Dell Dimension XPS D Series User manual

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Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1998 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 Dimension are registered trademarks and DellWare is a registered service
markofDellComputerCorporation;
Intel and Pentium areregisteredtrademarksand MMX isatrademarkofIntelCorporation; MS-DOS ,
Microsoft , Windows , and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; VESA is a registered trademark of Video
Electronics Standards Association.
Other trademarks and trade names may be usedin 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.
April 1998 P/N 0176C

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Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer system from poten-
tial damage and to ensure your own personal safety.
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As you use your computer system, observe the following safety guidelines.
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To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure the voltage selection switch on
the power supply is set to match the AC power available at your location:
— 115 volts (V)/60 hertz (Hz) in most of North and South America and some Far
Eastern countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
— 230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East
Also be sure your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate
with the AC power available in your location.
To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into
properly grounded power sources. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs
to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the
grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire
cable with properly grounded plugs.
To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning
off the system before disconnecting a device from the computer.
To help protect your computer system from sudden, transient increases and
decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or un-
interruptible power supply (UPS).
Be sure nothing rests on your computer system’s cables and that the cables are
not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.
Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the computer gets wet, consult
“If Your Computer Gets Wet” in Chapter 6.

vi
Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause
fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.
Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block
cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer, and do not
place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.
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For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergonomic guidelines when setting
up and using your computer system:
Position your system so that the monitor and keyboard are directly in front of you
as you work. Special shelves are available (from Dell and other sources) to help
you correctly position your keyboard.
Set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance (usually 510 to 610 millimeters
[20 to 24 inches] from your eyes).
Make sure the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting
in front of the monitor.
Adjust the tilt of the monitor, its contrast and brightness settings, and the lighting
around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the curtains or blinds on
nearby windows) to minimize reflections and glare on the monitor screen.
Use a chair that provides good lower back support.
Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position
while using the keyboard or mouse.
Always leave space to rest your hands while using the keyboard or mouse.
Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.
Sit erect, with your feet resting on the floor and your thighs level.
When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on your feet and not on the
front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair’s height or use a footrest, if necessary,
to maintain proper posture.
Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so that you do not have to
type for extended periods of time. When you stop typing, try to do things that
use both hands.

vii
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Before you remove the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence
indicated.
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Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the com-
puter is connected to AC power.
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While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer
chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.
arms at desk level
feet flat on the floor
monitor screen at or below eye level
monitor and key-
board positioned
directly in front of
user
wrists relaxed and flat

viii
In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not
on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; to dis-
connect this type of cable, press in the locking tabs before disconnecting the
cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending
any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, make sure both connectors
are correctly oriented and aligned.
Handle components and cards with care. Don’t touch the components or con-
tacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket.
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Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent
static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of
your computer’s electronic components, such as expansion cards. You can do so by
touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal
surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated. Use of a wrist
grounding strap is highly recommended.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge
(ESD):
Keep a static-sensitive component in its antistatic packing material until you are
ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the
antistatic packaging, discharge static electricity from your body.
Transport sensitive components in antistatic containers or packaging.
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic
floor pads and workbench pads.
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This guide is intended for anyone who uses a Dell Dimension XPS D
xxx
computer
system. It can be used by both first-time and experienced computer users who want
to maintain, upgrade, or troubleshoot their computers. The chapters and appendixes
are summarized as follows:
Everyone should read Chapter 1, “Introduction,” for an overview of the system
features and information on preventative maintenance to protect the computer.
Chapter 2, “Installing Upgrades on the System Board,” provides information on
performing various upgrades, such as installing additional memory or drives. The
chapter includes a basic orientation to internal features of the computer.
Users who add or remove drives should consult Chapter 3, “Installing Drives.”
Chapter 4, “Basic Troubleshooting,” contains checklists to use before calling Dell
for technical assistance.
Chapter 5, “Software Solutions,” has information on reinstalling drivers and the
operating system.
Chapter 6, “Checking Inside Your Computer,” presents troubleshooting proce-
dures for system components such as expansion cards, memory, and drives.
Chapter 7, “Running the Dell Diagnostics,” describes the Dell Diagnostics pro-
gram used to test your computer system.
Users who have been unable to resolve problems using the troubleshooting
information provided in this guide can refer to Chapter 8, “Getting Help,” for
information on obtaining technical assistance.
Appendix A, “System Specifications,” is supplemental reference material.
Appendix B, “System Setup Program,” describes the system setup program
used for checking and changing system configuration data.
Appendix C, “Beep Codes and System Messages,” documents status and error
messages generated during system start-up. Included are possible causes and
corrective actions.
Appendix D, “Regulatory Notices,” provides regulatory information on the
system.

