Dell 8300 manual

Contents

Main Dell Dimension 8300 Series Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1Setting Up and Using Your Computer 2Solving Problems 3Advanced Troubleshooting 4Adding Parts 5Appendix Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Page SafetyInstructions 9 CAUTION: Safety Instructions SAFETY: General 10 SAFETY: When Using Your Computer 4 3 2 1 SAFETY: Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits SAFETY: Battery Disposal Page Finding Information for Your Computer Page Page Page Page Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting a USB Printer Transferring Information to a New Computer Page Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Page Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs Helpful Tips Hyper-Threading Turning Off Your Computer Page Solving Problems Finding Solutions Solving Problems 31 Finding Help Information Battery Problems Drive Problems Floppy drive problems CD drive problems Problems writing to a CD-RW drive DVD drive problems Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Page Error Messages General Problems The computer stops responding A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system Other software problems A solid blue screen appears Other technical problems General hardware problems IEEE 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems Mouse Problems Page Network Problems Power Problems Page Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Page Page Page Diagnostic Lights Page Page Page Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Page Page Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Using Windows System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Before You Begin Reinstalling Windows XP Page Page Adding Parts Front and Back View of the Computer Front View Page Back View Page Page Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms Reattaching the Hinge Arms Page Reattaching the Front Door Opening the Computer Cover Page Looking Inside Your Computer System Board Installing and Removing Cards Installing a Card Page Page Page Removing a Card Adding Memory DDR Memory Overview Memory Installation Guidelines Addressing Memory with 4-GB Configurations Installing Memory Page Page Adding or Replacing the AGP Card Removing an AGP Card Installing an AGP Card Adding a Second Hard Drive Page Page Adding a Floppy Drive Removing the Front-Panel Insert Page Installing a Floppy Drive Closing the Computer Cover Appendix Specifications Page Page Page Page Viewing Settings System Setup Screens Boot Sequence Page Clearing Forgotten Passwords Replacing the Battery Page Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals Contacting Dell Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Regulatory Notices NOM Information (Mexico Only) Limited Warranties Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (U.S. Only) What is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty? How long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service? Appendix 135 What will Dell do? NOTE: What if I purchased a service contract? How will you fix my product? May I transfer the limited warranty? Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (Canada Only) What is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty? How long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service? 138 Appendix What will Dell do? NOTE: What if I purchased a service contract? How will you fix my product? May I transfer the limited warranty? Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only) Third-Party Software and Peripherals Products Dell-Branded Peripheral Products 1-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the Caribbean Only) Guarantee Exclusions Making a Claim Limitation and Statutory Rights Intel Warranty Statement for Pentium and Celeron Processors Only (U.S. and Canada Only) www.dell.com | support.dell.com Index A B C D E F H I K R S T V W