Dell Precision 350: instruction

Dell Precision™ 350 Workstation

Setup and Quick

Reference Guide

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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” in the

User’s Guide.

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.

© 2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer

Corporation is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell

Computer 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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest

in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

December 2002 P /N 6T342 Rev. A01

Contents

Finding Information for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Connect the keyboard and the mouse

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Connect the modem or the network cable

. . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Connect the monitor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Connect the speakers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connect the power cables and turn on the computer

and monitor

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

Install additional software or devices

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Opening the Computer Cover

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

Inside Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Solving Problems

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

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . 20

Using System Restore in Windows XP

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

Using the Last Known Good Configuration in

Windows 2000

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

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

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

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

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

Beep Codes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Diagnostic Lights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Contents 3

4 Contents

Finding Information for Your Computer

The following table lists the resources that Dell provides as support tools.

Additional resources may be shipped with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the

• Drivers for my computer

ResourceCD)

• My computer documentation

• My device documentation

You can use this CD to access documentation, reinstall drivers, or run

diagnostics tools.

• How to set up my computer

Setup and Quick Reference Guide

• Troubleshooting information

• Tools and utilities

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Express Service Code and Service Tag

Express Service Code and Product Key

®

®

• Microsoft

Windows

License Label

The labels are located on your computer under the front-panel door.

• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD and Installation Guide

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If you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities CD

to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

6 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• How to remove and replace parts

User’s Guide Icon

• Technical specifications

• How to configure system settings

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

To access the electronic documentation stored on your hard drive:

If you are using Microsoft Windows 2000, double-click the User’s

Guides icon on your desktop. If you are using Windows XP, click the

Start button and click Help and Support.

• Location of connectors on the system board System Information Label

This label is located on the inside of your computer cover.

• Latest drivers for my computer

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

• Answers to technical service and support

The Dell Support website at support.dell.com provides several online

questions

tools, including:

• Online discussions with other users and

• Knowledge Base — Hints, tips, and online courses

technical support

• Customer Forum — Online discussion with other Dell customers

• Documentation for my computer including

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory,

the Service Manual

the hard drive, and the operating system

• Customer Care — Contact information, order status, warranty, and

repair information

• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates

• Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications, and

white papers

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Service call status

Dell Premier Support Website —

• Top technical issues for my computer

premiersupport.dell.com

• Frequently asked questions

The Dell Premier Support website is customized for corporate,

• File downloads

government, and education customers. This website may not be

available in all regions.

• Details on my computer’s configuration

• Service contract for my computer

• Warranty Information System Information Guide

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• How to use Windows XP

Windows XP Help and Support Center

• Documentation for my computer and

1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.

devices

2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the

arrow icon.

3 Click the topic that describes your problem.

4 Follow the instructions shown on the screen.

8 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Dell Precision™ 350

Computer

You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.

Connect the keyboard and the mouse

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 9

Install additional software or devices

Before you install any devices or software that did not ship with your

computer, read the documentation that came with the software or device or

contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is compatible with

your computer and operating system.

Congratulations! You have completed the setup for your

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computer.

For more information about your computer, including removing and

replacing parts, diagnostics and troubleshooting tools, access the User’s

Guide from your hard drive, the Drivers and Utilities CD, or the Dell

Support website.

To access the User’s Guide from your hard drive:

If you have Windows 2000, double-click the User’s Guides icon.

If you have Windows XP, click the Start button and click Help and

Support.

To access the User’s Guide from the CD:

1 Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the drive.

If you are using the Drivers and Utilities CD for the first time, the

ResourceCD Installation window opens to inform you that the CD is

about to begin installation.

2 Click OK to continue, and then respond to the prompts offered by the

installation program.

3 Click Next at the Welcome Dell System Owner screen.

To access the User’s Guide from the Dell Support Site:

1 Go to www.support.dell.com.

2 Follow the prompts on the website that ask for information about your

computer.

16 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

3 At the Dell Support website home page, click Reference, click User’s

Guides, click Systems, and then select your Dell Precision computer.

Opening the Computer Cover

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

follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.

1

Shut down the computer through the Start menu.

2 Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your

computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when

you shut down your computer, turn them off now.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your

computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3

Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the

computer.

4 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from electrical

outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.

5 If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back

panel, remove the padlock.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your

computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

6

Lay the computer on its side as shown in the illustration.

NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to support the open cover—at

least 30 cm (1 ft) of desktop space.

7

Open the computer cover:

a Facing the back of the computer, press the release button on the

right side of the computer with one hand while pulling up on the

top of the cover with the other hand.

b Press the release button on the left side of the computer with one

hand while pulling up on the top of the cover with the other hand.

c Hold the bottom of the computer with one hand, and then pull

open the cover with the other hand.

