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Dell Dimension 8400 Service Manual
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Dell Dimension 8400 Service Manual

Dell Dimension 8400 Service Manual

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Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual
Before You Begin
Opening the Computer Cover
Technical Overview
Specifications
Advanced Troubleshooting
System Setup
Removing and Installing Parts
Closing the Computer Cover
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 Owner's Manual.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable.
 
NOTE:
Some features or services may not be available for your computer or in certain countries.
 
 
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel a n d Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DHM
November 2004     Rev. A00

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Summary of Contents for Dell Dimension 8400

  • Page 1: Abbreviations And Acronyms

    Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel a n d Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

  • Page 2: Power Lights

      Light Pattern  Problem Description  Suggested Resolution  The computer is in a normal off Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet and press the power button. condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred. A possible processor failure has Contact Dell. occurred.

  • Page 3: Beep Codes

    One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem. Reseating the memory modules may fix the beep code errors in the following table. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.  ...

  • Page 4: System Messages

    C: Drive Failure The cache memory is not See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Cache Memory operating. Manual for instructions on obtaining Bad, Do Not technical assistance. Enable Cache An error is occurring on the See "Contacting Dell"...
  • Page 5 CMOS Time and Date Not Set Drive A or B is present but Ensure that the drive is installed Diskette Boot has failed the BIOS POST. correctly in the computer and defined Failure correctly in the system setup program. Check the interface cable at both ends. Error in the DMA controller on The keyboard or system board...

  • Page 6: Before You Begin

    Hold a component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins. 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.
  • Page 7 NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network device.   2. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.   3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.  ...

  • Page 8: Opening The Computer Cover

    Back to Contents Page   Opening the Computer Cover Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual   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 opening the cover.

  • Page 9: Closing The Computer Cover

    Back to Contents Page   Closing the Computer Cover Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.   1. Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way.

  • Page 10: Removing And Installing Parts

    Back to Contents Page   Removing and Installing Parts Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual   Memory   Cards   Drives   Hard Drive   Front-Panel Inserts   Floppy Drive   CD/DVD Drive   Airflow Shroud   Processor   System Board   Power Supply   Battery  Memory You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board.

  • Page 11: Addressing Memory With 4-Gb Configurations

    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.

  • Page 12: Removing Memory

    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. Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards:  Three PCI card slots  One PCI Express x16 card slot...

  • Page 13: Installing A Pci Card

    If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a PCI card, see "Removing a PCI Card." If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system. If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express card, see "Installing a PCI Express Card."...
  • Page 14   7. Before you lower the retention arm, ensure that:  The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.  The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.  ...

  • Page 15: Removing A Pci Card

    PCI Express graphics cards that run higher than 75 W may require an additional cooling fan. Otherwise, your card could overheat and damage your computer. If a card fan is not present in your computer and you are installing a graphics card that runs at 75 W or higher, contact Dell to find out how to purchase a card fan.
  • Page 16 2. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.   3. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 5.   4. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
  • Page 17 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. If a card fan is not present in your computer and you are installing a graphics card that runs higher than 75 W, contact Dell to find out how to purchase a card fan.

  • Page 18: Removing A Pci Express Card

      6. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.

  • Page 19: Drive Interface Connectors

    When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive and to the system board. Some drives may also have an audio connector; one end of the audio cable attaches to the drive connector and the other end attaches to the system board.  ...

  • Page 20: Installing A Hard Drive

      2. Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out.   Installing a Hard Drive   1. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.   2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.  ...

  • Page 21: Adding A Second Hard Drive

    See the documentation for your operating system for instructions.   14. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.   15. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard drive.

  • Page 22: Front-Panel Inserts

    a.  Disconnect the power and the data cable from the back of the first hard drive. b.  Press in the two rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of the upper bay. c.  Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear a click. d.

  • Page 23: Removing A Floppy Drive

     Slightly press the right-side insert release tab and gently push in the insert. If you are adding a floppy drive and you purchased the drive from Dell, you received a front panel insert in your floppy drive kit. Attach this insert over the front of the drive bay.

  • Page 24: Installing A Floppy Drive

      3. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, slide the drive upward, and then remove it from the floppy-drive bay.   Installing a Floppy Drive   1. If you are replacing a drive and the new drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive.

