Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly
forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation;
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT 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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names
other than its own.
Models: DHM and WHM
February 2003P/N G0428Rev. A00
Contents
Finding Information for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Dell provides the following resource and support tools. Additional resources may be shipped
with your computer.
What are you looking for?Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
•My User’s Guide
• My device documentation
• System board connectors
• Location of system board components
Drivers and Utilities CD
(also known as the ResourceCD)
Documentation and drivers are already
installed on your computer when shipped
from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall
drivers, run the Dell Diagnostics, or access
your documentation.
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
experienced users or technicians.
System Information Label
or
Located on the inside of your computer cover.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide5
What are you looking for?Find It Here
• Warranty Information
Dell System Information Guide
• Safety Information
• How to remove and replace parts
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• Technical specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
• Express Service Code and Service Tag
• Windows
License Label
• Latest drivers for my computer
• Answers to technical service and support
questions
• Online discussions with other users and
technical support
• Documentation for my computer
including the Service Manual
®
User’s Guide Icon (Microsoft
Windows® 2000)
Double-click the User’s Guides icon on your desktop.
Windows XP Help and Support Center
1
Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2 Click User’s and system guides and click User’s guides.
Express Service Code and Product Key Label
These labels are located on your computer.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
• Community Forum — Online discussion with other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory,
the hard drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact information, order status, warranty,
and repair information
• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates
• Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications,
and white papers
6Setup and Quick Reference Guide
What are you looking for?Find It Here
• Service call status and support history
• Top technical issues for my computer
• Frequently asked questions
• File downloads
• Details on my computer configuration
Dell Premier Support Website —
premiersupport.dell.com
The Dell Premier Support website is customized for corporate,
government, and education customers. This website may not be
available in all regions.
• Service contract for my computer
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices
(such as a modem)
Windows XP Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
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.
• How to reinstall my operating systemOperating System CD
After you reinstall the operating system
using the Operating System
Reinstallation CD, use the Drivers and Utilities CD to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with your computer.
The product key for your operating
system is located on your computer.
or
Setup and Quick Reference Guide7
Setting Up Your Computer
CAUTION: Before performing any of the procedures in this section,
follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
NOTICE: If your computer has an expansion card installed (such as a network card), connect
the appropriate cable to the card, not to the connector on the computer back panel.
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer. See the appropriate figures
that follow the instructions.
1 Connect the keyboard and mouse.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to operate a PS/2 mouse and a USB mouse simultaneously.
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2 Connect the modem or network cable.
Insert the network cable, not the phone line, into the network connector. If you have
an optional modem, connect the phone line to the modem.
NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the network adapter. Voltage from telephone
communications can cause damage to the network adapter.
Connect the monitor.
3
Align and gently insert the monitor cable to avoid bending connector pins. Tighten
the thumbscrews on the cable connectors.
NOTE: Some flat-panel displays and graphic cards support Digital Visual Interface (DVI). If
your monitor and card have DVI connectors, Dell recommends that you use DVI instead of VGA.
A second monitor is optional and requires a multimonitor graphics adapter card. To
enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached when the computer
starts. See “Monitor Connections” on page 14 for more information on attaching two
monitors.
4 Connect the speakers.
5 Connect power cables to the computer, monitor, and devices and insert the other ends
of the power cables to electrical outlets.
8Setup and Quick Reference Guide
6 Verify that the voltage selection switch is set correctly for your location.
Your computer is equipped with one of the following:
•A fixed-voltage power supply — Computers with a fixed-voltage power supply
do not have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and operate at only
one voltage (see the regulatory label on the outside of the computer for its
operating voltage).
•An auto-sensing voltage circuit — Computers with an auto-sensing voltage circuit
do not have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and automatically detect
the correct operating voltage.
•A manual voltage selection switch — Computers with a voltage selection switch
on the back panel must be manually set to operate at the correct operating
voltage.
NOTICE: To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage selection switch, set the
switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location. For
Japan, the voltage selection switch must be set to the 115-V position even though the AC power
available in Japan is 100 V. Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically
rated to operate with the AC power available in your location.
