Dell OptiPlex GXa User manual

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Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
1997 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 registered trademarks and DellWare is a registered service mark of Dell
Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarksand MMXis a trademark ofIntel Corporation; Microsoft,MS-DOS, Windows,
and Windows NT are registered trademarks and Windows for Workgroups is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation; IBM and OS/2 are registered
trademarksofInternational BusinessMachinesCorporation;3Comisaregisteredtrademark of 3ComCorporation;VESA is a registeredtrademark
of Video Electronics Standards Association; UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Novell, Inc. As an Energy Star Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy
efficiency.
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.
November 1997 P/N 88768

v
Safety Instructions
U
se the following safety guidelines to help protect
your computer system from potential damage and to
ensure your own personal safety.
W
hen Using Your Computer
System
As you use your computer system, observe the following
safety guidelines:
•To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure the
voltage selection switch on the power supply is set to
match the alternating current (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 peripherals
are electrically rated to operate with the AC power
available in your location.
•To help avoid possible damage to the system board,
wait 5 seconds after turning off the system before
removing a component from the system board or dis-
connecting a peripheral device from the computer.
•To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer
and peripheral power cables into properly grounded
power sources. These cables are equipped with
three-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 three-wire cable with properly grounded
plugs.
•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 your Diagnostics and
Troubleshooting Guide.
•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; do
not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or
on a bed, sofa, or rug.
E
rgonomic Computing Habits
For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergo-
nomic guidelines when setting up and using your
computer system:
•Position your system so that the monitor and key-
board 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.
WARNING: Improper or prolonged keyboard use
may result in injury.

vi
•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 bright-
ness 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 key-
board 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 neces-
sary, 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.
monitor screen at or below eye level
wrists relaxed and flat
arms at desk level
monitor and keyboard
positioned directly
in front of user
feet flat on the floor

vii
W
hen Working Inside Your
Computer
Before you remove the computer cover, perform the fol-
lowing steps in the sequence indicated.
1. Turn off your computer and any peripherals.
2. Disconnect your computer and peripherals from
their power sources. Also, disconnect any tele-
phone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or
shock.
3. Touch an unpainted metal surface on the chassis,
such as the metal around the card-slot openings
at the back of the computer, before touching any-
thing inside your computer.
While you work, periodically touch an unpainted
metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate
any static electricity that might harm internal
components.
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; if
you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on
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 contacts on a card. Hold a card by
its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a
component such as a microprocessor chip by its
edges, not by its pins.
P
rotecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge
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 the micro-
processor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal
surface on the computer chassis.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodi-
cally touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any
static charge your body may have accumulated.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage
from electrostatic discharge (ESD):
•When unpacking a static-sensitive component from
its shipping carton, do not remove the component
from the antistatic packing material until you are
ready to install the component in your computer. Just
before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure
to discharge static electricity from your body.
•When transporting a sensitive component, first place
it in an antistatic container or packaging.
•Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area.
If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench
pads.
CAUTIONS: Do not attempt to service the com-
puter system yourself, except as explained in this
guide and elsewhere in Dell documentation. Always
follow installation and service instructions closely.
To help avoid possible damage to the system board,
wait 5 seconds after turning off the system before
removing a component from the system board or
disconnecting a peripheral device from the
computer.
WARNING
There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is
incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with
the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to
the manufacturer’s instructions.

viii
The following caution may appear throughout this docu-
ment to remind you of these precautions:
CAUTION: See “Protecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge” in the safety instructions at the front of
this guide.

