Dell 900 Checking the Basics

3-2 Dell Dimension 900 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

If you were trying to install new hardware, double-check configuration settings and

available system reso urces (see “Resolving Software and Hardware Incompa tibili-

ties” in Chapter 4). Also make sure you changed the appropriate settings in the

system setup program for the system’s new hardware configuration (see Appendix B,

“System Setup Program”).

If you need additional technical assistance on the installation of hardware or software,

contact the product manufacturer or the company from whom you purchased the

product.

DellWare™ Support

DellWare products are supported by the item’s manufacturer. To receive product sup-

port information, call 1-800-753-7201.

Checking the Basics

Use the following sections to perform an initial check of your computer system or to

isolate a problem.

External Connections

Improperly set switches and controls, loose cables, and improperly connected cables

are the most likely sources of problems for your computer system. A quick check of

all the switches, controls, and cable connections can easily solve these problems.

Usually reseating (disconnecting and then reconnecting) the cables corrects these

problems.

NOTE: See the “System Features” section of the Dell Dimension 900 System Help

for the location of your computer’s external connectors and controls.

To check computer connections, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the computer, the monitor, and all attached devices.

2. Reseat all power cables connected to the computer, the monitor, and devices and

to electrical outlets.

3. Reseat the keyboard (purple) and mouse (green) interface cable connectors in the

proper connectors on the back of the computer.

4. Reseat any devices attached to the serial port, parallel port, and Universal Serial

Bus (USB) port connectors.

Each of the serial, parallel, and USB interface cable connectors must be firmly

attached to an appropriate connector on the back of the computer as well as to

the interface connector on the device. The captive screws on the serial and

parallel interface cable connectors must be secure enough to ensure a firm

connection.

Contents

Main ____________________ Safety Instructions When Using Your Computer System Ergonomic Computing Habits When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Preface About This Guide Warranty and Return Policy Information Other Documents You May Need Notational Conventions Notes, Notices, and Cautions Page Page Contents Chapter 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Chapter 2 Installing Upgrades on the System Boar d . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Chapter 3 Basic Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 1 Chapter 4 Software Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 Chapter 5 Checking Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Chapter 6 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Appendix C Beep Codes and System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C -1 Appendix D Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1 Index Figures Tables Page CHAPTER 1 Introduction Hardware Features Software Features Available Upgrades Padlock Ring Page CHAPTER 2 Installing Upgrades on the System Board Safety FirstFor You and Your Computer Installation Guideline s Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover Figure 2-1. Removing the Computer Cover Figure 2-2. Removing the Bezel Inside Your Computer Figure 2-3. Inside the Computer System Board Figure 2-4 shows the system board connectors and sockets, and Table 2-1 describes their functions. Figure 2-4. System Boa rd Features Table 2-1. System Board Connectors and Sockets Jumpers Passwo rd Jump er Table 2-2. Password Jumper Settings Processor Mode Jumper NVRAM Jumper Table 2-3. Processor Mode Jumper Settings Table 2-4. NVRAM Jumper Settings Boot-Block Select Jumper Removing and Replacing the Riser-Board Bracket Table 2-5. Boot-Block Jumper Settings Figure 2-5. Removing the Riser-Board Bracket PCI Expansion Card Upgrades Figure 2-6. PCI Expansion Card Figure 2-7. Riser Board PCI Expansion-Card Connectors Installing Expansion Cards Page Figure 2-10. Installing an Expansion Card Removing Expansion Cards Adding Memory Installing a DIMM Figure 2-11. Installing a DIMM Removing a DI MM Figure 2-12. Removing a DIMM Replacing the System Battery Figure 2-13. Drive Shelf Figure 2-14. System Battery and Battery Socket Page CHAPTER 3 Basic Troubleshooting Backing Up Data Files Installing Additional Hardwar e and Software DellWare Support Checking the Basics External Connections Page Page Page Page Page Diskette Drives Optical Drives Running the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics Page Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Figure 3-2. Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Using the Dell Diagnostics Menu Keys Device Group Device Test Versi ons Software Solutions Using the Power Management Features in Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 Reinstalling Drivers Your Systems Drivers Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD to Reinstall Drivers Temporarily Disabling the Virus-Scanning Program Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Windows 98 and Windows Me Windows 2000 Windows NT Reinstalling Windows 98 Page Reinstalling Windows Me Reinstalling Windows 2000 Page CHAPTER 5 Checking Inside Your Computer Expansion Cards Page Modem Network Cards System Memory Reseating DI MMs If Your Computer Gets Wet If Your Computer Is Damaged Page CHAPTER 6 Getting Help Technical Assistance Help Tools World Wide Web Automated Order-Status System Technical Support Service Problems With Your Order Product Informatio n Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Figure 6-1. Diagnostics Checklist Dell Contact Numbers Table 6-1. Dell Contact Numbers APPENDIX A System Specifications Table A-1. Technical Specifications Page Page Page Page Page APPENDIX B System Setup Program Entering the System Setup Program Using the System Setup Program Page System Setup Screens and Options Main Screen Figure B-1. Main Screen Menu Table B-2. Main Screen Menu Options Page Page Disk Drives Screen Figure B-4. Disk Drives Screen Menu Table B-5. Disk Drives Screen Menu Options IDE Primary Channel Master Submenu Onboard Peripherals Screen Figure B-6. Onboard Peripherals Screen Menu Table B-7. Onboard Peripherals Screen Menu Options Table B-7. Onboard Peripherals Screen Menu Options (continued) Boot Options Screen Figure B-7. Boot Options Screen Menu Table B-8. Boot Options Screen Menu Options Table B-8. Boot Options Screen Menu Options (continued) Page System Security Screen Figure B-9. System Security Screen Menu Table B-10. System Security Screen Menu Options Advanced Options Screen Memory/Cache Options Submenu Figure B-11. Memory/Cache Options Submenu Table B-12. Memory/Cache Options Submenu Options PnP/PCI Options Submenu Figure B-12. PnP/PCI Options Submenu Table B-13. PnP/PCI Options Screen Submenu Options Disabling a Forgotten Password Table B-13. PnP/PCI Options Screen Submenu Options (continued) Clearing NVRAM Page APPENDIX C Beep Codes and System Messages POST Beep Codes Table C-1. POST Beep Codes System Messages Table C-2. System Messages Table C-1. POST Beep Codes (continued) Page Page Page Page APPENDIX D Regula tory No tices VCCI Notice (Japan Only) Class A ITE VCCI-A Figure D-1. VCCI Class A ITE Regu latory Mark Class B ITE Figure D-2. VCCI Class B ITE Regulatory Mark Battery Disposal Page Index A B C D E F G H J K M N O R S T U V W