Page 2
Novell, Inc.; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation; 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com 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.
Page 8
IBM compatible PC troubleshooting techniques. In addition to information provided in this manual and the User’s Guide that came with the system, Dell provides the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for troubleshooting pro- cedures and instructions on using the Dell diagnostics to test the computer system.
The microprocessors for each of these systems and their operating frequencies are as follows: • Dell OptiPlex GXpro 180 systems — 180 MHz derived from a system clock frequency of 60 MHz • Dell OptiPlex GXpro 200 systems — 200 MHz derived from a system clock...
In addition to the standard features found in a traditional personal computer, the Dell OptiPlex GXpro desktop systems include the following new and/or advanced features: • • • • • • • • • • • • • All of these features (except the Run Quick Tests feature described in Chap- ter 2) are briefly described in this chapter.
back of system unit left side right side front of system unit Figure 1-1. System Unit Orientation CAUTION: To avoid possible data or file structure corruptions, the front-panel reset button should be used only when the system cannot be rebooted by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>. Before you use the reset button to initiate a hardware reset, close any open application programs and files if possible.
2 connector USB connector (2) NIC connector video connector Figure 1-3. Internal View Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual power button power indicator reset button 3.5-inch drive card-slot openings microphone jack line-in jack...
Dual-Processor Capability With the installation of a microprocessor add-in card in the terminator card slot, the system unit becomes a dual-processing system. The add-in card’s micro- processor must have the same frequency and cache size as the system board’s microprocessor. In order to take advantage of two processors, dual-processing systems must have multiprocessing operating systems, such as the Microsoft ®...
30 or 33 MHz as opposed to the 8-MHz operating frequency of the ISA bus. NOTE: Some users may use an ISA video adapter card. Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual The primary EIDE interface (IDE1) provides support for up to two high- performance EIDE devices.
GXpro systems contain either an integrated 10-Mbps or 10/100-Mbps 3Com NIC. GXpro systems containing the 10-Mbps Ethernet NIC have a built-in inte- grated 3Com 3C915 NIC chip. GXpro systems containing the 10/100-Mbps Ethernet NIC have a built-in integrated 3Com 3C916 Ethernet NIC chip. The NIC subsystem connects to the Ethernet network through a single RJ45 connec- tor on the back panel of the computer.
The power-supply output voltages can be measured at the back (wire side) of the connectors without disconnecting them. The following illustrations show the wire side of the connectors. Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Unit Table 1-1. DC Voltage Ranges Range +3.15 to +3.45 VDC...
–5 VDC (white) common (black) common (black) common (black) PSON# (gray) 12 13 14 15 16 17 +5 VDC (red) common (black) +5 VDC (red) common (black) PWRGOOD (orange) Pin 11 — PSON# should measure between +4 and +5 VDC except when the power button on the front panel is pressed, taking PSON# to its active-low state.
Figures 1-8 and 1-9 provide the following information about DC power distribution: • • • Figure 1-8. DC Power Cables 1-10 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual +3.3 VDC (blue/white) +3.3 VDC (blue/white) +3.3 VDC (blue/white) common (black) common (black) common (black)
Figure 1-10. System Board Components Video Memory See the documentation from the video card manufacturer that came with your system for information on removing and replacing video-memory upgrade chips. 1-12 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual keyboard/mouse serial port 2 connector connectors connector...
Any socket can be populated or not. There is no requirement that one socket be filled before the other, and empty sockets can be left between installed DIMMs. Dell recommends populating the sockets in order from A to D. •...
Table 1-3. Interrupt Assignments (continued) IRQ Line Used By/Available IRQ8 Generated by keyboard controller for each tick of RTC. IRQ9 Available for use by expansion card. IRQ10 Available for use by expansion card. IRQ11 Available for use by expansion card. IRQ12 Generated by keyboard controller to indicate that mouse’s output buffer is full.
... . . 120 pins PCI expansion-card connector data width (maximum) ..32 bits 1-16 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual echnical Specifications Table 1-5. Technical Specifications Microprocessor...
Page 25
Table 1-5. Technical Specifications (continued) System clock ....60 or 66 MHz (matches external processor Diskette/communications ports ....24 MHz from the system clock Architecture .