ix
Preface
A
bout This Guide
This guide is intended for anyone who uses a Dell Opti-
Plex GXa midsize computer system. It can be used by
both first-time and experienced computer users who want
to learn about the features and operation of the systems or
who want to upgrade their computers. The chapters and
appendixes are summarized as follows:
•Everyone should read Chapter 1, “Introduction,” for
an overview of the system features, instructions on
how to access the online System User’s Guide, and
information on where to get help if you need it.
•Everyone should read the first several sections of
Chapter 2, “Using the System Setup Program,” to
familiarize themselves with this important program.
Only users who want to make configuration changes
to their system or who want to use the password fea-
tures need to read the rest of Chapter 2.
•Users who add or remove an Industry-Standard
Architecture (ISA) expansion card should read
Chapter 3, “Using the ISA Configuration Utility.”
•Users who want to change the default configuration
of the system’s integrated video and audio control-
lers or who want to connect their system to a
network should read Chapter 4, “Using Integrated
Devices.” This chapter describes the configuration
software provided for the integrated video and audio
controllers and provides information on connecting
the system to a network, configuring the network
interface controller (NIC), and installing drivers for
the NIC.
•Chapter 5, “Working Inside Your Computer,”
Chapter 6, “Installing System Board Options,” and
Chapter 7, “Installing Drives,” are intended for users
who want to install or remove options inside the
computer, such as dual in-line memory modules
(DIMMs), additional video memory, expansion
cards, or drives.
•Appendix A, “Technical Specifications,” is intended
primarily as reference material for users interested in
learning more about the details of the system.
•Appendix B, “ISA Configuration Utility Messages,”
describes error messages generated by the ISA
Configuration Utility (ICU), possible causes, and
corrective actions.
•Appendix C, “Regulatory Notices,” is for users who
are interested in which regulatory agencies have
tested and approved the Dell OptiPlex GXa midsize
systems.
•Appendix D, “Warranties and Return Policy,”
describes the warranty for your Dell system and the
“Total Satisfaction” Return Policy.
W
arranty and Return Policy
Information
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 D, “Warranties
and Return Policy.”

x
O
ther Documents You May Need
Besides this Reference and Installation 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 Windows-based online System User’s Guide
contains important information about your computer
system. This document includes descriptions of
system features, instructions on installing and con-
figuring drivers and utilities, information on the
System Setup program and ISA Configuration Util-
ity, and instructions for attaching devices to the
connectors on your computer’s back panel.
•The Frequently Asked Questions cards provide
detailed answers to questions that are often asked by
Dell computer users. Be sure to read these cards
before calling Dell for technical assistance.
•The Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide
includes troubleshooting procedures and instructions
for using the Dell Diagnostics to test your computer
system.
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 system software from Dell.
This documentation describes how to install (if nec-
essary), configure, and use your operating system
software.
•Documentation is included with any options you
purchase separately from your system. This docu-
mentation includes information that you need to
configure and install these options in your Dell com-
puter. Installation instructions for the options are
included in this Reference and Installation Guide.
•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 advanced technical
reference material intended for experienced users or
technicians.
N
otational Conventions
The following subsections describe notational conven-
tions used in this document.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
Throughout this guide, there may be blocks of text
printed in bold type within boxes or in italic type. These
blocks are warnings, cautions, and notes, and they are
used as follows:
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that
helps you make better use of your computer system.
Typographical Conventions
The following list defines (where appropriate) and illus-
trates typographical conventions 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 otherwise indicated) to per-
form a single function.
Example: <Ctrl><Alt><Enter>
WARNING: A WARNING indicates the potential
for bodily harm and tells you how to avoid the
problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either poten-
tial damage to hardware or loss of data and tells
you how to avoid the problem.

xi
•Commands presented in lowercase bold are for refer-
ence 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 instruction 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 substitute a value) are displayed in lowercase
italics; constant parameters are displayed in lower-
case bold. The brackets indicate items that are
optional.
Example: del [drive:] [path] filename [/p]
•Command lines consist of a command and may
include one or more of the command’s possible
parameters. Command lines are presented in the
Courier New font.
Example: del c:\myfile.doc
•Screen text is text that appears on the screen of your
monitor or display. It can be a system message, for
example, 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 xrepresents the DIMM
socket designation).

