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