Press the power buttons to turn on the computer and monitors.
7
See “Completed Setup” on page 16.
NOTE: Before you install any devices or software that did not ship 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.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide9
Mini-Tower Setup — Without Expansion Cards
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
keyboard
mouse
speakers
headphones
network
USB
10Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Mini-Tower Setup — With Expansion Card
NOTE: For more information on setting up monitors with your specific graphics card,
see “Monitor Connections” on page 14.
monitor
flat-panel
monitor
speakers
network
Setup and Quick Reference Guide11
Desktop Setup — Without Expansion Cards
keyboard
mouse
speakers
headphones
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
network
USB
12Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Desktop Setup — With Expansion Cards
NOTE: For more information on setting up two monitors, see “Monitor Connections”
on page 14.
monitor
flat-panel
monitor
speakers
network
Setup and Quick Reference Guide13
Monitor Connections
For dual monitor capable cards with a single connector
Dual VGA Y Cable Adapter
Dual DVI Y Cable Adapter
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VGA
VGA
• This adapter cable can support one or two VGA
monitors. The cable is color coded: blue for the
primary monitor and black for an optional secondary
monitor.
NOTICE: The Y Cable Adapter provided with your computer is unique to the graphics card in your computer.
Adapter cables from other graphics cards should not be used.
DVI
DVI
• This adapter cable can support one or two DVI
monitors. The cable is color coded: blue for the
primary monitor and black for an optional secondary
monitor.
14Setup and Quick Reference Guide
For dual-monitor capable cards with 1 DVI and 1 VGA connector
Single DVI/Single VGA
DVI
Dual VGA With VGA Adapter
VGA
• Use the appropriate connector when you connect
• Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect
to one or two monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with 2 DVI connectors
Dual DVI
DVI
DVI
• Use the DVI connectors to
connect to one or two DVI
monitors.
Dual DVI With One VGA Adapter
DVI
VGA
• Use the VGA adapter to connect
a VGA monitor to one DVI
connector.
VGA
to two VGA monitors.
Dual DVI With Two VGA Adapters
• Use two VGA adapters to
connect two VGA monitors
to the DVI connectors.
VGA
VGA
VGA
Setup and Quick Reference Guide15
Completed Setup
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
power
Microsoft Windows Product Key
16Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Microsoft Windows Product Key
Opening the Computer Cover
CAUTION: Before performing any of the procedures in this section, follow the
safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
1
Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
2 Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and
attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer,
turn them off now.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then
unplug it from the network wall jack.
Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
3
4 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from electrical outlets, and then
press the power button to ground the system board.
5 If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back panel, remove the
padlock.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from
the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
Lay the computer on its side as shown in the illustration.
6
NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to accommodate the open cover—at least 30 cm
(1 ft) of desktop space.
Open the computer cover.
7
–For the mini-tower, push the buttons on both ends and lift the cover open.
–For the desktop, slide the cover release latch toward the power supply of the
computer. Raise the cover, and pivot it toward the front of the computer.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide17
8 Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer, such as the
metal at the back of the computer, before touching anything inside your computer.
While you work, periodically touch any unpainted metal surface on the computer to
dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
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18Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Inside Your Computer
Mini-Tower Computer
power supply
padlock ring
power
connector
removable media drive
floppy drive
hard drive
optional speaker
chassis intrusion
switch
back-panel
connectors
system board
microprocessor airflow shroud
AGP and PCI expansion-card slots
Setup and Quick Reference Guide19
Desktop Computer
chassis
intrusion switch
power supply
removable media drive
floppy drive
hard drive
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
padlock ring
power
connector
back-panel
connectors
system board
microprocessor airflow shroud
AGP and PCI expansion-card slots
20Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Solving Problems
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Microsoft® Windows® XP
Windows XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating
system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.
To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:
1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2 Click Performance and Maintenance and click System.
3 Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
4 In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.
Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (
or a red
5 Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.
X if the device has been disabled.