xii

Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
D
ell® OptiPlex®GXa midsize systems are high-speed,
expandable personal computers designed around the
Intel®Pentium®II microprocessor. Each system uses a
high-performance Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) design that allows you to configure the computer
system to your initial requirements and then add Dell-
supported upgrades as necessary. These systems also
support the Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) bus for
older expansion devices.
This chapter describes the major hardware and software
features of your system, provides information about
accessing the online documentation, and tells you where
to find help if you need it.
S
ystem Features
Your system offers the following features:
•An Intel Pentium II microprocessor that runs at an
internal speed of 233, 266, or 300 megahertz (MHz)
and an external speed of 66 MHz.
The Intel Pentium II microprocessor includes
MMX™technology designed to handle complex
multimedia and communications software. This
microprocessor incorporates new instructions and
data types as well as a technique called Single
Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) that allows the
microprocessor to process multiple data elements in
parallel, thereby improving overall system
performance.
The Pentium II microprocessor has a 16-kilobyte
(KB) internal data cache and a 16-KB internal
instruction cache, an internal math coprocessor, and
other advanced internal logic.
•A keyboard command (<Ctrl><Alt><\>) that lets
you switch between the microprocessor’s rated
speed and a slower compatibility speed.
NOTE: This keyboard command is not available
under the Microsoft®Windows NT®and IBM®
OS/2®operating systems.
•A secondary cache of 512 KB of static random-
access memory (SRAM) included within the
single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge, which also
contains the microprocessor.
•System memory that can be increased up to
384 megabytes (MB) by installing 16-, 32-, 64-, or
128-MB synchronous dynamic random-access
memory (SDRAM) dual in-line memory modules
(DIMMs) in the three DIMM sockets on the system
board. The system also supports both error checking
and correction (ECC) and non-parity DIMMs. See
“Adding Memory” in Chapter 6 for details.
•Self-Monitoring Analysis Reporting Technology
(SMART) support, which warns you at system
start-up if your hard-disk drive has become unreli-
able. To take advantage of this technology, you must
have a SMART-compliant hard-disk drive in your
computer. All hard-disk drives shipped with
OptiPlex GXa systems are SMART-compliant.
•A basic input/output system (BIOS), which resides
in flash memory and can be upgraded by diskette if
required.
•Full compliance with PCI specification 2.1.
•Full Plug and Play version 1.0a capability, which
greatly simplifies the installation of expansion cards.
Plug and Play support included in the system BIOS
allows you to install Plug and Play expansion cards
without setting jumpers or switches or performing
other configuration tasks. The ISA Configuration

1-2 Dell OptiPlex GXa Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
Utility (ICU) allows you to configure existing non-
Plug and Play ISA expansion cards for conflict-free
operation. Also, because the system BIOS is stored
in flash memory, it can be updated to support future
enhancements to the Plug and Play standard.
•Wakeup On LAN capability, which, when enabled in
the System Setup program, allows the system to be
powered up from a server management console.
Wakeup On LAN capability also allows remote com-
puter setup, software downloading and installation,
file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on
weekends when LAN traffic is at a minimum.
NOTE: An optional Wakeup On LAN-capable net-
work card is required to use the Wakeup On LAN
feature.
•Universal Serial Bus (USB) capability, which can
simplify connecting peripheral devices such as mice,
printers, and computer speakers. The USB connec-
tors on your computer’s back panel, which are
enabled by default, provide a single connection point
for multiple USB-compliant devices. USB-
compliant devices can also be connected and
disconnected while the system is running.
•A modular computer chassis with a minimum num-
ber of screws for easy disassembly and improved
serviceability.
•A chassis designed for both horizontal (desktop) and
vertical (mini tower) use. Although the optimal posi-
tion for the chassis is horizontal, a stand for vertical
orientation can be purchased that, when attached,
makes the system into a mini tower (for instructions
on attaching the stand, see “Using the Optional
Stand for Vertical Orientation” found later in this
chapter).
The system board includes the following built-in
features:
•One of two optional riser boards. One board pro-
vides two 32-bit PCI expansion slots, one shared PCI
(32-bit)/ISA (16-bit) expansion slot, and two 16-bit
expansion slots. The other board provides three PCI
expansion slots and two shared PCI/ISA expansion
slots.
•A 64-bit accelerated graphics port (AGP) video
subsystem, which includes the ATI 3D Rage Pro
super video graphics array (SVGA) video controller.
This video subsystem contains 2 MB, expandable up
to 4 MB, of synchronous graphics random-access
memory (SGRAM) video memory. Maximum
resolutions are 1600 x 1200 pixels with 256 colors
noninterlaced and 1024 x 768 pixels with 65,536
colors noninterlaced. In 800- x 600- and 640- x 480-
pixel resolutions, 16.7 million colors are available
for true-color graphics.
AGP provides a dedicated bus from the video sub-
system to the system chip set. AGP-based video
subsystems have two significant performance advan-
tages over PCI-based video subsystems:
— The AGP bus reduces bandwidth requirements
of the PCI bus, improving overall system
performance.
— The AGP bus allows a 3D video subsystem to
execute directly from main memory.
•A diskette/tape drive interface, which supports a
3.5-inch diskette drive and, optionally, a second
diskette drive or tape drive.
•Enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE)
support. The primary and secondary interface are
both located on the PCI bus to provide faster data
throughput. Each interface supports high-capacity
EIDE drives, as well as devices such as ATA 33
hard-disk drives, EIDE CD-ROM drives, and EIDE
tape drives.
•Two high-performance serial ports and one
bidirectional parallel port for connecting external
devices. The parallel port is fully Enhanced
Capabilities Port (ECP)-compliant.
•A Personal System/2 (PS/2)-style keyboard port and
a PS/2-compatible mouse port.
•An optional, integrated, 10/100-megabit-per-second
(Mbps) 3Com®PCI 3C916B media access controller
(MAC) Ethernet network interface controller (NIC).
The NIC is configured using software described in
Chapter 4, “Using Integrated Devices.”
•A 16-bit, integrated Plug and Play Crystal CS4236B
audio controller that provides all the sound functions
of the Sound Blaster Pro expansion card. For more
information, see your online System User’s Guide.

