Dell OptiPlex GX400 User manual

Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Before You Begin
Computer Cover
Inside Your Computer
System Board Components
Front Panel
Front-Panel Inserts
Front-Panel Buttons
Power Supply
System Memory
Disk Drives and Media
AGP Card Brace
Expansion Cards
Expansion-Card Guide
Control Panel
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Microprocessor Airflow Shroud
Microprocessor
Microprocessor Cooling Fan
VRM
Computer Battery
System Board
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©2001 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, OptiPlex and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Computer 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.
A00 28 Feb 2001
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 potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

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AGP Card Brace
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Removing the AGP Card Brace
Replacing the AGP Card Brace
Removing the AGP Card Brace
To access some components on the board, you may need to remove the AGP card brace.
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Remove the screw that secures the AGP card brace to the chassis.
Removing the AGP Card Brace
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3. Rotate the brace up until the tab disengages from the card guide at the front of the chassis. Then lift the brace away from the chassis.
Replacing the AGP Card Brace
To replace the AGP card brace, perform the removal procedure in reverse.
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NOTE: Your computer has either an AGP card brace or an AGP card clip.
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

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Computer Battery
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Removing the Computer Battery
Replacing the Computer Battery
Removing the Computer Battery
1. Turn off the computer and peripherals, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Remove the battery.
To locate the battery on the system board, see "System Board Components."
Pry the battery out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive object, such as a plastic screwdriver.
Removing the Computer Battery
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Replacing the Computer Battery
1. Install the new battery.
Orient the battery with the side labeled "+" facing up (see "Removing the Computer Battery"). Then insert the battery into the socket, and snap it into place.
2. Replace the computer cover and restart the computer.
3. Enter system setup and enter the current time and date. Then exit system setup and save the information.
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CAUTION: There is a danger of the new battery exploding if it is installed incorrectly. 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 perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a peripheral from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the
system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

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Before You Begin
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Precautionary Measures
Recommended Tools
Restarting the Computer
Precautionary Measures
Before you remove the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.
1. Turn off your computer and any devices.
2. Disconnect your computer and devices from their power sources. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
3. If you are disconnecting a device from the computer or are removing a component from the system board, wait 10 to 20 seconds after disconnecting the
computer from AC power before disconnecting the device or removing the component to avoid possible damage to the system board.
4. Wear a wrist grounding strap, and clip it to an unpainted metal surface, such as the padlock loop on the back of the chassis. If a wrist grounding strap is not
available, touch any unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer or on the computer chassis, such as the power supply, to discharge any static charge
from your body before touching anything inside the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to
dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components. Also avoid touching components or contacts on a card and avoid touching pins on a chip.
5. Verify that the standby power light on the system board is not on. If it is on, you may need to wait 10 to 30 seconds for it to go out. To locate this light, see
"System Board Components."
Recommended Tools
Some of the procedures in this document require the use of a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver.
Also, use a wrist grounding strap as explained in "Precautionary Measures."
Restarting the Computer
1. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
ALERT! Cover was previously removed.
2. To reset the Chassis Intrusion option, enter system setup, select the System Security option, and reset the Chassis Intrusion option to Enabled or
Enabled Silent.
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NOTE: If enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option causes the following message to be displayed the next time you restart your computer:
NOTE: When the setup password is enabled, you must know the setup password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion option.

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Chassis Intrusion Switch
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Removing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Removing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Remove the front panel.
3. Remove the AGP card brace or AGP card clip.
4. Remove all expansion cards.
5. Remove the hard drive bracket.
6. Remove the expansion-card guide.
7. Disconnect the chassis intrusion switch cable from the control-panel connector (ALERT). To locate this connector, see "Control Panel Components."
8. Slide the chassis intrusion switch up out of its slot on the chassis.
9. Lift the chassis intrusion switch and switch cable away from the chassis.
Removing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
To replace the chassis intrusion switch, perform the removal procedure in reverse.
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

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Control Panel
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Components
Removing the Control Panel
Replacing the Control Panel
Components
The following figure shows the control panel and the location of its principal connectors and components.
Control Panel Components
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Removing the Control Panel
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Remove the front panel.
3. Remove the AGP card brace or AGP card clip.
4. Remove all expansion cards.
5. Remove the hard-drive bracket.
6. Remove the expansion-card guide.
7. Remove the chassis intrusion switch.
8. Remove the screw that secures the control panel.
9. Pull the control panel out slightly and unplug the control panel cable.
10. To remove the control panel cable:
a. Pull the control panel connector inside the chassis through the opening.
b. Disconnect the control panel cable from the connector on the system board and lift the control panel cable away from the chassis.
Removing the Control Panel
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CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

