Dell PowerVault MD3620i: Notes, Notices, and Cautions

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 Dell™ 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.

© 2005 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, and

PowerApp are trademarks of Dell Inc.; 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 Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model WHL

November 2005 P/N HC098 Rev. A03

Contents

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Opening the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Changing the Front-Panel Light Color

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting Monitors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting a Monitor to a PCI Express Graphics Card

Dual Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting Two Monitors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting a TV

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Changing the Display Settings to Support Two Monitors

. . . . . . . . . 20

About Serial ATA Drives

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

About Your RAID Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

RAID Level 0 Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

RAID Level 1 Configuration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Creating an Array using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility

. . . . . . . 23

Using Nvidia MediaShield

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Transferring Information to a New Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Playing CDs and DVDs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Playing a CD or DVD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Adjusting the Volume

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Adjusting the Picture

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Copying CDs and DVDs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

How to Copy a CD or DVD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Using Blank CDs and DVDs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Helpful Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Network Setup Wizard

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Contents 3

Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Overview

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Standby Mode

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Hibernate Mode

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Power Options Properties

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

2 Optimizing Performance

Hyper-Threading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

PCI Express Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

NVIDIA SLI Dual Graphics Technology

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

3 Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Battery Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Drive Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CD and DVD drive problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Hard drive problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Keyboard Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Lockups and Software Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

The computer does not start up

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

The computer stops responding

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

A program stops responding

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

A program crashes repeatedly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system

. . . . . 46

A solid blue screen appears

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Other software problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Memory Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Mouse Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4 Contents

Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Power Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Printer Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Scanner Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Sound and Speaker Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

No sound from speakers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

No sound from headphones

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Video and Monitor Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

If the screen is blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

If the screen is difficult to read

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

If 3-D image quality is poor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4 Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Dell Diagnostics

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

What Is a Driver?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Identifying Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Reinstalling Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

®

®

Using Microsoft

Windows

XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Creating a Restore Point

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

. . . . . . . . . . . 63

Undoing the Last System Restore

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

®

®

Reinstalling Microsoft

Windows

XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Before You Begin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Reinstalling Windows XP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Contents 5

5 Removing and Installing Parts

Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Recommended Tools

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Turning Off Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Before Working Inside Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Front and Back View of the Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Front View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Front View (Doors Open)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Back View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Opening the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Inside View of Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

System Board Components

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Addressing Memory Configurations

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Installing Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Removing Memory

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card from a Dual Configuration

. . . . 84

Installing PCI Express Graphics Cards in a Dual Configuration

. . . . . . 86

Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Installing PCI and PCI Express Cards

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Network Adapter and Sound Card Settings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Drives

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

General Installation Guidelines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Connecting Drive Cables

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Hard Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Removing a Hard Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Installing a Hard Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Floppy Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Removing a Floppy Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Installing a Floppy Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Media Card Reader

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Removing a Media Card Reader

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Installing a Media Card Reader

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

6 Contents

CD/DVD Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Removing a CD/DVD Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Installing a CD/DVD Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Processor Airflow Shroud

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Removing the Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Installing the Processor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Front Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Removing the Front Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Replacing the Front Panel

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Drive Door

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Removing the Drive Door

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Replacing the Drive Door

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Replacing the Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Closing the Computer Cover

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

6 Appendix

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

System Setup

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Overview

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Entering System Setup

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

System Setup Options

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Boot Sequence

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Clearing CMOS Settings

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Cleaning Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Mouse

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Floppy Drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

CDs and DVDs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Contents 7

Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals

. . . . . . . . . 140

Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals

. . . . . . . . . . . 141

FCC Notices (U.S. Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Class A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Class B

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

FCC Identification Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Contacting Dell

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

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? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)

• Drivers for my computer

Documentation and drivers are already installed on your

• My device documentation

computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers or to run

• Desktop System Software (DSS)

the Dell Diagnostics.

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.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not

ship with your computer.

• How to set up my computer

Owner’s Manual

• Basic troubleshooting information

• How to run the Dell Diagnostics

• How to set up a printer

• Additional information about setting up my computer

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

• How to remove and install parts

• Specifications

• How to contact Dell

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at

support.dell.com.

Finding Information 9

You can choose from several color choices:

•Off

•Ruby

•Emerald

•Sapphire (default)

•Amber

•Amethyst

•Topaz

front-panel

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light

•Diamond

badge

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: The front-panel light is not for diagnostic purposes.

