Dell XPS User Manual

Dell™ Dimension™ XPS

headphone connector

microphone connector

USB 2.0 connectors (2)

IEEE 1394 connector

serial connector 1

serial connector 2

diagnostic lights (4)

keyboard connector

USB 2.0 connectors (6)

DVI video connector

modem

PCI sound card with IEEE 1394

card slots (4)

fans (2)

parallel connector

cover latch release

mouse connector

network adapter connector

VGA video connector

security cable slot

padlock ring

power connector

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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 problem.

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 Dell Dimension Help file. To access help files, see page 30.

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this

document to Microsoft

Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

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

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, DellNet, Latitude, Dell Precision, Inspiron, OptiPlex, PowerApp, PowerVault, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, Axim, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron 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 WHL

December 2003 P/N T2310 Rev. A02

CAUTION: Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

SAFETY: General SAFETY: When Using Your Computer SAFETY: When Working Inside Your Computer

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SAFETY: Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits SAFETY: Battery Disposal

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Finding Information for Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

1 Using Your Computer

Opening the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting Two Monitors

Configuring Graphics Cards

Settings and Functions Removing the Graphics Card Driver

About Serial ATA Drives

About Your RAID Configuration

RAID Level 0 RAID Level 1

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Network Setup Wizard

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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Turning Off Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Contents 3

2 Optimizing Performance

Intel® Performance Acceleration Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus

Hyper-Threading

Overclocking

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3 Solving Problems

Finding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Finding Help Information

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Floppy drive problems CD drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW drive DVD drive problems Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

General Problems

The computer stops responding A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft

operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

A solid blue screen appears Other software problems Other technical problems General hardware problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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Windows

4 Contents

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

Mouse Problems

Network Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

No sound from speakers No sound from headphones

Video and Monitor Problems

If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

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4 Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Dell Diagnostics

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers

Using Microsoft

Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

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Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . . . 58

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Reinstalling Microsoft

Before You Begin Reinstalling Windows XP

Windows® XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Contents 5

5 Removing and Installing Parts

Front and Back View of the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Front View Front View (Doors Open) Back View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Before You Begin

Recommended Tools Precautionary Measures Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Opening the Computer Cover

Inside View of Your Computer

System Board Components

Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

DDR Memory Overview Memory Installation Guidelines Installing Memory

PCI Cards

Installing a PCI Card Removing a PCI Card

AGP Cards

Removing an AGP Card Installing an AGP Card

Drives

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Overview Hard Drive Floppy Drive CD/DVD Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

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6 Contents

Processor Airflow Shroud

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud

Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Installing the Processor Removing the Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

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Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Removing the Front Panel Replacing the Front Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Drive Door

Battery

Closing the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Removing the Drive Door Replacing the Drive Door

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

6 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Standard Settings

Viewing Settings System Setup Screens Boot Sequence

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

Contacting Dell

Regulatory Notices

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

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Limited Warranties and Return Policy

Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (U.S. Only) "Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

. . . 128

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (Canada Only)

"Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (Canada Only) Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only)

Intel Only (U.S. and Canada Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

. . . . . . . . . . . . 135

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Warranty Statement for Pentium® and Celeron® Processors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Contents 7

8 Contents

CAUTION: Safety Instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your computer and working environment from potential damage.

SAFETY: General

• Do not attempt to service the computer yourself unless you are a trained service technician. Always follow installation instruction s closely.

• To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not use your computer during an electrical storm.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical storm.

• If your computer includes a modem, the cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-compliant RJ-11 modular plug.

• Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.

• To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from the computer.

• To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network cable, first unplug the cable from the network adapter on the back of your computer, and then from the network jack. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network jack, and then into the network adapter.

• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

• Ensure that nothing rests on your computer’s cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.

• Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

• Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.

CAUTION: Safety Instructions 9

SAFETY: When Using Your Computer

As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.

CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, filler brackets,

front-panel inserts, and so on) removed.