  • Page 25: Removing A Cd/Dvd Drive

      Enter system setup and select the appropriate Diskette Drive option.   10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.  CD/DVD Drive   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

  • Page 26: Installing A Cd/Dvd Drive

      2. Connect the new drive to the set of rails that are attached to the inside of the cover. If a set of rails is not attached inside the cover, contact Dell.  ...
  • Page 27  Airflow Shroud   Removing the Airflow Shroud   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.   1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."   2. Disconnect the cooling fan power cable from the fan connector on the system board.  ...
  • Page 28 NOTICE: If you are installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, discard the original heat sink. If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink and blower when you install your new processor.

  • Page 29: Installing The Processor

      5. To remove the processor from the socket, lift the processor vertically in one motion. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor.   Installing the Processor NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

  • Page 30: Removing The System Board

    If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink assembly when you replace the processor. If you installed a processor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat sink assembly and processor to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent.

  • Page 31: Replacing The System Board

    Open the computer cover.   3. Remove any components that restrict access to the system board.   4. Disconnect all cables from the system board.   5. Before you remove the existing system board assembly, visually compare the replacement system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part.

  • Page 32: Removing The Power Supply

    9. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.  Power Supply   Removing the Power Supply 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.

  • Page 33: Replacing The Battery

      7. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.  Battery   Replacing the Battery   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located 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.

  • Page 34: Specifications

    Back to Contents Page   Specifications Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual   Processor Processor type Intel® Pentium® 4 with HT Technology   NOTE: Not all Pentium 4 processors support Hyper- Threading technology. Level 1 (L1) cache 16 KB Level 2 (L2 or L3) cache 512 KB, 1 MB, or 2 MB (depending on your computer...
  • Page 35 x16 slot bidirectional speed — 8 GB/s       connector three connector size 120 pins connector data width (maximum) 32 bits     PCI Express   connector one x1 connector size 36 pins connector data width (maximum) 1 PCI Express lane  ...
  • Page 36 orange light — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer. yellow light — A good connection exists between a 1 Gb (or 1000-Mbps) network and the computer. off (no light) — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.

  • Page 37: Entering System Setup

     Entering System Setup   1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.   2. When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.    3. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Turn off your computer. and try again.
  • Page 38 NOTE: If you insert a boot device and restart the computer, this option appears in the system setup menu. To boot from a USB memory device, select the USB device and move it so it becomes the first device in the list. Drives Identifies and defines the floppy drive attached to the FLOPPY connector on the system board as Off, USB, Internal, or Read Only.

  • Page 39: Option Settings

    Event Log Displays the system event log. After downloading a new version of the BIOS, use this option to identify and define the location of the BIOS update file. The options are BIOS Update Diskette or Disk. POST Behavior Fastboot When set to On (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests.

  • Page 40: Clearing Forgotten Passwords

    4. Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).   5. Press plus (+) or minus (–) to move a selected device up or down the list.  Clearing Forgotten Passwords   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.  ...
  • Page 41 a.  Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper (CLR CMOS) on the system board. b.  Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3. c.  Place the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 and wait approximately 5 seconds. d.  Replace the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3.  ...

  • Page 42: Technical Overview

    Back to Contents Page   Technical Overview Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 Service Manual   Inside Your Computer   System Board Components   Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments  Inside Your Computer   CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

  • Page 43: Power Supply Dc Connector Pin Assignments

     Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments   DC Power Connector P1...

  • Page 44: Dc Power Connector P2

            Pin Number Signal name Color Wire Gauge +3.3 VDC Orange 16-AWG +3.3 VDC Orange 16-AWG Black 18-AWG +5 VDC 18-AWG Black 18-AWG +5 BDC 18-AWG Black 18-AWG Gray 18-AWG +5 VFP Purple 18-AWG +12 VB DC White 18-AWG +12VB DC...

  • Page 45: Dc Power Connector P4

    Black +5 VDC Black +12 VB DC White   DC Power Connector P4       Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire Black Black +3.3 VDC Orange +5 VDC +12B VDC White   DC Power Connector P6       Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire...

  • Page 46: Dc Power Connector P10

    +12 VB DC White Black Black +5V DC   DC Power Connector P10       Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire +12 B VDC White +12 B VDC White +12 B VDC White Black Black Black NOTE: The P10 connector is intended for use with PCI Express graphics cards that have power requirements exceeding 75 watts.

  • Page 47: Notes, Notices, And Cautions

    Inc.; Intel a n d Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, a n d MS-DOS 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.

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