DellTM DimensionTM 8200 Solutions Guide w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Hints, Notices, and Cautions 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 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 24. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2002 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, Latitude, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, DellPlus, and DellNet are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; EMC is the registered trademark of EMC Corporation; Intel and 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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited. April 2002 P/N 9P915 Rev. A00 Contents Safety Instructions ......................... ................... .................. .............. ........... 9 9 10 12 13 14 When Using Your Computer Ergonomic Computing Habits When Working Inside Your Computer Battery Disposal Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge ........................ 1 Setting Up Connecting a Printer Parallel Printer USB Printer ........................ 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 20 ......................... .......................... ................... Installing the Printer Driver Transferring Information to a New Computer (Windows XP Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up a Home and Office Network (Windows XP Only) . . . . . . . . . . . Turning Off the Computer Windows XP ........... .............. ..................... .......................... ................ Windows Me and Windows 2000 2 Solving Problems Finding Solutions .......................... ........................ 22 24 25 Accessing Help Files Power Problems . .......................... Contents 3 Start-Up Error Messages ..................... ................... 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 36 37 38 38 39 39 40 41 41 41 41 41 42 Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank ...................... ................ If the screen is difficult to read . Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Problems ................... ......................... .......... 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 . ................ ............... ................ ......................... .............. Microsoft® Windows® Error Messages General Program Problems A program crashes .................... ....................... .................. ......... A program stops responding A solid blue screen appears A program error causes the system to lock up A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. ......... 4 Conte n ts Internet Connection Problems ................... ...... 42 42 44 44 44 46 47 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 53 55 57 If you have a problem with your Internet connection . E-Mail Problems .......................... ................ Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers ......................... ......... ....... Using the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Windows XP Windows Me .......................... .......................... ......................... ....................... .................... ...... Windows 2000 Using System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Reinstalling Windows XP ................ ...................... ..................... .................... Reinstalling Windows Me . Reinstalling Windows 2000 3 Adding Parts Front and Back View of the Computer ............... ........... 62 64 64 65 67 68 70 71 Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms Reattaching the Front Door Reattaching the Hinge Arms Opening the Computer Cover Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Adding Cards ................... .................. ................... ................... .......................... ............................ Contents 5 Removing Cards Adding Memory .......................... .......................... ....................... ..................... ................... 73 75 76 80 81 84 85 87 90 RDRAM Overview Replacing the AGP Card . Adding a Second Hard Drive Adding Other Drives 3.5-Inch Devices ........................ ....................... 5.25-Inch Devices ........................ ................... Closing the Computer Cover 4 Appendix Specifications ........................... ......................... ........................ ................ 92 96 97 98 98 99 101 101 102 102 117 117 119 120 120 122 Standard Settings Viewing Settings System Setup Program Screens Clearing Forgotten Passwords Replacing the Battery ................... ....................... ............ ..... Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) 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 ...................... ................ .............. ............ ............ NOM Information (Mexico Only) Limited Warranties and Return Policy One-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only) Two-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only) 6 Conte n ts Three-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only) Four-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only) One-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only) Two-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only) ........... ........... .......... .......... ......... ......... ......... 126 129 132 134 137 141 142 Three-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only) "Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (U.S. Only) One-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the Caribbean Only) . . . Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Contents 7 8 Conte n ts Safety Instructions As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines. 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 or opened. · To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power available at your location: ­ ­ 115 V/60 Hz in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan 100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in western Japan NOTE: The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V. ­ 230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East 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 network adapter on the back of your computer, and then from the network jack. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network jack, and then into the network adapter. 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 from the computer. · Saf et y I n s tr uc t io n s 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 · 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 102). 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. · · · · · Ergonomic Computing Habits CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury. CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in eye strain. For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergonomic guidelines when setting up and using your computer: · Position your computer so that the monitor and keyboard are directly in front of you as you work. Special shelves are available (from Dell and other sources) to help you correctly position your keyboard. Set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance (usually 510 to 610 millimeters [20 to 24 inches] from your eyes). Make sure the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor. · · 10 Safe t y Ins tr u ct ions · Adjust the tilt of the monitor, its contrast and brightness settings, and the lighting around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize reflections and glare on the monitor screen. Use a chair that provides good lower back support. Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard or mouse. Always leave space to rest your hands while using the keyboard or mouse. Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides. Sit erect with your feet resting on the floor and your thighs level. When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on your feet and not on the front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair's height or use a footrest, if necessary, to maintain proper posture. Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so that you do not have to type for extended periods of time. When you stop typing, try to do things that use both hands. · · · · · · · Saf et y I n s tr uc t io n s 11 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m monitor screen at or below eye level wrists relaxed and flat computer positioned directly in front of user monitor stand (optional) arms at desk level feet flat on the floor When Working Inside Your Computer Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated. CAUTION: 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 the computer (see page 20). Turn off all devices. 12 Safe t y Ins tr u ct ions 3 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 tha ...