Dell Precision MD504 User manual

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell Precision™ Workstation 490
Quick Reference Guide
Model DCTA

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.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in your User’s Guide .
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo and Dell Precision are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Xeon, and Pentium are registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows 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 Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DCTA
January 2006 P/N MD504 Rev. A00

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Front View (Tower Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Back View (Tower Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Back Panel Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front View (Desktop Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Back View (Desktop Orientation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Inside View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
System Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Cable Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Locating Your User’s Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Removing the Computer Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Caring for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Using Microsoft®Windows®XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using the Last Known Good Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Before You Start Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Diagnostic Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Diagnostic Light Codes During POST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

4Contents

Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may
not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship 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
• Desktop System Software (DSS)
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as Resource CD)
Documentation and
drivers are already
installed on your
computer. You can use
the CD to reinstall drivers,
run the Dell Diagnostics,
or access your
documentation. Readme
files may be included on
your CD to provide last-
minute updates about
technical changes to your computer or advanced technical-
reference material for technicians or experienced users.
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can be found
at support.dell.com.
• How to set up my computer
• How to care for my computer
• Basic troubleshooting information
• How to run the Dell Diagnostics
• Error codes and diagnostic lights
• How to remove and install parts
• How to open my computer cover
Quick Reference Guide
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.

6Quick Reference Guide
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to remove and replace parts
• Specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
User’s Guide
Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support
2 Click User’s and system guides and click User’s Guide
The User’s Guide is also available on the Drivers and
Utilities CD.
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft
®
Windows
®
License
These labels are located on your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to
identify your computer
when you use
support.dell.com or
contact technical
support.
• Enter the Express
Service Code to direct your call when contacting
technical support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 7
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, and online courses, frequently
asked questions
• Community — 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, service call
and order status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call status and
support history, service contract, online discussions
with technical support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details on
my computer configuration, product specifications,
and white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and
software updates
• Desktop System Software (DSS)— If you reinstall
the operating system for your computer, you should
reinstall the DSS utility prior to installing any of the
drivers. DSS provides critical updates for your
operating system and support for Dell™ 3.5-inch
USB floppy drives, optical drives, and USB devices.
DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell
computer. The software automatically detects your
computer and operating system and installs the
updates appropriate for your configuration.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region or business segment to view the
appropriate support site.
NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers
can also use the customized Dell Premier support website at
premier.support.dell.com. The website may not be available
in all regions.
• How to use Windows XP
• How to work with programs and files
• Documentation for devices (such as modem)
Windows Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support .
2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem
and click the arrow icon.
3 Click the topic that describes your problem.
4 Follow the instructions on the screen.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

8Quick Reference Guide
• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD
The operating system is
already installed on your
computer. To reinstall
your operating system, use
the Operating System CD.
See your User’s Guide for
instructions. After you
reinstall your operating
system, use the Drivers and
Utilities CD (Resource CD)
to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with your computer. Your operating
system product key label is located on your computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
NOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may
not ship with your computer.
• How to use Linux
• E-mail discussions with users of Dell Precision™
products and the Linux operating system
• Additional information regarding Linux
and my Dell Precision computer
Dell Supported Linux Sites
• Linux.dell.com
• Lists.us.dell.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-precision
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 9
Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation)
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions
in the Product Information Guide.
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
1Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
2
NOTICE: Do not connect a modem cable to the
network adapter. Voltage from telephone
communications can damage the network adapter.
NOTE: If your computer has a network card installed,
connect the network cable to the card.
Connect the modem or the network cable.

10 Quick Reference Guide
3
Depending on your graphics
card, you can connect your
monitor in various ways.
NOTE: You may need to use
the provided adapter or
cable to connect your
monitor to the computer.
Connect the monitor.

Quick Reference Guide 11
The dual-monitor cable is color-coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black
connector is for the second monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached
to the computer when you start the computer.
For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
One VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter when you have a single-monitor
graphics card and you want to connect your computer
to a VGA monitor.
Dual VGA Y cable adapter:
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card
has a single connector and you want to connect your
computer to one or two VGA monitors.
Dual DVI Y cable adapter:
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a
single connector and you want to connect your computer
to one or two DVI monitors.
VGA
VGA
VGA
DVI
DVI

12 Quick Reference Guide
For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector
One DVI connector and one VGA connector:
Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want
to connect your computer to one or two monitors.
Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect
your computer to two VGA monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
Two DVI connectors:
Use the DVI connectors
to connect your computer
to one or two DVI monitors.
Two DVI connectors
with one VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter to connect
a VGA monitor to one of the
DVI connectors on your computer
Two DVI connectors
with two VGA adapters:
Use two VGA adapters to connect
two VGA monitors to the DVI
connectors on your computer.
VGA
DVI
VGA
VGA
DVI
DVI
DVI
VGA
VGA
VGA

Quick Reference Guide 13
4
NOTE: If your
computer has a sound
card installed, connect
the speakers to
the card.
Connect the speakers.
5Connect the power
cables and turn on the
computer and monitor.