• 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

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selection switch on the back panel must be manually set to operate at the correct operating voltage. Set the switch to the position that most closely matches the voltage used in your location.

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.

• Before working inside the computer, unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock or system board damage. Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the computer is connected to AC power.

SAFETY: When Working Inside Your Computer

Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in your online Dell™

documentation or in instructions otherwise provided to you by Dell. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.

NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before

removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer.

Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.

Turn off your computer and any devices connected to the computer.

Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis, such as the metal around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer, before touching anything inside your computer.

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

Disconnect your computer and devices, including the monitor, from their electrical outlets. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.

In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before disconnecting the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

10 CAUTION: Safety Instructions

• Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a processor chip by its edges, not by its pins.

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with

the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

SAFETY: Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components, such as the processor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated.

You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD):

• Do not remove components from their antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, discharge static electricity from your body.

• When transporting an electrostatic sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.

• Handle all electrostatic sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.

SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits

CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury.

CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in eye strain.

For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines in the Dell Dimension Help file when setting up and using your computer. To access the help file, see page 14.

SAFETY: Battery Disposal

Your computer uses a lithium coin-cell battery. The lithium coin-cell battery is a long-life battery, and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it. However, should you need to replace it, see page 101.

Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

CAUTION: Safety Instructions 11

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12 CAUTION: Safety Instructions

Finding Information for Your Computer

Dell provides the following support options to help you quickly find answers to your questions and problems:

• Dell Solution Center — Double-click the Dell Solution Center icon on your Microsoft

Windows

desktop for documentation, tools, troubleshooting information, and links to

online support resources.

• Dell Support on the Internet — The Dell Support website (

support.dell.com

) provides online tools, including a Knowledge Base, Frequently Asked Questions, Hints and Tips, Software Reinstall Guides, Dell Community Forums, and Dell Customer Care.

• Dell Technical Support — E-mail or call technical support personnel for Dell™ hardware or operating system issues that you cannot resolve using the Dell Support options.

Use the following chart to determine where you can find information on a particular topic.

What are you looking for? Find It Here

• How to access tutorials and other how to information

• How to get a copy of my invoice

• How to extend my warranty

• Additional documentation, tools, troubleshooting information, and links to online support resources

• Latest drivers for my computer

• Answers to technical service and support questions

• Online discussions with other users and technical support

• Documentation for my computer

Dell Solution Center

On your Windows desktop

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

Finding Information for Your Computer 13

What are you looking for? Find It Here

• How to set up my computer

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Setup Diagram

• Additional information about setting up my computer

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

• How to remove and install parts

• Technical specifications

• How to contact Dell

• Tips on using Windows

• How to play CDs and DVDs

• How to use standby mode and hibernate mode

• How to change my display resolution

• How to clean my computer

• How to use Windows

• Documentation for my computer

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

Owner’s Manual

Dell Dimension Help File

Click the

Click

Start

button and click

User and system guides

and click

Dell™ Dimension™ Help

Help and Support

User’s guides

Windows Help and Support Center

Click the

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow

Start

button and click

Help and Support

icon.

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

14 Finding Information for Your Computer

What are you looking for? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

ResourceCD

• Drivers for my computer

• My computer documentation

• My device documentation

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer when shipped from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see page 55), run the Dell Diagnostics (see page 52), 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.

• How to reinstall my operating system

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft

Windows® License Label

Operating System CD

Windows XP is already installed on your computer when shipped from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall the operating system (see page 60). After you reinstall your operating system using the Operating System CD, use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

The product key for your operating system is located on your computer.

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Label

These labels are located on your computer.

•Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you access Dell Support or when you contact Dell for technical assistance.

•Enter the Express Service Code into the automated call-routing system when you contact Dell for technical assistance. Express Service Code service may not be available in some countries.

•Use the number on the Windows License Label if you reinstall Windows on your computer.

