Dell XPS /Dimension User manual

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Dimension™ XPS
security cable slot
power connector
padlock ring
modem
cover release latch
fans
diagnostic lights
network adapter connector
USB 2.0
connectors (6)
keyboard connector
PCI sound card
with IEEE 1394
mouse connector
VGA video connector
parallel connector
serial connector 2
serial connector 1
USB 2.0 connectors (2)
headphone connector
IEEE 1394 connector
card slots
DVI video connector
G0550bk1.book Page 1 Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:55 PM

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
Dell™ Dimension™ Help file. To access help files, see page 38.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2003 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, DellNet, and Dimension are trademarks of Dell
Computer Corporation; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation;
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Othertrademarksandtradenamesmaybeusedinthisdocumenttorefertoeithertheentitiesclaiming
themarksandnamesortheirproducts.DellComputerCorporationdisclaimsanyproprietaryinterest
in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model WHL
June 2003 P/N G0550 Rev. A01
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Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CAUTION: Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
When Using Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
When Working Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ergonomic Computing Habits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Battery Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1Using Your Computer
Opening the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connecting Two Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Configuring Graphics Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Settings and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Removing the Graphics Card Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
About Serial ATA Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
About Your RAID Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
RAID Level 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
RAID Level 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Transferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Copying CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Using Easy CD Creator Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs . . . . . . . . . 28
Helpful Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
How to Copy a CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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4Contents
Network Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2Optimizing Performance
Intel®Performance Acceleration Technology . . . . . . . . . . 32
DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Hyper-Threading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Overclocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3Solving Problems
Finding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Finding Help Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Battery Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Floppy drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CD drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Problems writing to a CD-RW drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
DVD drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Hard drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
General Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
The computer stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
A program stops responding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
A program crashes repeatedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
A program is designed for an earlier Windows
operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
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Contents 5
Other software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Other technical problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
General hardware problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
IEEE 1394 Device Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Keyboard Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Mouse Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Scanner Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Sound and Speaker Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
No sound from speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
No sound from headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Video and Monitor Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
If the screen is blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
If the screen is difficult to read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4Advanced Troubleshooting
Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Starting the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
What Is a Driver? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Reinstalling Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
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6Contents
Using Windows®XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Creating a Restore Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State . . . . . 70
Undoing the Last System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . 71
Reinstalling Microsoft®Windows®XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Before You Reinstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Reinstalling Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Reinstalling Drivers and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5Removing and Installing Parts
Front and Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Front View (Doors Open) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Precautionary Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Opening the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Inside View of Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
System Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
DDR Memory Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Memory Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Installing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
PCI Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Installing a PCI Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Removing a PCI Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
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Contents 7
AGP Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Removing an AGP Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Installing an AGP Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Microprocessor Airflow Shroud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Removing the Microprocessor Airflow Shroud . . . . . . . . . 105
Installing the Microprocessor Airflow Shroud . . . . . . . . . 106
Microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Installing the Microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Removing the Microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Removing the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Replacing the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Removing the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Replacing the Drive Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Closing the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
6Appendix
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Standard Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Viewing Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
System Setup Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Boot Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
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8Contents
Clearing Forgotten Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals . . . . . 129
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals . . . . . . 129
Contacting Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Limited Warranties and Return Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products
(U.S. Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
"Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (U.S. Only). . . . . . . . . . 136
Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products
(Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
"Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (Canada Only) . . . . . . . . 139
Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only). . . . . . . . . . 140
1-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee
(Latin America and the Caribbean Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Intel®Warranty Statement for Pentium®and Celeron®
Processors Only (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
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Finding Information for Your Computer 9
Finding Information for Your Computer
Dell provides the following support options to help you quickly find answers
to your questions and problems:
• Dell Solution Center — Double-click the Dell Solutions Center
icon on your Microsoft®Windows®desktop for documentation,
tools, troubleshooting information, and links to online support
resources.
• Dell Support on your Windows desktop (U.S. only) — From the
Dell Solution Center, click Dell Support for additional
documentation, tools, and troubleshooting information.
• Dell Support on the Internet — The Dell Support website
(support.dell.com) provides online tools, including a Knowledge
Base, Frequently Asked Questions, Hints and Tips, Software
Reinstall Guides, Dell Community Forums, and Dell Customer
Care.
• Dell Technical Support — E-mail or call technical support
personnel for Dell hardware or operating system issues that you
cannot resolve using the Dell Support options.
Use the following chart to determine where you can find information on a
particular topic.
What are you looking for? Find It Here
• How to access tutorials and other how
to information
• How to get a copy of my invoice
• How to extend my warranty
• How to access Dell Support on my
Windows desktop (U.S. only)
• Additional documentation, tools,
troubleshootinginformation,andlinks
to online support resources
Dell Solution Center
On your Windows desktop
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10 Finding Information for Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• 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:
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
• Community 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