Replacing the Control Panel
To replace the control panel, perform the removal procedure in reverse.
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Computer Cover
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Removing the Computer Cover
Replacing the Computer Cover
Removing the Computer Cover
1. Turn off the computer and peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. If installed, remove the padlock from the padlock ring on the back panel.
3. Remove the computer cover.
a. Face the back of the computer and slide the outer padlock ring to the left to unlock the cover release mechanism.
Cover Release Mechanism
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b. Press the cover release button located at the bottom-left corner of the front panel.
c. Rotate the bottom of the cover outward, away from the chassis.
d. Lift the cover away from the chassis.
e. Lay the computer down on its right side before you begin working inside the chassis.
Replacing the Computer Cover
1. Check all cable connections and fold cables out of the way so that they do not catch on the computer cover. Ensure that cables are not routed over the drive
cage—they will prevent the cover from closing properly.
2. Ensure that no tools or extra parts (including screws) are left inside the computer chassis.
3. Replace the computer cover.
a. Hold the cover at a slight angle. While aligning the top of the cover with the top of the chassis, insert the three hooks on the cover into the three recessed
slots on the computer chassis.
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

b. Rotate the cover downward toward the bottom of the chassis. With both hands, press against the bottom edge of the cover to ensure that the securing
hooks at the bottom of the cover click into place.
Replacing the Cover
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c. Slide the two parts of the padlock ring together to lock the cover release mechanism.
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Disk Drives and Media
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Drive Location
Removing the Floppy Drive
Replacing the Floppy Drive
Removing a CD, Zip, or Other External Drive
Replacing a CD, Zip, or Other External Drive
Removing a Hard Drive
Replacing a Hard Drive
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Drive Location
Drive Locations
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Removing the Floppy Drive
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Rotate the power supply away from the system board.
3. Remove the front panel.
4. Disconnect the DC power and interface cables from the back of the drive.
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

5. Press the green floppy-drive bracket release button and slide the drive assembly out of the chassis.
Removing the Floppy-Drive Bracket
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6. Remove the mounting screw.
7. Rotate the left side of the floppy drive upward and lift it free from the drive bracket.
Removing the Floppy Drive from the Bracket
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Replacing the Floppy Drive
1. Mount the floppy drive on the bracket:
a. Lower the right side of the floppy drive onto the bracket, inserting the drive retention pins into the screw holes on the drive. See "Removing the Floppy
Drive from the Bracket."
b. Lower the left side of the floppy drive downward and secure it to the bracket with the screw you removed in step 6 of "Removing the Floppy Drive."
2. Slide the drive assembly into the chassis until the green floppy-drive bracket release button snaps securely into place. See "Removing the Floppy-Drive
Bracket."
3. Connect the interface cable for the drive. To locate this connector, see "System Board Components."
4. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive.
5. Ensure that all cables are firmly connected. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
6. Rotate the power supply back into position until the securing tab snaps into the release latch.
7. Replace the computer cover and restart the computer.
8. Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the drive is operating properly.
NOTICE: To avoid possible damage, you must match the colored strip on the interface cable with pin 1 on both the drive and system board connectors.

Removing a CD, Zip, or Other External Drive
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Rotate the power supply away from the system board.
3. Remove the front panel.
4. Disconnect the DC power and interface cables from the back of the drive.
5. Remove the drive bracket from the chassis drive bay you want to use.
Squeeze together the metal bracket tabs that extend from each side of the drive bracket, and pull the bracket out of the bay.
Removing a Drive Bracket
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6. Remove the drive from the bracket.
Turn the drive/bracket assembly upside down and remove the four screws that secure the drive to the bracket.
Removing the Drive from the Bracket
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CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

Replacing a CD, Zip, or Other External Drive
1. Attach the new drive to the drive bracket.
Turn the drive upside down, and fit the bracket on the drive so that the screw holes align. To ensure proper installation, all screw holes should be aligned and the
tabs on the front of the bracket should be flush with the front of the drive (see "Removing the Drive from the Bracket").
To further ensure proper positioning of the drive in the chassis, insert and tighten all four screws in the order in which the holes are numbered (the holes are
marked "1" through "4").
2. Slide the new drive/bracket assembly into the drive bay until both drive bracket tabs snap securely into place.
Installing the Drive Bracket
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3. Connect the interface cable for the drive. See "Attaching Drive Cables."
NOTICE: To avoid possible damage, you must match the colored strip on the interface cable with pin 1 on both the drive and system board connectors.

