Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID | Dell 531 specification

Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Your computer can be configured for RAID, even if you did not select a RAID configuration when the computer was purchased. For an explanation of RAID levels and their requirements, see "About RAID Configurations (For Windows Vista only)" on page 40. For information on how to install a hard drive, see "Hard Drives" on page 122.

To configure RAID hard drive volumes use the Nvidia MediaShield ROM utility before you install the operating system onto the hard drive.

Ensure that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before you begin.

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

1Enter the system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 172).

2Press the left- and right-arrow keys to Advanced tab.

3Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the Integrated Peripherals, then press <Enter>.

4Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the Serial-ATA Configuration, then press <Enter>.

5Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight RAID Enabled, and then press <Enter>.

6Press the up- and down-arrow keys to select Enabled, and then press <Enter>.

NOTE: For more information about RAID options, see "System Setup Options" on page 173.

7Enable the corresponding “SATA in Primary or second RAID” where your hard drives are connected

8Press the up- and down-arrow keys to select Enabled, and then press <Enter>. Press F10 key and then press <Enter> to exit system setup and resume the boot process.

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Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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Dell 531 owner manual Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID, Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

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 Power Management Options One Monitor With a DVI ConnectorChanging the Display Settings Power Options Properties Keyboard Problems CD and DVD drive problemsMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Media Card Reader Problems Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Installing a Second Hard Drive 125 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsMemory Installation Guidelines 108 102 Installing the System Board Replacing the Power SupplyInstalling the Processor Fan Removing the Processor Fan Automated Order-Status Service 185 Contents Clearing Forgotten Passwords 176Technical Support and Customer Service 183 167 Glossary What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Warranty information Finding Information Enter the Express Service Code to direct Service CodeUse the Service Tag to identify your Your call when contacting support Your computer and operating System and installs the updates Reinstall the DSS utility. DSSProvides critical updates for your What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Help and Support Click Help and Support Front View of the Computer Service Tag Located on top of the chassis towards the rearSetting Up and Using Your Computer CD or DVD drive Power button Ieee 1394 connectorHeadphone connector Power light Back View of the Computer Back Panel Connectors ConnectorLight Microphone USBVGA video Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a USB PrinterPrinter Cable Windows XP Control Panel Printers and Faxes Add a printer to startWindows Vista Playing CDs and DVDs Adjusting the Volume DVD player includes the following basic buttons Adjusting the Picture How to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CDs and DVDs Windows VistaMedia Type Read Write Rewritable Helpful Tips DVD-Writable Drives Using a Media Card Reader Optional Connecting Two Monitors Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors Connecting a TV May not be present on your computer Power Management Options in Microsoft Windows XP Power ManagementChanging the Display Settings Standby Mode Hibernate Mode Power Options Properties Power Schemes TabHibernate tab Power Management Options in Windows Vista Advanced TabHibernate Tab Standby Mode Power Plan Properties Power Management Modes Click Change Advanced Power SettingsAdvanced Tab About RAID Configurations For Windows Vista only Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology RAID Level 1 Configuration Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Using Nvidia MediaShield Rebuilding a RAID ConfigurationTransferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer All Programs Accessories System NextTools Windows Easy Transfer Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork Setup Wizard Connecting to the Internet Click Checklist for creating a network Setting Up Your Internet Connection Click Connect to the Internet If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Troubleshooting Tips Battery ProblemsSolving Problems Drive Problems Windows XP Click Start and click My Computer Windows Vista CD and DVD drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Hard drive 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 Options Modems Error MessagesClick Start To verify that the modem is communicating with Windows Solving Problems Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer does not start up Computer stops responding Program stops respondingProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appears Windows XPWindows Follow the instructions on the screen Other software problems C K U P Y O U R F I L E S I M M E D I a T E L Y 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 Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers Video and Monitor Problems No sound from headphones If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read 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 Power Lights Troubleshooting Tools Beep Codes If the problem persists, contact Dell Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Short beeps System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function OptionFunction What is a Driver? DriversTabFunction Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Using Windows Device Driver RollbackIdentifying Drivers Using the Drivers and Utilities media Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver Manually Reinstalling Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Restoring Your Operating System Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Center 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 Using the Operating System CD Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows VistaBefore You Begin Troubleshooting Tools Troubleshooting Tools Removing and Installing Parts Before You BeginRecommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Removing the Computer Cover Computer cover Front of computer Thumbscrew Inside View of Your Computer 101 System Board Components 102311 103 Cpufan Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments DC Power Connector P1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23104 Pin Number Signal name Wire Color Wire Size 105 DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name AWG Wire 106 DC Power Connector P7 Pin Number Signal Name Memory107 Memory Installation Guidelines 108 Installing Memory 109 Cutouts Memory module Notch Crossbar Cards Removing Memory111 PCI and PCI Express Cards 112 113 114 115 Removing and Installing Parts If you removed an add-in network connector 117 Bezel Removing the Bezel118 Replacing the Bezel Align and insert the bezel clamps in the bezel clamp slots119 Drives 120 Serial ATA Connector Connecting Drive CablesDrive Interface Connectors Recommended Drive Cable Connections Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables Hard Drives 123 Removing and Installing Parts Installing a Second Hard Drive 125 Removing and Installing Parts Floppy Drive 127 Not present on all computers 129 Screw slots 131 Replacing the Drive Panel Insert 132 Media Card Reader 133 Removing and Installing Parts 135 CD or DVD Drive 136 137 Removing and Installing Parts 139 Removing and Installing Parts 141 Battery Replacing the Battery142 Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply143 Power supply Screws Processor Removing the Processor145 Removing and Installing Parts 147 Installing the Processor 148 149 Removing and Installing Parts Panel Removing the I/O Panel151 Installing the I/O Panel 153 Processor Fan Removing the Processor Fan 155 Fan Fan cover guide Fan cover grips Installing the Processor Fan 157 Fan Fan cover Heat sink Chassis Fan 159 Removing the Chassis Fan Replacing the Chassis Fan 161 System Board Removing the System Board System Board Screws 163 Installing the System Board Replacing the Computer Cover Move the computer to the upright position 165 166 Specifications 167 168 AudioExpansion Bus 169 Drives 170 PowerPower supply wattage rating Controls and Lights 171 PhysicalEnvironmental Overview System SetupEntering System Setup 172 Displays Bios Info and the Service Tag System Setup OptionsSystem Setup Screen 173 174 Boot Sequence 175 Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing Cmos Settings 177 Flashing the Bios Click Download Now to download the fileFile Download window appears Mouse Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Monitor 179 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only CDs and DVDs180 Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only FCC Class B 182 Dcma Obtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer ServiceGetting Help 183 DellConnect Online Services Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call186 Diagnostics Checklist 187 Contacting Dell 189 Glossary 190 191 Product ID 192 Device driver See driver 193 194 195 196 197 Module bay See media bay 198 NIC See network adapter 199 200 201 202 Video resolution See resolution 203 204 205 Index 206 207 208 209 210 211 212