Finding Information for Your Computer 15

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16 Finding Information for Your Computer

Using Your Computer

Opening the Drive Door

Connecting Two Monitors

NOTE: If you are connecting two monitors that have VGA connectors, you must have the optional VGA

adapter. If you are connecting two flat-panel monitors, at least one of them must have a VGA connector. If you are connecting a television, you may connect only one monitor (VGA or DVI) in addition to the television.

Using Your Computer 17

If you purchased a video card that supports dual monitors, follow these instructions to connect and enable your monitors. The instructions tell you how to connect either two monitors (each with a VGA connector), one monitor with a VGA connector and one monitor with a DVI connector, or a television.

Save any open files, close any open programs, and then shut down your computer through the

Start

menu (see page 25).

Connect the monitor cables to the connectors on the back of the computer.

NOTE: If your computer has integrated video, do not connect either monitor to the integrated video

connector.

If both monitors have VGA connectors:

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Connect one of the monitors to the VGA (blue) connector on the computer.

Connect the other monitor to the optional VGA adapter and connect the VGA adapter to the DVI (white) connector on the computer.

optional VGA adapter

VGA (blue) connector

TV OUT connector

DVI (white) connector

If one monitor has a VGA connector and the other one has a DVI connector:

Connect the VGA connector on the monitor to the VGA (blue) connector on the computer.

18 Using Your Computer

Connect the DVI connector on the other monitor to the DVI (white) connector on the computer.

NOTE: To connect a television to your computer, you must purchase an S-video cable, which is available

at most consumer electronics stores. An S-video cable is not included with your computer.

If one of the monitors is a television:

Connect one end of the S-video cable to the TV-OUT connector on the computer.

Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video input connector on your television.

Connect the VGA or DVI monitor as described on page 18.

Turn on the computer.

The Microsoft

Enable clone mode or extended desktop mode in the display settings.

Windows® desktop displays on the primary monitor.

• In clone mode, both monitors display the same image.

• In extended desktop mode, you can drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space.

For information on changing the display settings for your video card, see the user’s guide in the Help and Support Center (click the

system guides

, click

Device guides

Start

button, click

Help and Support

, click

, and then click the guide for your video card).

Configuring Graphics Cards

User and

Settings and Functions

Dell configured your graphics card for optimal performance with most games and other video programs. However, some game manufacturers may recommend that you either change a setting or enable or disable a certain function for a game to properly run. You may also want to readjust settings to better fit your gaming style.

Some settings, such as Direct3D or OpenGL, enable you to adjust the card for higher performance or for higher image quality. Other settings, such as contrast or color level, are cosmetic adjustments.

Certain high-end graphics cards are available with TV-Out support, which enables you to connect a television to your computer, in addition to the monitor. A TV-Out configuration is ideal for watching movies using an optional DVD player or for giving presentations. For information on connecting a television to your computer, see page 17.

Using Your Computer 19

For information and instructions on adjusting your graphics card’s operating mode, settings, and functions:

Click the

Click

User and system guides

Locate and click the guide for your graphics card.

Removing the Graphics Card Driver

If you want to install a different graphics card in your computer, you must first remove the driver for the graphics card that is currently installed. To remove a graphics card driver:

Click the

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Double-click

Click the name of the graphics card in the

Click

Change/Remove

After the driver is removed, install the new card (see "AGP Cards" on page 80), and then install the new card’s driver according to the documentation that came with the card.

NOTE: If you reinstall the graphics card that came with your computer, the card’s drivers are located on

the Dell Dimension ResourceCD (see "Drivers" on page 55 for more information).

About Serial ATA Drives

Your Dell™ Dimension™ XPS computer is compatible with both IDE and serial ATA hard drives. Serial ATA drives provide the following benefits by transferring data using serial technology and flexible cables that are thinner and longer than IDE cables:

• Improved cable routing facilitates more efficient airflow inside the chassis.

• Compact cable connectors save space on the system board and on the hard drive. Combined with the improved cable routing, this allows a more efficient utilization of space inside the chassis.

