DellTM DimensionTM E521 Owner's Manual Service Tag cover latch release CD or DVD eject button CD or DVD activity light FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader microphone connector headphone connector diagnostic lights hard-drive activity light power button/ power activity light USB 2.0 connectors (2) Model DCSM 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 149. 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, Dell TravelLite, Strike Zone, and PowerConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 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 DCSM November 2006 P/N PY349 Rev. A02 Contents 1 2 Finding Information ............................ 9 13 13 15 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 22 23 24 26 26 27 27 27 27 27 28 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer ............... ........................... ........................... .......................... Back Panel Connectors. Setting Up a Printer ............................... ............................ ............................ ........................... .................... Printer Cable . . . . Connecting a 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) 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 . . . . . . .................... ..................... ..................... Contents 3 Power Management ............................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ..................... 28 29 29 30 31 31 31 32 33 34 Standby Mode . . . . . . Hibernate Mode. . . . . . Power Options Properties Enabling Cool 'n' QuietTM Technology . About RAID Configurations ........................... ................ ................ ................ ................ RAID Level 1 Configuration . . . . . . . . . Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID . . . Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility . Using Nvidia MediaShield . . . . . . . . . 3 Solving Problems. Troubleshooting Tips . Battery Problems. Drive Problems . ............................. 37 37 37 38 38 39 39 40 41 42 42 42 42 43 43 43 43 44 45 45 46 .............................. ................................ ................................. ........................ ........................ .................... 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 Microsoft® Windows® operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Media Card Reader Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems . .......................... ................................ ................................ ............................... Network Problems . 4 Contents Power Problems ................................. ................................ ................................ ......................... ........................ ........................ 47 48 49 50 50 51 51 51 52 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 . 4 Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights. Dell Diagnostics .......................... 53 53 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 60 61 63 ................................ ................................. ........................ 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Operating System CD. . . . . . . . . 5 Removing and Installing Parts. Before You Begin. .................... 65 65 65 65 66 66 68 69 Contents ................................ .................. .................. .................. Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . Before Working Inside Your Computer . Removing the Computer Cover. Inside View of Your Computer . System Board Components. ......................... ......................... ........................... 5 Memory. ..................................... .............. .............. .............. .............. 70 71 72 72 74 74 74 80 86 86 87 88 89 90 90 91 91 91 92 92 93 95 97 97 99 101 101 103 104 105 107 109 109 110 Memory Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations Installing Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cards ....................................... ............................. ............................. PCI Cards . . . . . PCI Express Cards Drive Panel . ................................... ..................... ..................... ..................... ..................... Removing the Drive Panel . . . . Removing the Drive-Panel Insert . Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert . Replacing the Drive Panel . . . . Drives. ...................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... Recommended Drive Cable Connections. . . Connecting Drive Cables . . . . . . . . . . . Drive Interface Connectors . . . . . . . . . . Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables. Hard Drives . ................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 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 6 Appendix .................................. ................................. ................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ........................ 111 111 115 115 115 116 120 122 123 123 123 124 124 124 125 125 125 125 125 126 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 Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Contacting Dell. ............................. ................................ ................................ Glossary Index . ..................................... 149 159 ....................................... 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? · · · · · · 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 · 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 support. ·Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support. · Solutions -- Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and 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 Dell Support Website -- support.dell.com NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site. NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers can also use the customized Dell Premier Support website at premier.support.dell.com. · Desktop System Software (DSS)-- If you reinstall the To download Desktop System Software: operating system for your computer, you should also 1 Go to support.dell.com and click Downloads. reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical updates 2 Enter your Service Tag or product model. for your operating system and support for DellTM 3 In the Download Category drop-down menu, click All. 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, optical drives, and USB 4 Select the operating system and operating system devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of ...