Dell Personal Computer DCTA User Manual

Dell Precision™ Workstation 380

Quick Reference Guide

Model DCTA
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in your
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft
User’s Guide
.
®
Windows®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pen ti um are registered trademarks
of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DCTA
May 2005 P/N M8559 Rev. A01

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)
Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)
About Your Computer
Front View (Tower Orientation) Back View (Tower Orientation) Front View (Desktop Orientation) Back View (Desktop Orientation) Back-Panel Connectors Inside View
System Board Components
Locating Your User’s Guide
Removing the Computer Cover
Caring for Your Computer
Solving Problems
Troubleshooting Tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
®
Using Microsoft
Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Using the Last Known Good Configuration Dell Diagnostics Before You Start Testing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
. . . . . . . . . . . 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Beep Codes
Diagnostic Lights
Frequently Asked Questions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Error Messages
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Contents 3
4 Contents

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
• Desktop System Software (DSS)
• How to set up my computer
• How to care for my computer
• Basic troubleshooting information
• How to run the Dell Diagnostics
• Error codes and diagnostic lights
• How to remove and install parts
• How to open my computer cover
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run the "Dell Diagnostics" on page 34, or access your documentation.
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
Quick Reference Guide
Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical-reference material for technicians or experienced users.
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
Quick Reference Guide 5
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• Warranty information
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• How to remove and replace parts
• Specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
User’s Guide
Microsoft
1
2
The User’s Guide is also available on the
Utilities
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License
These labels are located on your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to
®
Windows® XP Help and Support Center
Click the Click
Start
button and click
User’s and system guides
CD
.
identify your computer when you
support.dell.com
use or contact technical support.
Help and Support
and click
User’s guides
.
.
Drivers and
6 Quick Reference Guide
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, frequently asked questions
• Community — Online discussion with other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers
can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website at premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be available in all regions.
• Customer Care — Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status and support history, service contract, online discussions with technical support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software updates
• Desktop System Software (DSS) — If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell™
3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel
®
Pentium®M processors, optical drives, and USB devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration.
To download Desktop System Software:
1
Go to
support.dell.com
2
Enter your Service Tag or product model.
3
In the
Download Category
4
Select the operating system and operating system language for your computer, and click
Under
Select a Device Configuration Utilities Software
.
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
and click
Downloads
drop-down menu, click
Submit.
, scroll to
, and click
System and
Dell Desktop System
.
All
.
Windows Help and Support Center
1
Click the
2
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
Quick Reference Guide 7
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• How to reinstall my operating system
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Operating System CD
The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System CD. See your User’s Guide for instructions.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
NOTE: The Operating System CD is optional and may not
ship with your computer.
• How to use Linux
• E-mail discussions with users of Dell Precision™ products and the Linux operating system
• Additional information regarding Linux and my Dell Precision computer
Dell Supported Linux Sites
• Linux.dell.com
• Lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-precision
After you reinstall your operating system, use the optional Drivers and Utilities CD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.
Your operating system product key label is located on your computer.
8 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
1
2
Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
Connect the modem or the network cable.
NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the
network adapter. Voltage from telephone communications can damage the network adapter.
USB
PS/2
or
PS/2
USB
Network
or
NOTE: If your computer has a network card installed,
connect the network cable to the card.
Modem
Quick Reference Guide 9
3
Depending on your graphics card, you can connect your monitor in various ways.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Connect the monitor.
NOTE: You may need to use
the provided adapter or cable to connect your monitor to the computer.
10 Quick Reference Guide
For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
One VGA adapter:
VGA
Use the VGA adapter when you have a single-monitor graphics card and you want to connect your computer to a VGA monitor.
Dual VGA Y cable adapter:
Dual DVI Y cable adapter:
VGA
VGA
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two VGA monitors.
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.
DVI
DVI
The dual-monitor cable is color-coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black connector is for the second monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached to the computer when you start the computer.
Quick Reference Guide 11
For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector
One DVI connector and one VGA connector:
DVI
VGA
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want to connect your computer to one or two monitors.
Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect your computer to two VGA monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
Two DVI connectors:
Two DVI connectors with one VGA adapter:
VGA
VGA
Two DVI connectors with two VGA adapters:
DVI
DVI
Use the DVI connectors to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.
12 Quick Reference Guide
DVI
VGA
Use the VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor to one of the DVI connectors on your computer
VGA
VGA
Use two VGA adapters to connect two VGA monitors to the DVI connectors on your computer.
4
5
Connect the speakers.
NOTE: If your
computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.
Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
LINE OUT
1234
Quick Reference Guide 13
6
Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is compatible with your computer and operating system.
You have now completed the setup for your tower computer.
Install additional software or devices.

Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
1
Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
NOTICE: Do not connect a
modem cable to the network adapter. Voltage from telephone communications can damage the network adapter.
PS/2
PS/2
USB
or
USB
or
14 Quick Reference Guide
2
Connect the modem or the network cable.
NOTE: If your computer
has a network card installed, connect the network cable to the card.
3
Depending on your graphics card, you can connect your monitor in various ways.
Connect the monitor.
NOTE: You may need to use the
provided adapter or cable to connect your monitor to the computer.
Modem
Network
Quick Reference Guide 15
For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
VGA adapter:
VGA
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Use the VGA adapter when you have a single monitor graphics card and you want to connect your computer to a VGA monitor.
Dual VGA Y cable adapter:
Dual DVI Y cable adapter:
VGA
VGA
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two VGA monitors.
The dual-monitor cable is color-coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black connector is for the second monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached to the computer when you start your computer.
16 Quick Reference Guide
DVI
DVI
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a single connector and you want to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector
One DVI connector and one VGA connector:
DVI
VGA
Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:
VGA
VGA
Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want to connect your computer to one or two monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
Two DVI connectors:
Two DVI connectors with one VGA adapter:
DVI
DVI
Use the DVI connector(s) to connect your computer to one or two DVI monitors.
Use the VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor to one of the DVI connectors on your computer.
DVI
Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect your computer to two VGA monitors.
Two DVI connectors with two VGA adapters:
VGA
VGA
VGA
Use two VGA adapters to connect two VGA monitors to the DVI connectors on your computer.
Quick Reference Guide 17
4
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
5
Connect the speakers.
NOTE: If your computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.
Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
Your desktop computer has an optional front IEEE 1394 connector. This connector is only available if you purchased an IEEE 1394 card. To purchase a card, contact Dell. For instructions on contacting Dell and for more information on the IEEE 1394 card, see your
Guide
.
User’s
LINE OUT
4
3
2
1
6
Install additional software or devices.
Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is compatible with your computer and operating system.
You have now completed the setup for your desktop computer.
18 Quick Reference Guide

About Your Computer

Front View (Tower Orientation)

14
13
1
2
3
4
12
11
1234
10
9
1 upper 5.25-inch drive bay Holds a CD/DVD drive. 2 lower 5.25-inch drive bay Holds a CD/DVD drive or an optional third hard drive. 3 upper 3.5-inch drive bay Holds an optional fourth hard drive (serial ATA). 4 lower 3.5-inch drive bay You can use the bay for an optional floppy drive or an optional
Media Card Reader.
5 hard-drive activity light The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or
writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is operating.
5
6
7
8
Quick Reference Guide 19
6 IEEE 1394 connector
(optional)
7 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as
8 Dell™ badge rotation
notch
9 power button Press to turn on the computer.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Use the optional IEEE 1394 connectors for high-speed data devices such as digital video cameras and external storage devices.
flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see more information on booting to a USB device).
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
To rotate, place fingers around the outside of the badge, press in, and turn the badge. You can also rotate the badge using the slot provided near the bottom of the badge.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the
computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.
system setup
NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the computer or to place it into a
power-saving state. See "Power Management" in your User’s Guide for more information.
10 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
• No light — The computer is turned off.
• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.
• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving state.
• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in your
To exit from a power-saving state, press the power button or use the keyboard or the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For more information about sleep states and exiting from a power-saving state, see "Power Management" in your User’s Guide.
See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for
voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
12 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones. 13 diagnostic lights (4) Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37.
14 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps,
100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.
User’s Guide
for
.
20 Quick Reference Guide

Back View (Tower Orientation)

1
2
3
4
1 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector. 2 voltage selection switch See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more
information.
3 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector. 4 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI or PCI Express cards.
Quick Reference Guide 21

Front View (Desktop Orientation)

1 2 7
3
5 6
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
4
4
3
2
1
89101112
1 upper 5.25-inch drive
This bay holds a CD/DVD drive.
bay
2 lower 5.25-inch drive bay This bay holds an optional CD/DVD drive or an optional third hard drive (serial
ATA or SCSI).
3 3.5-inch drive bay You can use the bay for a floppy drive or an optional Media Card Reader. 4 hard-drive activity light The hard-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes
data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is operating.
5 IEEE 1394 connector
(optional)
Use the optional IEEE 1394 connectors for high-speed data devices such as digital video cameras and external storage devices.
22 Quick Reference Guide
6 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as
flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see more information on booting to a USB device).
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
7 power button Press to turn on the computer.
system setup
for
NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the computer or to place it into a
power-saving state. See "Power Management" for more information.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the
computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.
8 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
• No light — The computer is turned off.
• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.
• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving state.
• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems."
To exit from a power-saving state, press the power button or use the keyboard or the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For more information about sleep states and exiting from a power-saving state, see "Power Management."
See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
9 diagnostic lights (4) Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 37.
10 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for
voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
11 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones. 12 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps,
100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.
Quick Reference Guide 23

Back View (Desktop Orientation)

32
1
1
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
4
1 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI or PCI Express cards. 2 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector. 3 voltage selection switch See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more information. 4 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector.