Introduction 1-3
The following software is included with your Dell
computer system:
•Utilities that safeguard your system and enhance the
operation of its hardware features, such as maximiz-
ing your monitor’s resolution capabilities. For
information on these utilities, see your online System
User’s Guide.
•Video drivers for displaying many popular applica-
tion programs in high-resolution modes. For more
information on these utilities, see your online System
User’s Guide.
•Audio drivers for enabling the sound functions on
the expansion sound card. For more information on
these utilities, see your online System User’s Guide.
•Bus mastering EIDE drivers toimprove performance
by off-loading certain functions from the micro-
processor during multithreaded operation (when
several application programs are running simulta-
neously). For more information on these utilities, see
your online System User’s Guide.
•Audio drivers for enabling the sound functions on
the expansion sound card. For more information on
these utilities, see your online System User’s Guide.
•Bus mastering EIDE drivers toimprove performance
by off-loading certain functions from the micro-
processor during multithreaded operation (when
several application programs are running simulta-
neously). For more information on these utilities, see
your online System User’s Guide.
•The System Setup program for quickly viewing and
changing the system configuration information for
your system. For more information on this program,
see Chapter 2, “Using the System Setup Program.”
•An Auto Power On utility that enables your system
to perform routine tasks automatically in your
absence. For more information on this utility, see
your online System User’s Guide.
•Enhanced security features (a setup password, a sys-
tem password, a system-password lock option, a
write-protect option for diskette drives, and auto-
matic display of the system’s service tag number)
available through the System Setup program. In
addition, a customer-definable asset tag number can
be assigned via a software support utility and viewed
on the System Setup screens. For more information,
see your online System User’s Guide and Chapter 2,
“Using the System Setup Program.”
•Advanced power management options that can
reduce the energy consumption of your system. For
more information, see Chapter 2, “Using the System
Setup Program.”
•The ICU, which allows you to configure ISA expan-
sion cards manually. After resources have been
assigned to these cards, the system BIOS can assign
resources to PCI and Plug and Play expansion cards
for a conflict-free configuration. For more informa-
tion, see Chapter 3, “Using the ISA Configuration
Utility.”
•Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer’s
components and devices. For information on using
the diagnostics, see the chapter titled “Running the
Dell Diagnostics” in the Diagnostics and Trouble-
shooting Guide.
•Network device drivers for several network
operating systems. These drivers are described in
Chapter 4, “Using Integrated Devices.”
•Desktop Management Interface (DMI) support,
which enables the management of your computer
system’s software and hardware. DMI defines the
software, interfaces, and data files that enable your
system to determine and report information about
system components.
If your system has a Dell-installed Microsoft
Windows®, Windows for Workgroups™, or
Windows NT operating system, DMI is already
installed on your system’s hard-disk drive. To learn
more about DMI, double-click the DMI icon in the
Windows Control Panel.
If you ordered Dell-installed software with your sys-
tem, such as MS-DOS®, Microsoft Windows, or
other programs, Dell provides a menu that allows
you to make program diskette sets of your Dell-
installed software. A program diskette set is an
uninstalled version of a software package that you
can use to reinstall or reconfigure the software. You
can use this same menu to remove diskette image
files (individual files that correspond to each diskette
in a program diskette set) to reclaim space on the
computer’s hard-diskdrive. For more information on
making program diskette sets, see the online help
provided in the Dell Program Diskette Maker, which

