Page 1
Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Tag CD or DVD eject button CD or DVD activity light FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader microphone connector headphone connector diagnostic lights hard-drive activity light power button/ power activity light USB 2.0 connectors (2) Model DCSM w w w .
DellNet, Dell TravelLite, Strike Zone, and PowerConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Contents Finding Information Setting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer Back Panel Connectors Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable ....... . Connecting a Printer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection...
Page 4
Power Management Standby Mode Hibernate Mode Power Options Properties Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet™ Technology About RAID Configurations RAID Level 1 Configuration Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Using Nvidia MediaShield Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Battery Problems .
Page 5
Dell Diagnostics ....... . . Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Drivers .
• End User License Agreement • How to set up my computer • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License Label Find it Here Dell™ Product Information Guide Setup Diagram ® Service Tag and Microsoft Windows These labels are located on your computer.
Page 10
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site. NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website at premier.support.dell.com. To download Desktop System Software: Go to support.dell.com and click Downloads. Enter your Service Tag or product model.
Computer Cover" on page 63. Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support. Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive. The drive light is on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive.
Page 12
Reader. For information on using the Media Card Reader, see "Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)" on page 22. Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
Back View of the Computer voltage selection switch power connector back panel connectors card slots See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more information. Insert the power cable. Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector. See "Back Panel Connectors"...
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card. Use the pink connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
side surround connector Use the silver connector to provide enhanced surround audio for computers with 7.1 speakers. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card. center/subwoofer Use the yellow connector to attach a speaker to a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) connector audio channel.
USB connector on computer 3 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. 4 Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer. Connecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
Setting Up Your Internet Connection To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
Playing CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when you are not using the drive. NOTICE: Do not move the computer when you are playing CDs or DVDs. 1 Press the eject button on the front of the drive.
A DVD player includes the following basic buttons: Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to the previous title or chapter Eject For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD or DVD player (if available).
Sonic support website at www.sonic.com. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to and read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to and may not read DVD-RAM or DVD-R DL media.
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 to 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 if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update information on that disc later.
Using a Media Card Reader (Optional) Use the Media Card Reader to transfer data directly to your computer. The Media Card Reader supports the following memory types: • xD-Picture Card • SmartMedia (SMC) • CompactFlash Type I and II (CF I/II) •...
To use the Media Card Reader: 1 Check the media or card to determine the proper orientation for insertion. 2 Slide the media or card into the appropriate slot until it is completely seated in the connector. If you encounter resistance, do not force the media or card. Check the card orientation and try again. Connecting Two Monitors CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the...
*May not be present on your computer optional DVI adapter VGA (blue) connector Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61. 2 Connect the VGA connector on the monitor to the VGA (blue) connector on the back of the computer. 3 Connect the DVI connector on the other monitor to the DVI (white) connector on the back of the computer.
Changing the Display Settings 1 After you connect the monitor(s) or TV, turn on the computer. ® ® The Microsoft Windows 2 Enable clone mode or extended desktop mode in the display settings. • In clone mode, both monitors display the same image. •...
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. 1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard.
Because hibernate mode requires a special file on your hard drive with enough disk space to store the contents of the computer memory, Dell creates an appropriately sized hibernate mode file before shipping the computer to you. If the computer’s hard drive becomes corrupted, Windows XP recreates the hibernate file automatically.
If you want to change the default settings for a scheme, click the drop-down menu in the Turn off monitor, Turn off hard disks, System stand by, or System hibernates field, and then select a time-out from the displayed list. Changing the time-out for a scheme field permanently changes the default settings for that scheme, unless you click Save As and enter a new name for the changed scheme.
About RAID Configurations This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration you may have selected when you purchased your computer. Your computer supports RAID level 1. A RAID level 1 is recommended for users that desire a high level of data integrity. The drives in a RAID configuration should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space.
Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Your computer can be configured for RAID, even if you did not select a RAID configuration when the computer was purchased. For an explanation of RAID levels and their requirements, see "About RAID Configurations" on page 29. For information on how to install a hard drive, see "Hard Drives" on page 87. To configure RAID hard drive volumes use the Nvidia MediaShield ROM utility before you install the operating system onto the hard drive.
6 Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select a hard drive to include in the RAID array and then use the right-arrow key to move the selected drive from the Free Disks field to the Array Disks field. Repeat for each disk you want to include in the RAID array.
— If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer, or if an incorrect time or date displays during start-up, replace the battery (see "Replacing the Battery" on page 104). If the battery still does not work properly, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122).
R E C O G N I Z E S T H E D R I V E — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on — See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 52. — — See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on page 46.
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive L O S E O T H E R P R O G R A M S — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all programs before you write to the CD/DVD-RW.
H E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E L I N E C O N N E C T I O N H E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E J A C K O N N E C T T H E M O D E M D I R E C T L Y T O T H E T E L E P H O N E W A L L J A C K S E A D I F F E R E N T T E L E P H O N E L I N E •...
I/O panel and to the system board and reboot your computer. If this does not resolve the problem or if you have an ultra small form-factor computer, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). drive letter : \ I S N O T A C C E S S I B L E Insert a disk into the drive and try again.
EST THE KEYBOARD — Connect a properly working keyboard to the computer, and try using the keyboard. N S U R E T H A T T H E P O R T S A R E E N A B L E D I N T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A M Setup"...
A program crashes repeatedly NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD. H E C K T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I O N A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft U N T H E R O G R A M...
A V E A N D C L O S E A N Y O P E N F I L E S O R P R O G R A M S A N D S H U T D O W N Y O U R C O M P U T E R T H R O U G H T H E S T A R T M E N U Media Card Reader Problems O D R I V E L E T T E R I S A S S I G N E D...
E S T A R T T H E C O M P U T E R — Simultaneously press <Ctrl><Esc> to display the Start menu. Type , press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down or Turn Off, and then press <Enter>. After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the on the setup diagram for your computer.
H E C K Y O U R N E T W O R K S E T T I N G S your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning. U N T H E A R D W A R E R O U B L E S H O O T E R on page 55.
F T H E P O W E R L I G H T I S B L I N K I N G A M B E R internal power problem might exist. • Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable). See "Back View of the Computer"...
E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S R E C O G N I Z E D B Y Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware. Click View installed printers or fax printers.
Sound and Speaker Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. No sound from speakers NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been listening to MP3 songs, ensure that you did not turn the player volume down or off.
No sound from headphones H E C K T H E H E A D P H O N E C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N into the headphone connector (see "Front View of the Computer" on page 11). D J U S T T H E I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L corner of your screen.
If the screen is difficult to read H E C K T H E M O N I T O R S E T T I N G S contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-test. O V E T H E S U B W O O F E R A W A Y F R O M T H E M O N I T O R ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the monitor.
• If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see "Installing Memory" on page 68). • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). Troubleshooting Tools...
Page 50
• If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see "Installing Memory" on page 68). • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). • Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist (see "Memory...
Page 51
(such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to ensure that it is functioning properly. • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). None. Troubleshooting Tools...
If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.
Parameters Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings. 4 Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the Main Menu screen. Drivers What Is a Driver? A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard.
Reinstalling Drivers NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com provides approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly. Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use Windows XP Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version.
• Dell PC Restore by Symantec restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications installed after you received the computer. Use PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view. Creating a Restore Point 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
Using Dell PC Restore NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using PC Restore. Use PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
Page 58
NOTICE: Removing Dell PC Restore from the hard drive permanently deletes the PC Restore utility from your computer. After you have removed Dell PC Restore, you will not be able to use it to restore your computer’s operating system. Dell PC Restore enables you to restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased your computer.
The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling Windows XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so.
