal Components
Software Checks Getting Help
Dell Diagnostics

Back to Contents Page

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Specifications: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

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Specifications: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor System
User's Guide

Processor Ports

Memory Key Combinations

System Information Controls and Indicators

Video Power

Audio Physical

Expansion Bus Environmental

Drives

Processor

Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® II or Pentium III microprocessor

Internal cache 32 kilobyte (KB) (16-KB data cache, 16-KB instruction cache)
L2 cache memory 512-KB pipeline burst, 4-way set-associative, write-back static random-

access memory (SRAM)

Math coprocessor Internal to the microprocessor

Memory

Architecture 64-bit (non-error checking and correction [ECC]) or 72-bit (ECC),

noninterleaved, "PC100" 100 megahertz (MHz)

Dual inline memory module
(DIMM) sockets

DIMM capacities 32-, 64-, 128-, and 256-megabyte (MB) synchronous dynamic random-

System RAM 32–768 MB

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Three (gold contacts)

access memory (SDRAM)