1

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 69.

2

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

3

Enter system setup by pressing <F2>. (See "Entering System Setup" on page 131 for details

about entering system setup).

4

Select the

Onboard Devices

option.

5

Select

Front LED Color

, and press <Enter>.

6

Press the left- and right- arrow keys to scroll through the color options. The front-panel light

color changes as you scroll through the options.

7

Select the color you want, and press <Enter>.

8

Press

<

Esc

>

, and press

Save and Exit

to save the new front-panel light color setting.

16 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)

Use the media card reader to transfer data directly to your computer.

The media card reader supports the following memory types:

• xD-Picture card

• SmartMedia (SMC)

• CompactFlash Type I and II (CF I/II)

• MicroDrive card

• SecureDigital card (SD)

• MultiMediaCard (MMC)

• Memory Stick (MS/MS Pro)

For information on installing a media card reader, see "Installing a Media Card Reader" on

page 106.

xD-Picture card

Memory Stick

and SmartMedia (SMC)

(MS/MS Pro)

SecureDigital card (SD)/

MultiMediaCard (MMC)

CompactFlash Type I

and II (CF I/II) and

MicroDrive card

To use the media card reader:

1

Check the media or card to determine the proper orientation for insertion.

2

Slide the media or card into the appropriate slot until it is completely seated in the connector.

If you encounter resistance, do not force the media or card. Check the card orientation and

try again.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17

Connecting Monitors

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: Dependent upon options selected when you purchased your computer, your video card may have

either two DVI ports or one DVI port and one VGA port.

Connecting a Monitor to a PCI Express Graphics Card Dual Configuration

If you are using PCI Express graphics cards in a dual configuration, only a single monitor is

supported. Connect the monitor to the primary video card or the monitor will not function.

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primary video card

Connecting Two Monitors

NOTE: Your graphics card and configuration must support dual monitors for you to connect and enable

two monitors using the instructions in this section.

The graphics card that came with your computer has an S-video port and either two DVI ports

and a DVI-to-VGA adapter, or one DVI port and one VGA port.

To connect a monitor by attaching the DVI or VGA connector of the monitor directly to the

DVI or the (optional) VGA port on your computer, see "Connecting Two Monitors (Without an

Adapter)" on page 19. If you purchased a graphics card that has two DVI ports instead of a VGA

port and need to use a VGA monitor, see "Connecting Two Monitors (With the Use of an

Adapter)" on page 20.

18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Connecting Two Monitors (Without an Adapter)

NOTE: Dependent upon options selected when you purchased your computer, your video card may have

either two DVI ports or one DVI port and one VGA port.

Follow these instructions if you are connecting two monitors with DVI connectors to the two

optional DVI ports on your computer, or if you are connecting one monitor with a DVI

connector and one VGA monitor to the DVI and optional VGA ports on your computer.

If you have a monitor with a VGA connector, but your computer has two DVI ports, follow the

instructions in "Connecting Two Monitors (With the Use of an Adapter)" on page 20.

NOTE: If you are using PCI Express graphics cards in a dual configuration, only a single monitor is

supported.

1

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 69.

2

Connect each of the monitors to a the appropriate connector on the back of the computer.

If your monitor has a DVI connector, use the white DVI port on your computer.

If your monitor has a VGA connector, use the (optional) blue VGA port on your computer.

3

Change the display settings to support both monitors (see "Changing the Display Settings to

Support Two Monitors" on page 20).

DVI-to-VGA

adapter

DVI (white) connector

TV-OUT connector

VGA (blue) connector

(optional)

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19

Connecting Two Monitors (With the Use of an Adapter)

Follow these instructions if you purchased a graphics card that has two DVI ports instead of a

VGA port and need to use a VGA monitor.

NOTE: If you are using PCI Express graphics cards in a dual configuration, only a single monitor is

supported.

1

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 69.

2

Attach the DVI connector on the appropriate monitor to the white DVI port on the back of

the computer.

NOTE: Your graphics card must support a VGA monitor being connected to the DVI port.

3

Connect the DVI-to-VGA adapter to the VGA connector on the other monitor, then connect

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the adapter to the white DVI port on the back of the computer.

4

Change the display settings to support both monitors (see "Changing the Display Settings to

Support Two Monitors" on page 20).

Connecting a TV

NOTE: If you are connecting a TV, you may connect only one monitor (VGA or DVI) in addition to the TV.