See "Hard Drive" on page 82 for information on serial ATA drive connections.

Start

button and click

Start

button and click

Add or Remove Programs

and follow the instructions on the screen.

Help and Support

Control Panel

Currently installed programs

list.

About Your RAID Configuration

This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration that you selected when you purchased your computer. Although there are several RAID configurations available in the computer industry for different types of uses, Dell offers either RAID level 0 or RAID level 1 on the Dimension XPS computer. A RAID level 0 configuration is recommended for high-performance gaming, and a RAID level 1 configuration is recommended for the data integrity requirements for digital photography and audio.

20 Using Your Computer

NOTE: RAID levels do not represent a hierarchy. A RAID level 1 configuration is not inherently better or

worse than a RAID level 0 configuration.

RAID Level 0

RAID level 0 uses a storage technique known as "data striping" to provide a high data access rate. Data striping is a method of writing consecutive segments, or stripes, of data sequentially across the physical drives to create a large virtual drive. Data striping allows one of the drives to read data while the other drive is searching for and reading the next block.

serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 0

segment 1

segment 3

segment 5

hard drive

segment 2

segment 4

segment 6

hard drive

Another advantage of a RAID level 0 configuration is that it utilizes the full capacities of the drives. If you have two 120-GB drives installed, you have 240 GB on which to store data.

NOTICE: Because RAID level 0 provides no data redundancy, if one drive fails, then the data on the other

drive is also inaccessible. Therefore, ensure that you perform regular backups when you use a RAID level 0 configuration.

RAID Level 1

RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as "mirroring." When data is written to the primary drive, it is then duplicated, or mirrored, on the other drive. A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data access rates for its data redundancy advantages.

Using Your Computer 21

serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 1

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If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive. Also, because data is duplicated on both drives, two 120-GB RAID level 1 drives collectively have a maximum of 120-GB on which to store data.

Transferring Information to a New Computer

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer. You can move data such as:

• E-mails

• Toolbar settings

• Window sizes

• Internet bookmarks

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.

To prepare the new computer for the file transfer:

Click the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

When the

On the

segment 1

segment 2

segment 3

segment 4

segment 5

segment 6

hard drive

Start

button, point to

All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

screen, click

segment 1 duplicated

segment 2 duplicated

segment 3 duplicated

segment 4 duplicated

segment 5 duplicated

segment 6 duplicated

hard drive

welcome screen appears, click

New Computer

and click

, and then click

22 Using Your Computer

On the

Windows XP CD

When the

Do not

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

and click Next.

Now go to your old computer

click

at this time.

screen, click

I will use the wizard from the

screen appears, go to your old or source computer.

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the Windows XP

On the

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

Under

What do you want to do?

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

What do you want to transfer?

, click

screen, click

screen, click the transfer method you prefer.

After the information has been copied, the

Click

Finish

screen, select the items you want to transfer and click

Operating System

screen, click

Transfer files and settings

welcome screen, click

Old Computer

CD.

Perform additional tasks

and click

Completing the Collection Phase

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the

On the your settings and files and click

Now go to your old computer

screen on the new computer, click

Where are the files and settings?

screen, select the method you chose for transferring

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

screen appears.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Click

Finished

and restart the new computer.

Finished

screen appears.

Copying CDs and DVDs

NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.

This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, or DVD/CD-RW combo drive.

The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came with your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the window, and click

RecordNow Help

RecordNow Tutorial

Using Your Computer 23

How to Copy a CD or DVD

NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for

available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com.

NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic

RecordNow.

Click the

Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD you are planning to copy.

Click

Exact Copy

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To copy the CD or DVD:

If you have one CD or DVD drive

•

computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive.

When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click

Start

button, point to

All Programs→

Sonic→ RecordNow!→ RecordNow!.