1-4 Dell OptiPlex GXa Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
is available in the Dell Accessories program group or
folder.
•The Dell Inspector program, which is a DMI
browser that allows you to view your computer’s
current hardware configuration and operating system
version (see Figure 1-1). The Dell Inspector provides
information you may need if you call Dell for techni-
cal assistance or if you install hardware or software
in your system. The Dell Inspector program is
located in the Dell Accessories program group or
folder.
The Dell Inspector program is available in client and
administrator versions. In addition to the client fea-
tures described in the preceding paragraph, the Dell
Inspector administrator version enables system
administrators to view, manage, and inventory
remote systems in a Dell DMI client network.
Figure 1-1. Dell Inspector Program

Introduction 1-5
U
sing the Power Switch
If the system does not turn off when the power switch is
pressed, the system may be hung. Press and hold the
power switch until the system turns off completely (this
may take several seconds). Alternatively, press the reset
button to turn the system off when it is hung.
U
sing the Optional Stand for
Vertical Orientation
Dell offers an optional stand that you can attach to the
computer for a mini tower (vertical) orientation.
Although you can attach (and remove) the stand at any
time with a minimum of system disruption, it is easiest to
attach before you set up your computer and connect the
back-panel cables.
Attach the stand as follows:
1. Turn the computer onto its right side, so that the
drive bays are at the bottom.
2. Fit the stand onto what was the left side of the
computer.
Position the stand as shown in Figure 1-2. Align the
large round hole in the stand with the securing button
on the side of the cover, and align the captive thumb-
screw in the stand with the screw hole in the cover.
Fi
g
ure 1-2. Attachin
g
the Optional Stand for
Vertical Orientation
As you lower the stand into place, make sure the
locator pin (see Figure 1-2) fits into the corner hole
of the hole pattern as shown. When the stand is in
place, tighten the thumbscrew.
3. Rotate the computer so that the stand is at the
bottom and the drives are at the top.
To remove the stand, turn the computer over so the stand
is at the top, loosen the screw and lift the stand away, and
place the computer in a horizontal position.
locator pin
securing
button
captive screw

1-6 Dell OptiPlex GXa Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
S
ecurity Cable Slot and Padlock
Ring
On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and
padlock ring (see Figure 1-3) for attaching commercially
available antitheft devices. Security cables for personal
computers usually include a segment of galvanized cable
with an attached locking device and key. To prevent
unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable
around an immovable object, insert the locking device
into the security cable slot on the back of your computer,
and lock the device with the key provided. Complete
instructions for installing this kind of antitheft device are
usually included with the device.
NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before
purchasing such a device, make sure it will work with the
cable slot on your computer.
The padlock ring allows you to secure the computer
cover to the chassis to prevent unauthorized access to the
inside of the computer. To use the padlock ring, insert a
commercially available padlock through the ring and
then lock the padlock.
Fi
g
ure 1-3. Securit
y
Cable Slot and Padlock
Rin
g
E
nergy Star Compliance
Certain configurations of Dell computer systems comply
with the requirements set forth by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for energy-efficient computers.
If the front panel of your computer bears the Energy Star
Emblem (see Figure 1-4), your original configuration
complied with these requirements and all Energy Star
power management features of the computer are enabled.
To disable or change the operation of these features, you
must change the setting for the PowerManagement
category in the System Setup program. For instructions,
see Chapter 2, “Using the System Setup Program.”
NOTES: As an Energy Star Partner, Dell Computer
Corporation has determined that this product meets the
Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.
Any Dell computer bearing the Energy Star Emblem is
certified to comply with EPA Energy Star requirements as
configured when shipped by Dell. Any changes you
make to this configuration (such as installing additional
expansion cards or drives) may increase the system’s
power consumption beyond the limits set by the EPA’s
Energy Star Computers program.
Fi
g
ure 1-4. Ener
gy
Star Emblem
The EPA’s Energy Star Computers program is a joint
effort between the EPA and computer manufacturers to
reduce air pollution by promoting energy-efficient
computer products. The EPA estimates that use of Energy
Star computer products can save computer users up to
two billion dollars annually in electricity costs. In turn,
this reduction in electricity usage can reduce emissions of
carbon dioxide, the gas primarily responsible for the
greenhouse effect, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides, which are the two primary causes of acid rain.
security cable slot
fan vent
padlock ring
TM