NOTE: See the documentation that came with your TV to ensure that you properly configure and connect

the TV.

To connect a TV to your computer, you must purchase an S-video cable, which is available at

most consumer electronics stores. An S-video cable is not included with your computer.

1

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 69.

2

Connect one end of the S-video cable to the TV-OUT connector on the back of the computer.

3

Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video input connector on your TV.

4

Connect one VGA or DVI monitor as described in the preceding subsection, "Connecting

Two Monitors (Without an Adapter)" on page 19.

Changing the Display Settings to Support Two Monitors

1

After you connect the monitors, turn on the computer.

®

®

The Microsoft

Windows

desktop displays on the primary monitor.

2

Enable clone mode or extended desktop mode in the display settings.

• In clone mode, both monitors display the same image.

• In extended desktop mode, you can drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively

doubling the amount of viewable work space.

For information on changing the display settings for your graphics card, see the user’s guide in

the Help and Support Center (click the

Start

button, click

Help and Support

, click

User and

system guides

, click

Device guides

, and then click the guide for your graphics card).

20 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

About Serial ATA Drives

Your computer supports up to three serial ATA hard drives. Serial ATA drives provide the

following benefits by transferring data using serial technology and flexible cables that are

thinner and longer than IDE cables:

• Improved cable routing facilitates more efficient airflow inside the chassis.

• Compact cable connectors save space on the system board and on the hard drive. Combined

with the improved cable routing, this allows a more efficient utilization of space inside the

chassis.

See "Hard Drive" on page 97 for information on serial ATA drive connections.

About Your RAID Configuration

NOTICE: If you might ever decide to migrate to a RAID array, before loading the operating system onto a

hard drive, set up that drive as a single drive RAID 0 array. See "Creating an Array using the Nvidia

MediaShield ROM Utility" on page 23 for instructions.

This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration that you might have selected when

you purchased your computer. Dell offers either a RAID level 0 configuration or a RAID level 1

configuration on your Dell™ XPS computer. A RAID level 0 configuration is recommended for

high-performance gaming, and a RAID level 1 configuration is recommended for the data

integrity requirements of digital photography and audio.

NOTE: RAID levels do not represent a hierarchy. A RAID level 1 configuration is not inherently better or

worse than a RAID level 0 configuration.

The drives in an array should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does not

contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space.

RAID Level 0 Configuration

A RAID level 0 configuration uses a storage technique known as "data striping" to provide a high

data access rate. Data striping is a method of writing consecutive segments, or stripes, of data

sequentially across the physical drives to create a large virtual drive. Data striping allows one of

the drives to read data while the other drive is searching for and reading the next block.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 21

serial ATA RAID

configured for

RAID level 0

segment 1

segment 2

segment 3

segment 4

segment 5

segment 6

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

hard drive 1

hard drive 2

Another advantage of a RAID level 0 configuration is that it utilizes the full capacities of the

drives. For example, if you have two 120-GB drives installed, you have 240 GB on which to store

data.

NOTICE: Because RAID level 0 configurations provide no data redundancy, if one drive fails, then the

data on the other drive is also inaccessible. Therefore, ensure that you perform regular backups when

you use a RAID level 0 configuration.

RAID Level 1 Configuration

RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as "mirroring." When data is

written to the primary drive, it is then duplicated, or mirrored, on the other drive. A RAID

level 1 configuration sacrifices high data-access rates for its data redundancy advantages.

serial ATA RAID

configured for

RAID level 1

segment 1

segment 1 duplicated

segment 2

segment 2 duplicated

segment 3

segment 3 duplicated

segment 4

segment 4 duplicated

segment 5

segment 5 duplicated

segment 6

segment 6 duplicated

hard drive 1

hard drive 2

22 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive.

A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive. Also, because

data is duplicated on both drives, a RAID level 1 configuration using two 120-GB hard drives

collectively has a maximum of 120 GB on which to store data.

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

NOTICE: If you might ever decide to migrate to a RAID array, before loading the operating system onto a

hard drive, set up that drive as a single drive RAID 0 array. See "Creating an Array using the Nvidia

MediaShield ROM Utility" on page 23 for instructions.

At some point you may want to configure your computer for RAID if you did not select a RAID

configuration when you purchased your computer. You must have at least two hard drives

installed in your computer to set up a RAID configuration. For instructions on how to install a

hard drive, see "Installing a Hard Drive" on page 98.

