Dell Precision 533CX User manual

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Dell Precision™ Workstation 530
Setup and Quick
Reference Guide

Notes, Notices, and Cautions
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 potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2002 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 Precision are trademarks of Dell
ComputerCorporation;Microsoft and WindowsareregisteredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorporation.
Othertrademarksandtradenamesmaybeusedinthisdocumenttorefertoeithertheentitiesclaiming
themarksandnamesortheirproducts.DellComputerCorporationdisclaimsanyproprietaryinterest
in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
December 2002 P/N 533CX Rev. A03

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Using the Dell Precision™ ResourceCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dual Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Safety First—For You and Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Opening the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Opening the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Adding Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Adding a Hard Drive or Externally Accessible Drive . . . . . . . . . . 24
Adding a PCI Expansion Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Upgrading the Video Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Upgrading Your Processor(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Starting the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Messages and Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4Contents

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information and Assistance
The following table lists the resources that Dell provides as support tools.
Additional resources may be shipped with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
•MyUser’s Guide
• My device documentation
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the
ResourceCD)
You can use this CD to access documentation, reinstall drivers, or run
diagnostics tools.
• How to set up my computer
• How to care for my computer
• Troubleshooting information
• How to open my computer cover
• How to locate other documentation
Setup and Quick Reference Guide

6Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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• Express Service Code and Service Tag
•Microsoft
®Windows®License Label
Express Service Code and Product Key
The labels are located on your computer.
• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD and Installation Guide
After you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities
CD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 7
• How to remove and replace parts
• Technical specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
User’s Guide Icon (Microsoft Windows 2000)
Double-click the User’s Guide icon on your desktop.
Windows XP Help and Support Center
1Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2Click User’s Guide.
• Location of connectors on the system board System Information Label
The label is located on the inside of your computer cover.
• Latest drivers for my computer
• Answers to technical service and support
questions
• Online discussions with other users and
technical support
• Documentation for my computer including
the Service Manual
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:
• Knowledge Base — Hints, tips, and online courses
• Customer Forum — Online discussion with other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such as memory,
the hard drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact information, order status, warranty, and
repair information
• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates
• Reference — Computer documentation, product specifications, and
white papers
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here
or

8Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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• Service call status and support history
• Top technical issues for my computer
• Frequently asked questions
• File downloads
• Details on my computer’s configuration
• Service contract for my computer
Dell Premier Support Website —
premiersupport.dell.com
The Dell Premier Support website is customized for corporate,
government, and education customers. This website may not be
available in all regions.
• Warranty information System Information Guide
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer and
devices
Windows XP Help and Support Center
1Click the Start button, and click Help and Support.
2Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and click the
arrow icon.
3Click the topic that describes your problem.
4Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
NOTE: For help using Windows 2000, click the Start button and click
Help.
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 9
Using the Dell Precision™ ResourceCD
To use the Dell Precision ResourceCD from within the
Microsoft®Windows®operating system:
1Insert the Dell Precision ResourceCD into the CD drive.
If you are using the Dell Precision ResourceCD for the first time on this
computer, the ResourceCD Installation window opens to inform you
that the ResourceCD is about to begin installation.
2Click OK to continue.
To complete the installation, respond to the prompts offered by the
installation program.
3Click Next at the Welcome Dell System Owner screen.
4Select the appropriate System Model, Operating System,
Device Type,and Topic.
To access the Dell Precision ResourceCD Guide, click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu and click Dell Precision ResourceCD.
NOTE: To access device drivers and user documentation, you must use the
ResourceCD from within Windows. To use the Dell Diagnostics, you must insert
the ResourceCD in the CD drive and restart the computer. For information
about running the Dell Diagnostics, see "When to Use the Dell Diagnostics" on
page 26.

10 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Setting Up Your Computer
The numbers in the following figure correspond to the tasks described in
the setup steps.
NOTE: You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
Computer Features
Back View Front View
(doors open)
diagnostic
lights
1
2
4
3
5
7
6

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 11
Connect the keyboard and mouse as shown in the following illustration.
NOTE: If you have a Personal System/2 (PS/2) keyboard, connect it into the
PS/2 keyboard connector. If you have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) keyboard,
connect it to a USB connector as shown in the illustration. Do not connect a
USB mouse or keyboard to the USB connectors on the front of the computer.
NOTE: Do not attempt to operate a PS/2 mouse and a USB mouse
simultaneously.
Keyboard and Mouse
1
PS/2 or USB
keyboard
PS/2 or USB
mouse

12 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Insert the network cable, not the phone line, into the network connector.
NOTE: Your computer has an integrated network adapter. However, if your
computer has a network expansion card installed, connect the network cable to
the network card, not to the connector on the computer back panel.
If you have an optional modem, connect the phone line to the modem.
NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the network adapter. Voltage
from telephone communications can cause damage to the network adapter.
Network Adapter and Modem
2
network cable modem cable

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 13
Align and gently insert the monitor cable to avoid bending connector pins.
Then tighten the thumbscrews on the cable connector.
NOTE: If you are only using one monitor with an optional dual-monitor card,
you must use the primary port. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors
must be attached when the computer starts.
For setting up dual monitors, see "Dual Monitors" on page 17.
Monitor
3
primary port
optional secondary port

14 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Connect the speakers to the computer as shown on the instructions
supplied with the speakers.
NOTE: Your computer has an integrated audio controller. However, if your
computer has an audio expansion card installed, connect external audio
devices to the sound card, not to the connectors on the computer back panel.
Speakers
4