!) beside the conflicting device
If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the
cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.
6 Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices from the Device
Manager.
To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2 Ty p e hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and click the arrow to start the
search.
3 Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.
4 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer, and then click Next.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide21
Windows 2000
To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows 2000:
1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2 In the Control Panel window, double-click System.
3 Click the Hardware tab.
4 Click Device Manager.
5 Click View and click Resources by connection.
6 Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.
Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
or a red
7 Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.
If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the
cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.
8 Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices from the Device
Manager.
To use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter:
1 Click the Start button and click Help.
2 Click Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click Windows 2000
troubleshooters, and then click Hardware.
3 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my
computer, and then click Next.
!) beside the conflicting device
X if the device has been disabled.
22Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Using System Restore in Windows XP
The Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your
computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the
hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable
operating state.
NOTICE: Back up your data files regularly. System Restore does not monitor your data files or
recover them.
Creating a Restore Point
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2 Click System Restore.
3 Follow the instructions on the screen.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close all open
files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the
system restoration is complete.
1
Click the Start button, point to All Programs→Accessories→System Tools,
and then click System Restore.
2 Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and then click Next.
3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.
The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select
restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.
4 Select a restore point and click Next.
If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically
selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you
prefer.
5 Click Next.
The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting
data, and then the computer automatically restarts.
6 After the computer restarts, click OK.
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore
point, or you can undo the restoration.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide23
Using the Last Known Good Configuration in Windows 2000
1 Restart your computer and press <F8> when the message Please select the
operating system to start
2 Highlight Last Known Good Setting, press <Enter>, press <l>, and then select your
operating system when prompted.
Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts
NOTICE: The following processes erase all of the information on your hard drive.
•If the previous procedures did not work, run a low-level format of your hard drive.
appears.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
•Reinstall your operating system using the operating system installation guide and
operating system CD.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in “Solving Problems”
in your User’s Guide and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical
assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may help you resolve the problem without
contacting Dell. If you do contact Dell, the test results can provide important information
for Dell's service and support personnel.
The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:
•Perform tests on one or all devices.
•Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having.
•Choose how many times a test is run.
•Suspend testing if an error is detected.
•Access help information that describes the tests and devices.
•Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully.
•Receive error messages if problems are detected.
See your operating system installation guide for more information.
24Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.
NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer only. Using this program with
other computers can result in error messages.
Enter system setup, review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the
device you want to test displays in system setup and is active.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD
(also known as the ResourceCD).
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
1 Shut down and restart the computer.
2 When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, follow
the instruction to run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities CD.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait
until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the
Start menu and try again.
3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press
<Enter>.
4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
1 Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.
2 Shut down and restart the computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try
again.
NOTE: This feature changes the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up,
the computer boots according to the devices specified in system setup.
When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device
3
and press <Enter>.
4 Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide25
5 Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.
6 Ty p e 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.
7 Ty p e 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.
8 Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions
are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer.
9 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
1 After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button
for the option you want.
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OptionFunction
Express TestPerforms a quick test of devices. This test typically
Extended TestPerforms a thorough check of devices. This test
Custom TestTests a specific device. You can customize the tests you
Symptom TreeLists the most common symptoms encountered and
takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on
your part. Run Express Test first to increase the
possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
typically takes an hour or more and requires you to
answer questions periodically.
want to run.
allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the
problem you are having.
2 If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a
description of the problem. Write down the error code and problem description and
follow the instructions on the screen.
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.
NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you
contact Dell, technical support personnel will ask for your Service Tag number.
26Setup and Quick Reference Guide
3 If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable
tab described in the following table for more information.
TabFunction
ResultsDisplays the results of the test and any error conditions
HelpDescribes the test and may indicate requirements for
running the test.
ConfigurationDisplays your hardware configuration for the selected
device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration
information for all devices from system setup, memory,
and various internal tests, and it displays the
information in the device list in the left pane of the
screen. The device list may not display the names of all
the components installed on your computer or all
devices attached to your computer.
