DellTM DimensionTM 8100 www.dell.com support.dell.com HINT: A HINT 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 potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. For a complete listing of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in the Tell Me How help file. To open the file, click the Start button on the Windows desktop, point to Programs--> User's Guides, and then click TellMe How. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2000-2001 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Dimension, Inspiron, Dell Precision, OptiPlex, Latitude, DellPlus, DellNet, and DellWare are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. September 2001 P/N 65JDG Rev. A04 Safety Instructions ......................... ................... .............. ........... 7 7 8 9 When Using Your Computer When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge 1 Setting Up Connecting a Printer Parallel Printer USB Printer ........................ 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 ......................... .......................... ................... Installing the Printer Driver Turning Off the Computer ..................... ......... Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me) . . . . . . . . . . . Windows 2000 ......................... 2 Solving Problems Finding Solutions Help Files .......................... 16 18 18 19 20 20 21 .............................. .......................... ...................... .................... Power Problems . Start-Up Error Messages Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank ...................... ................. If the screen is difficult to read Contents 3 Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Problems ................... 22 23 23 23 24 24 25 26 26 26 27 27 28 28 28 29 30 30 30 30 30 31 31 32 33 ......................... .......... If you cannot print to a parallel port printer If you cannot print to a USB printer Scanner Problems Modem Problems Mouse Problems .............. ......................... ......................... .......................... ........................ Keyboard Problems Drive Problems .......................... ............ ...... If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk If you cannot play a music CD or install a program from a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you cannot play a DVD movie If you have a hard drive problem Network Problems If the CD-RW drive stops writing . ................ ............... ................ ......................... ..................... .................... Windows Error Messages General Program Problems A program crashes ....................... .................. .................. .................. A program stops responding A solid blue screen appears Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems .......................... ............... Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling Windows 98 ................. ..................... 4 Contents Reinstalling Windows Me Reinstalling Windows 2000 ..................... .................... 35 37 3 Adding Parts Removing the Computer Cover . Looking Inside Your Computer System Board .................. 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 49 51 52 57 ................... .......................... ..................... ............. Rotating the Power Supply Removing and Replacing the Front Panel Adding Cards ............................ ........................ Installing a Card Removing Cards .......................... .............. Removing and Replacing the AGP Card Adding Memory . .......................... ................. Adding or Replacing Other Drives Replacing the Computer Cover ................... 4 Appendix Specifications . ........................... ......................... ........................ ..................... .................. 60 64 64 65 65 66 Standard Settings Viewing Settings System Setup Screens . Replacing the Battery Clearing Forgotten Passwords ...................... Contents 5 Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) ............ ..... 67 67 68 68 82 82 84 86 87 88 88 Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals Contacting Dell ...... .......................... ........ Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . Regulatory Information Battery Disposal ...................... .................... FCC Notices (U.S. Only) ........................ ................ ....... NOM Information (Mexico Only) Información para NOM (únicamente para México) Warranty and Return Policy Information ............. Index ................................... 89 6 Contents Use the following safety guidelines to protect yourself and your computer. For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines provided in the Tell Me How help file. When Using Your Computer CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including the computer cover, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, and so on) removed. · To help avoid damaging your computer, the power voltage is automatically sensed to match the AC power available at your location. If your computer does not automatically sense the power voltage, please set it to the proper voltage for your location. Also be sure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in your location. · To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network cable, first unplug the cable from the NIC on the back of your computer, and then from the network jack on the wall. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network jack, and then into the NIC. To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting or connecting a non-USB device. To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded power sources. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs. To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply. Be sure that nothing rests on your computer's cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over. Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the computer gets wet, contact Dell (see page 68). · · · · · Safety Instr uctions 7 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m · · Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components. Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug. When Working Inside Your Computer Before you remove the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated. NOTICE: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in Dell documentation. Always follow installation and service instructions closely. 1 2 Turn off your computer and all devices. Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of the computer before touching anything inside your computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components. 3 Disconnect any devices connected to the computer, including the monitor, from their electrical outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. Disconnect the power cable to your computer, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4 In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate: · When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector, not on the cable itself. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any pins. Also, before you connect a cable, make sure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned. Handle components and cards with care. Don't touch the components on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal bracket. CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. · 8 Safety Instr uctions Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch anything inside your computer and periodically while you work inside the computer. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer. You can also take the following steps to prevent static damage: · Do not remove items from their antistatic packing material until you are ready to install them in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure to discharge static electricity from your body. When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging. · Safety Instr uctions 9 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m 10 Safety Instr uctions w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m SECTION 1 Turning Off the Computer Connecting a Printer w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m See the documentation that came with the printer for any recommended preparation procedures, such as: · · · Removing the packaging Installing the toner or ink cartridge Loading paper Then follow the instructions that came with the printer to connect it to the computer. If no information is provided, see the following sections. Parallel Printer 1 Turn off the computer (see page 14). NOTICE: Use only a standard IEEE 1284 parallel cable measuring 3 m (10 ft) or less to connect the printer to the computer. Use of a nonstandard cable may prevent the printer from working. 2 Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel connector on the computer and tighten the two screws. Attach the cable to the parallel connector on the printer and snap the two clips into the two notches. parallel connector on computer screws (2) parallel connector on printer clips (2) parallel printer cable notches (2) 12 Setting Up 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 page 13). USB Printer 1 2 Install the printer driver if necessary (see page 13). Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connector on the computer and the printer. The USB connectors only fit one way. HINT: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on. USB connector on computer USB printer cable USB connector on printer Installing the Printer Driver If you need to install a printer driver, insert the installation CD into the CD or DVD drive. Then follow the prompts on the screen using the instructions that came with the printer. If your printer installation CD does not automatically run, click the Start button on the Windows® desktop, click Run, and type x:\setup.exe (where x is the letter of your CD or DVD drive [usually drive D]). Then click OK and follow the prompts on your screen. HINT: Dell installs drivers for some new printers. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers. If your printer is listed in the Printers window, the printer is ready to use. Setting Up 13 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m If you connect an older printer and it doesn't work after you install the driver, access the ...