You can use one of two methods to configure RAID hard drive volumes. One method uses the

Nvidia MediaShield ROM utility and is performed before you install the operating system onto

the hard drive. The second method uses Nvidia MediaShield, and this method is performed

after you have installed the operating system with the Nvidia RAID drivers.

Both methods require that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before starting any of

the RAID configuration procedures in this document.

Setting Your Hard Drives to RAID-Enabled Mode

1

Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 131).

2

Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight

Drives

, and press <Enter>.

3

Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the applicable SATA drive, and press

<Enter>.

4

Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight

RAID On

, press <Enter>, and then

press <Esc>.

NOTE: For more information about RAID options, see "System Setup Options" on page 132.

5

Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight

Save/Exit

, and press <Enter> to exit system

setup and resume the boot process. Repeat the process as necessary for each SATA hard drive.

Creating an Array using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility

NOTICE: You will lose any data on your hard drives when you create a RAID configuration using the

following procedure. Back up data you want to keep before continuing.

NOTICE: If you might ever decide to migrate to a RAID array, before loading the operating system onto a

hard drive, set up that drive as a single drive RAID 0 array. See "Creating an Array using the Nvidia

MediaShield ROM Utility" on page 23 for instructions.

NOTE: Use the following procedure only if you are reinstalling your operating system. Do not use the

following procedure to migrate an existing storage configuration to a RAID configuration.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 23

Although any size drives may be used to create a RAID configuration, ideally the drives should

be of equal size. In a RAID level 0 configuration, the size of the configuration will be the size of

the smaller drive multiplied by the number (two) of drives in the configuration. In a RAID level

1 configuration, the size of the configuration will be the smaller of the two drives used.

1

Enable RAID on your hard drives (see "Setting Your Hard Drives to RAID-Enabled Mode" on

page 23).

2

Press <Ctrl-n> when prompted to enter the RAID BIOS.

NOTICE: If you do not press <Ctrl-n> before the window closes, restart your computer and wait for

the prompt to appear again.

The

Define a New Array

window appears.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

3

Press <Tab> to navigate to the

RAID Mode

field.

To create a RAID 0 configuration, use the arrow keys to select

Striping

.

To create a RAID 1 configuration, use the arrow keys to select

Mirroring

.

4

Press <Tab> to navigate to the

Free Disks

field.

5

Use the right- and left-arrow keys to select the hard drive or drives to include in your RAID

array; move the listed hard drives from the

Free Disks

field to the

Array Disks

field.

NOTE: Your computer supports a maximum of two drives per RAID1 array and three per RAID0

array.

6

After assigning hard drives to an array, press <F9>.

NOTICE: You will lose all data on the selected drives in the next step.

7

Press <Y> to clear all data from the selected drives.

The

Array Detail

window appears.

8

To specify the array as bootable, use the arrow keys to select the array and press <B>.

9

To review the details of the array that you set up, use the arrow keys to highlight the array in

the

Array Detail

window and press <Enter>.

To delete an array, navigate to the array using the arrow keys and press <D>.

Press <Enter> to return to the previous screen.

10

Press <Ctrl><X> to exit the RAID BIOS.

Using Nvidia MediaShield

Nvidia MediaShield

allows you to create, view, and manage RAID configurations. If you already

have one hard drive with the operating system installed on it, and you want to add a second hard

drive and reconfigure both drives into a RAID volume without losing the existing operating

system and any data, you need to use the morphing option (see "Morphing from a Single Drive

RAID 0 Configuration to a Dual Drive RAID Configuration" on page 26).

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Create a RAID level 0 volume or RAID level 1 volume only when you are adding two new drives

to an existing single-drive computer configured as a single-drive level 0 RAID array, and you

want to configure the two new drives into a RAID array.

Although any size drives may be used to create a RAID configuration using Nvidia MediaShield,

ideally the drives should be of equal size. In a RAID level 0 configuration, the size of the

configuration will be the size of the smallest drive multiplied by the number (two) of drives in

the configuration. In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the configuration will be the

smaller of the two drives used.

Creating a RAID Array

NOTICE: You will lose any data on your hard drives when you create a RAID configuration using the

following procedure. Back up data you want to keep before continuing.

