Dell Precision 8F764 User manual

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Dell Precision™ Workstations
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.
© 2001–2002 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 Computer Corporation;
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft 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.
December 2002 P/N 8F764 Rev. A03

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Up Your Mini-Tower Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Dual Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Setting Up Your Small Desktop Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Dual Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Safety First—For You and Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Opening the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Opening the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Adding Devices and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Problems With Additional Devices and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Using the Dell Precision ResourceCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Starting the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Messages and Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

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
• My computer documentation
• 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
• Troubleshooting information
• Tools and utilities
Setup and Quick Reference Guide

6Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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• Express Service Code and Service Tag
Number
•Microsoft
®Windows®License Label
Express Service Code and Product Key
The labels are located on your computer under the front-panel door.
• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD and Installation Guide
If 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
Depending on your operating system, double-click the User’s Guides
icon on your desktop or click the Start button and then click Help and
Support to access the electronic documentation stored on your hard
drive.
• Latest drivers for my computer
• Answers to technical service and support
questions
• Online discussions with other users and
technical support
• Documentation for my computer
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
• Service call status
• 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.
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here
8F764eb3.fm Page 7 Monday, December 2, 2002 10:00 AM

8Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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• System board connectors System Information Label
• Warranty Information Dell 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 then 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.
What Are You Looking For? Find it Here

Setup and Quick Reference Guide 9
Setting Up Your Mini-Tower Computer
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
NOTE: The numbers in
the figures correspond to
the setup tasks.
Mini-Tower Computer Features
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

10 Setup and Quick Reference Guide
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Connect the keyboard and mouse as shown. Do not connect a Universal
Serial Bus (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
headphones/speakers
connector
USB connectors (2)