You have performed the steps in Turning Off Your Computer and Before Working Inside Your Computer. • You have read the safety information in your Dell™ Product Information Guide. • A component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. NOTICE: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself.
Removing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin"...
4 Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up, using the bottom hinge tabs as leverage points. 5 Release the cover from the hinge tabs and set it aside in a secure location. Inside View of Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
System Board Components fan connector (FAN_CPU1) power connector (PW_12V_A1) front-panel connector (FRONTPANEL) 10 USB connectors (2) (USB2_BACK1) processor socket (CPU) serial ATA drive connectors (SATA2, SATA3) power connector (POWER1) network connector and USB connectors (2) (NIC_USB1) memory module connectors (DIMM_1, DIMM_2, DIMM_3, DIMM_4) serial ATA drive connectors (SATA0, SATA1)
13 video connector (VIDEO1) 16 PCI Express x16 connector (SLOT1) 19 PCI connector (SLOT3) 22 floppy drive connector (FLOPPY1) Memory You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. Your computer supports DDR2 memory. For additional information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory"...
If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new modules from Dell. If possible, do not pair an original memory module with a new memory module. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly.
Installing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the module. 4 Insert the module into the connector until the module snaps into position. If you insert the module correctly, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module.
You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis. Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards: • One PCI Express x16 card slot (SLOT1) •...
Page 71
Installing a PCI Card 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61. release tab 2 Gently push the release tab on the card retention door from the inside to pivot the door open. Because the door is captive, it will remain in the open position. 3 If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening.
Page 72
6 Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot. alignment bar alignment guide 7 Before you close the card retention door, ensure that: • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar. •...
Page 73
alignment guide card retention door 8 Close the card retention door by snapping it into place to secure the cards. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. 9 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
Page 74
front I/O panel connector sound card connector If you are installing a sound card, remove the jumper on the end of the front I/O panel. Then connect one end of the cable to the sound card and the other end of the cable to the connection on the front I/O panel from which you removed the jumper.
Page 75
12 If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network adapter: Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 111), go to Onboard Devices and select Integrated NIC, and then change the setting to Off. Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter’s connectors.
PCI Express Cards Your computer supports one PCI Express x16 card and one PCI Express x1 card. • If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express card, follow the procedures in the next section. • If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a PCI Express Card" on page 80. •...
Page 77
6 If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. Disconnect any cables connected to the card. Gently pull the securing tab, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector. PCI Express x16 card PCI Express x1 card slot 7 Prepare the card for installation.
Page 78
9 Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot. alignment bar alignment guide 10 If you replaced a card that was already installed in the computer and you removed the retention mechanism, reinstall the retention mechanism: Before replacing the card retention mechanism, ensure that: •...
Page 79
card retention door NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer. 11 Before you close the card retention door, ensure that: •...
Page 80
12 Close the card retention door by snapping it into place to secure the cards. 13 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation for the card for information about the card’s cable connections. 14 Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
7 Close the card retention door to snap it into place, securing the cards. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer. 8 Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
Page 82
sliding plate lever side hinges 3 Grasping the lever on the sliding plate, pull the sliding plate to the right until it snaps into the open position. NOTE: This sliding plate secures and releases the drive panel and helps to secure the drives. 4 By pushing from the inside and pivoting the drive panel to the left, you can release the drive panel from its side hinges.
Removing the Drive-Panel Insert drive panel 1 Pull the drive-panel insert tab away from the drive panel insert to disengage the insert from the drive panel. 2 Without releasing the tab, pivot the drive-panel insert out and away from the drive panel. 3 Set the drive-panel insert aside in a secure location.
1 Slide the tab on the left side of the drive-panel insert under the center drive-panel tab. 2 Rotate the drive-panel insert into place and snap the drive-panel insert tab over the corresponding tab on the drive panel. Replacing the Drive Panel 1 Align the drive panel tabs with the side hinges.