NOTE: Do not use the following procedure to migrate an existing storage configuration to RAID level 0

configuration.

1

Enable RAID on your hard drives (see "Setting Your Hard Drives to RAID-Enabled Mode" on

page 23).

2

After rebooting your computer, launch Nvidia MediaShield.

3

Click

Create Array

in the

System Tasks

pane.

The

Create Array Wizard

appears.

4

Use the drop-down box to select

Striping

(for RAID 0) or

Mirroring

(for RAID 1).

5

Click

Next

.

6

Click to select the drives that will make up the RAID configuration.

NOTE: Your computer supports a maximum of two drives per RAID1 array and three per RAID0

array.

7

Select desired options.

NOTICE: The Clear System Data option will delete all data on the selected drive.

8

Click

Next

.

9

Click

Finish

to create the RAID configuration.

The array and any other installed hard drives should be visible in the NVRAID management

utility window.

Deleting a RAID Array

NOTE: While this procedure deletes the RAID 1 volume, it also splits the RAID 1 volume into two non-

RAID hard drives with a partition, and leaves any existing data files intact. Deleting a RAID 0 volume,

however, destroys all data on the volume.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25

Media Type Read Write Rewritable

DVD-R DL Maybe No No

DVD-RAM Maybe No No

Helpful Tips

®

®

• Use Microsoft

Windows

Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after

you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project.

• Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play

in most home or car stereos.

• You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic DigitalMedia.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

• Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software

installed.

• Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all

available DVD formats. For a list of formats supported by your DVD player, see the

documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer.

• Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a

650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1–2 MB of the blank space to

finalize the recording.

• Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording

techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You

can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project

permanently to a blank CD-R.

• See the Sonic website at

www.sonic.com

for additional information.

Network Setup Wizard

®

®

The Microsoft

Windows

XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you

through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a

home or small office.

1

Click the

Start

button, point to

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

Communications

, and then

click

Network Setup Wizard

.

2

On the welcome screen, click

Next

.

3

Click

Checklist for creating a network

.

NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the

integrated firewall provided with Windows XP SP1.

4

Complete the checklist and required preparations.

Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.

32 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Power Management

Overview

®

®

The Microsoft

Windows

XP power management features can reduce the amount of

electricity your computer uses when it is on and you are not using it. You can reduce power to

just the monitor or the hard drive, or you can use standby mode or hibernate mode to reduce

power to the entire computer. When the computer exits from a power conservation mode, the

Windows desktop is restored to the state it was in before it entered the mode.

NOTE: Windows XP Professional includes security and networking features not available in

Windows XP Home Edition. When a Windows XP Professional computer is connected to a network,

different options related to security and networking appear in certain windows.

NOTE: Depending on your operating system, the procedures to activate the standby and hibernate

modes may be different.

Standby Mode

Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a time-out.

When the computer exits from standby mode, it returns to the operating state it was in before it

entered standby mode.

To set standby mode to automatically activate after a defined period of inactivity:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Control Panel

.

2

Under

Pick a category

, click

Performance and Maintenance

.

3

Under

or pick a Control Panel icon

, click

Power Options

.

To immediately activate standby mode without a period of inactivity, click the Start button,

click Turn Off Computer, and then click Stand by.

To exit from standby mode, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.

NOTICE: If your computer loses power while in standby mode, it may lose data.

Hibernate Mode

Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive

and then completely turning off the computer. When the computer exits from hibernate mode,

the desktop is restored to the state it was in

before it entered hibernate mode.

To activate hibernate mode:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Control Panel

.

2

Under

Pick a category

, click

Performance and Maintenance

.

3

Under

or pick a Control Panel icon

, click

Power Options

.

4

Define your hibernate settings on the

Power Schemes

tab,

Advanced

tab, and

Hibernate

tab.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 33

To exit from hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a short time to

exit from hibernate mode. Pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse does not bring

the computer out of hibernation, because the keyboard and the mouse do not function when

the computer is in hibernate mode.

Because hibernate mode requires a special file on your hard drive with enough disk space to

store the contents of the computer memory, Dell creates an appropriately sized hibernate mode

file before shipping the computer to you. If the computer’s hard drive becomes corrupted,

Windows XP recreates the hibernate file automatically.

Power Options Properties

Define your standby mode settings, hibernate mode settings, and other power settings in the

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Power Options Properties window.

To access the Power Options Properties window:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Control Panel

.