Back-Panel Connectors

24 Quick Reference Guide
2 345
9101112
6
7
8
1 mouse connector Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer
and any attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. If you have a USB mouse, plug it into a USB connector.
®
If your computer is running the Microsoft necessary mouse drivers have been installed on your hard drive.
2 parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have a
USB printer, plug it into a USB connector.
Windows XP operating system, the
NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically disabled if the computer
detects an installed card containing a parallel connector configured to the same address. For more information, see "System Setup Options" in the User’s Guide.
3 link integrity light
4 network adapter
connector
• Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer.
• Orange — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer.
• Yellow — A good connection exists between a 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.
• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.
To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network or broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.
NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector.
On computers with an additional network connector card, use the connectors on the card and on the back of the computer when setting up multiple network connections (such as a separate intra- and extranet).
It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.
5 network activity light Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or receiving network
data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.
Quick Reference Guide 25
6 line-in connector Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette
player, CD player, or VCR.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
7 line-out connector Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with
integrated amplifiers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
8 microphone connector Use the pink microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone
for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.
9 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
10 USB 2.0 connectors (3) Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as
11 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. The default
12 keyboard connector If you have a standard keyboard, plug it into the purple keyboard connector. If you
printers and keyboards.
It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices.
printers and keyboards.
It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices.
designations are COM1 for serial connector 1 and COM2 for the optional serial connector 2.
For more information, see "System Setup Options" in the User’s Guide
have a USB keyboard, plug it into a USB connector.
.
26 Quick Reference Guide

Inside View

1
2
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
3
10
9
8
7
1 power supply 6 card fan 2 optional additional fan 7 processor fan 3 system board 8 lower 3.5-inch drive bay 4 hard drive 9 upper 5.25-inch drive bay 5 processor airflow shroud 10 drive cage
4
5
6
Quick Reference Guide 27
Cable Colors
1
2
3 4 5

System Board Components

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Device Color
Hard drive blue cable
Floppy drive black pull tab
CD/DVD drive orange pull tab
6
23
22
21
20
19
18
1617
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
28 Quick Reference Guide
1 power connector (12VPOWER) 13 PCI-Express x1 card slot 2 memory module connectors 14 PCI-Express x16 up to 150w card slot 3 battery socket (BATTERY) 15 PCI-Express x8 card slot (wired as x4) 4 memory fan connector (FAN_MEM) 16 PCI card slots (1-3) 5 front panel connector 17 external light connector (AUX LED) 6 main power connector (POWER) 18 floppy drive (FLOPPY) 7 IDE drive connector (IDE) 19 serial connector (SERIAL2) 8 SATA connectors (SATA-1, SATA-3, SATA-0,
SATA-2)
9 RTC reset jumper (RTCRST) 21 internal speaker connector (INT_SPKR) 10 Flexbay connector (FLEXBAY) 22 processor fan connector (FAN_CPU) 11 chassis intrusion header 23 processor connector (CPU) 12 password jumper (PASS)
20 card cage fan (FAN CARD CAGE)

Locating Your User’s Guide

Your
User’s Guide
Technical specifications
Information for changing the orientation of your computer from a desktop to a tower
Front and back views of your computer, including all of the available connectors
Inside views of your computer, including a detailed graphic of the system board and the connectors
Instructions for cleaning your computer
Information on software features, such as LegacySelect Technology control, using a password, and system setup options
Tips and information for using the Microsoft Windows XP operating system
Instructions for removing and installing parts, including memory, cards, drives, the microprocessor, and the battery
Information for troubleshooting various computer problems
Instructions for using the Dell Diagnostics and reinstalling drivers
Information on how to contact Dell
You can access the
support.dell.com
contains additional information about your computer such as:
User’s Guide
from your hard drive or the Dell Support website at
.
Quick Reference Guide 29
To access the User’s Guide from your hard drive:
Click the
To access your User’s Guide from the Dell Support website:
1 2 3
Start
Go to
support.dell.com
Follow the prompts on the website that ask you for information specific to your computer.
At the Dell Support website home page, click and then select your computer.

Removing the Computer Cover

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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet
before removing the cover.
NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted
metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn
off your computer.
1
Shut down the operating system:
a
Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the click
b
In the
The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.
button and click
Help and Support
.
Turn Off Computer
Turn off computer
.
window, click
.
Reference
Tur n o ff
.
, click
User’s Guides
Start
button, and then
, click
Systems
,
2
Ensure that the computer and any attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, turn them off now.
3
If you have installed a security cable, remove it from the security cable slot.
NOTICE: Ensure that you are working on a level, protected surface to avoid scratching either the
computer or the surface on which it is resting.
4
Lay your computer on a flat surface with the computer cover facing up.
5
Pull back the cover latch release.
30 Quick Reference Guide
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