Drives Your computer supports a combination of these devices: • Up to two serial ATA hard drives • One optional floppy drive or an optional Media Card Reader • Up to two CD or DVD drives CD/DVD drive Recommended Drive Cable Connections •...
Connecting Drive Cables When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive. Power Connector Drive Interface Connectors The drive cable connectors are keyed for correct insertion. Properly align the cable connector key on the cable and the drive before connecting.
Hard Drives CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface.
3 Press in on the blue tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out of the computer. 4 If removing this drive changes the drive configuration, then be sure to reflect these changes in system setup.
Page 89
drive 4 Align the hard drive bracket with the guides in the hard drive bay. hard-drive bracket 5 Gently slide the drive into place until you feel a click or the drive is securely installed. Take care not to let the drive free-fall into the drive bay. 6 Connect the power and data cables to the drive.
Page 90
serial ATA data cable 7 Check all cables to be certain that they are properly connected and firmly seated. 8 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 105). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug it into the computer.
Adding a Second Hard Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
10 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 105). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug it into the computer. 11 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. 12 See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
Page 93
3 Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the floppy drive. NOTE: If you have installed a PCI Express x16 card, this card may cover the floppy-drive connectors. Remove this card before disconnecting the floppy-drive cables 4 Slide the drive latch release toward the bottom of the computer and, without releasing the drive latch release, slide the floppy drive out through the front of the computer.
Installing a Floppy Drive NOTE: In the event that the replacement or new floppy drive does not have shoulder screws, check for the screws located within the drive panel insert or, if applicable, reuse screws attached to the drive that you are replacing. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin"...
Page 95
See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 11 Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 111) and select the appropriate Diskette Drive option. 12 Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 52). power cable...
Media Card Reader CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. Removing a Media Card Reader 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin"...
Page 97
3 Disconnect the FlexBay USB cable from the back of the Media Card Reader and from the internal USB connector on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 65) and remove the cable from the cable routing clip. drive latch release 4 Slide the drive latch release toward the bottom of the computer and, without releasing the drive latch release, slide the Media Card Reader out through the front of the computer.
Installing a Media Card Reader NOTE: In the event that the replacement or new Media Card Reader does not have shoulder screws, use the screws located within the drive panel insert. Otherwise, reuse the screws attached to the card reader that you are replacing.
Page 99
6 Connect the FlexBay USB cable to the back of the Media Card Reader and to the internal USB connector on the system board (see "System Board Components" on page 65). Media Card Reader USB cable USB connector 7 Route the FlexBay USB cable through the cable routing clip. 8 Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover"...
CD/DVD Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. Removing a CD/DVD Drive 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin"...
Page 101
4 Slide the drive latch release toward the bottom of the computer and, without releasing the drive latch release, slide the CD/DVD drive out through the front of the computer. 5 If you are not replacing the drive, replace the drive panel insert (see "Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert" on page 83).
Installing a CD/DVD Drive NOTE: In the event that the replacement or new CD/DVD drive does not have shoulder screws, check for the screws located within the drive panel insert or, if applicable, reuse screws attached to the drive that you are replacing.
Page 103
See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 9 Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 111) and select the appropriate Drive option. 10 Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 52). power cable...
Battery Replacing the Battery CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer. 8 Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 9 Enter system setup (see "System Setup" on page 111) and restore the settings you recorded in step 1. Then go to the Maintenance section and clear the low battery and other errors associated with the battery replacement in the Event Log.
Appendix Specifications Processor Processor type Level 2 (L2) cache Memory Type Memory connectors Memory capacities Minimum memory Maximum memory Computer Information Chipset RAID Support DMA channels Interrupt levels BIOS chip (NVRAM) Video Type AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor AMD Athlon 64 processor AMD Sempron processor Up to 1 MB per core Up to 256 KB for Sempron processors...
Page 108
Audio Type Expansion Bus Bus type Bus speed connectors connector size connector data width (maximum) PCI Express connector connector size connector data width (maximum) PCI Express connector connector size connector data width (maximum) Drives Externally accessible: Bays Available devices Internally accessible: Appendix Sigmatel 9227 CODEC (7.1 Channel audio) PCI 2.3...