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 17

1

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2

3

1

1 release buttons (2)

2 padlock ring

3 security cable slot

18 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

Inside Your Computer

1

9

8

7

6

2

3

5

4

1 hard drive 6 heat sink and blower assembly

2 internal speaker 7 power supply

3 chassis intrusion switch 8 floppy drive

4 system board 9 CD/DVD drive

5 padlock ring

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 19

Solving Problems

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

®

®

Microsoft

Windows

XP

Windows XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during

the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:

1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel.

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2 Click Performance and Maintenance and click System.

3 Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.

4 In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (

!) beside the

conflicting device or a red

X if the device has been disabled.

5 Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties

window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.

6 Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices

from the Device Manager.

To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:

1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.

2 Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, and click the

arrow to start the search.

3 Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.

4 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware

conflict on my computer, and then click Next.

Windows 2000

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows 2000:

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control

Panel.

2 In the Control Panel window, double-click System.

20 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

3 Click the Hardware tab.

4 Click Device Manager.

5 Click View and click Resources by connection.

6 Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (

!) beside the

conflicting device or a red

X if the device has been disabled.

7 Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties

window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.

8 Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices

from the Device Manager.

To use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter:

1 Click the Start button and click Help.

2 Click Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click

Windows 2000 troubleshooters, and then click Hardware.

3 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware

conflict on my computer, and then click Next.

Using System Restore in Windows XP

The Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to

return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data

files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left

the computer in an undesirable operating state. See "Windows XP Help and

Support Center" on page 8 for additional information on using System

Restore.

NOTICE: Back up your data files regularly. System Restore does not monitor

your data files or recover them.

Creating a Restore Point

1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.

2 Click System Restore.

3 Follow the instructions on the screen.

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 21

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save

and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or

delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

1

Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ System

Tools, and then click System Restore.

2 Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and

then click Next.

3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you

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to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available

restore points appear in bold.

4 Select a restore point and click Next.

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is

automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click

the restore point that you prefer.

5 Click Next.

The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore

finishes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.

6 After the computer restarts, click OK.

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a

different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Using the Last Known Good Configuration in Windows 2000

1 Restart your computer and press <F8> when the message Please

select the operating system to start

appears.

2 Highlight Last Known Good Setting, press <Enter>, press <L>, and

then select your operating system when prompted.

22 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts

NOTICE: The following processes erase all of the information on your hard

drive.

• If the previous procedures did not work, run a low-level format of your

hard drive.

See your operating system installation guide for more information.

• Reinstall your operating system using the operating system installation

guide and operating system CD.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in

"Solving Problems" in your User’s Guide and run the Dell Diagnostics before

you contact Dell for technical assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may

help you resolve the problem without contacting Dell. If you do contact

Dell, the test results can provide important information for Dell's service

and support personnel.

The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:

• Perform express, extended, or custom tests on one or all devices

• Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having

• Choose how many times a test is run

• Display test results

• Suspend testing if an error is detected

• Access online help information that describes the tests and devices

• Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed

successfully

• Receive error messages if problems are detected

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer. Using

this program with other computers can result in error messages.

Enter system setup, review your computer’s configuration information, and

ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is

active.

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 23

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers

and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

1 Shut down and restart the computer.

2 When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

NOTE: If you receive a

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait

message stating that no

until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer

Diagnostics utility

through the Start menu and try again.

partition has been found,

follow the instructions to

3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition

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run the Dell Diagnostics

and press <Enter>.

from your Drivers and

4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you

Utilities CD.

want to run.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD

1 Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the CD drive.

2 Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait

until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer

through the Start menu and try again

NOTE: This feature

3 When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device

changes the boot sequence

and press <Enter>.

for one time only. On the

4 Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.

next start-up, the

computer boots according

5 Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.

to the devices specified in

system setup.

6 Type 1 to start the ResourceCD menu.

7 Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics.

8 Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If

multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your

platform.

9 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you

want to run.

24 Setup and Quick Reference Guide

Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

1 After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears,

click the button for the option you want.

NOTE: The Service Tag

Option Function

for your computer is

located at the top of each

Express

Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10

test screen.

Test

to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part.

Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing

the problem quickly.

Extended

Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically

Test

takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions

periodically.

Custom

Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you

Test

want to run.

Symptom

Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows

Tre e

you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem

you are having.

2

If a problem is encountered during a test, a message displaying the

error code and a description of the problem appear. Write down the

error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the

screen.

If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.

3 If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click

the applicable tab described in the following table for more

information.

Tab Function

Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions

encountered.

Errors Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and

problem description.

Help Describes the test and may indicate requirements for

running the test.

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 25

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32 Setup and Quick Reference Guide