Dell XPS GEN 3 User Manual

Dell™ Dimension™ XPS Gen 3

serial port

parallel port

keyboard connector

USB 2.0 connectors (6)

VGA video connector

PCI card (4), PCI Express x1 card (1), PCI Express x16 card (1) slots

fans (2)

headphone connector

microphone connector

USB 2.0 connectors (2)

IEEE 1394 connector

fans (2)

diagnostic lights

mouse connector

cover latch release

network adapter connector

TV-OUT connector

DVI video connector

sound card connectors

security cable slot

padlock ring

modem connector

power connector

Model WHL

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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 the help file, see

page 10.

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, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp,

DellNet, PowerConnect, and Axim are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook 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

May 2004 P/N J3186 Rev. A00

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Opening the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Changing the Backlight Color

Connecting Two Monitors

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Connecting One Monitor With a VGA connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Connecting a TV Changing the Display Settings

About Serial ATA Drives

About Your RAID Configuration

RAID Level 0 RAID Level 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Configuring Your Computer for RAID

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Option ROM Utility Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Application Accelerator

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Copying CDs and DVDs

How to Copy a CD or DVD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Using Blank CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs Helpful Tips

Network Setup Wizard

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

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

. . . . . . . . 20

. . . . . 21

. . . . . . . . . 27

2 Optimizing Performance

Hyper-Threading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Overclocking

PCI Express Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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

Contents 3

3 Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Battery Problems

Drive Problems

CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

Error Messages

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

Keyboard Problems

Lockups and Software Problems

The computer does not start up The computer stops responding A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system A solid blue screen appears Other software problems

Memory Problems

Mouse Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . 37

4 Contents

Network Problems

Power Problems

Printer Problems

Scanner Problems

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

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

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

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

Sound and Speaker Problems

No sound from speakers No sound from headphones

Video and Monitor Problems

If the screen is blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

If the screen is difficult to read

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

4 Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Dell Diagnostics

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Reinstalling Microsoft

Before You Begin Reinstalling Windows XP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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

Windows® XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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

. . . . . . . . . . 56

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

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

Windows® XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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

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

5 Removing and Installing Parts

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Front and Back View of the Computer

Front View Front View (Doors Open) Back View

Opening the Computer Cover

Inside View of Your Computer

System Board Components

Memory

Installing Memory Removing Memory

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

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

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

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

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

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

Contents 5

Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

PCI Cards PCI Express Cards

Drives

General Installation Guidelines Connecting Drive Cables

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Hard Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Removing a Hard Drive Installing a Hard Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Adding a Second Hard Drive

Floppy Drive

CD/DVD Drive

Processor Airflow Shroud

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Removing a Floppy Drive Installing a Floppy Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Removing a CD/DVD Drive Installing a CD/DVD Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

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

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

Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud

Processor

Front Panel

Drive Door

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

Removing the Processor Installing the Processor

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

Removing the Front Panel Replacing the Front Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Removing the Drive Door Replacing the Drive Door

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

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

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

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

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

6 Contents

Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Replacing the Battery

Closing the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

6 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

System Setup

Overview Entering System Setup System Setup Options Boot Sequence

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Clearing CMOS Settings

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)

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

Contacting Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

. . . . . . . . 121

. . . . . . . . . 121

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

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

Contents 7

8 Contents

Finding Information

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

• How to access Dell Support on my Microsoft Windows

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

• A diagnostic program for my computer

• Drivers for my computer

• My computer documentation

• My device documentation

desktop (U.S. only)

Dell Solution Center

ResourceCD

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see page 54), run the Dell Diagnostics (see page 50), or access your documentation.

On your Windows desktop

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.

• 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

Dimension Owner’s Manual

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at

support.dell.com.

Finding Information 9

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Warranty information

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

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• How to set up my computer

Setup Diagram

• Tips on using Microsoft® 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

10 Finding Information

The Dell Dimension Help file

Click the

Click

Start

button and click

User and system guides Dell Dimension Help

Help and Support

and click

User’s guides

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

• Microsoft Windows License Label

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License

These labels are located on your computer.

