Dell 900 - page 46

3-4 Dell Dimension 900 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide

Environmental Factors

A number of external factors, including temperature extremes and humidity, magnetic

influences, sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI), and poor input power or

signal quality, can interfere with the performance of your computer and attached

devices. Monitors are especially susceptible to these environmental factors. The

following items can adversely affect the performance of a computer system:

•Inadequate ventilation from operating the computer in a confined space, such as

a desk enclosure

•Direct sunlight causing the computer to overheat

•Line noise or power drops and surges from electrical outlets due to poor wiring

•Line noises or surges through telephone lines

•High-voltage electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating in close prox-

imity to the computer

•Speakers, especially the subwoofer, or telephone too close to the monitor, gener-

ating magnetic fields that distort the display image

•Fluorescent lights or halogen lamps causing display flickering or distortion

•Electrical extension cords and keyboard and mouse extension cables

•Too many devices on a power strip or multiple power strips from one electrical

outlet

•Electrical conduits in an adjoining wall or elevators on the other side of the wall

•Large metal beams inside the wall behind the system

•Dust accumulation near the fan or power supply

If removing potential sources of problems does not help, try moving the computer

and the monitor.

Monitor

This section lists some basic checks you can do for most monitors. Check the

documentation that came with the monitor for fault indications and troubleshooting

procedures specific to your monitor. If you purchased the monitor from Dell, you

canalso find troubleshooting information on Dell’s World Wide Web site

(http://support.dell.com).

If you have no picture, try the following checks:

•Make sure the computer is turned on.

•Make sure the monitor ’s power button is completely depressed.

•If the monitor’s power indicator is lit, adjust contrast and brightness to their max-

imum settings.

•Verify the electrical outlet by plugging in an appliance that you know works.

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