, ensure that the settings are correct and click

Copy

. The

If you have two CD or DVD drives

•

source CD or DVD and click

, select the drive into which you have inserted your

Copy

. The computer copies the data on the CD or DVD to

the blank CD or DVD.

Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD, the CD or DVD that you have created automatically ejects.

Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs

Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again without changing your method of recording (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.

Helpful Tips

• Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic RecordNow and open a RecordNow project.

• You must use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.

• You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic RecordNow.

• Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.

24 Using Your Computer

• Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 650-MB file to a 650-MB blank CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1 or 2 MB of the blank CD to finalize the recording.

• Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R.

• See the Sonic support website at

support.sonic.com

for additional information.

Network Setup Wizard

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.

Click the

Network Setup Wizard

On the welcome screen, click

Click

NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the

integrated firewall provided with Windows XP.

Complete the checklist and required preparations.

Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.

Start

button, point to

Checklist for creating a network

All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications

, and then click

Turning Off Your Computer

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft® Windows® operating

system shutdown, as described next, rather than by pressing the power button.

Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the

Turn Off Computer

In the

Turn off computer

The computer turns off after the shutdown process finishes.

window, click

Tur n o f f

Start

button, and then click

Using Your Computer 25

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

26 Using Your Computer

Optimizing Performance

Intel® Performance Acceleration Technology

Your Dell™ Dimension™ XPS computer is equipped with the Intel 875P chip set, which utilizes Performance Acceleration Technology (PAT). PAT is designed to optimize performance by reducing the latency between DDR 400 memory and 800 front-side bus processors, and helps provide high performance to meet the requirements for today’s demanding software.

DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus

The performance of your computer’s DDR memory depends on the type of memory installed and the clock speed of your processor. For your computer, the memory type is DDR 400 (PC3200), so for an 800 MHz front-side bus processor, the memory performs at 400 MHz, while for a 533 frontside bus processor, the memory performs at 333 MHz. For information on installing memory, see page 73. For more information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory" on page 105.

Hyper-Threading

NOTE: Hyper-Threading is supported only on computers that have 3.06-GHz (or higher) processors

installed, or on computers that are running 800-MHz front-side bus processors.

Hyper-Threading is an Intel® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.

To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:

Click the

Click

In the Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

Start

button, right-click

Hardware

Device Manager

and click

My Computer

Device Manager

window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper-

, and then click

Windows® XP operating

Properties

Optimizing Performance 27

You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. For more information on accessing system setup, see page 109. For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell Support website at

Overclocking

Dell locks the processor multiplier options in system setup to prevent processor overclocking. The first and most important reason for preventing overclocking is that Dell’s performance labs vigorously test and fine-tune Dell computers at the system level in an attempt to attain the best possible overall performance. Any performance modification that is not implemented in the labs could cause performance degradation. When you receive your computer in the configuration that

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

you ordered, it is already primed for high performance.

The second reason is that an overclocked processor, in general, creates excessive heat and electrical fields that can cause heat fatigue failures within the processor, thus possibly shortening its expected life span. Even slight overclocking can cause a computer to become unstable and lock up.

There are several after-market "performance-modification" products available through various sources, but Dell discourages and does not support the use of those products on its computers.

support.dell.com

28 Optimizing Performance

Solving Problems

Finding Solutions

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this chart to help you quickly find the answers to your questions.

See page 42.

Press a key or move the mouse. See the Dell Dimen- sion Help file for information on standby mode.

Get technical assistance from Dell. See page 112.

See page 35.

Solving Problems 29

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See page 46.

See page 45.

See page 34.

See page 40.

See page 39.

See page 31.

See page 41.

See page 44.

See page 35.

See page 36.

See page 34.

Finding Help Information

TO ACCESS THE DELL DIMENSION HELP FILE —

Click the

Click

User and system guides

Click

Dell™ Dimension™ Help

30 Solving Problems

Start

button and click

See page 36.

Help and Support

and click

User’s guides

See page 34.

+ 112 hidden pages