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support. The Express Service Code is not available in all countries.

• 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 Support Website — support.dell.com

NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support

site.

The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses

• Community — 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

• How to use Windows XP

• Documentation for my computer

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

Windows Help and Support Center

Click the

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

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Start

button and click

•Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use

support.dell.com

or contact technical support.

Help and Support

Finding Information 11

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System CD

The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System CD. See "Reinstalling Microsoft Windows

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XP" on page 57.

After you reinstall your operating system, use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

NOTE: The color of your

CD varies based on the operating system you ordered.

12 Finding Information

Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Opening the Drive Door

Changing the Backlight Color

You can use this exclusive Dell™ Dimension™ XPS Gen 3 feature either to change the color of the backlight that illuminates the Dell name and displays around the badge on the front of your computer, or to turn off the backlight entirely.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 13

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There are several color choices:

• Ruby

•Emerald

• Sapphire (default)

•Amber

• Amethyst

•Topaz

• Diamond

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

backlight

badge

NOTE: The backlight is not for diagnostic purposes.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61.

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

Enter system setup (see page 114).

Scroll through the color options using the up- and down-arrow keys, select press <Enter>.

14 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

System

, and then

Click

Front LED Color

Press the left- and right- arrow keys to scroll through the color options. The backlight color

, and press <Enter>.

changes as you scroll through the options.

Select the color you want, and press <Enter>.

Press <Esc>, and press

Save and Exit

to save the new backlight color setting.

Connecting Two Monitors

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

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

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

NOTE: See the documentation that came with your TV to ensure that you properly configure and connect

the TV.

If you purchased a graphics 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 aTV.

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61.

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

connector. If the integrated video connector is covered by a cap, do not remove the cap to connect the monitor or the monitor will not function.

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

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

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 15

optional DVI adapter

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Connecting One Monitor With a VGA connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61.

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

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

DVI (white) connector

TV-OUT connector

VGA (blue) connector

Connecting a TV

NOTE: To connect a TV 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.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61.

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

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

Connect the VGA or DVI monitor as described above on page 16.

16 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Changing the Display Settings

After you connect the monitor(s) or TV, turn on the computer.

The Microsoft

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

• 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 graphics card, see the user’s guide in the Help and Support Center (click the

system guides

Windows® desktop displays on the primary monitor.

Start

, click

Device guides

button, click

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

Help and Support

, click

User and

About Serial ATA Drives

Your Dell™ Dimension™ XPS computer supports up to three 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 84 for information on serial ATA drive connections.

About Your RAID Configuration

This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration that you might have selected when you purchased your computer. Although several RAID configurations are available, Dell offers either RAID level 0 or RAID level 1 for its Dimension computers. A RAID level 0 configuration is recommended for high-performance gaming, and a RAID level 1 configuration is recommended for the data integrity requirements of digital photography and audio.

The Intel RAID controller on your computer can only create a RAID volume using two physical drives. If a third drive is present, then that drive cannot be made part of a RAID volume using the Intel RAID configuration program, although it can be used as a spare drive in a RAID 1 configuration (see "Creating a Spare Hard Drive" on page 24). However, if four drives are present in your computer, then each pair of drives can be made into RAID level 0 or RAID level 1 volumes. The drives should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space.

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.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17

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.

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serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 0

segment 1

segment 3

segment 5

hard drive 1

segment 2

segment 4

segment 6

hard drive 2

Another advantage of a RAID level 0 configuration is that it utilizes the full capacities of the drives. For example, 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.

18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 1

segment 1

segment 2

segment 3

segment 4

segment 5

segment 6

hard drive 1

segment 1 duplicated

segment 2 duplicated

segment 3 duplicated

segment 4 duplicated

segment 5 duplicated

segment 6 duplicated

hard drive 2

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.

Configuring Your Computer for RAID

At some point you may want to configure your computer for RAID if you did not select a RAID configuration when you purchased your computer. You must have at least two hard drives installed in your computer to set up a RAID configuration. For instructions on how to install a hard drive, see page 85.

