W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
Dell XPS
November HC098
Contents
Optimizing Performance
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
105
Network Adapter and Sound Card Settings
101
103
112
108
109
110
142
Finding Information
Dell Product Information Guide Setup Diagram
Microsoft Windows License Label
Use the Service Tag to
When you use
Service Code to direct
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Order status, warranty, and repair information
Updates
How to use Windows XP
Ordered
Varies based on
Operating system you
Finding Information
Opening the Drive Door Changing the Front-Panel Light Color
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Badge
Front-panel
SecureDigital card SD MultiMediaCard MMC
Using a Media Card Reader Optional
XD-Picture card
MS/MS Pro
Primary video card
Connecting Monitors
Connecting Two Monitors
Adapter
Connecting Two Monitors Without an Adapter
Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on
DVI white connector TV-OUT connector
Connecting Two Monitors With the Use of an Adapter
Connecting a TV
Changing the Display Settings to Support Two Monitors
About Serial ATA Drives
About Your RAID Configuration
RAID Level 0 Configuration
Hard drive
RAID Level 1 Configuration
Segment
Creating an Array using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility
Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID
Press Tab to navigate to the Free Disks field
Using Nvidia MediaShield
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Mails Toolbar settings Window sizes Internet bookmarks
Click Finished and restart the new computer
Playing CDs and DVDs
Playing a CD or DVD
CD player includes the following basic buttons
Adjusting the Volume
Copying CDs and DVDs
Adjusting the Picture
How to Copy a CD or DVD
Media Type Read Write Rewritable
Using Blank CDs and DVDs
Helpful Tips
Network Setup Wizard
Overview
Power Management
Standby Mode
Hibernate Mode
Power Options Properties
Hibernate Tab
Place the power options icon
Advanced Tab
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Optimizing Performance
Hyper-Threading
PCI Express Cards
Nvidia SLI Dual Graphics Technology
Solving Problems
Troubleshooting Tips
Battery Problems
Drive Problems
E C K T H E C a B L E C O N N E C T I O N S
CD and DVD drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Hard drive problems
Error Messages
Use these characters in filenames
Ieee 1394 Device Problems
Lockups and Software Problems
Keyboard Problems
Program crashes repeatedly
Computer does not start up
Computer stops responding
Program stops responding
Solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
Mouse Problems
Memory Problems
Computer Start the computer
Network Problems
Simultaneously press CtrlEsc to display the Start menu
Power Problems
Printer Problems
No sound from speakers
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
N T H E S P E a K E R D I a G N O S T I C S
No sound from headphones
If the screen is difficult to read
Video and Monitor Problems
If the screen is blank
Graphics card is correctly attached to the card
If 3-D image quality is poor
Advanced Troubleshooting
Diagnostic Lights
Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
If the problem persists, contact Dell see
Module/memory connector placement
Module see Installing Memory on
Modules without error
Installing Memory on
Last card removed from the computer for
Computer see Removing PCI and PCI
Express Cards on
Repeat this process for each card. If
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Dell Diagnostics
Tab Function
Option Function
Identifying Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
Windows XP Click the Start button and click Control Panel
Reinstalling Drivers
Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback
Using the ResourceCD
At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Click the Start button and click Help and Support
Creating a Restore Point
Undoing the Last System Restore
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
Before You Begin
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP
Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Dell Operating System CD Dell ResourceCD
Reinstalling Windows XP
When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears, click Next
Advanced Troubleshooting
Advanced Troubleshooting
Turning Off Your Computer
Removing and Installing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Front View
Front and Back View of the Computer
Front View Doors Open
PCI Express cards two x16 slots and one x1 slot
Back View
Cover latch release
Removing and Installing Parts
Channel
Occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras
Opening the Computer Cover
Floppy drive CD/DVD drive
Processor fan Power supply fans
System board Power supply Removing and Installing Parts
Inside View of Your Computer
System Board Components
Memory
Installing Memory
Addressing Memory Configurations
Notch Memory module Cutouts Crossbar
Securing clips Connector
Removing Memory
Cards
Card slot
One PCI Express x1 card slot
PCI card PCI Express
Card PCI Express
Graphics card bridge Power connectors
Securing tab PCI Express x16 card slot
Removing and Installing Parts
Securing tab PCI Express x16 card slot
Fully seated card Slot Alignment guide
Not fully seated card
Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards
PCI Express x16 card
Retention arm Alignment bar Alignment guide Filler bracket
Installing PCI and PCI Express Cards
W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
Not fully seated card
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card
Network Adapter and Sound Card Settings
Hard drives
General Installation Guidelines
Drives
Floppy drive CD/DVD drive Media card reader optional
Power cable Removing and Installing Parts
Connecting Drive Cables
Drive Interface Connectors
Power Cable Connector
Removing a Hard Drive
Hard Drive
Installing a Hard Drive
Drive Bracket rails Screws
Hard-drive cable Tabs Power cable
System board connector Removing and Installing Parts
Removing and Installing Parts
101
Floppy Drive
Removing a Floppy Drive
Data cable power cable Tabs Floppy drive
103
Installing a Floppy Drive
Tabs Floppy drive
104
105
Media Card Reader
Removing a Media Card Reader
Installing a Media Card Reader
Adapter rails Screws
107
108
CD/DVD Drive
109
Power cable Tabs Data cable CD/DVD drive
Removing a CD/DVD Drive
Installing a CD/DVD Drive
111
Anchor tabs Shroud release levers
Processor Airflow Shroud
Removing the Processor Airflow Shroud
112
113
Installing the Processor Airflow Shroud
Processor
Removing the Processor
114
115
Remove the heat sink
Heat sink Retention tab Retention base
Push down and out on the socket release lever
116
Processor cover Socket Release lever
Installing the Processor
Open the processor cover
117
Align the pin-1 corner of the processor and socket
Processor cover Socket Release lever Socket pin-1 indicator
119
120
Front Panel
Removing the Front Panel
Replacing the Front Panel
121
Drive Door
Removing the Drive Door
Open the drive door
Top bracket hinge Bottom bracket hinge
Replacing the Drive Door
Lift the bottom bracket hinge away from the computer
122
Door Lower part
123
Hinge tab Door hinges Door bracket
Replacing the Battery
Battery
125
Closing the Computer Cover
Removing and Installing Parts
127
Specifications
128
Controls and Lights
129
At 50/60 Hz 180 to 265 V at 50/60 Hz 100 V at 50/60 Hz for
Power
130
Located in the Product Information
131
System Setup
Entering System Setup
132
System Setup Options
Or single, and type of memory installed
Displays current date and time settings
133
134
135
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
Boot Sequence
Option Settings
137
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Clearing Cmos Settings
Floppy Drive
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor
Mouse
140
Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
CDs and DVDs
141
FCC Notices U.S. Only
Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals
Class a
FCC Identification Information
Contacting Dell
Class B
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
Fax/Sales Fax
150
Ireland Sales
Sales dial within U.K. only
151
152
153
154
Countries Sales Penang, Malaysia Appendix
Switchboard Sales
155
156
Trinidad/Tobago General Support Turks and Caicos Islands
PowerConnect, and PowerVault Transaction Sales
157
158
159
Appendix
Index
161
162
163
164
SLI
165
166