DellTM DimensionTM C521 Owner's Manual Service Tag FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader CD or DVD activity light CD or DVD eject button headphone connector microphone connector diagnostic lights hard drive activity light power button USB 2.0 connectors (2) cover release latch power connector audio connectors USB 2.0 connectors (4) network adapter card slots for PCI (1), PCI Express x1 (1) PCI Express x16 (1) VGA video connector (integrated) Model DCNE 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. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the "Glossary" on page 127. 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, PowerConnect, PowerVault, PowerApp, XPS, Dell TravelLite, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AMD, AMD Athlon, and combinations thereof, and Cool 'n' Quiet are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc; EMC is a registered trademark of EMC 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 DCNE August 2006 P/N RP333 Rev. A00 Contents Finding Information ................................ 9 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer Back Panel I/O Connectors Setting Up a Printer ............... 13 13 15 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 22 22 23 23 24 26 27 27 27 28 28 28 29 29 30 Contents ........................... ........................... ........................... ............................... ......................... ......................... Printer Cable . . . . . . . Connecting a USB Printer. Connecting to the Internet . ........................... .................... 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) Setting Up a Home and Office Network . Network Setup Wizard Power Management ........................... ............................... .............................. .............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ..................... Standby Mode . Hibernate Mode. Power Options Properties Power Schemes Tab Advanced Tab . . . . Hibernate Tab . . . . Enabling Cool 'n' QuietTM Technology . 3 2 Solving Problems. Troubleshooting Tips . Battery Problems. Drive Problems . ............................. 31 31 31 31 32 33 33 34 35 36 36 36 36 36 37 37 37 38 38 39 40 40 41 42 43 43 44 44 44 45 .............................. ................................ ................................. ........................ ........................ .................... CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems . . . . E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . Error Messages ................................. ............................... ........................ .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Media Card Reader 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 .......................... ....................... ....................... The screen is blank . . . . . . The screen is difficult to read. 4 Contents 3 Advanced Troubleshooting . Power Light and Diagnostic Lights Power Light . . . Diagnostic Lights Dell Diagnostics ...................... 47 47 47 48 50 51 52 52 52 53 54 54 54 56 57 ....................... .............................. .............................. ................................. ........................ 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 DellTM PC Restore by Symantec . . . . . . Removing Dell PC Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ ............. ............. ............. 4 Removing and Installing Parts. Before You Begin. .................... 59 59 59 59 60 60 62 63 64 64 65 68 68 75 75 76 ................................ .................. .................. .................. Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . Before Working Inside Your Computer . Removing the Computer Cover. Inside View of Your Computer . System Board Components. Memory. ......................... ......................... ........................... ..................................... .......................... .......................... .......................... DDR2 Memory Overview Installing Memory. . . . Removing Memory . . . Cards ....................................... ...................................... ...................... ...................... Drives. General Installation Guidelines . Drive Interface Connectors . . . Contents 5 Power Cable Connector . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables. Hard Drive ............... ............... 76 76 77 77 78 81 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 87 89 89 90 .................................... ........................... ........................... Removing a Hard Drive Installing a 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 5 Appendix ................................... .................................. .................................. ........................... ........................... ........................... .......................... ............. 93 93 97 97 97 98 102 104 104 104 105 105 105 106 106 106 Specifications System Setup . Overview . . . . . . . Entering System Setup System Setup Options. Boot Menu . . . . . . Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings. Jumper Locations . . . . . . Clearing Password Settings Clearing CMOS Settings . . Cleaning Your Computer . ....................... ....................... ....................... ........................... .................... .................... .................... .................... Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . CDs and DVDs. . . . . . . . . . . 6 Contents Dell Hardware Warranty Support Policy (U.S. Only) ............. ......... ......... 107 107 107 107 107 108 Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals. . FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Contacting Dell. ............................. ................................ ................................ Glossary Index . ..................................... 127 137 ....................................... Contents 7 8 Contents Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. What Are You Looking For? · · · · A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers for my computer My device documentation Desktop System Software (DSS) Find It Here Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD) NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers" on page 53), to run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 50), or to access your documentation. Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical reference material for technicians or experienced users. NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found at support.dell.com. · · · · · · Warranty information Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) Safety instructions Regulatory information Ergonomics information End User License Agreement DellTM Product Information Guide Finding Information 9 What Are You Looking For? · How to set up my computer Find It Here Setup Diagram · Service Tag and Express Service Code · Microsoft Windows License Label Service Tag and Microsoft® Windows® License These labels are located on your computer (see "Front View of the Computer" on page 13). · Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. · Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support. 10 Finding Information What Are You Looking For? · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions · Community -- Online discussion with other Dell customers · Upgrades -- Upgrade information for components, such as the memory, hard drive, and operating system · Customer Care -- Contact information, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information · Service and Support -- Service call status, support history, service contract, and online discussions with 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 reinstall the DSS utility prior to installing any drivers. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for DellTM 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, AMDTM 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. · How to use Windows XP · How to work with programs and files · How to personalize my desktop Find It Here Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the appropriate support site. To download Desktop System Software: 1 Go to support.dell.com ...