2

Under

Pick a category

, click

Performance and Maintenance

.

3

Under

or pick a Control Panel icon

, click

Power Options

.

4

Define your power settings on the

Power Schemes

tab,

Advanced

tab, and

Hibernate

tab.

Power Schemes Tab

Each standard power setting is called a scheme. If you want to select one of the standard

Windows schemes installed on your computer, choose a scheme from the Power schemes drop-

down menu. The settings for each scheme appear in the fields below the scheme name. Each

scheme has different settings for starting standby mode or hibernate mode, turning off the

monitor, and turning off the hard drive.

The Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes:

•

Always On

(default) — If you want to use your computer with no power conservation.

•

Home/Office Desk

— If you use your computer as a home or office computer and you require

minimal power conservation.

•

Portable/Laptop

— If your computer is a portable computer that you use for traveling.

•

Presentation

— If you want your computer to run without interruption (using no power

conservation).

•

Minimal Power Management

— If you want your computer to run with minimal power

conservation.

•

Max Battery

— If your computer is a portable computer and you run your computer from

batteries for extended periods of time.

34 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

If you want to change the default settings for a scheme, click the drop-down menu in the Tu rn

off monitor, Turn off hard disks, System stand by, or System hibernates field, and then select a

time-out from the displayed list. Changing the time-out for a scheme field permanently changes

the default settings for that scheme, unless you click Save As and enter a new name for the

changed scheme.

NOTICE: If you set the hard drive to time-out before the monitor does, your computer may appear to be

locked up. To recover, press any key on the keyboard or click the mouse. To avoid this problem, always

set the monitor to time-out before the hard drive.

Advanced Tab

The Advanced tab allows you to:

• Place the power options icon in the Windows taskbar for quick access.

• Set the computer to prompt you for your Windows password before the computer exits from

standby mode or hibernate mode.

• Program the power button to activate standby mode, activate hibernate mode, or turn off the

computer.

To program these functions, click an option from the corresponding drop-down menu and

click OK.

Hibernate Tab

The Hibernate tab allows you to enable hibernate mode. If you want to use the hibernate

settings you defined on the Power Schemes tab, click the Enable hibernate support check box

on the Hibernate tab.

For more information on power management options:

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

2

In the

Help and Support

window, click

Performance and maintenance

.

3

In the

Performance and maintenance

window, click

Conserving power on your computer

.

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 35

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

36 Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Optimizing Performance

Hyper-Threading

®

Hyper-Threading is an Intel

technology that can enhance overall computer performance by

allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing

®

®

certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft

Windows

XP

Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take

advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-

Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an

update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and

information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.

To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:

1

Click the

Start

button, right-click

My Computer

, and then click

Properties

.

2

Click

Hardware

and click

Device Manager

.

3

In the

Device Manager

window, click the plus (+) sign next to

Processors

. If Hyper-Threading

is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. For more information on

accessing system setup, see "System Setup" on page 131. For more information on Hyper-

Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell website at support.dell.com.

PCI Express Cards

PCI Express is the next generation technology for graphics cards and PCI cards. The PCI

Express x16 slot is used in place of the AGP graphics card slot. The dimensions of PCI Express

card slots are different from those of the PCI card slots, and the cards are not interchangeable

(you cannot install a PCI card in a PCI Express card slot, or a PCI Express card in a PCI card

slot).

Some benefits of PCI Express technology include:

• Greater available bandwidth — PCI Express bus bandwidth is 250 MB/s in each direction per

lane simultaneously, while PCI bus bandwidth is 133 MB/s in one direction at a time.

• Prioritization of service — Multiple PCI cards installed in a computer all share a common

bus, but each PCI Express card operates on its own channel. Activities such as video

conferencing and web camera functions can be automatically prioritized through the device

software to reduce latency.

Optimizing Performance 37

NVIDIA SLI Dual Graphics Technology

With NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) dual-graphics technology, an optional second PCI

Express graphics card will significantly increase graphics performance on your computer.

Benefits of this technology can be seen in the improved portrayal of the 3-D graphics used in

gaming and design applications.

Each graphics card includes a GPU (graphics processing unit). The two GPUs dynamically share

their workload to provide the best possible performance. For a given application, the SLI

software selects the optimum rendering (processing) mode. The two most basic modes are split

frame rendering and alternate frame rendering. In split frame rendering, the GPUs divide the

work; each GPU renders part of every frame that displays. In the alternate frame rendering

mode, each GPU alternately renders the full-screen image.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

For more information, see the documentation that came with your graphics card.