You can use one of two methods to configure RAID hard drive volumes. One method uses the Intel(R) Option ROM utility, and is performed hard drive. The second method uses the Intel Application Accelerator, or Intel Storage Utility, and this method is performed

after

you have installed the operating system and the Intel Storage Utility. Both methods require that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before starting any of the RAID configuration procedures in this document.

before

you install the operating system onto the

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

Enter system setup (see page 114).

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

Use the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight <Esc>.

Drives

, and press <Enter>.

Drive Controller

RAID On

, press <Enter>, and then press

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19

, and press <Enter>.

Use the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight setup and resume the boot process.

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Option ROM Utility

NOTE: Although any size drives may be used to create a RAID configuration using the Intel Option ROM

utility, ideally the drives should be of equal size. In a RAID level 0 configuration, the size of the array will be the size of the smallest disk multiplied by the number (two) of disks in the array. In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the array will be the smaller of the two disks used.

Creating a RAID Level 0 Configuration

NOTICE: You will lose any data on your hard drives when you create a RAID configuration using the

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following procedure. Back up data you want to keep before continuing.

NOTE: The following procedure should only be used if you are reinstalling your operating system. The

following procedure should not be used to migrate an existing storage configuration to RAID 0.

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Press <Ctrl><i> when you are prompted to enter the Intel(R) RAID Option ROM utility.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default, and press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select

If there are more than two hard disks available, use the up- and down-arrow keys and space bar to select the two disks you want to use to make up your array, and then press <Enter>.

Save/Exit

, and press <Enter> to exit system

Create RAID Volume

RAID0(Stripe)

, and press <Enter>.

NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume. If

you do not know the average file size, choose 128 as your strip size.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to change the strip size, and press <Enter>.

Select the desired capacity for the volume, and press <Enter>. The default value is the maximum available size.

Press <Enter> to create the volume.

Press <y> to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume.

Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel Option ROM screen.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select

Install the operating system (see "Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP" on page 57).

Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Press <Ctrl><i> when you are prompted to enter Intel RAID Option ROM.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

20 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Exit

, and press <Enter>.

Create RAID Volume

, and press <Enter>.

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default, and press <Enter>.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select

If there are more than two hard disks available, use the up- and down-arrow keys and space bar

RAID1(Mirror)

, and press <Enter>.

to select the two disks you want to use to make up your array, and then press <Enter>.

Select the desired capacity for the volume, and press <Enter>. The default value is the maximum available size.

Press <Enter> to create the volume.

Press <y> to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume.

Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel Option ROM screen.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select

Install the operating system (see "Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP" on page 57).

Deleting a RAID Volume

NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.

NOTE: If your computer currently boots to RAID and you delete the RAID volume in the Intel RAID Option

ROM, your computer will become unbootable.

Press <Ctrl><i> when you are prompted to enter the Intel RAID Option ROM utility.

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the RAID volume you want to delete, and press

Exit

, and press <Enter>.

Delete RAID Volume

, and press <Enter>.

<Delete>.

Press <y> to confirm the deletion of the RAID volume.

Press <Esc> to exit the Intel Option ROM utility.

Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Application Accelerator

If you already have one hard drive with the operating system installed on it, and you want to add a second hard drive and reconfigure both drives into a RAID volume without losing the existing operating system and any data, you need to use the migrating option (see "Migrating to a RAID 0 Volume" on page 23 or "Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume" on page 24). Create a RAID 0 Volume or RAID 1 Volume only when:

• You are adding two new drives to an existing single-drive computer (and the operating system is on the single drive), and you want to configure the two new drives into a RAID volume.

• You already have a two-hard drive computer configured into an array, but you still have some space left on the array that you want to designate as a second RAID volume.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 21

Creating a RAID 0 Volume

NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Click

Start

Accelerator

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled

mode (see page 19).