x
Appendix E, “Warranties and Return Policy,” describes the warranty for your Dell
system and the “Total Satisfaction” Return Policy.
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Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”) manufactures its hardware products from parts
and components that are new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry-
standard practices. For information about the Dell warranty for your system, see
Appendix E, “Warranties and Return Policy.”
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Besides this
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
, the following documentation is
included with your system:
The
Getting Started
sheet provides step-by-step instructions for setting up your
computer system.
The
Dell Dimension XPS D
xxx
Systems Setup Guide
contains information neces-
sary to properly configure your system for operation, access the Internet, and
use software and hardware. The guide also provides answers to questions that
are often asked by Dell computer users.
The Windows-based
Online Guide
presents in an online format information from
the
Setup Guide
and from this guide. This document is located in the Dell Acces-
sories folder.
You may also have one or more of the following documents.
NOTE: Documentation updates are sometimes included with your system to describe
changes to your system or software. Always read these updates before consulting
any other documentation because the updates often contain the latest information.
Operating system documentation is included if you ordered your operating sys-
tem software from Dell.
Video card documentation from the card manufacturer describes the video driv-
ers included with the system. Only users who want to change the default video
driver or reinstall the video driver need to read this documentation.
Documentation is included with any options you purchase separately from your
system. The documentation contains configuration information and supplements
the installation instructions provided in this guide.
The
Dell Service and Support Plans
is an online reference to Dell’s service and sup-
port plans, guarantees, and warranties. It applies to the United States only. This
document islocated in the Dell Accessories folder.
Technical information files—sometimes called “readme” files—may be installed
on your hard-disk drive to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to
your system or reference material intended for experienced users.

xi
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The following subsections describe notational conventions used in this document.
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Throughout this guide, there may be blocks of text indicated by symbols in the page
margin and printed in bold type or in italic type. These blocks are warnings, cautions,
and notes, and they are used as follows:
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NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your computer system.
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The following list defines (where appropriate) and illustrates typographical conven-
tions used as visual cues for specific elements of text throughout this document:

Keycaps
, the labeling that appears on the keys on a keyboard, are enclosed in
angle brackets.
Example: <Enter>

Key combinations
are series of keys to be pressed simultaneously (unless other-
wise indicated) to perform a single function.
Example: <Ctrl><Alt><Enter>

Commands
presented in lowercase bold are for reference purposes only and are
not intended to be typed when referenced.
Example: “Use the format command to . . . .”
In contrast, commands presented in the Courier New font are part of an instruc-
tion and intended to be typed.
Example: “Type format a: to format the diskette in drive A.”

Filenames
and
directory names
are presented in lowercase bold.
Examples: autoexec.bat and c:\ windows

Syntax lines
consist of a command and all its possible parameters. Commands
are displayed in lowercase bold; variable parameters (those for which you substi-
tute a value) are displayed in lowercase italics; constant parameters are displayed
in lowercase bold. The brackets indicate items that are optional.
Example: del [
drive
:] [
path
]
filename
[/p]

xii

Screen text
is text that appears on the monitor screen. It can be a message, or it
can be text that you are instructed to type as part of a command (referred to as a
command line
). Screen text is presented in the Courier New font.
Example: The following message appears on your screen:
No boot device available
Example: “Type md c:\programs and press <Enter>.”

Variables
are placeholders for which you substitute a value. They are presented in
italics.
Example: DIMM
x
(where
x
represents the DIMM socket designation).