Page 109
Connectors External connectors: Video Network adapter Audio System board connectors: Serial ATA Internal USB device Floppy drive PCI 2.3 PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 Front panel Processor Memory Power 12V Power Controls and Lights Front of computer: Power button Power light Diagnostic lights Standby power light...
Page 110
Controls and Lights (continued) Rear of computer: Link integrity light (on integrated network adapter) Network activity light (on integrated network adapter) Power DC power supply: Wattage Maximum heat dissipation Voltage (see the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide for important voltage setting information) Backup battery Physical...
Entering System Setup 1 Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the blue DELL™ logo is displayed, you must watch for the F2 prompt to appear. 3 Once this F2 prompt appears, press <F2> immediately. NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized.
System Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed. System Displays the System name, BIOS Version, Service Tag, Express Service Code, System Info and Asset Tag.
Page 113
The field configures the operating mode of the integrated hard drive SATA Operation controller. (Off default) • RAID Off — No RAID support • RAID On — SATA is configured for RAID on every boot. This setting determines whether integrated drive errors are reported or not SMART Reporting during system startup.
Page 114
Performance • Bypass — Your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode HDD Acoustic Mode Bypass default • Quiet — The hard drive operates at its most quiet setting. • Suggested — The hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive •...
Page 115
Sets the computer to automatically turn on. Auto Power On • Off — disables the Auto Power On feature (Off default) • Everyday — turns the computer on every day at the time set in Auto Power Time • Weekdays — turns the computer on every day from Monday through Friday at the time set in Auto Power Time NOTE: strip or surge protector.
Determines the functionality of the numeric keys on the right side of your Numlock Key keyboard. (On default) • Off — commands the right keypad keys to function as arrows • On — commands the right keypad keys to function as numbers Determines whether the sign-on screen displays a message stating the POST Hotkeys keystroke sequence that is required to enter the Setup program or the...
Page 117
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device, such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive. NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set Diskette Interface to Disabled in system setup (see "System Setup"...
Clearing Forgotten Passwords CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61. 2 Locate the 2-pin password jumper (PSWD) on the system board and remove the jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 to clear the password.
Clearing CMOS Settings CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. 1 Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 61. NOTE: The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting. 2 Reset the current CMOS settings: Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper (RTCRST) on the system board (see "System Board Components"...
Dell, as well as the verification of appropriate functionality of the computer and all Dell-installed hardware. In addition to this technician- assisted technical support, online technical support is available at support.dell.com.
All Dell-standard components included in a Custom Factory Integration (CFI) project are covered by the standard Dell lim- ited warranty for your computer. However, Dell also extends a parts replacement program to cover all nonstandard, third-party hardware components integrated through CFI for the duration of the computer’s service contract.
Plug the system into a different outlet so that the system and the receiver are on different branch circuits. If necessary, consult a representative of Dell Inc. or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations: Dell™...
Page 123
International Access Code: 00 E-mail for Desktops and Portables Country Code: 54 E-mail for Servers and EMC Products City Code: 11 Customer Service Technical Support – Dell PowerApp™, Dell PowerEdge™, Dell PowerConnect™, and Dell PowerVault™ Technical Support Services Sales Aruba Online Support...
Page 124
Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com tech_support_central_europe@dell.co 08 20 24 05 30 00 08 20 24 05 30 49 08 20 24 05 30 14 08 20 24 05 30 17...
Page 125
Small Business Medium/Large Business, Government Spare Parts and Extended Service Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address www.dell.com/br BR_TechSupport@dell.com 0800 970 3355 51 2104 5470 51 2104 5480 0800 970 3390 toll-free: 1-866-278-6820 604 633 4966...
