Dell Precision 370: instruction

Dell Precision™ Workstation

370 Systems

Quick Reference Guide

Models DHM and WHM

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

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 your

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.

© 2004 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, and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell Inc.;

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.

Models DHM and WHM

April 2004 P/N X3157 Rev. A00

Contents

Finding Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Up Your Mini-Tower Computer

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

Setting Up Your Desktop Computer

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

Locating Your User’s Guide

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

Opening Your Mini-Tower Computer

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

The Card Cooling Fan

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

Opening Your Desktop Computer

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

Caring for Your Computer

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

Solving Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Troubleshooting Tips

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

. . . . . . . . . . 25

Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore

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

Using Last Known Good Configuration

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

Dell Diagnostics

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

Before You Start Testing

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

Beep Codes

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

Error Messages

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

Diagnostic Lights

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

Frequently Asked Questions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Contents 3

4 Contents

Finding Information and Assistance

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the 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, run the

Dell Diagnostics (see page 28), or access your device

documentation.

Readme files may be

included on your CD

to provide last-minute

updates about technical

changes to your

computer or advanced

technical-reference

material for technicians

or experienced users.

NOTE: The latest drivers and documentation updates

can be found at support.dell.com.

• System board connectors

System Information Label

• Location of system board components

Located on the inside cover of your computer.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Warranty information

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

• How to remove and replace parts

Dell Precision User’s Guide

• Technical specifications

®

®

Microsoft

Windows

XP Help and Support Center

• How to configure system settings

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support.

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

2

Click

User’s and system guides

and click

User’s guides

.

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License

• Microsoft Windows License Label

These labels are located on your computer.

• Use the Service Tag

to identify your

computer when you

use

support.dell.com

or contact technical

support.

• Enter the Express

Service Code to direct your call when contacting

technical support. The Express Service Code is not

available in all countries.

6 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• Latest drivers for my computer

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

• Answers to technical service and support questions

NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support

• Online discussions with other users and technical

site.

support

The Dell Support website provides several online tools,

• Documentation for my computer

including:

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles

from technicians, and online courses

• 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, order status,

warranty, and repair information

• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates

• Reference — Computer documentation, product

specifications, and white papers

• Service call status and support history

Dell Premier Support Website — premiersupport.dell.com

• Top technical issues for my computer

The Dell Premier Support website is customized for

• Frequently asked questions

corporate, government, and education customers. This

• File downloads

website may not be available in all regions.

• Details on my computer configuration

• Service contract for my computer

• How to use Windows XP

Windows Help and Support Center

• Documentation for my computer

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)

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 on the screen.

• How to use Linux

Dell Supported Linux Sites

• E-mail discussions with Dell Precision and Linux users

• http://linux.dell.com

• Additional information regarding Linux and my Dell

• http://lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-

Precision computer

precision

• http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/oslinux/

• http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/OSRHEL3/

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System CD

The operating system is already installed on your

computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the

Operating System CD. See your Precision User’s Guide

for instructions.

After you reinstall your

operating system, use the

Drivers and Utilities CD

to reinstall drivers for the

devices that came with

your computer.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Your operating system

product key label is

located on your

computer.

NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating

system you ordered.

8 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Mini-Tower Computer

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

located in the Product Information Guide.

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

Connect the keyboard and the mouse.

1

Connect the modem or the network cable.

2

NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the

network adapter. Voltage from telephone

communications can damage the network adapter.

NOTE: If your computer has a network card installed,

connect the network cable to the card.

Quick Reference Guide 9

For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector

VGA Adapter

VGA

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Use the VGA adapter when you have a single monitor

graphics card and you want to connect your computer

to a VGA monitor.

Dual VGA Y Cable Adapter

Dual DVI Y Cable Adapter

VGA

DVI

VGA

DVI

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a

Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a

single connector and you want to connect your computer

single connector and you want to connect your computer

to one or two VGA monitors.

to one or two DVI monitors.

The dual-monitor cable is color coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black

connector is for the secondary monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be

attached to the computer when it starts.

16 Quick Reference Guide

For dual-monitor capable cards with 1 DVI and 1 VGA connector

Single DVI/Single VGA

Dual VGA With VGA Adapter

DVI

VGA

VGA

VGA

Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want

Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect

to connect your computer to one or two monitors.

your computer to two VGA monitors.

For dual-monitor capable cards with 2 DVI connectors

Dual DVI

Dual DVI With One VGA Adapter

Dual DVI With Two VGA Adapters

DVI

DVI

DVI

VGA

VGA

VGA

Use the DVI connector(s) to connect

Use the VGA adapter to connect

Use two VGA adapters to connect

your computer to one or two DVI

a VGA monitor to one of the DVI

two VGA monitors to the DVI

monitors.

connectors on your computer.

connectors on your computer.

Quick Reference Guide 17

Connect the speakers.

4

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

NOTE: If your computer has an audio card installed, connect the speakers to the card.

Connect the power cables

and turn on the computer

5

and monitor.

Your desktop computer has an

optional front IEEE 1394

connector. This connector is only

available if you purchased an add-

in IEEE 1394 card. To purchase a

card, contact Dell. For more

information on the add-in card,

see your

User’s Guide

.

Install additional software or devices.

6

Before you install any devices or software that did not come 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 desktop computer.

18 Quick Reference Guide

Locating Your User’s Guide

Your

Dell Precision™ Workstation 370 User’s Guide

contains additional information about

your computer such as:

• Technical specifications

• Front and back views of your computer, including all of the available connectors

• Inside views of your computer, including a detailed graphic of the system board

and the connectors

• Instructions for cleaning your computer

• Information on software features, such as LegacySelect Technology control, using a password,

and system setup options

• Tips and information for using the Microsoft Windows XP operating system

• Instructions for removing and installing parts, including memory, cards, drives,

the microprocessor, and the battery

• Information for troubleshooting various computer problems

• Instructions for using the Dell Diagnostics and reinstalling drivers

• Information on how to contact Dell

You can access the

User’s Guide

from your hard drive or the Dell Support website

at

support.dell.com

.

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

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

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

1

Go to

support.dell.com

.

2

Follow the prompts on the website that ask you for information specific to your computer.

3

At the Dell Support website home page, click

Reference

, click

User’s Guides

, click

Systems

,

and then select your Dell Precision computer.

Quick Reference Guide 19

Opening Your Mini-Tower Computer

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

located in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet

before opening the cover.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, save and close any open files and exit any open programs before you turn

off your computer.

1

Shut down the operating system:

a

Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the

Start

button, and

then click

Turn Off Computer

.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

b

In the

Turn off computer

window, click

Turn off

.

The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.

2

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

attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system,

turn them off now.

3

If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back panel, remove the

padlock.

NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to support the open cover—at least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top

space.

4

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

5

Open the 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.

6

Hold the bottom of the computer with one hand, and then pull open the cover with the other

hand.

20 Quick Reference Guide