209 | Dell 531 guide

problems (continued) conflicts, 87

Dell Diagnostics, 80 drives, 52

DVD drive, 53 e-mail, 54

error messages, 56 general, 58

hard drive, 54 Internet, 54 keyboard, 58

Media Card Reader, 62 memory, 63 modem, 54 monitor is blank, 72 monitor is hard to read, 72 mouse, 64

network, 65 power, 66

power light conditions, 66 printer, 67

program crashes, 59 program stops responding, 59 programs and Windows

compatibility, 60 restore to previous state, 88 scanner, 69

screen is blank, 72 screen is hard to read, 72 software, 59-61

sound and speakers, 70 technical support policy, 180 troubleshooting tips, 51 volume adjusting, 70

Product Information Guide, 11

Program Compatibility

Wizard, 60

R

RAID array, creating, 44

regulatory information, 11

Removing Memory, 111

Removing the FlexBay Break- Away Metal Plate, 131

Removing the FlexBay break-

away metal plate, 131

Replacing the Drive Panel Insert, 132

ResourceCD

Dell Diagnostics, 80

S

S.M.A.R.T, 79

safety instructions, 11

SATA. See serial ATA

scanner problems, 69

serial ATA, 122

Service Tag, 12, 15

settings

system setup, 172

Setup Diagram, 11

Index

209

Image 209

Dell 531 owner manual 209

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Changing the Display Settings One Monitor With a DVI ConnectorPower Management Options Power Options Properties Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CD and DVD drive problemsKeyboard Problems Media Card Reader Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Sound and Speaker ProblemsDell Diagnostics Main Menu Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Memory Installation Guidelines 108 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsInstalling a Second Hard Drive 125 102 Installing the Processor Fan Replacing the Power SupplyInstalling the System Board Removing the Processor Fan Technical Support and Customer Service 183 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 176Automated Order-Status Service 185 Contents 167 Glossary Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Warranty information Use the Service Tag to identify your Service CodeEnter the Express Service Code to direct Your call when contacting support Provides critical updates for your Reinstall the DSS utility. DSSYour computer and operating System and installs the updates What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Click Help and Support Help and Support Setting Up and Using Your Computer Service Tag Located on top of the chassis towards the rearFront View of the Computer CD or DVD drive Headphone connector Ieee 1394 connectorPower button Power light Back View of the Computer Light Back Panel ConnectorsConnector VGA video MicrophoneUSB Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Setting Up and Using Your Computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer Windows Vista Windows XPControl Panel Printers and Faxes Add a printer to start Playing CDs and DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsWindows Vista DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Using a Media Card Reader Optional Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors Connecting Two Monitors May not be present on your computer Connecting a TV Changing the Display Settings Power ManagementPower Management Options in Microsoft Windows XP Standby Mode Hibernate Mode Hibernate tab Power Options PropertiesPower Schemes Tab Hibernate Tab Power Management Options in Windows VistaAdvanced Tab Standby Mode Power Plan Properties Advanced Tab Power Management ModesClick Change Advanced Power Settings Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology About RAID Configurations For Windows Vista only RAID Level 1 Configuration Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Transferring Information to a New Computer Using Nvidia MediaShieldRebuilding a RAID Configuration Setting Up and Using Your Computer Tools Windows Easy Transfer All Programs Accessories SystemNext Network Setup Wizard Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkConnecting to a Network Adapter Click Checklist for creating a network Connecting to the Internet Click Connect to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Solving Problems Troubleshooting TipsBattery Problems Windows XP Click Start and click My Computer Windows Vista Drive Problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems N T H E M O D E M H E L P E R D I a G N O S T I C S Click Start Error MessagesOptions Modems To verify that the modem is communicating with Windows Solving Problems Computer does not start up Keyboard ProblemsLockups and Software Problems Program crashes repeatedly Computer stops respondingProgram stops responding Windows Follow the instructions on the screen Solid blue screen appearsWindows XP C K U P Y O U R F I L E S I M M E D I a T E L Y Other software problems Media Card Reader Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems E C K T H E P R I N T E R C a B L E C O N N E C T I O N S Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is difficult to read If the screen is blank J U S T T H E W I N D O W S D I S P L a Y S E T T I N G S Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights Beep Codes Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Short beeps If the problem persists, contact Dell System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu OptionFunction TabFunction What is a Driver?Drivers Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows Device Driver Rollback Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities media Manually Reinstalling Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Center Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Point to All Programs Maintenance and then click Back Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Click Finish to reboot the system Removing Dell PC Restore Before You Begin Using the Operating System CDReinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista Troubleshooting Tools Troubleshooting Tools Recommended Tools Removing and Installing PartsBefore You Begin Before Working Inside Your Computer Turning Off Your Computer Removing the Computer Cover Computer cover Front of computer Thumbscrew 101 Inside View of Your Computer 311 System Board Components102 Cpufan 103 104 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsDC Power Connector P1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 105 Pin Number Signal name Wire Color Wire Size 106 DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name AWG Wire 107 DC Power Connector P7 Pin Number Signal NameMemory 108 Memory Installation Guidelines 109 Installing Memory Cutouts Memory module Notch Crossbar 111 CardsRemoving Memory 112 PCI and PCI Express Cards 113 114 115 Removing and Installing Parts 117 If you removed an add-in network connector 118 BezelRemoving the Bezel 119 Replacing the BezelAlign and insert the bezel clamps in the bezel clamp slots 120 Drives Drive Interface Connectors Connecting Drive CablesSerial ATA Connector Recommended Drive Cable Connections Hard Drives Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 123 Removing and Installing Parts 125 Installing a Second Hard Drive Removing and Installing Parts 127 Floppy Drive Not present on all computers 129 Screw slots 131 132 Replacing the Drive Panel Insert 133 Media Card Reader Removing and Installing Parts 135 136 CD or DVD Drive 137 Removing and Installing Parts 139 Removing and Installing Parts 141 142 BatteryReplacing the Battery 143 Power SupplyReplacing the Power Supply Power supply Screws 145 ProcessorRemoving the Processor Removing and Installing Parts 147 148 Installing the Processor 149 Removing and Installing Parts 151 PanelRemoving the I/O Panel Installing the I/O Panel 153 Removing the Processor Fan Processor Fan 155 Fan Fan cover guide Fan cover grips 157 Installing the Processor Fan Fan Fan cover Heat sink 159 Chassis Fan Removing the Chassis Fan 161 Replacing the Chassis Fan Removing the System Board System Board 163 System Board Screws Replacing the Computer Cover Installing the System Board 165 Move the computer to the upright position 166 167 Specifications Expansion Bus 168Audio Drives 169 Power supply wattage rating Power170 Controls and Lights Environmental 171Physical Entering System Setup System SetupOverview 172 System Setup Screen System Setup OptionsDisplays Bios Info and the Service Tag 173 174 175 Boot Sequence Clearing Forgotten Passwords 177 Clearing Cmos Settings File Download window appears Flashing the BiosClick Download Now to download the file Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Cleaning Your ComputerMouse 179 180 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyCDs and DVDs FCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Class B Dcma 182 Getting Help Technical Support and Customer ServiceObtaining Assistance 183 DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Problems With Your OrderAutomated Order-Status Service Product Information 186 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or CreditBefore You Call 187 Diagnostics Checklist Contacting Dell Glossary 189 190 Product ID 191 Device driver See driver 192 193 194 195 196 Module bay See media bay 197 NIC See network adapter 198 199 200 201 202 203 Video resolution See resolution 204 Index 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212