Page 126
Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Chile (Santiago) Online Support Country Code: 56 City Code: 2 Sales and Customer Support Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address la-techsupport@dell.com 1-877-262-5415 www.dell.com/cl la-techsupport@dell.com toll-free: 1230-020-3397 or 800-20-1385...
Page 127
City Code: 592 Customer Service E-mail Technical Support Fax Technical Support – Dell™ Dimension™ and Dell Inspiron™ Technical Support – Dell OptiPlex™, Dell Latitude™, and Dell Precision™ Technical Support – Servers and Storage Technical Support – Projectors, PDAs, Switches, Routers, etc.
Page 128
Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales (calling from Quito) Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales (calling from Guayaquil) Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address www.dell.com/cr la-techsupport@dell.com 0800-012-0231 support.euro.dell.com czech_dell@dell.com 22537 2727 22537 2707 22537 2714 22537 2728 22537 2711 support.euro.dell.com...
Page 129
Fax (calls from outside of France) Corporate Technical Support Customer Service Switchboard Sales Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address www.dell.com/sv la-techsupport@dell.com 800-6132 support.euro.dell.com fi_support@dell.com 0207 533 555 0207 533 538 0207 533 533 0207 533 530 0207 533 540 0207 533 533 support.euro.dell.com...
Page 130
Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Guyana Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com tech_support_central_europe@dell.co 069 9792-7200 0180-5-224400 069 9792-7320 069 9792-7320 069 9792-7320 069 9792-7320 069 9792-7000 support.euro.dell.com...
Page 131
International Access Code: 001 Country Code: 852 Technical Support – Dimension and Inspiron Technical Support – OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision Technical Support – Servers and Storage Technical Support – Projectors, PDAs, Switches, Routers, etc. Customer Service Large Corporate Accounts...
Page 132
Sales Large Corporate Accounts Home and Small Business Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.ap.dell.com india_support_desktop@dell.com india_support_notebook@dell.com 080-25068032 or 080-25068034 or your city STD code + 60003355 or toll-free: 1-800-425-8045 india_support_Server@dell.com 080-25068032 or 080-25068034...
Page 133
Corporate Customer Service (dial within U.K. only) U.K. Sales (dial within U.K. only) Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com dell_direct_support@dell.com 1850 543 543 1850 543 543 1850 200 889 1850 333 200 1850 664 656...
Page 134
(dial from within Jamaica only) Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com 02 577 826 90 02 696 821 14 02 696 821 13 02 696 821 12 02 577 826 90 02 577 825 55...
Page 135
Technical Support outside of Japan – City Code: 44 Dimension and Inspiron Technical Support – Dell Precision, OptiPlex, and Latitude Technical Support outside of Japan – Dell Precision, OptiPlex, and Latitude Technical Support – Dell PowerApp, Dell PowerEdge, Dell PowerConnect, and Dell PowerVault Technical Support outside of Japan –...
Page 136
Home/Small Business Sales Corporate Sales Customer Service Malaysia (Penang) Online Support International Access Code: 00 Technical Support – Dell Precision, OptiPlex, and Latitude Country Code: 60 Technical Support – Dimension, Inspiron, City Code: 4 and Electronics and Accessories Technical Support – PowerApp, PowerEdge,...
Page 137
Country Code: 64 Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Nicaragua Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address www.dell.com/mx la-techsupport@dell.com 001-866-563-4425 50-81-8800 or 001-800-888-3355 001-877-384-8979 or 001-877-269-3383 50-81-8800 or 001-800-888-3355 or 001-866-851-1754 la-techsupport@dell.com...
Page 138
Customer Service Sales Puerto Rico Online Support Technical Support Customer Service and Sales Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com 671 16882 671 17575 23162298 671 16800 671 16865 www.dell.com/pa la-techsupport@dell.com 011-800-507-1264 www.dell.com/pe la-techsupport@dell.com 0800-50-669 support.euro.dell.com...