Page 26
DC power supply: Backup battery ... . 3-V CR2032 coin cell 1-18 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 1-5. Technical Specifications (continued) Ports EIDE hard-disk drive ..two 40-pin connectors on PCI local bus Diskette drive .
Page 27
Table 1-5. Technical Specifications (continued) Height ....16.5 cm (6.5 inches) Width....41.9 cm (16.5 inches) Depth.
Page 28
1-20 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual...
A brief explanation of how to load and start the diskette-based diagnos- tics is located at the end of the chapter. Dell recommends that you perform the following procedures in the order they are presented in this manual.
6. Inspect all external monitor controls for any obvious damage or 7. Inspect the keyboard to ensure that no keys are sticking. Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual xternal Visual Inspection the monitor and peripherals, and their power sources.
8. Inspect the exterior of the system unit, including all controls and indica- tors, and all user-accessible data storage devices for any signs of physical damage. Does the inspection reveal any problems? Yes. Proceed to the appropriate procedure in Chapter 4, “Removing and Replacing Parts.”...
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect 2. Remove the system unit cover. 3. Verify that all chips, DIMMs, and expansion cards, are fully seated in Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual • System error messages: These messages can indicate problems or pro- vide status information.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the original diagnostics diskette, always use a backup copy of the diagnostics diskette when servicing a user’s system. Dell recommends that users make several copies of this diskette to ensure that one is always available.
To start the diagnostics, turn off the system unit, insert a diagnostics diskette into drive A, and then turn on the system unit. Starting the diagnostics causes the Dell logo screen to appear on the monitor screen, followed by a message indicating that the diagnostics is loading. Before the diagnostics loads, a program tests the portion of main memory (RAM) required for loading the diagnostics.
Chapter 3 Beep Codes and Error Messages his chapter describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. The tables in this chapter list faults that can cause a beep code or sys- tem error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case.
Page 36
3-4-1 3-4-2 4-2-1 4-2-2 4-2-3 4-2-4 4-3-1 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 3-1. POST Beep Codes (continued) Error Main-memory refresh verifi- cation failure Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory Odd/even logic failure in the...
0 seek failure Diskette drive 1 seek failure Diskette read failure Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 3-2. System Error Messages Definition BIOS found faulty disk sector or could not find particular disk sector. Diskette drive or hard-...
Page 39
Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued) Message Definition System could not suc- Diskette sub- cessfully issue reset system reset command to diskette failed controller. Diskette write-protect Diskette feature activated. write pro- tected Diskette missing from Drive not or improperly inserted ready in diskette drive.
Page 40
Keyboard data line failure Keyboard stuck key failure Keyboard con- troller failure Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued) Definition System Setup program contains incorrect system configuration settings. System cannot commu- nicate with keyboard.
Page 41
Memory test did not Memory tests complete. terminated by keystroke System does not detect "Network card NIC. is not present in the system" Probable Causes Faulty or improperly seated DIMMs or defec- tive system board.
Page 42
Configuration Error Read fault Requested sec- tor not found Reset failed Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued) Definition System does not recog- nize diskette drive or hard-disk drive from which it is trying to boot.
Page 43
Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued) Message Definition MS-DOS unable to Sector not locate sector on diskette found or hard-disk drive. MS-DOS unable to Seek error locate specific track on diskette or hard-disk drive. System could not find Seek opera- particular address mark tion failed on disk.
Page 44
Warning- Temperature is too high Write fault Write fault on selected drive 3-10 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued) Definition At system start-up, BIOS detected that one or both micro- processors have overheated.
Chapter 4 Removing and Replacing Parts his chapter provides procedures for removing the components, assemblies, and subassemblies in the system unit. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes the following: • You have performed the steps in “Precautionary Measures” found later in this chapter.
1. Turn off the system unit and any attached peripherals. 2. Disconnect the system unit and any attached peripherals from their 3. Wear a wrist grounding strap, and clip it to an unpainted metal sur- Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual recautionary Measures WARNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT: power sources to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock.
loor Stand floor stand screw Figure 4-1. Floor Stand Removal To remove the floor stand, follow these steps: 1. Place left side of the system unit on a flat work surface. 2. Unscrew the floor stand screw. Use your fingers or a wide flat-blade screwdriver to unscrew the floor stand screw.
