keyboard connector
Dell Dimension XPS
USB 2.0 connectors
parallel connector
December
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Model WHL
1 Using Your Computer
Contents
3 Solving Problems
2 Optimizing Performance
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows
4 Advanced Troubleshooting
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
5 Removing and Installing Parts
Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud
Contents
Intel Warranty Statement for Pentium and Celeron Processors
6 Appendix
Contents
SAFETY General
CAUTION Safety Instructions
SAFETY When Working Inside Your Computer
SAFETY When Using Your Computer
SAFETY Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
SAFETY Ergonomic Computing Habits
SAFETY Battery Disposal
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12 CAUTION Safety Instructions
Finding Information for Your Computer
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow
Documentation and drivers are already
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16 Finding Information for Your Computer
Opening the Drive Door Connecting Two Monitors
Using Your Computer
VGA blue connector
If both monitors have VGA connectors
Settings and Functions
Configuring Graphics Cards
About Your RAID Configuration
About Serial ATA Drives
Removing the Graphics Card Driver
RAID Level
RAID Level
serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level
Using Your Computer
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Copying CDs and DVDs
How to Copy a CD or DVD
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs
Helpful Tips
Turning Off Your Computer
Network Setup Wizard
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26 Using Your Computer
Hyper-Threading
Optimizing Performance
Intel Performance Acceleration Technology
DDR Memory and Processor Front-Side Bus
Overclocking
Get technical assistance from Dell. See page See page
Solving Problems
Finding Solutions
See page
See page See page See page See page See page See page See page
Finding Help Information
TO ACCESS THE DELL DIMENSION HELP FILE
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Battery Problems
Drive Problems
Floppy drive problems
CD drive problems
1 Click the Start button and click My Computer
Problems writing to a CD-RW drive
DVD drive problems
Hard drive problems
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly
4 Click the Modems tab 5 Click the COM port for your modem
Error Messages
General Problems
The computer stops responding
A program stops responding
2 In the welcome screen, click Next
Other software problems
A program crashes repeatedly
A solid blue screen appears
A sound card emits noise or demonstrates other problems
Other technical problems
General hardware problems
Your computer locks up, particularly while using a specific device
Keyboard Problems
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
Mouse Problems
activity light
Network Problems
Power Problems
VERIFY THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
No sound from speakers
Sound and Speaker Problems
Video and Monitor Problems
No sound from headphones
If the screen is blank
If the screen is difficult to read
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48 Solving Problems
Diagnostic Lights
Advanced Troubleshooting
= yellow = green = off
Suggested Resolution
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Starting the Dell Diagnostics
1 Shut down see page 25 and restart the computer
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers
Creating a Restore Point
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
Undoing the Last System Restore
2 Click Performance and Maintenance and click System
Enabling System Restore
2 Click Performance and Maintenance
4 Click the System Restore tab
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP
Reinstalling Windows XP
Before You Begin
13 When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next
17 Click Next
Removing and Installing Parts
Front and Back View of the Computer
Front View
Front View Doors Open
Back View
NOTE For optimum performance, install a PCI sound card only in PCI slot 3 or
Removing and Installing Parts
Precautionary Measures
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
Opening the Computer Cover
Removing and Installing Parts
cover latch release
security cable slot padlock ring
floppy drive CD/DVD drive hard drive
Inside View of Your Computer
card fan processor fans system board power supply power supply fans
Removing and Installing Parts
Memory
System Board Components
DDR Memory Overview
Memory Installation Guidelines
Installing Memory
8 Close the computer cover see page
PCI Cards
Installing a PCI Card
7 Prepare the card for installation
Removing a PCI Card
Removing an AGP Card
AGP Cards
Installing an AGP Card
Drives
Overview
Removing a Hard Drive
Hard Drive
3 Disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive
serial ATA hard drive serial ATA hard- drive cable
system board connector
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IDE hard drive
Removing a Floppy Drive
Floppy Drive
Installing a Floppy Drive
5 Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive
Removing a CD/DVD Drive
CD/DVD Drive
Installing a CD/DVD Drive
7 Connect the power and CD/DVD drive cables to the drive
Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud
Processor Airflow Shroud
airflow shroud
Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud
Processor
Installing the Processor
8 Install the heat sink
retention module clip
Removing the Processor
Removing the Front Panel
Front Panel
To replace the front panel, perform the removal procedure in reverse
Replacing the Front Panel
Drive Door
Removing the Drive Door
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Replacing the Drive Door
lower part of
Battery
Closing the Computer Cover
4 If you are using a padlock to secure your computer, install the padlock
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104 Removing and Installing Parts
Appendix
Specifications
Expansion Bus
Connectors
Video
Audio
Network adapter PS/2 keyboard and mouse USB Audio
NOTE At 35C 95F, the maximum
Power
Physical
Environmental
Boot Sequence
Standard Settings
Viewing Settings
System Setup Screens
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals
Contacting Dell
Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
800 300 410 or 800 300 411 or
Country City
Country City
toll-free
or toll-free
Regulatory Notices
Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products U.S. Only
What is covered by this limited warranty?
What is not covered by this limited warranty?
How long does this limited warranty last?
What will Dell do?
What do I do if I need warranty service?
How will you fix my product?
What if I purchased a service contract?
May I transfer the limited warranty?
Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only
Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products Canada Only
What is covered by this limited warranty?
What is not covered by this limited warranty?
How long does this limited warranty last?
What do I do if I need warranty service?
What will Dell do?
What if I purchased a service contract?
May I transfer the limited warranty?
How will you fix my product?
Dell-Branded Peripheral Products
Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only
Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only
Third-Party Software and Peripherals Products
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty
Limited Warranty
Extent of Limited Warranty
Intel’s Commitment to Quality
What are Errata?
1997, 1998 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved
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138 Appendix
Index
Page