38 Optimizing Performance

Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips

Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer:

• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures

and ensure that the part is correctly installed.

• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may

help technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem(s).

If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.

Battery Problems

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the

battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used

batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

REPLACE THE BATTERY — If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on

the computer, or if an incorrect time or date displays during start-up, replace the battery (see "Replacing

the Battery" on page 124). If the battery still does not work properly, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell"

on page 142).

Drive Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

Solving Problems 39

®

®

ENSURE THAT MICROSOFT

WINDOWS

RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE — Click the Start button and

click My Computer. If the floppy, CD, or DVD drive, is not listed, perform a full scan with your

antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from

recognizing the drive.

TEST THE DRIVE —

• Insert another floppy disk, CD, or DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original one is defective.

• Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.

CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK —

See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 139.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities"

on page 64.

RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS — See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 58.

CD and DVD drive problems

NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a

defect in the drive or the CD or DVD.

NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all

DVD drives.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —

• Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.

• Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up.

• Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked.

CHECK THE SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER — See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on page 51.

40 Solving Problems

Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive

CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when

writing. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all programs before you write to the

CD/DVD-RW.

TURN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD/DVD-RW DISC — See

"Standby Mode" on page 33 or search for the keyword standby in Windows Help and Support Center.

for information on power management modes. For information on accessing window Help, see

"Windows Help and Support Center" on page 12.

Hard drive problems

RUN CHECK DISK —

1

Click the

Start

button and click

My Computer

.

2

Right-click

Local Disk C:

.

3

Click

Properties

.

4

Click the

Tools

tab.

5

Under

Error-checking

, click

Check Now

.

6

Click

Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors

.

7

Click

Start

.

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the

Product Information Guide.

NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. The modem does not operate while it is

connected to a digital telephone network.

®

CHECK THE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK

EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS — If you cannot open your e-mail

attachments:

1

In Outlook Express, click

Tools

, click

Options

, and then click

Security

.

2

Click

Do not allow attachments

to remove the checkmark.

Solving Problems 41

RESTART THE COMPUTER —

1

Simultaneously press <Ctrl><Esc> to display the

Start

menu.

2

Ty p e

u

, press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight

Shut down

or

Turn O f f

, and then press <Enter>.

3

After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the setup diagram for your

computer.

4

Start the computer.

TEST THE MOUSE — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, and try using the mouse.

CHECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS —

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

1

Click the

Start

button, click

Control Panel

, and then click

Printers and Other Hardware

.

2

Click

Mouse

.

3

Try adjusting the settings.

REINSTALL THE MOUSE DRIVER — See "Reinstalling Drivers" on page 61.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities"

on page 64.

Network Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR — Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into

both the network connector on the back of the computer and the network jack.

CHECK THE NETWORK LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF THE COMPUTER — If the link integrity light is off,

that indicates no network communication exists. Replace the network cable. For a description of

network lights, see "Connectors" on page 129.

RESTART THE COMPUTER AND LOG ON TO THE NETWORK AGAIN

CHECK YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS — Contact your network administrator or the person who set up

your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning.

48 Solving Problems

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities"

on page 64.

Power Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS GREEN AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT RESPONDING — See "Diagnostic Lights"

on page 55.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING GREEN — The computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the

keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS OFF — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.

• Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical

outlet.

• If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical

outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also bypass power protection devices, power strips, and

power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.

• Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

• Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see

"System Board Components" on page 78).

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING AMBER — The computer is receiving electrical power, but an

internal power problem might exist.

• Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable).

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER — A device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

• Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board power connector

(POWER12V) (see "System Board Components" on page 78).

• Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 79).

• Remove and then reinstall any cards (see "Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards" on page 89).

• Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see "Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards"

on page 89).

Solving Problems 49

ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE — Some possible causes of interference are:

• Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables

• Too many devices on a power strip

• Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet

Printer Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located

in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer’s manufacturer.

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CHECK THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION — See the printer documentation for setup and

troubleshooting information.

ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON

CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS —

• See the printer documentation for cable connection information.

• Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another

device, such as a lamp.

VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS —

1

Click the

Start

button, click

Control Panel

, and then click

Printers and Other Hardware

.