Page 139
Malaysia only. Country Code: 65 Online Support Technical Support – Dimension, Inspiron, and Electronics and Accessories Technical Support – OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision Technical Support – PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault Customer Service Transaction Sales Corporate Sales Slovakia (Prague)
Page 140
Employee Purchase Program (EPP) Support Technical Support Fax Sales Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address support.euro.dell.com dell_za_support@dell.com 011 709 7713 011 709 7710 011 709 7707 011 709 7700 011 706 0495 011 709 7700 604 633 4810 support.euro.dell.com...
Page 141
Technical Support – Servers and Storage Customer Service Transaction Sales Corporate Sales Thailand Online Support International Access Code: 001 Technical Support (OptiPlex, Latitude, and Dell Precision) Country Code: 66 Technical Support (PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault) Customer Service Corporate Sales Transaction Sales Trinidad/Tobago...
Page 142
Preferred Accounts (500–5000 employees) Global Accounts Central Government Local Government & Education Health Technical Support Corporate/Preferred Accounts/PCA (1000+ employees) Other Dell Products General Home and Small Business Fax Uruguay Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Appendix Local Numbers, and...
Page 143
Country (City) Service Type International Access Code Country Code City Code U.S.A. (Austin, Texas) Dell Services for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or Speech-Impaired International Access Code: 011 Country Code: 1 Technical Support Home and Home Office Portable and Desktop AutoTech Small Business...
Page 144
Country Code City Code U.S. Virgin Islands Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Venezuela Online Support Technical Support, Customer Service, Sales Appendix Area Codes, Local Numbers, and Toll-Free Numbers Web and E-mail Address www.dell.com/vi la-techsupport@dell.com toll-free: 1-877-702-4360 www.dell.com/ve la-techsupport@dell.com 0800-100-4752...
Glossary Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer. AC — alternating current — The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet.
Page 146
bus — A communication pathway between the components in your computer. bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information. byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits.
Page 147
PCI Express and USB 2.0 standard. Express Service Code — A numeric code located on a sticker on your Dell™ computer. Use the Express Service Code when contacting Dell for assistance. Express Service Code service may not be available in some countries.
Page 148
extended PC Card — A PC Card that extends beyond the edge of the PC Card slot when installed. Fahrenheit — A temperature measurement scale where 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water. FBD — fully-buffered DIMM — A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) that speeds communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system.
Page 149
MB/sec — megabytes per second — One million bytes per second. This measurement is typically used for data transfer ratings. media bay — A bay that supports devices such as optical drives, a second battery, or a Dell TravelLite™ module. Glossary...
Page 150
memory — A temporary data storage area inside your computer. Because the data in memory is not permanent, it is recommended that you frequently save your files while you are working on them, and always save your files before you shut down the computer. Your computer can contain several different forms of memory, such as RAM, ROM, and video memory.
Page 151
250 MB/sec to 4 GB/sec. If the PCI Express chip set and the device are capable of different speeds, they will operate at the slower speed. PCMCIA — Personal Computer Memory Card International Association — The organization that establishes standards for PC Cards.
Page 152
Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer service or technical support.
Page 153
SXGA+ — super-extended graphics array plus — A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050. system board — The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the motherboard. system setup — A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system.
Page 154
virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer. A virus program moves from one computer to another through an infected disk, software downloaded from the Internet, or e-mail attachments. When an infected program starts, its embedded virus also starts.
64 restore to previous state, 55-56 stops responding, 38 connectors headphone, 12 microphone, 12 USB, 12 contacting Dell, 122 copying CDs general information, 20 helpful tips, 21 how to, 20 copying DVDs general information, 20 helpful tips, 21...
Page 156
92 hard drive activity light, 12 installing, 88 installing second, 91 problems, 35 removing, 87 hardware Dell Diagnostics, 52 Hardware Troubleshooter, 55 headphone connector, 12 Help and Support Center, 10 help file Windows Help and Support Center, 10 hibernate mode, 27-28...