14 Quick Reference Guide
Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation
that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is
compatible with your computer and operating system.
You have now completed the setup for your tower computer.
Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation)
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in
the Product Information Guide.
You must complete all steps to properly set up your computer.
6Install additional software or devices.
1Connect the keyboard
and the mouse.
NOTICE: Do not connect a
modem cable to the network
adapter. Voltage from
telephone communications
can damage the network
adapter.

Quick Reference Guide 15
2
NOTE: If your computer
has a network card
installed, connect the
network cable to the card.
Connect the modem
or the network cable.
3Connect the monitor.
Depending on your graphics card, you
can connect your monitor in various ways.
NOTE: You may need to use the
provided adapter or cable to connect
your monitor to the computer.

16 Quick Reference Guide
The dual-monitor cable is color-coded; the blue connector is for the primary monitor, and the black
connector is for the second monitor. To enable dual-monitor support, both monitors must be attached
to the computer when you start your computer.
For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter when you have a single monitor
graphics card and you want to connect your computer
to a VGA monitor.
Dual VGA Y cable adapter:
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card
has a single connector and you want to connect your
computer to one or two VGA monitors.
Dual DVI Y cable adapter:
Use the appropriate Y cable when your graphics card has a
single connector and you want to connect your computer
to one or two DVI monitors.
VGA
VGA
VGA
DVI
DVI

Quick Reference Guide 17
For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector
One DVI connector and one VGA connector:
Use the appropriate connector(s) when you want
to connect your computer to one or two monitors.
Two VGA connectors with one VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter when you want to connect your
computer to two VGA monitors.
For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
Two DVI connectors:
Use the DVI connector(s)
to connect your computer
to one or two DVI monitors.
Two DVI connectors
with one VGA adapter:
Use the VGA adapter to connect
a VGA monitor to one of the DVI
connectors on your computer.
Two DVI connectors
with two VGA adapters:
Use two VGA adapters to connect
two VGA monitors to the DVI
connectors on your computer.
VGA
DVI
VGA
VGA
DVI
DVI
DVI
VGA
VGA
VGA

18 Quick Reference Guide
NOTE: If your computer has a sound card installed, connect the speakers to the card.
Before you install any devices or software that did not come with your computer, read the documentation
that came with the software or device or contact the vendor to verify that the software or device is
compatible with your computer and operating system.
You have now completed the setup for your desktop computer.
4Connect the speakers.
5Connect the power cables
and turn on the computer
and monitor.
6Install additional software or devices.

Quick Reference Guide 19
About Your Computer
Front View (Tower Orientation)
1upper 5.25-inch drive bay Holds a CD/DVD drive.
2lower 5.25-inch drive bay You can use this bay for an optional CD/DVD drive.
3FlexBay You can use this bay for an optional third hard drive (SATA or SAS), a floppy
drive or Media Card Reader.
4hard-drive activity light The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to
the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player
is operating.
5IEEE 1394 connector
(optional)
Use the optional IEEE 1394 connector for high-speed data devices such as
digital video cameras and external storage devices.
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
5

20 Quick Reference Guide
6USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as
flash memory keys or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see
"System Setup"
in your User’s Guide for more information on booting to a USB device).
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that
typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
7Dell™ rotatable badge To rotate the Dell badge for tower-to-desktop conversion; remove the
front
panel
, turn it over, and rotate the plastic handle behind the badge.
8power button Press to turn on the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer.
Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.
NOTE: The power button can also be used to wake the system or to place it into
a power-saving state. See "Power Management" in your User’s Guide for
more information.
9power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different
states:
• No light — The computer is turned off.
• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.
• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving state.
• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in your
User’s Guide .
To exit from a power-saving state, press the power button or use the keyboard or
the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager.
For more information about sleep states and exiting from a power-saving state,
see your User’s Guide.
See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38 for a description of light codes that can help
you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
10 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones.
11 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for
voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
12 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps,
100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps (or 1-Gbps) network and the computer.
13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 38.