ParametersAllows you to customize the test by changing the test
settings.
4 When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the
Drivers and Utilities CD, remove the CD.
5 Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics
and restart the computer, close the Main Menu screen.
Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps that identify a problem. One possible series
(code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This series tell
you that the computer encountered a memory problem.
If a beep code is emitted, write it down and look it up under “Beep Codes” in the User’s Guide.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide27
Error Messages
NOTE: If the message is not listed, see the documentation for either the operating system or the
program that was running when the message appeared.
If an error occurs during start-up, a message may be displayed on the monitor identifying
the problem. See “Error Messages” in the User’s Guide for suggestions on resolving any
problems.
System Lights
Your computer has a number of lights that can help you analyze and solve problems.
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Power LightHard-Drive
Light
Solid greenN/APower is on, and the computer is
Blinking greenBlankThe computer is in the suspended
Blinks green
several times and
then turns off
Solid yellowN/AThe Dell Diagnostics is running a
Blinking yellowBlankA power supply or system board
N/AA configuration error exists.Check the diagnostic lights to see if
Problem DescriptionSuggested Resolution
operating normally.
state (Microsoft
and Windows XP).
test, or a device on the system board
may be faulty or incorrectly
installed.
failure has occurred.
®
Windows® 2000
No corrective action is required.
Press the power button, move the
mouse, or press a key on the
keyboard to wake the computer. See
“Power Button” in your User’s Guide.
the specific problem is identified.
If the Dell Diagnostics is running,
allow the testing to complete.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if
the specific problem is identified.
See “System Board Problems” in
your User’s Guide.
If the computer does not boot,
contact Dell for technical
assistance.
Check the diagnostic lights to see if
the specific problem is identified.
See “Power Problems” and “System
Board Problems” in your User’s Guide.
28Setup and Quick Reference Guide
Power LightHard-Drive
Light
Blinking yellowSolid greenA system board or VRM failure has
Solid green and a
beep code during
POST
Solid green power
light and no beep
code and no video
during POST
Solid green power
light and no beep
code, but the
computer locks
up during POST
N/AA problem was detected while the
N/AThe monitor or the graphics card
N/AAn integrated system board device
Problem DescriptionSuggested Resolution
occurred.
BIOS was executing.
may be faulty or incorrectly
installed.
may be faulty.
Check the diagnostic lights to see
if the specific problem is identified.
See “System Board Problems” in
your User’s Guide.
See “Beep Codes” in your User’s Guide. Also, check the diagnostic
lights to see if the specific problem
is identified.
Check the diagnostic lights to see
if the specific problem is identified.
See “Video and Monitor Problems”
in your User’s Guide.
Check the diagnostic lights to see
if the specific problem is identified.
If the problem is not identified,
contact Dell for technical
assistance.
Setup and Quick Reference Guide29
Diagnostic Lights
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights labeled “A,”
“B,” “C,” and “D.” Diagnostic lights are located on the back of the mini-tower computer
and on the front of the desktop computer. When the computer starts normally, the lights
flash. After the computer starts, all four lights will display solid green. If the computer
malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.
Reinstall the microprocessor and restart the
computer. See your User’s Guide for
information on how to reinstall the
microprocessor for your computer.
A B C D
A B C D
= yellow
= green
= off
Memory modules are detected, but a memory
failure has occurred.
A possible expansion card failure has
occurred.
1 Remove and reinstall all memory modules.
Ensure that all the connector tabs are
locked. For optimal performance, install
the DIMMs in pairs (1 and 2 and 3 and 4).
2 Restart the computer.
1 Determine if a conflict exists by removing
a card (not the video card) and then
restarting the computer.
2 If the problem persists, reinstall the card
that you removed, remove a different card,
and then restart the computer.
3 Repeat this process for each card. If the
computer starts normally, troubleshoot the
last card removed from the computer for
resource conflicts (see “Resolving Software
and Hardware Incompatibilities” in your
User’s Guide).
4 If the problem persists, contact Dell.
30Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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