• How to set up my computer Setup Diagram
• Additional information about setting
up my computer
• How to troubleshoot and solve
problems
• How to remove and install parts
• Technical specifications
• How to contact Dell
Owner’s Manual
What are you looking for? Find It Here
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Finding Information for Your Computer 11
• Tips on using Windows
•HowtoplayCDsandDVDs
• How to use standby mode and
hibernate mode
• How to change my display resolution
• How to clean my computer
Dell™ Dimension™ Help File
1Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2Click User and system guides and click User’s guides.
3Click Dell™ Dimension™ Help.
• How to use Windows
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a
modem)
Windows 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 on the screen.
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
ResourceCD Documentation and drivers are already
installed on your computer when shipped
from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall
drivers (see page 67), run the Dell
Diagnostics (see page 64), or access your
documentation.
ReadmefilesmaybeincludedonyourCD
to provide last-minute updates about
technical changes to your computer or
advanced technical-reference material for
experienced users or technicians.
• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System CD Windows XP is already installed on your
computer when shipped from Dell. You
can use the CD to reinstall the operating
system (see page 72). After you reinstall
your operating system using the
Operating System Reinstallation CD,
use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers
for the devices that came with your
computer.
The product key for your operating
system is located on your computer.
What are you looking for? Find It Here
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12 Finding Information for Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
•Microsoft
®Windows®License Label Service Tag and Microsoft Windows Label
These labels are located on your
computer.
•Use the Service Tag to identify your
computer when you access Dell
Support or when you contact Dell for
technical assistance.
•Enter the Express Service Code into
the automated call-routing system
when you contact Dell for technical
assistance. Express Service Code
service may not be available in some
countries.
•Use the number on the Windows
License Label if you reinstall
Windows on your computer.
What are you looking for? Find It Here
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CAUTION: Safety Instructions 13
CAUTION: Safety Instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety and to help protect
your computer and working environment from potential damage.
General
• Do not attempt to service the computer yourself unless you are a trained service
technician. Always follow installation instructions closely.
• To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly
grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped with 3-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 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.
• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not use your computer during an
electrical storm.
• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any
cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical
storm.
• If your computer includes a modem, the cable used with the modem should be
manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-
compliant RJ-11 modular plug.
• Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet.
Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol
cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
• To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the
computer before disconnecting a device from the computer.
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14 CAUTION: Safety Instructions
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network cable, first unplug
the cable from the network adapter on the back of your computer, and then from the
network jack. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable
into the network jack, and then into the network adapter.
• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in
electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply
(UPS).
• Ensure that nothing rests on your computer’s cables and that the cables are not located
where they can be stepped on or tripped over.
• 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.
CAUTION: Safety Instructions (continued)
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When Using Your Computer 15
When Using Your Computer
As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.
CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer
covers, bezels, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, and so on) removed.
• Your computer is equipped with one of the following:
– A fixed-voltage power supply — Computers with a fixed-voltage power supply do not
have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and operate at only one voltage (see
the regulatory label on the outside of the computer for its operating voltage).
– An auto-sensing voltage circuit — Computers with an auto-sensing voltage circuit do
not have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and automatically detect the
correct operating voltage.
– A manual voltage selection switch — Computers with a voltage selection switch on
the back panel must be manually set to operate at the correct operating voltage.
Set the switch to the position that most closely matches the voltage used in your
location.
NOTICE: To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage selection switch, set the
switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location. For Japan,
the voltage selection switch must be set to the 115-V position even though the AC power available in
Japan is 100 V. Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to
operate with the AC power available in your location.
• Before working inside the computer, unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock
or system board damage. Certain system board components continue to receive power
any time the computer is connected to AC power.
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16 When Using Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
When Working Inside Your Computer
Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in
your online Dell™ documentation or in instructions otherwise provided to you by
Dell. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.
NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the
computer before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the
computer.
1Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.
2Turn off your computer and any devices connected to the computer.
3Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis, such as the metal
around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer, before touching anything
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.
4Disconnect your computer and devices, including the monitor, from their electrical
outlets. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
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, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and
aligned.
When Using Your Computer (continued)
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When Using Your Computer 17
• Handle components and cards with care. Do not 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.
CAUTION: 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. Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact
your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.
Protecting 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 microprocessor. You can do so by touching an unpainted
metal surface on the computer chassis.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically 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):
• Do not remove components from their antistatic packing material until you are ready to
install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging,
discharge static electricity from your body.
• When transporting an electrostatic sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic
container or packaging.
• Handle all electrostatic sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use
antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.
Ergonomic Computing Habits
CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury.
CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in
eye strain.
For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines in the Dell™ Dimension™ Help
file when setting up and using your computer. To access the help file, see page 38.
When Using Your Computer (continued)
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18 When Using Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Battery Disposal
Your computer uses a lithium coin-cell battery. The lithium coin-cell battery is a long-life
battery, and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it. However, should you need
to replace it, see page 115.
Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal
agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.
When Using Your Computer (continued)
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1
SECTION 1
Using Your Computer
Opening the Drive Door
Connecting Two Monitors
Configuring Graphics Cards
About Serial ATA Drives
About Your RAID Configuration
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Copying CDs
Network Setup Wizard
Turning Off Your Computer
G0550bk1.book Page 19 Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:55 PM

20 Using Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Opening the Drive Door
Connecting Two Monitors
NOTE: If you are connecting two monitors that have VGA connectors, you must have the
optional VGA adapter. If you are connecting two flat-panel monitors, at least one of them must
have a VGA connector. If you are connecting a television, you may connect only one monitor
(VGA or DVI) in addition to the television.
If you purchased a video card that supports dual monitors, follow these instructions to
connect and enable your monitors. The instructions tell you how to connect either two
monitors (each with a VGA connector), one monitor with a VGA connector and one
monitor with a DVI connector, or a television.
1Save any open files, close any open programs, and then shut down your computer
through the Start menu (see page 30).
2Connect the monitor cables to the connectors on the back of the computer.
G0550bk1.book Page 20 Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:55 PM