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 15
Plug in the computer and the monitor to their electrical outlets.
Press the power button on your computer and monitor to turn them on.
Power Connection
5
Power On
6

16 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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When you start the computer for the first time, a few system start-up
messages may appear, including one that shows your Service Tag and
Express Service Code.
Your computer is preconfigured with the operating system already installed.
Before turning on your computer for the first time, you must complete all
the previous setup steps, connecting all devices for your computer.
The initial setup of the operating system is automatic and may take several
minutes. Additional setup time may be required, depending on your
system’s internal and external devices.
Follow the operating system prompts to complete setup. You may be
prompted to enter the Windows Product Key (also called the Product ID or
COA) to complete the registration. You can find this above the service tag
on your computer.
NOTE: For more information on setting up the operating system, see the
operating system installation guide.
For future reference, write the number below:
Product Key (ID or COA): ________________________________________
For more information, access your computer documentation from the
User’s Guides icon on the desktop or from the Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Setting Up the Operating System
7

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 17
Dual Monitors
Attach the main monitor to the primary port. See "Frequently Asked
Questions" on page 18 for more information.
NOTE: A second monitor is optional and requires a multimonitor graphics
adapter card.
NOTE: To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached when
the computer starts.
primary port
secondary port

18 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
Problem? Try... Or try the Dell Precision
ResourceCD
Or try the Dell Support Site
How do I use my Dell
Precision ResourceCD?
See "Using the Dell
Precision™ ResourceCD" on
page 9 for more information.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu and
click Dell Precision
ResourceCD Guide.
Where can I find a
detailed User’s Guide
for my computer?
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button and select Help
and Support.
Documentation such as the
User’s Guide is available on
your hard drive.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu and
click the user’s guide
appropriate for your computer.
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide.
Where can I find a
warranty statement for
my computer?
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button and select Help
and Support. See the
"Limited Warranty and
Return Policy" section in
your User’s Guide.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "Limited Warranty and
Return Policy."
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide. See
"Limited Warranty and Return
Policy" in the User’s Guide.
Where can I find the
Product Key (also
called the Product ID
or Certificate of
Authenticity [COA])
for the operating
system registration?
See page 16 of this
document.
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click Ask Dudley!
and search using the keywords
Product Key.
How do I find
technical
specifications for my
computer?
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button and select Help
and Support. See the
"Technical Specifications"
section in your User’s Guide.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "Technical Specifications."
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide. See
"Technical Specifications" in the
User’s Guide.

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 19
I have a computer with
a dual-monitor-
capable graphics card.
How do I set up my
second monitor?
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button,and then select
Help and Support and
search for dual monitor.A
step-by-step procedure for
setting up dual monitors is
located in the video
controller User’s Guide.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu and
click the user’s guide
appropriate for your computer.
Go to http://support.dell.com.
At the Welcome page, click
Dell Knowledge Base and search
using the keywords dual
monitor.
If I need a driver for
my graphics card,
network adapter,
sound card, small
computer system
interface (SCSI)
software, or some
other device, where do
I locate it?
See "Using the Dell
Precision™ ResourceCD" on
page 9 for more information.
You may also have a CD
specifically for the device. If
so, search the contents of the
CD for documentation and
appropriate driver(s).
See the Dell Precision
WorkStations ResourceCD
Guide for more information.
How do I open the
computer?
See "Opening the Computer
Cover" on page 21.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "Removing and Installing
Parts."
Go to support.dell.com for help
with general usage, installation,
and troubleshooting instructions.
The monitor is blank
and the power light is
blinking green. How
do I resume operations
with my computer?
The computer is in a
reduced power, or "sleep,"
state. Use one of the
appropriate methods to
"wake up" the computer.
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button and select Help
and Support. See "Power
Management" in your
User’s Guide.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "Power Management."
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide. See
"Power Management" in the
User’s Guide.
Problem? Try... Or try the Dell Precision
ResourceCD
Or try the Dell Support Site

20 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Safety First—For You and Your
Computer
While working inside your computer, do not attempt to service the
computer except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in
Dell documentation. Always follow the instructions closely.
Working inside your computer is safe—if you observe the following
precautions.
CAUTION: FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF
THE EQUIPMENT
How do I install
additional hardware on
my computer?
See the interior service label
described in "Inside Your
Computer" on page 23. Also,
see "Removing and Installing
Parts" on page 24.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "Removing and Installing
Parts."
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide. See
"Removing and Installing Parts" in
the User’s Guide.
I installed 4 GB of
system memory. Why
does some of my
memory appear to be
missing?
Depending on your
operating system, double-
click the User’s Guides icon
on your desktop or click the
Start button and select Help
and Support. See "System
Memory" under the
"Removing and Installing
Parts" section in your
User’s Guide.
Go to the main menu on the
Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Click User’s Guides in the
Topic pull-down menu, click
the user’s guide appropriate
for your computer, and then
see "System Memory."
Go to support.dell.com. At the
Welcome page, click
Dell Documents. Make selections
appropriate for your computer to
access your User’s Guide. See
"System Memory" in the User’s
Guide.
How do I reinstall my
operating system?
See the operating system
installation guide for
information on reinstalling
your operating system.
Problem? Try... Or try the Dell Precision
ResourceCD
Or try the Dell Support Site