DellTM DimensionTM 8400 Series CD or DVD activity light CD or DVD drive eject button floppy drive eject button* floppy drive light* USB 2.0 connectors (2) headphone connector Service Tag hard drive light power button *On computers with a floppy drive. parallel connector diagnostic lights mouse connector surround connector center/LFE connector line-out connector microphone connector USB 2.0 connectors (6) VGA video connector TV-OUT connector** optional sound-card connectors** **Not present on all computers. line-in connector network adapter DVI connector PCI card (3), PCI Express x1 card (1), PCI Express x16 card (1) slots power connector voltage selection switch serial connector keyboard connector w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m 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. 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. © 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, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp, DellNet, PowerConnect, and Axim are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook 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 September 2004 P/N U7035 Rev. A00 Contents Finding Information ............................ 9 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer ............................ ..................... ..................... ..................... 11 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 21 22 23 24 28 28 29 Printer Cable . . . . . . . . Connecting a USB Printer . . Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting to the Internet ......................... .................. Setting Up Your Internet Connection Playing CDs or DVDs . ........................... ......................... ......................... Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs. .......................... ................... ................... ................... How to Copy a CD or DVD . . . . Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs . Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting Two Monitors ......................... .... .... .... .... Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors . . . . . . . . Connecting One Monitor With a VGA connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the Display Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About Your RAID Configuration . ...................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... RAID Level 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RAID Level 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuring Your Computer for RAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Option ROM Utility. . . Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Application Accelerator Setting Up a Home and Office Network . Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard . . . . . .................. ................... ................... Contents 3 Power Management ............................ ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... 29 29 29 30 30 31 Overview . . . . . . . . Standby Mode . . . . . Hibernate Mode. . . . . Power Options Properties Hyper-Threading. ............................. 2 Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips. Battery Problems ........................... 33 33 33 34 34 35 35 36 37 38 38 38 39 39 39 39 39 40 40 41 42 42 43 ............................. ............................ Card Fan Problems. Drive Problems .............................. ...................... ...................... ................... CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems. . . . E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages .............................. ........................ IEEE 1394 Device Problems. Keyboard Problems ............................ ...................... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 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. ............................. ............................. 4 Contents Scanner Problems . ............................ ....................... ...................... ...................... 44 45 45 46 46 46 47 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 . ............................. ............................. ..................... 49 52 53 54 54 54 55 56 56 57 58 Dell Diagnostics Main Menu . Drivers .................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... ..................... ............. ............. ............ What Is a Driver? . Identifying Drivers. Reinstalling Drivers Restoring Your Operating System . Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec . . . . . Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 4 Removing and Installing Parts Before You Begin ............................. ................. ................. ................. 59 59 59 60 61 63 65 65 68 69 Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . Before Working Inside Your Computer Front View. Back View ................................ ................................ ..................... ..................... ..................... Front-Panel Door and Hinge Arms Reattaching the Hinge Arms . Reattaching the Front Door . Opening the Computer Cover . ....................... Contents 5 Inside Your Computer ........................... ........................ 70 71 72 72 73 73 75 75 76 81 86 89 89 89 90 91 92 93 94 97 97 98 99 100 101 103 103 104 System Board Components . Memory . ................................. ............. ............. ............. ............. DDR2 Memory Overview. . . . . . . . . . . Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations Installing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cards ................................... .......................... .......................... PCI Cards . . . . . PCI Express Cards. Card Fan. Drives . ................................. .................................. .................... .................... General Installation Guidelines. Connecting Drive Cables . . . Hard Drive. ................................ ..................... ..................... ..................... Removing a Hard Drive . . . Installing a Hard Drive. . . . Adding a Second Hard Drive . Front-Panel Inserts Floppy Drive . ............................ ............................... ....................... ....................... Removing a Floppy Drive Installing a Floppy Drive . CD/DVD Drive ............................... ..................... ..................... Removing a CD/DVD Drive . Installing a CD/DVD Drive . Battery ................................. ........................ ....................... Replacing the Battery Closing the Computer Cover 6 Contents 5 Appendix Specifications . System Setup ............................. 107 111 111 112 113 116 117 119 119 119 119 120 120 120 121 121 121 122 122 122 123 .............................. ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ...................... Overview . . . . . . . Entering System Setup. System Setup Options . Boot Sequence . . . . Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing CMOS Settings Cleaning Your Computer ......................... ......................... .................. .................. .................. .................. ................ ........ ........ Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . 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) ......................... .................... .................... .................... Class A . . . . . . . . . . . Class B . . . . . . . . . . . FCC Identification Information Contacting Dell ............................. Index ................................... 141 Contents 7 8 Contents Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · · · · · Warranty information Safety instructions Regulatory information Ergonomics information End User License Agreement Find it Here DellTM Product Information Guide · How to set up my computer Setup Diagram Finding Information 9 www.dell.com | support.dell.com What Are You Looking For? · Service Tag and Express Service Code · Microsoft Windows License Label Find it Here Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License These labels are located on your computer. · Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact technical support. · Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting technical support. The Express Service Code is not available in all countries. · Latest drivers for my computer · Answers to technical service and support questions · Online discussions with other users and technical support · Documentation for my computer Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site. The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including: · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses · Community -- Online discussion with other Dell customers · 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 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. · How to use Windows XP · Documentation for my computer · Documentation for devices (such as a modem) 10 Finding Information 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 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 cam ...