Dell Dimension Lxxxc User manual

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Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in bold type or in italic type.
These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are used as follows:
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer system.
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Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1999 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, Be Direct, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Microsoft,
Windows, and Windows NT 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.
June 1999 P/N 9558P Rev. A02

Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide 1
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Before using this guide, connect your computer system according to the steps on the
Getting Started sheet. Failure to properly connect your system may result in computer
malfunctions or damage.
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Your Dell system has been shipped with either the Microsoft ®Windows®98 Second
Edition or Microsoft Windows NT®operating system already installed. Perform the
steps in the section that corresponds to your operating system so that the software
functions properly on your Dell system.
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Initial setup of Windows 98 Second Edition takes about 15 minutes. The setup
process is customized according to which computer components you have.
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To complete the initial setup of Windows 98 Second Edition on your Dell system,
perform the following steps:
1. If you have a modem installed in your computer, connect a telephone line to it as
instructed in the Getting Started sheet that accompanied your system.

2 Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide
2. Turn on your system as instructed in the Getting Started sheet that accompanied
your system.
The Dell Software License window appears.
3. Read the software license agreement that came with your system and then
press any key to continue.
The Important Technical Support Information window appears and displays
your Express Service Code.
4. Press any key to continue.
NOTE: Dells Express Service Code may not be available in all countries.
5. Read the instructions in the Complete the Dell Setup window, and then press
any key to continue.
The system restarts automatically.
NOTE: After the system restarts, the Windows 98 screen is displayed for about
1 or 2 minutes. Although it may appear as if no activity is occurring, the operating
system is actually loading program files.
6. When the Getting Started window appears, verify that the regional and
keyboard setup and layout settings are correct for your location; then click Next.
Otherwise, click the appropriate settings and then click Next.
7. When prompted, enter your name and click Next.
If your system includes a modem, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, proceed
to step 10.
8. A modem preparation window appears that allows you to connect to Microsoft
and register your operating system. Click Skip and proceed to step 10, or enter
the requested information and click Next.
A registration progress window appears while your modem connects to
Microsoft.
9. To send the registration information to Microsoft, enter the requested
information in the Registration Confirmation window and click Next. If you do
not want the information sent, uncheck the Please, send the information on
this screen to Microsoft box and click Next.
10. Read the license agreement, click I accept the Agreement, and then click Next.
If you do not accept the agreement, you cannot access Windows 98 Second
Edition.
11. If a screen appears that prompts you to set up your Internet access or provides
information about how to connect to the Internet, follow the instructions that
appear on the screen or click Skip to bypass Internet setup and information. If no
prompt appears, proceed to the next step.
12. Click Finish.

Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide 3
13. If the Date/Time Properties window shows the correct time and date for your
area, click Close. Otherwise, enter the correct time and date, click Apply, and
then click OK.
Windows 98 Second Edition is now set up and the Windows desktop appears on
the screen.
14. If the IntelliMouse Productivity Tips window is open on the Windows desktop,
read the windows contents. Click the Show Tips at Windows Startup box to
uncheck it, and then close the window by clicking the Xin the upper-right corner.
15. Double-click the Complete Dell Setup icon on the Windows desktop.
The Dell Setup program configures Dell-installed software, including virus
protection, to work properly on your system. When it finishes, a dialog box
instructs you to restart the system.
NOTE: After the system restarts, the Complete Dell Setup icon no longer
appears.
16. Click OK.
17. Restart your system.
Click the Start button on the Windows desktop, click Shut Down, click Restart,
and then click OK.
Windows 98 Second Edition is now completely installed on your system. Proceed to
Adding a Printer for instructions on how to connect a printer and to Information
Resources for descriptions of reference tools that are included with your Dell
system.
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If you are on a local area network (LAN), check with your network administrator
before
setting up Windows NT for information relevant to the setup process, such as the
system name, the administrator password, and required network protocols. Also attach
the network cable (if applicable) and connect any devices you want to use with your
system. For instructions, see the Getting Started sheet that accompanied your system.
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4 Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide
Initial setup of Windows NT takes about 15 minutes. The setup process is customized
according to which computer components you have. To configure Windows NT for
your system, perform the following steps:
1. Turn on your system as instructed in the Getting Started sheet that accompanied
your system.
The Dell Software License Agreement appears. It is important that you read
and understand the license agreement. You must accept the agreement to
proceed with the setup of your system.
2. Type \if you accept the Dell software license agreement.
The Technical Support Information window appears.
3. Type [to continue.
The system restarts and Windows NT prepares your system for setup.
The system restarts again and the Select Operating System window appears.
No action is required at this screen.
4. Click I Agree to accept the Microsoft software license agreement.
As with the Dell software license agreement, it is important that you read and
understand the Microsoft software license agreement.
You must accept the Microsoft software license agreement to proceed with the
Windows NT operating system setup.
The Windows NT Workstation Setup screen appears.
5. Type your name (required) and organization (optional) and click Next>.
The Registration window appears.
6. Locate your Product Key as instructed in the Getting Started sheet that
accompanied your system, type the Product Key (use the <Tab> key to change
fields), and then click Next>.
The Product Key is the 20-digit number located on the Certificate of Authenticity.
The Password window appears.
7. Type your chosen password in the Password field and again in the Confirm
Password field, and then click Next> twice.
The password can be up to 14 characters in length. A null password is acceptable
if you do not want to use a password.
NOTE: The password controls access to your computer and should be stored in a
safe place.

Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide 5
8. If you do not have a network interface controller (NIC) installed in your system,
proceed to step 9.
If you do have a NIC installed, the Windows NT Workstation Setup window
appears. Dell recommends that you click Do not connect this computer to a
network at this time, and then click Next> and finish the Windows NT setup
procedure. After Windows NT setup is complete, use the Network icon in the
Control Panel to configure the network.
9. Click Restart Computer in the Windows NT Setup Complete window to reboot
the system.
When the system restarts, you are prompted to select an operating system.
10. Select an operating system.
The options are Windows NT WorkStation Version 4.00 (default)
and Windows NT WorkStation 4.00 (VGA Mode) (normally used for
troubleshooting). Use the up- or down-arrow key to highlight the desired option
and press <Enter>. If no action is taken, the default (highlighted) is selected
automatically after 30 seconds.
11. Press <Ctl><Alt><Del> simultaneously at the Begin Logon window.
12. Type your password and click OK.
The Welcome to Windows NT window appears. You can click either of the
following items for additional information, or you can exit from this window and
begin working on the desktop:
Whats New  Learn about new features of Windows NT 4.0.
Help  Use the search facility to find information on a particular subject,
title, word, or phrase.
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The emergency repair diskette saves your original configuration and can be used to
restore your system to its initial setup state if files become corrupted. It should not be
used as a backup tool.
To create the emergency repair diskette, perform the following steps:
1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click the Dell Accessories folder.
2. Click the Create Repair Disk icon.
3. In the Repair Disk Utility window, click Create Repair Disk.
4. Label a diskette Emergency Repair Disk, insert it into the diskette drive, and
click OK.
The diskette is formatted and the configuration files are copied to it.
5. When the Repair Disk Utility window reappears, click Exit.
6. Remove the diskette from your diskette drive, and store it in a safe place.

6 Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide
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NOTE: Most new printers provide installation CDs that run automatically when
inserted in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. After you have completed the operating
system setup, install the software for these printers by inserting the CD and following
the instructions on your screen. It is not necessary to use the
Printer Wizard to
install these types of printers.
Some printers come with specific instructions for connection and installation of
necessary software and drivers. Follow the instructions that came with your printer.
If instructions are not available, perform the following general steps:
1. Turn off the computer and any attached devices.
2. Connect the printer cables.
Connect the data cable between the printer and the appropriate port on your
computer. The parallel port with the printer icon is LPT1 and is the most
commonly used printer port. The serial port, marked with I/O, is the COM port.
If you are unable to determine which port to use, contact the printer
manufacturer.
Connect the power cable to an electrical outlet.
3. Turn on the printer, and then turn on the computer system.
4. If the printer is automatically detected by Windows, follow the instructions that
appear.
If the printer is not automatically detected during operating system start-up,
proceed to step 5.
5. Double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop.
6. Double-click the Printers folder, and then double-click the Add Printer icon.
7. In the Printer Wizard dialog box, click either the My Computer option or the
Network Printer Server option and then click Next>.
8. Click the serial (COMn) or parallel (LPT1) port that you want to use.
Choose the computer serial or parallel port to which you connected the printer.
Verify that the port you chose is not already assigned to another device. If
necessary, add a port or configure a port by using the buttons in the Printer
Wizard dialog box.
NOTE: If you are connecting to a network printer, contact your network
administrator.

Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide 7
9. Select the printer manufacturer and model from the list provided. If your printer is
not listed and the printer drivers are on a diskette or CD, click Have Disk... and
insert the diskette into drive A or the CD into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
10. Provide the printer name (up to 31 characters) and click Next>.
11. Indicate whether the printer will be shared with other network users by clicking
either the Shared or Not shared option.
If the printer will be shared, the Connect to Printer dialog box appears. Continue
to step 12.
If the printer will not be shared, go to step 14.
12. Select your printer from the list provided or type the printer name. Then click OK.
13. Select all the operating systems (from the list provided) required to print to the
shared printer.
14. Click Next> to continue.
15. Select Ye s or No to indicate whether you want to print a test page. Then click
Finish.
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Dell provides a number of handy reference tools to help you make the most of your
computing experience.
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The online system Help is an HTML help file that allows you to search for information
in multiple ways. You can quickly link to information on the following topics:
Hardware and software features of your system
Options and upgrades
The Windows desktop, where you can change your wallpaper and screen saver,
create shortcuts, and position icons
Software access, installation, and removal
Basic file management, such as finding, copying, deleting, and renaming files
Tips on using your computer hardware
Power-protection devices, such as surge protectors, line conditioners, and
uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Answers to commonly asked questions about your computer system
Phone numbers for contacting Dell for help
To open the Help, click the Start button, point to Programs> Dell Documents, and
click Dell Dimension Systems Help.

8 Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide
You may also double-click the Dell Documentation icon on the Windows desktop,
click System Information, and then click Dell Dimension Systems Help.
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Yo u r Reference and Troubleshooting Guide provides information on adding upgrades
like memory, performing basic troubleshooting procedures, and reinstalling drivers. It
also covers technical specifications, the system setup program, and system codes
and messages.