DellTM DimensionTM 2400 Series service tag CD or DVD headphone connector CD or DVD volume control dial floppy-drive activity light* power light power button CD or DVD drive activity light CD or DVD eject button second bay for optional drive floppy-drive eject button* hard-drive activity light USB 2.0 connectors (2) headphone connector *On computers with an optional floppy drive. power connector voltage selection switch keyboard connector serial connector video connector line-out connector diagnostic lights (4) parallel connector line-in connector cover latch network adapter connector mouse connector microphone connector USB 2.0 connectors (4) PCI card slots (3) 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 Tell Me How help file. To access help files, see page 9. If you purchased a DellTM n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2003­2004 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, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Axim, PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, PowerVault, and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron 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 MTC2 July 2004 P/N F7556 Rev. A00 Contents Safety Instructions. ............................ ................... 7 9 Finding Information for Your Computer 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer ............................ ..................... ..................... ..................... .................. 11 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 16 16 17 17 18 18 Printer Cable . . . . . . . . Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting a USB Printer . . Setting Up a Home and Office Network . Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard . . . . . Connecting to the Internet ................... ................... ......................... .................. Setting Up Your Internet Connection Copying CDs and DVDs. .......................... ................... ................... ................... How to Copy a CD or DVD . . . . Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs . Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . . . Hyper-Threading. ............................. ......................... ......................... Booting to a USB Device . Turning Off Your Computer 2 Solving Problems Battery Problems Drive Problems ............................. 19 19 20 21 21 22 .............................. ...................... ...................... ................... CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems. . . . E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages .............................. Contents 3 IEEE 1394 Device Problems. Keyboard Problems ........................ 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 27 28 28 29 30 31 31 32 33 33 33 ............................ ...................... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The computer stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A program stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A program crashes repeatedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system. A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Memory Problems Mouse Problems. ............................. ............................. ............................ Network Problems. Power Problems . Printer Problems. ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................... ...................... ...................... Scanner Problems . Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers. . No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems . ....................... .................... .................... If the screen is blank . . . . . If the screen is difficult to read. 3 Advanced Troubleshooting Diagnostic Lights Dell Diagnostics . ............................. ............................. ..................... 35 38 38 40 40 41 Starting the Dell Diagnostics. Drivers .................................. .......................... .......................... Identifying Drivers. Reinstalling Drivers 4 Contents Restoring Your Operating System . ..................... ............. ............. ............ 41 42 43 44 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec . . . . . Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 4 Removing and Installing Parts Front and Back View of the Computer. Front View Back View ................... 45 45 47 49 50 51 51 54 59 64 64 66 66 68 .............................. .............................. ....................... ....................... Removing the Computer Cover Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Components . Adding Cards ........................ ............................... ........................... ..................... Adding a Floppy Drive Adding a Second CD or DVD Drive Adding Memory .............................. .......................... .......................... Installing Memory . Removing Memory Replacing the Battery ........................... ....................... Replacing the Computer Cover 5 Appendix Specifications . .............................. ............................. .................... .................... .................... 69 72 73 74 74 75 76 76 77 Contents 5 Standard Settings Viewing Settings . . . . . . . System Setup Program Screens Boot Sequence . . . . . . . . Clearing Forgotten Passwords ....................... ................. ......... ......... Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals . FCC Notices (U.S. Only) .......................... ..................... ..................... ..................... 77 77 77 78 78 Class A . . . . . . . . . . . Class B . . . . . . . . . . . FCC Identification Information Contacting Dell .............................. Index .................................... 97 6 Contents Safety Instructions See your Product Information Guide for safety instructions. Safety Instructions 7 www.dell.com | support.dell.com 8 Safety Instructions Finding Information for Your Computer What are you looking for? · How to set up my computer Find It Here Setup Diagram · Tips on using Windows · How to clean my computer · How to use my mouse and keyboard · Express Service Code and Service Tag · Microsoft® Windows® License Label Tell Me How Help File 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Click User and system guides and click User's guides. 3 Click Tell Me How. Express Service Code and Product Key Label These labels are located on your computer. Finding Information for Your Computer 9 www.dell.com | support.dell.com What are you looking for? Find It Here · Latest drivers for my computer Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com · Answers to technical service and support The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including: questions · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and · Online discussions with other users and online courses technical support · Community Forum -- Online discussion with other Dell customers · Documentation for my computer · Upgrades -- Upgrade information for components, such as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system · Customer Care -- Contact information, order status, warranty, and repair information · Downloads -- Drivers, patches, and software updates · Reference -- Computer documentation, product specifications, and white papers · How to use Windows XP · Documentation for my computer · Documentation for devices (such as a modem) Windows Help and Support Center 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon. 3 Click the topic that describes your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. 10 Finding Information for Your Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer. See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to: · · · · Obtain and install updated drivers. Connect the printer to the computer. Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge. Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance. Printer Cable Your printer connects to your computer with either a USB cable or a parallel cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer box. Connecting a Parallel Printer 1 2 Complete the operating system setup, if you have not already done so. Shut down the computer through the Start menu (see page 18). NOTICE: For best results, use a 3-m (10-ft) or shorter parallel cable. Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel connector on the computer and tighten the two screws. Attach the cable to the connector on the printer and snap the two clips into the two notches. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 11 www.dell.com | support.dell.com parallel connector on computer connector on printer screws (2) parallel printer cable clips (2) notches (2) 3 4 Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer. Connecting a USB Printer NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on. 1 2 3 Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so. Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer. Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way. 12 Setting Up and Using Your Computer USB connector on computer USB printer cable USB connector on printer Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it. To connect a network cable, perform the following steps. NOTE: Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure. 1 2 Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer. NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall jack. Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device, such as a network wall jack. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 13 www.dell.com | support.dell.com network adapter connector on computer network cable network wall jack 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 2 3 Click the Start button, point to All Programs Accessories Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard. On the welcome screen, click Next. Click Checklist for creating a network. NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP. 4 5 Complete the checklist and required preparations. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen. 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), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options: · · Dial-up connections tha ...