On the

Wizard, and then click

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On the RAID 0 volume, and then click the right arrow. Click a second hard drive until two drives appear in the

In the

Specify Volume Size

Click

Finish

Creating a RAID 1 Volume

NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Click the

Application Accelerator

and point to

Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel Application

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

Actions

Select Volume Location

menu, select

Selected

window, and then click

Create RAID Volume

screen, click the first hard drive you want to include in your

window, click the

to create the volume, or click

Start

button and point to

Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

to launch the Create RAID Volume

Volume Size

Back

to make changes.

desired, and then click

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled

mode (see page 19).

On the

Actions

menu, select

Wizard.

Click

at the first screen.

Confirm the volume name, select

On the

Select Volume Location

your RAID 0 volume, and then click the right arrow. Click a second hard drive until two drives appear in the

In the

Click

Finish

Follow Microsoft Windows procedures for creating a partition on the new RAID volume.

Selected

Specify Volume Size

to create the volume, or click

22 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Create RAID Volume

RAID 1

as the RAID level, and then click

screen, click the first hard drive you want to use to create

window, and then click

window, select the

Back

to launch the Create RAID Volume

Volume Size

desired and click

to make changes.

to continue.

Deleting a RAID Volume

NOTE: While this procedure deletes the RAID 1 volume, it also splits the RAID 1 volume into two non-

RAID hard drives with a partition, and leaves any existing data files intact. Deleting a RAID 0 volume, however, destroys all data on the volume.

Click the

Application Accelerator

Right-click the

Volum e

On the

Highlight the RAID volume you want to delete in the button to move the highlighted RAID volume into the

Click

Migrating to a RAID 0 Volume

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Click the

Application Accelerator

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled

mode (see page 19).

On the

Start

button and point to

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

Volu me

icon of the RAID volume you want to delete, and select

Delete RAID Volume Wizard

Finish

to delete the volume.

Start

button and point to

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

Actions

menu, select

Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive to

Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

Delete

screen, click

Available

Selected

box, click the right-arrow

box, and then click

All Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

Migration Wizard.

Click

on the Migration Wizard screen.

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default.

From the drop-down box, select

RAID 0

as the RAID level

launch the

NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume. If

you do not know the average file size, choose 128 as your strip size.

Select the appropriate strip size from the drop-down box, and then click

NOTE: Select the hard drive that you want to use as your source hard drive (it should be the hard drive

containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume).

On the migrate, and click

On the drive to span the stripe array, and click

On the

NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive.

Select Source Hard Drive

screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to

Select Member Hard Drive

Specify Volume Size

screen, select the

screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member

Volume Size

you want, and click

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 23

Click

Finish

normally during the migration process.

Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume

Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 19).

Click the

Application Accelerator

NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled

mode (see page 19).

On the

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Migration Wizard.

Click

Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default.

From the drop-down box, select

NOTE: Select the hard drive that you want to use as your source hard drive (it should be the hard drive

containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume).

On the

migrate, and click

On the drive that you want to act as the mirror in the array, and click

On the

to start migrating, or click

Start

button and point to

Back

All Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

Actions

menu, click

Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive

on the first Migration Wizard screen.

RAID 1

Select Source Hard Drive

Select Member Hard Drive

Specify Volume Size

screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to

screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member

screen, select the volume size you want, and click

to make changes. You can use your computer

to launch the

as the RAID level

NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive.

Click

Finish

to start migrating, or click

normally during migration process.

Creating a Spare Hard Drive

A spare hard drive may be created with a RAID 1 array. The spare hard drive will not be recognized by the operating system, but you will be able to see the spare drive from within Disk Manager or the Intel Option ROM Utility. When a member of the RAID 1 array is broken, the computer automatically rebuilds the mirror array using the spare hard drive as the broken member’s replacement.

To Mark a Drive as a Spare Hard Drive:

Click the

Start

button and point to

Application Accelerator

Right-click the hard drive you want to mark as a spare hard drive.

Click

Mark as Spare

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Back

to make changes. You can use your computer

Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

To Remove Spare Marking From a Spare Hard Drive:

Right-click the spare hard drive icon.

