DellTM DimensionTM 9150 Owner's Manual Service Tag CD or DVD eject button CD or DVD activity light FlexBays (2) for optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader microphone connector headphone connector diagnostic lights hard-drive activity light power button USB 2.0 connectors (2) power connector cover latch release sound-card connectors (5) network adapter USB 2.0 connectors (5) card slots for PCI Express x1 (1), PCI Express x16 (1), PCI Express x4 (1), PCI (3) Model DCTA 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. © 2006 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, and PowerConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pentium, and Intel SpeedStep 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 DCTA August 2006 P/N WD722 Rev. A03 Contents Finding Information ................................ 9 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable . . . . . . . Connecting a USB Printer. Connecting to the Internet . ............... 13 13 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 25 25 25 27 ............................... ......................... ......................... ........................... .................... Setting Up Your Internet Connection Playing CDs and DVDs . ............................. ........................... ........................... Adjusting the Volume . Adjusting the Picture . Copying CDs and DVDs. ............................. ........................ ........................ ........................ ..................... How to Copy a CD or DVD. . Using Blank CDs and DVDs . Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . Using a Media Card Reader (Optional) 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up a Home and Office Network . Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard . . . . . . Power Management .................... ..................... ..................... ............................... ......................... ......................... ......................... Standby Mode . . . . . . Hibernate Mode. . . . . . Power Options Properties IEEE 1394 ..................................... Contents 3 Hyper-Threading . ................................ ......................... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 27 28 28 29 29 30 32 35 36 36 36 About Your RAID Configuration RAID Level 0 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RAID Level 1 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuring Your Computer for RAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® RAID Option ROM Utility . Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Application Accelerator . Understanding Intel® ViivTM Technology (Optional) .............. ........... Using Intel® ViivTM Quick Resume Technology (Optional) Enabling the QRT Feature in System Setup . . . . . Enabling the QRT feature in the Operating system . ............ ............ 2 Solving Problems. Troubleshooting Tips . Battery Problems. Drive Problems . ............................. 37 37 37 38 38 39 39 41 42 42 43 43 43 43 43 44 44 44 45 45 .............................. ................................ ................................. ........................ ........................ .................... CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems . . . . E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . Error Messages ................................. .......................... Media Card Reader 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 . ................................ ................................ 4 Contents Network Problems . Power Problems ............................... 46 47 48 48 49 49 50 50 50 51 ................................. ................................ ................................ ......................... ........................ ........................ 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 Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights. Dell Diagnostics .......................... 53 53 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 60 61 ................................ ................................. ........................ Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Drivers ...................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............. What Is a Driver? . . Identifying Drivers . Reinstalling Drivers . Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System ........................ .............. .............. Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore . Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec . . . . . . 4 Removing and Installing Parts. Before You Begin. .................... 63 63 63 63 64 65 67 ................................ .................. .................. .................. Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . Turn Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . Before Working Inside Your Computer . Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer ........................... ........................... Contents 5 Removing the Computer Cover. Inside View of Your Computer . System Board Components. Memory. ......................... ......................... 68 70 71 72 72 74 76 76 77 81 89 89 90 90 91 92 92 92 93 94 95 96 96 98 99 99 101 102 103 104 106 106 107 ........................... ..................................... ............................. ............................. ............................. Memory Overview Installing Memory. Removing Memory Cards ....................................... ............................. ............................. PCI Cards . . . . . PCI Express Cards Drive Panels ................................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... Removing the Drive Panel . . . . Removing the Drive-Panel Insert . Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert . Replacing the Drive Panel . . . . Drives. ...................................... ...................... General Installation Guidelines . Hard Drive .................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ Removing a Hard Drive . . . Installing a Hard Drive . . . Adding a Second Hard Drive Floppy Drive ................................... .......................... .......................... Removing a Floppy Drive Installing a Floppy Drive Media Card Reader ............................... ...................... ..................... Removing a Media Card Reader Installing a Media Card Reader. CD/DVD Drive. ................................. ........................ ........................ Removing a CD/DVD Drive Installing a CD/DVD Drive. Battery ..................................... .......................... ........................ Replacing the Battery. Replacing the Computer Cover 6 Contents 5 Appendix .................................. ................................. ................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ........................ 109 109 113 113 114 116 119 121 122 122 122 123 123 123 123 124 124 124 125 125 126 126 Specifications System Setup . 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 . ....................................... 145 Contents 7 8 Contents Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · · · · · · Warranty information Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) Safety instructions Regulatory information Ergonomics information End User License Agreement Find it Here DellTM Product Information Guide NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at support.dell.com. · How to set up my computer Setup Diagram Finding Information 9 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. 10 Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, frequently asked questions · 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, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information · Service and support -- Service call status and support history, service contract, online discussions with technical support · Reference -- Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers · Downloads -- Certified drivers, patches, and software updates · Desktop System Software (DSS)-- If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for DellTM 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel® Pentium® M processors, optical drives, and USB devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration. To download Desktop System Software: 1 Go to support.dell.com and click Downloads. 2 Enter your Service Tag or product model. 3 In the Download Category drop-down menu, click All. 4 Select the operating system and operating system Find it Here Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate sup ...