Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, XPS, and Xcelerator are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Core, and Intel SpeedStep are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.
Contents About Your Computer Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer Front Panel Connectors Back Panel Connectors Setting Up Your Computer Safety Instructions Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Specifications Optimizing for Greater Performance...
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Troubleshooting Safety Instructions Troubleshooting Tools Beep Codes System Messages Dell Diagnostics When to Use Dell Diagnostics Starting Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Troubleshooting Software and Hardware...
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Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Contacting Dell Index .......
About Your Computer NOTE: For more information about the ports and connectors on your computer, see "Specifications" on page 15. Front View of the Computer cover release latch vents front panel connectors 5.25-inch drive bays (2) optical drive tray eject button (2) power button 3.5-inch flexbays (2) hard-drive activity light...
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Installing your computer in an enclosure can restrict the airflow and impact your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat.
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• If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1 cm (2 in) clearance from the back of the computer to the wall to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation. Setting Up Your Computer...
NOTICE: Do not install your computer in an enclosure that does not allow airflow. Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. Connecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP).
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, perform the steps in the following section. NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage.
Specifications NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the configuration of your computer, click Start→ Help and Support and select the option to view information about your computer. Processor Processor type Level 2 (L2) cache Memory Type Memory connectors Memory capacities Minimum memory...
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Expansion Bus Bus type connectors connector size connector data width (maximum) Bus speed PCI Express connector connector size connector data width (maximum) Bus throughput PCI Express connector connector size connector data width (maximum) Bus throughput PCI Express Connector Connector size Connector data width (maximum) Bus throughput...
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Drives Externally accessible: Internally accessible Available devices Connectors External connectors: Network adapter two 3.5-inch flexbays two 5.25-inch drive bays two 3.5 HDD bays Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive, memory devices, SATA Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) writer, SATA BD/DVD combo drive, SATA DVD+/-RW drive, SATA DVD drive (2nd drive only), Media Card Reader, and Media Xcelerator™(optional) Integrated network interface capable of 10/100/1000...
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Connectors (continued) Audio HDA 7.1 channel six connectors for 7.1 support rear L/R surround connector — Use the black surround connector to attach multichannel-capable speakers. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card. line-in connector — Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
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Connectors (continued) Audio (continued) IEEE 1394 (Firewire) eSATA System board connectors: Serial ATA FlexBay USB1 USB2 Internal S/PDIF PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 PCI Express x4/x8 side surround sound connector — Use the gray side surround sound connector to attach multichannel- capable speakers.
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Controls and Lights Front of computer: Power button Power light Hard-drive activity light Rear of computer: Link integrity light (on the integrated network adapter) Network activity light (on the integrated network adapter) Standby power light Specifications push button blue light — Blinking blue in sleep state; solid blue for power-on state amber light —...
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Power DC power supply: Wattage Voltage (see the safety instructions that shipped with your computer) Coin cell battery Physical Height Width Depth Weight Environmental Temperature range: Operating Storage Relative humidity (maximum): Operating Storage CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury, do not overload an electrical outlet, power strip, or convenience receptacle.
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Environmental (continued) Maximum vibration (using a random-vibration spectrum that simulates user environment): Operating Storage Maximum shock (measured with hard drive in head- parked position and a 2-ms half-sine pulse): Operating Storage Altitude (maximum): Operating Storage Airborne contaminant level Specifications 0.9 GRMS 1.3 GRMS 122 G 163 G...
® Windows Vista automatically sets Intel Speedstep technologies in the Dell Recommended, Balanced, and Power Saver power plans. It is disabled in the High Performance power plan. Optimizing for Greater Performance...
If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation. 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. Beep Codes Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems.
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If your computer beeps during start-up: 1 Write down the beep code. 2 Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 31). Code Description (repetitive short beeps) BIOS checksum failure. Possible system board failure.
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Dell Support website at support.dell.com). Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 54).
Reseat the memory modules (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). Ensure that the hard drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined...
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The BIOS cannot communicate with the hard drive controller. Corrective Action Enter the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com), verify the system configuration, and then restart the computer. Ensure that the drive is...
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Corrective Action The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. Enter the system setup program (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard;...
NOTE: Dell Diagnostics work only on Dell computers. It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin. Start Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media. Starting Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.
5 At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to select the test you want to run (see "Dell Diagnostics Main Menu" on page 33). NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 1 After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want. NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer.
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. 4 If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable tab described in the following table for more information.
• Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). F T H E P O W E R L I G H T I S S T E A D Y B L U E A N D T H E C O M P U T E R I S N O T R E S P O N D I N G —...
• Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). • Remove and then reinstall any cards (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com). 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 power, but an internal power problem might exist.
F Y O U E X P E R I E N C E O T H E R M E M O R Y P R O B L E M S • Reseat the memory modules (see the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating...
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A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft U N T H E R O G R A M The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows Vista operating system environments. →...
A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes. Dell™ ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or configuration is needed. NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer.
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly. Using Windows Device Driver Rollback...
Drivers and Utilities media and click Finish to restart the computer. 4 When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the Drivers and Utilities media. 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next. NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media displays drivers only for hardware that came installed in your computer.
• Dell Factory Image Restore returns your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. This permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs installed after you received the computer.
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. Starting System Restore 1 Click Start 2 In the Start Search box, type System Restore and press <Enter>.
Using Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using these options. Use Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, or whether you requested the media, the Dell Drivers and Utilities media and Operating System media may not ship with your computer.
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2 Insert the Operating System media. 3 Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears. 4 Restart the computer. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately. NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft computer and try again.
• A diagnostic program for your computer • Drivers for your computer NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at support.dell.com. • Desktop System Software (DSS) • Readme files NOTE: Readme files may be included on...
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Document/Media/Label Dell™ Product Information Guide The Dell Product Information Guide is a hardcopy document that may have shipped with your computer. For additional regulatory information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on www.dell.com at the following location: www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Service Manual The Service Manual for your computer can be found at support.dell.com.
1 See "Troubleshooting" on page 25 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing. 2 See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 31 for procedures on how to run Dell™ Diagnostics. 3 Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 53.
Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about Dell™ hardware. Our support staff uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers. To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page 52, and then see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com. Online Services You can learn about Dell products and services on the following websites: www.dell.com...
"Contacting Dell" on page 54 Automated Order-Status Service To check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered, you can go to support.dell.com, or you can call the automated order-status service. A recording prompts you for the information needed to locate and report on your order.
Service Tag (located on the back or bottom of your computer). Remember to fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 53). If possible, turn on your computer before you call Dell for assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer. You may be...
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Address: Phone number: Service Tag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer): Express Service Code: Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support technician): Operating system and version: Devices: Expansion cards: Are you connected to a network? Yes No...
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area.