2. Press in the two securing buttons until the cover is free to swing up. 3. Lift the cover, from the back, pivoting it toward the front of the system Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Unit Cover...
ject, Power, and Reset Buttons system unit cover (upside down) reset button power button Figure 4-4. Eject, Power, and Reset Button Removal To remove the eject, power, and reset buttons, follow these steps: 1. Lay the system unit cover upside down on a flat work surface, with the back of the cover facing you.
To replace the front-panel insert for the 3.5-inch bay, from outside the cover, place the insert in position and press it into the opening. Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ront-Panel Inserts system unit cover (upside down)
ndicator Card Figure 4-6. Indicator Card Removal To remove the indicator card, follow these steps: 1. Remove the hard-disk drive bracket. See “Drives” found later in this chapter. 2. Remove the speaker connector from the indicator card. 3. Disconnect the indicator cable from the system board. Slide the indicator cable through the cable slot in the bottom of the chassis.
1. Remove the hard-disk drive bracket. 2. Remove the speaker connector from the indicator card. 3. Lift the speaker out of the retaining slots on the front of the chassis. Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual peaker speaker connector speaker See “Drives”...
rives Figure 4-8 shows an example of drive hardware that can be installed in the sys- tem unit. Refer to this figure when you perform any of the procedures in the following subsections. two-bay DC power cable drive cage system power supply power input connectors...
To replace a 3.5-inch diskette drive, locate the two hooks on the right side of the bracket that hold the drive in position. Engage those two hooks in the side of the drive. 4-10 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual retaining screw bracket catch the drive.
Page 55
retaining tab (2) Figure 4-10. 5.25-Inch Drive Removal To remove a 5.25-inch drive from the middle or lower drive bay, follow these steps: 1. Disconnect the DC power cable and the interface cable from the back of the drive. 2. Press out on the two retaining tabs on the sides of the drive bay, slide the drive forward, and remove it from the drive bay.
3. Grasp the handle on the front of the bracket, and rotate the bracket 4. Lift the hard-disk drive bracket out of the system unit. 4-12 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual hook (2) back of the drive(s). chassis.
Page 57
hard-disk drive Figure 4-12. Hard-Disk Drive Removal To remove a hard-disk drive, follow these steps: 1. Remove the hard-disk drive bracket from the system unit. See the preceding procedure. 2. Remove the four screws that secure the hard-disk drive(s) to the bracket.
5. Lift the front end of the system power supply up, and move it to the 6. Lift the system power supply from the system unit. 4-14 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Power Supply power supply securing expansion cards.
icroprocessor Fan latching tab (4) Figure 4-14. Microprocessor Fan Removal To remove the system power supply, follow these steps: 1. Rotate the power supply to the right to access the microprocessor fan connector. See “System Power Supply,” found earlier in this chapter. 2.
(or terminator card) front of system unit connector (2ND_CPU) primary EIDE interface connector (IDE1) Figure 4-15. System Board Components 4-16 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Board Components keyboard/mouse serial port 2 connectors connector connectors(2) (stacked)
Expansion Cards The system unit has a removable expansion-card cage. The expansion cards fit into connectors on a riser board. Dell recommends that you remove the expansion-card cage first before removing or installing expansion cards. Expansion-Card Cage Figure 4-16. Expansion-Card Cage Removal To remove an expansion-card cage, follow these steps: 1.
1. Remove the expansion-card cage. 2. Remove the retaining screw from the card-mounting bracket. 3. Grasp the expansion card by its corners, and carefully remove it from 4-18 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual expansion card See the preceding procedure. the expansion-card connector.
Riser Board retaining screw (2) slot (2) expansion-card cage Figure 4-18. Riser Board Removal To remove the riser board, follow these steps: 1. Remove the expansion-card cage and all expansion cards. See the preceding two procedures. 2. On a flat work surface, turn the expansion-card cage over, with the riser board facing you.