Introduction 1-7
Computer users can also help to reduce electricity usage
and its side effects by turning off their computer systems
when they are not in use for extended periods of time—
particularly at night and on weekends.
I
mportant Notes for Windows 95
Users
Your system was configured by Dell to optimize the
Microsoft Windows 95 operating system features. To
ensure that all of these features are maintained on your
system, you must use the version of the Windows 95
operating system that Dell installed on your hard-disk
drive.
Should you need to reinstall the Windows 95 operating
system on an OptiPlex GXa system for any reason, you
must be sure to reinstall the correct version. Dell recom-
mends performing a periodic tape backup of the system’s
entire hard-disk drive so that, if necessary, the operating
system, drivers, and other software can be reinstalled as
originally configured with a minimum of downtime.
If you are unable to reinstall your software from a tape
backup of the hard-disk drive, you can reinstall the
Windows 95 operating system from the system’s
Windows 95 backup media (CD or diskettes) that you
received from Dell or created from the Dell-installed
software on your system. However, if you reinstall the
Windows 95 operating system in this manner, the bus-
mastering functionality of the Windows 95 EIDE driver,
which was operative in your original configuration, will
be disabled. (Your system will operate without the bus-
mastering functionality with only a small degradation in
performance. For information on the advantages of using
bus-mastering drivers, see “Bus-Mastering EIDE Driv-
ers” in the “Using Drivers and Utilities” section of your
online System User’s Guide.) You may also need to rein-
stall your system’s video, audio, and NIC drivers from
the diskettes created from the Dell-installed software on
your system.
NOTE: If you are a system administrator of corporate
networks and you must download the Windows 95 oper-
ating system from a server to client systems, make sure
that you have the Windows 95 backup media for the
OptiPlex GXa system on your server before
downloading.
I
ntel PIIX4 INF Update Installer for
Windows 95
NOTE: The following procedure applies only to versions
of the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system installed
by Dell.
If you must reinstall Windows 95 on your computer sys-
tem, you also need to run the Intel PIIX4 INF Update
Installer for Windows 95 immediately after installing the
operating system. Doing so enables Windows 95 to
detect and configure PCI devices controlled by the inte-
grated 82371AB component.
Before you can perform the update, you must make a dis-
kette copy of the update software from the disk image on
the hard-disk drive. To make the diskette copy, use the
Program Diskette Maker, which is located in the Dell
Accessories folder on your system. Refer to the online
System User’s Guide for information about using the Pro-
gram Diskette Maker.
The following procedure describes how to install the
update:
1. Insert the Windows 95 Intel Support Driver Ver.
A00 diskette into drive A.
2. Click the Start button and click Run.
3. Type a:\setup.exe and press Enter.
4. Click Next on the Welcome Screen.
The license agreement opens in the Notepad applica-
tion program.
5. View the text file and close the Notepad applica-
tion program when you are ready to proceed.
6. Click Yes to continue.
The next dialog box lists the information (.inf) files
on your system that will be revised by the update
software.
7. Click Next to continue.
8. Click OK to start the update.
9. When the update is complete, remove the diskette
from the diskette drive and click OK to restart
your system.
During start-up, the operating system detects new
hardware and the Update Device Driver Wizard
screen appears.

