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