Orient the DIMM to the socket, and press the DIMM straight down into the socket slot until the securing clips snap into place around the ends of the DIMM. 4-20 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual...
Microprocessor/Heat Sink Assembly heat sink release lever Figure 4-21. Microprocessor Securing Clip To remove the microprocessor/heat sink assembly, follow these steps: 1. Remove the microprocessor securing clip from the microprocessor/heat sink assembly. WARNING: The microprocessor chip can get extremely hot during system operations.
If you are installing a new microprocessor/heat sink assembly, you need to place the thermal interface pad that comes with the replacement microprocessor between the microprocessor and the heat sink before reinstalling the securing clip. 4-22 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual microprocessor socket securing clip heat sink...
Terminator or Add-In Card The system unit may have a terminator card or a secondary microprocessor (dual-processing systems) on an add-in card installed on the system board. This section describes removing and replacing the terminator card and the add-in card. Terminator Card Figure 4-23.
Make sure that the bracket edge tab is below the bottom of the guide. 4-24 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual mounting- bracket edge metal mounting...
System Battery battery BATTERY socket Figure 4-25. System Battery Removal To remove the system battery, follow these steps: 1. If possible, enter the System Setup program, and make a printed copy of the System Setup screens. 2. Rotate the power supply out of the way. See “System Power Supply”...
If you are replacing a system board, remove the DIMMs, the microprocessor, the terminator or add-in card, and the expansion-card cage from the old system board and install them on the replacement board. 4-26 Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Board screw slot (7) system unit.
Appendix A System Setup Program his appendix describes the System Setup program, which is used to change the system configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board. To enter the System Setup program, follow these steps: 1. Turn on (or reboot) the system. 2.
IDE Hard Disk: Diskette: USB: Speakers: Tab,Shift-Tab change fields Figure A-1. System Setup Screens Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual ystem Setup Screens Dell Computer Corporation System OptiPlex GXpro 200 Setup Mon Jan 6, 1997 This category sets the time in...
Page 73
Table A-1. System Setup Categories Category Function Time Resets time on system’s internal clock. Date Resets date on system’s internal calendar. Diskette Drive A Identifies type of diskette drives installed. Cat- Diskette Drive B egory options always match physical locations of drives in system unit.
Page 74
Keyboard Errors System Password Password Status Boot Sequence Setup Password Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table A-1. System Setup Categories (continued) Function Designates a region of system board memory that can be supplied by an expansion card. This feature should not be enabled unless an expansion card that requires special addressing is installed.
Page 75
Table A-1. System Setup Categories (continued) Category Function Power Management With the Power Management category enabled, DPMS monitors and most EIDE drives automatically switch into low-power mode during periods of system inactivity. CAUTION: Before enabling this feature, check the monitor documentation to make sure the system has a DPMS-compliant monitor.
Page 76
Category Microprocessor Level 2 Cache System Memory Service Tag Asset Tag Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual Table A-1. System Setup Categories (continued) Function Displays type of microprocessor installed. Displays size of level-2 cache memory in microprocessor. Displays entire amount of installed memory detected in system, except for memory on EMS expansion cards.
Page 77
Index Numbers 3.3-V power input connectors , 1-12, 4-16 AC power receptacle , 1-4 add-in card, removal , 4-24 audio controller , 1-6 battery illustrated , 4-25 removing and replacing , 4-25 socket , 1-12, 4-16 beep codes , 3-1 BIOS chip , 1-12, 4-16 boot routine, observing when trouble-...
Page 78
, 1-4 front-panel inserts, removal Dell OptiPlex GX pro Systems Service Manual , 1-12, 4-16 , 1-5 , 1-2 , 1-2, 1-13 , 1-12, 4-9, 4-16 , 3-3...
Page 79
LINE-IN connector , 1-12, 4-16 line-in jack , 1-4, 1-12, 4-16 memory, main , 1-2, 1-13 messages, error , 3-3 microphone jack , 1-4, 1-12 microprocessor release lever , 4-21 removal , 4-21 secondary, removal , 4-23 socket , 1-12, 4-16 microprocessor fan removal , 4-15...