1-8 Dell OptiPlex GXa Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
10. Click Next to continue.
The system finds the hardware device driver on the
hard-disk drive and installs it.
11. Click Finish to continue.
The system continues its start-up routine. When
Windows 95 finishes loading, a dialog box appears
and informs you that the system configuration set-
tings have changed and asks if you want to restart
your system.
12. Click OK to restart the system.
A
ccessing Online
Documentation
The online System User’s Guide installed on your hard-
disk drive contains information on the following topics:
•How to use the online System User’s Guide
•System features
•Using drivers and utilities
•Using the integrated audio controller
•Using the System Setup program
•Configuring expansion cards
•Securing your computer
•Connecting external devices
•Maintaining the system
•Contacting Dell
The guide also contains a glossary of commonly used
terms and abbreviations.
The System User’s Guide is located in the Dell Accesso-
ries program group or folder.
To print any of the topics from this guide, display the
topic you want on your screen and select Print Topic
from the File menu.
G
etting Help
Dell provides a number of tools to help you if you don’t
understand a procedure described in this guide or if your
system does not perform as expected. For information on
these help tools, see the chapter titled “Getting Help” in
your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide or the
“Contacting Dell” section in the online System User’s
Guide.

Using the System Setup Program 2-1
Chapter 2
Usin
g
the System Setup Pro
g
ram
E
ach time you turn on your computer system or press
the reset button, the system compares the hardware
installed in the system to the hardware listed in the
system configuration information stored in nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board.
If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error
messages that identify the incorrect configuration
settings. The system then prompts you to enter the
System Setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the System Setup program as follows:
•To change the system configuration information
after you add, change, or remove any hardware in
your system
•To set or change user-selectable options—for
example, the time or date on your system
You can view the current settings at any time. When you
change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the
system before the change takes effect.
After you set up your system, run the System Setup
program to familiarize yourself with your system
configuration information and optional settings. Dell
recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by
pressing the <Print Screen> key) or write down the infor-
mation for future reference.
Before you use the System Setup program, you need to
know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s)
installed in your computer. If you are unsure of any of
this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that
was shipped with your system. You can access the
Manufacturing Test Report from the Dell Accessories
folder or program group.
E
nterin
g
the System Setup
Pro
g
ram
Enter the System Setup program as follows:
1. Turn on your system.
If your system is already on, shut it down and then
turn it on again.
2. Press <Ctrl><Alt><Enter> immediately after you
see the following message:
Press <Ctrl><Alt><Enter> for System
Setup
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to
load into memory, let the system complete the load
operation; then shut down the system and try again.
NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult
the documentation that accompanied your operating
system.
You can also enter the System Setup program by
responding to certain error messages. See “Responding to
Error Messages” at the end of this chapter.
S
ystem Setup Screens
The two System Setup screens, Page 1 and Page 2,
display the current setup and configuration information
and optional settings for your system. (Typical examples
are illustrated in Figure 2-1.) Information on the two
System Setup screens is organized in five boxed areas:
•Title box
The box at the top of both screens lists the system
name, page number (Page 1 or Page 2), and the

2-2 Dell OptiPlex GXa Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
revision number of the basic input/output system
(BIOS).
•Configuration options
The box on the left half of both screens lists the
categories that define the installed hardware in your
computer.
Fields beside the categories contain options or
values; those that appear bright on the screen can be
changed. Options or values that you cannot change
because they are determined by the system appear
less bright.
Some categories have multiple fields, which may
show options or values as bright or less bright
depending upon what options or values you entered
in other fields.
•Help
The box on the upper-right half of both screens
displays help information for the category with a
currently highlighted field.
•System data
The box in the lower-right corner of both screens
displays information about your system.
•Key functions
The line of boxes across the bottom of both screens
lists keys and their functions within the System
Setup program.
U
sin
g
the S
y
stem Setu
p
Pro
g
ram
Table 2-1 lists the keys you use to view or change
information on the System Setup screens and to exit the
program.
Table 2-1. S
y
stem-Setu
p
Navi
g
ation Ke
y
s
Keys Action
Moves to the next field.
Moves to the previous field.
Cycles through the options in a
field. In many fields, you can
also type the appropriate value.
Scrolls through help
information.
Switches between Pages 1
and 2.
Exits the System Setup
program without rebooting the
system and returns the system
to its previous state—the boot
routine.
For most of the categories, any
changes you make are recorded
but do not take effect until the
next time you boot the system.
For a few categories (as noted
in the help area) the changes
take effect immediately.
Exits the System Setup pro-
gram and reboots the system,
implementing any changes you
have made.
or
or
or
or