2

Click

View installed printers or fax printers

.

If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.

3

Click

Properties

and click the

Ports

tab. For a parallel printer, ensure that the

Print to the following

port(s):

setting is

LPT1 (Printer Port)

. For a USB printer, ensure that the

Print to the following port(s):

setting is

USB

.

REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER — See the printer documentation for instructions.

50 Solving Problems

Scanner Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, contact the scanner’s manufacturer.

CHECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION — See the scanner documentation for setup and

troubleshooting information.

UNLOCK THE SCANNER — Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button.

RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN

CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS —

• See the scanner documentation for cable connection information.

• Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer.

VERIFY THAT THE SCANNER IS RECOGNIZED BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS —

1

Click the

Start

button, click

Control Panel

, and then click

Printers and Other Hardware

.

2

Click

Scanners and Cameras

.

If your scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.

REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER — See the scanner documentation for instructions.

Sound and Speaker Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

No sound from speakers

NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been

listening to MP3 songs, ensure that you did not turn the player volume down or off.

CHECK THE SPEAKER CABLE CONNECTIONS — Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on

the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. If you purchased a sound card, ensure that the speakers

are connected to the card.

Solving Problems 51

ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON — See the setup diagram

supplied with the speakers. If your speakers have volume controls, adjust the volume, bass, or treble to

eliminate distortion.

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right

corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

DISCONNECT HEADPHONES FROM THE HEADPHONE CONNECTOR — Sound from the speakers is

automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer’s front-panel headphone

connector.

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TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another

device, such as a lamp.

ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to

check for interference.

RUN THE SPEAKER DIAGNOSTICS

REINSTALL THE SOUND DRIVER — See "Drivers" on page 60.

RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities"

on page 64.

No sound from headphones

CHECK THE HEADPHONE CABLE CONNECTION — Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted

into the headphone connector (see "Front View (Doors Open)" on page 72).

ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right

corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.

52 Solving Problems

Video and Monitor Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

If the screen is blank

NOTE: See the monitor documentation for troubleshooting procedures.

CHECK THE MONITOR CABLE CONNECTION —

• If you have the optional second PCI-Express graphics card, ensure that the monitor cable is connected

to the correct card.

• If you have the optional DVI adapter, ensure that it is correctly attached to the graphics card.

• Ensure that the monitor cable is connected as shown on the setup diagram for your computer.

• If you are using a extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is defective.

• Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective.

• Check the connector for bent or broken pins. (It is normal for monitor cable connectors to have missing

pins.)

CHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT — If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that

the monitor is turned on. If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power. If the power light is

blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.

TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another

device, such as a lamp.

CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS — See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55.

If the screen is difficult to read

CHECK THE MONITOR SETTINGS — See the monitor documentation for instructions on adjusting the

contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-test.

MOVE THE SUBWOOFER AWAY FROM THE MONITOR — If your speaker system includes a subwoofer,

ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the monitor.

MOVE THE MONITOR AWAY FROM EXTERNAL POWER SOURCES — Fans, fluorescent lights, halogen

lamps, and other electrical devices can cause the screen image to appear "shaky." Turn off nearby devices

to check for interference.

Solving Problems 53

ROTATE THE MONITOR TO ELIMINATE SUNLIGHT GLARE AND POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE

ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS —

1

Click the

Start

button, click

Control Panel

, and then click

Appearance and Themes

.

2

Click

Display

and click the

Settings

tab.

3

Try different settings for

Screen resolution

and

Color quality.

If 3-D image quality is poor

CHECK THE GRAPHICS CARD POWER CABLE CONNECTION — Ensure that the power cable for each

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graphics card is correctly attached to the card.

CHECK THE MONITOR SETTINGS — See the monitor documentation for instructions on adjusting the

contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-test.

54 Solving Problems

Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions

located in the Product Information Guide.

To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4"

on the front panel (see "Front View (Doors Open)" on page 72). When the computer starts

normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, all four lights display solid green. If the

computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.

Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

The computer is in a normal "off" condition or

Plug the computer into a working electrical

a possible pre-BIOS failure has occurred.

outlet. Also see "Power Problems" on page 49.

The diagnostic lights are not lit after the

system successfully boots to the operating

system.

A possible processor failure has occurred. Reinstall the processor (see "Processor" on

page 113) and restart the computer.