a. If you are installing an EIDE device, ensure that the interface cable is properly connected to the EIDE connector on the system board.
b. If you are installing a SCSI device, ensure that the SCSI interface cable is properly connected to the interface connector on the SCSI controller board.
4. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive.
Attaching Drive Cables
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5. Ensure that all cables are firmly connected. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
6. If the chassis drive bay was previously empty, remove the corresponding insert from the front panel.
Hold the front panel with the outside facing you. Press the ends of the insert with your thumbs until the insert snaps free of the front panel.
7. Replace the front panel.
8. Rotate the power supply back into position until the securing tab snaps into the release latch.
9. Replace the computer cover and restart the computer.
10. If the drive you installed is a hard drive, enter system setup, and update the drive settings.
After you update the system settings, exit system setup and reboot the computer.
11. If the device you installed is a hard drive, partition and logically format the drive before proceeding to the next step.
See the operating system's documentation for instructions.
12. Test the drive to verify that it is operating properly.
lIf the drive you installed is a hard drive, run the Dell Diagnostics to test the drive.
lFor other types of drives, see the drive's documentation for information on testing the drive.
13. If the drive you installed is the primary hard drive, install the operating system on the drive.
See the operating system's documentation for instructions.
NOTE: Tape drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation. After you install a tape drive, refer to the documentation that came
with the drive for instructions on installing and using the tape drive software.

Removing a Hard Drive
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Rotate the power supply away from the system board.
3. Remove the front panel.
4. Disconnect the DC power and interface cables from the back of the drive.
5. Rotate the hard drive bracket out of the chassis using the metal tab. Grasp the hard drive bracket and pull it out of the chassis.
Removing the Hard-Drive Bracket
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6. Remove the screw(s) that secures the drive in the bracket.
7. Remove the drive from the bracket
Removing a Hard Drive from the Bracket
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CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."

Replacing a Hard Drive
1. Slide the drive into one of bracket bays, oriented so that the connectors on the back of the drive will face the interior of the chassis when the bracket is
reinstalled. See "Removing a Hard Drive from the Bracket."
2. Align the screw hole(s) of the drive and bracket, and secure the drive in the bracket using the screws that came with the upgrade kit.
3. Reinstall the hard-drive bracket in the chassis.
Insert the drive bracket into the chassis, and rotate the bracket until the tabs snap into place.
Installing the Hard-Drive Bracket
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4. Connect the interface cable for the drive. See "Attaching Hard-Drive Cables."
a. If you are installing an EIDE device, ensure that the IDE interface cable is properly connected to the EIDE connector on the system board.
NOTE: Orient the drive in the bracket so that its bottom will face the left side of the chassis when the bracket is installed in the chassis.
NOTICE: To avoid possible damage, you must match the colored strip on the interface cable with pin 1 on both the drive and system board connectors.

b. If you are installing a SCSI device, ensure that the SCSI interface cable is properly connected to the interface connector on the SCSI controller board.
5. Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive.
Attaching Hard-Drive Cables
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6. Ensure that all cables are firmly connected. Fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
7. Ensure that the control panel cable is firmly connected to the system board.
The control panel contains the hard-drive activity light. To locate the control panel system board connector, see "System Board Components."
8. Replace the front panel.
9. Rotate the power supply back into position until the securing tab snaps into the release latch.
10. Replace the computer cover and restart the computer.
11. Enter system setup, and update the drive settings.
After you update the system settings, exit system setup and reboot the computer.
12. Partition and logically format the drive before proceeding to the next step.
See the operating system's documentation for instructions.
13. Run the Dell Diagnostics to test the drive.
14. If the hard drive you installed is the primary drive, install the operating system on the drive.
See the operating system's documentation for instructions.
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Expansion Cards
Dell™OptiPlex™GX400ServiceManual
Expansion Card Types
Removing an Expansion Card
Expansion Card Types
lUp to five 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI expansion cards.
lOne 32-bit AGP card. The expansion slot supports AGP 4x or 2x Pro50 modes operating at 1.5 V.
Expansion Card Types
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Removing an Expansion Card
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
2. Lay the computer on its right side.
3. Remove the AGP card brace.
If you have an AGP card clip, disconnect any cables attached to the card and press the AGP card clip lever toward the expansion-card cage.
AGP Card Clip
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CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power light on the system
board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System Board Components."
NOTE: Do not remove the video card retention clip from the expansion card slot.