Dell 900 Other Documents You May Need, Notational Conventions

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Other Documents You May Need

NOTE: Information updates are sometimes included with your system to describe

changes to your system or software. Always read these updates before consulting

any other documentation because the updates often contain the latest information.

Besides this Reference and Troubleshooting Guide, the following documentation is

included with your system:

•The Getting Started sheet provides step-by-step instructions for setting up your

computer system.

•The Dell Dimension Systems Setup Guide describes how to properly set up your

operating system and connect a printer.

•The Dell Dimension 900 System Help describes the features and operation of

your computer. It includes tips on using your computer hardware and answers to

commonly asked questions. To open the Help, click the Start button, point to

Programs—> Dell Documents, and then click Dell Dimension Help. You may

also double-click the Dell Documents icon on the Windows desktop, click Sys-

tem Information, click System Documentation, and then click Dell Dimension

Help.

•Online documentation is included for your computer devices (such as a video or

modem card) and for any options you purchase separately from your computer.

To access this supplemental documentation, double-click the Dell Documents

icon on the Windows desktop, click System Information, and then click System

Documentation.

•Operating system documentation.

•Technical information files—sometimes called “readme” files—may be installed

on your hard-disk drive to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to

your system or reference material intended for experienced users.

Notational Conventions

The following subsections describe notational conventions used in this document.

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in

bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, notices, and cautions, and they are

used as follows:

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of

your computer system.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss

of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential ly hazardous situation which, if

not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

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