Click

Reset Hard Drive to Non-RAID

Rebuilding a Degraded RAID 1 Volume

If your computer does not have a spare hard drive, and the computer has reported a degraded RAID 1 volume, you can manually rebuild the computer’s redundancy mirror to a new hard drive by performing the following steps:

Click the

Application Accelerator

Right-click the available hard drive to which you want to rebuild the RAID 1 volume, and click

You can use your computer while the computer is rebuilding the RAID 1 volume.

Start

button and point to

to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility.

Rebuild to this Disk

Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel

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

Windows XP CD

When the

Do not

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the Windows XP

On the

Start

button, point to

All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

and click

Now go to your old computer

click

at this time.

screen, click

screen appears, go to your old or source computer.

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

welcome screen appears, click

New Computer

and click

I will use the wizard from the

Operating System

screen, click

CD.

Perform additional tasks

, and then click

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25

Under

What do you want to do?

On the

After the information has been copied, the

Click

Finish

To transfer data to the new computer:

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On the

On the your settings and files and click

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

, click

Transfer files and settings

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

What do you want to transfer?

screen, click

screen, click the transfer method you prefer.

screen, select the items you want to transfer and click

Now go to your old computer

screen on the new computer, click

Where are the files and settings?

welcome screen, click

Old Computer

Completing the Collection Phase

and click

screen appears.

screen, select the method you chose for transferring

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.

NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country.

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 then click

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.

Currently, five DVD-writable disc formats available: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell DVD+RW media, and can read DVD-R and DVD-RW media. However, DVD-writable drives do not write to and may not read DVD-RAM media. In addition, chimerically available DVD players for home theater systems might not read all five formats.

RecordNow Help

RecordNow Tutorial

™

computers will write to DVD+R and

26 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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 or DVD you are

Start

button, point to

All Programs→

Sonic→ RecordNow!→ RecordNow!

planning to copy.

Click

Exact Copy

To copy the CD or DVD:

•

If you have one CD or DVD drive

, ensure that the settings are correct and click 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

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, CD-RWs, DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs

Your CD-RW drive can write to two different types of recording media—CD-Rs and CD-RWs (including High-Speed 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 (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.

Your DVD writable drive can write to four different types of recording media—CD-Rs, CD-RWs (including High-Speed CD-RWs), DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs. Blank DVD+Rs can be used to permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+R disc, you may not be able write to that disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc creation process. Use blank DVD+RWs when you will need to erase, rewrite, or update the information on that disc later.

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.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 27

• 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

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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

Checklist for creating a network

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

integrated firewall provided with Windows XP SP1.

Complete the checklist and required preparations.

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

Start

button, point to

All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications

, and then click

28 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Optimizing Performance

Hyper-Threading

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 (SP1) or later operating 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 is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. For more information on accessing system setup, see page 113. For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell Support website at

Start

button, right-click

Hardware

Device Manager

and click

My Computer

Device Manager

window, click the plus (+) sign next to

, and then click

support.dell.com.

Overclocking

Windows® XP Service Pack 1

Properties

Processors

. If Hyper-Threading

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 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.

Optimizing Performance 29

PCI Express Cards

PCI Express is the next generation technology for graphics cards and PCI cards. The dimensions of PCI Express card slots are different from PCXI card slots, and the cards are not interchangeable (you cannot install a PCI card in a PCI Express card slot, or a PCI Express card in a PCI card slot). The PCI Express x16 card slot replaces the AGP graphics card slot.

Some benefits of PCI Express technology include:

• Greater available bandwidth — PCI Express bus bandwidth is 250 MB/s in each direction simultaneously, while PCI bus bandwidth is 133 MB/s in one direction at a time.

• Prioritization of service — Multiple PCI cards installed in a computer all share a common bus, but each PCI Express card operates on its own channel. Activities such as video

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conferencing and web camera functions can be automatically prioritized through the device software to reduce latency.

30 Optimizing Performance

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