Dell Dimension 8100 User Manual

Dell™ Dimension™ 8100 SystemSOLUTIONS GUIDEwww.dell.comsupperl.dell.comD^LOCOM"

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1SECTION 1¡Setting UpConnecting a Printer Turning Off the Computer

Connecting a PrinterSee the doeumentation that eame with the printer for any reeommended preparation proeedures, sueh as:• Removing the paekaging• I

screws (2)parallel connector on computerparallel connector on printerclips (2)3 Turn on the printer and then turn on the eomputer. If the Add New H

USB connector on printerHINT: Dell installs drivers for some new printers. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers. If you

Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me)1 Save and exit any programs and files you have open.2 Cliek the Start button, and

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2SECTION 2SolYing ProblemsFinding Solutions Power Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Monitor Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Probl

Finding SolutionsSometimes it’s diffieult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this ehart to help you quiekly find the answers to y

Solving Problems I 19

Hints, Notices, and Cautions^ HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.O NOTICE: A NOTICE indicate

HINT: Seethe Tell Me //oM/help file for information on the standby mode.Power ProblemsCheck the power light— When the power light is lit or blinking,

Start-Up Error MessagesOperating system not found— Call Dell for technical assistance (see page 69).Insert bootable media— The operating system is try

Check the back panel lights— If all four lights below the serial port are not green, eall Dell for teehnieal assistanee (see page 69).Check the Power

Check for additional adjustments— See the monitor doeumentation for any additional adjustments that your monitor may require.Adjust the Windows displa

Move the subwoofer away from the monitor— If your speakersystem ineludes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 2 ft (6 em) away from the

If you cannot print to a USB printerVerify the printer cable connections— Ensure that the printer eable is eonneeted as deseribed on page 16.Test the

Modem ProblemsNOTICE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. Connecting the modem to a digital telephone network damages the mode

Mouse ProblemsReconnect the mouse cable1 Press <CtrlxEsc> to display the Start menu.2 Use the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut Down and the

Cannot save files to a floppy disk— Ensure that the floppy disk is not full or write-proteeted (looked). See the following illustration.Test the drive

If you cannot play a DVD movieEnsure that Windows recognizes the drive— Double-click theMy Computer icon. If the DVD drive is not listed, perform a fu

ContentsSafety Instructions... 7When Using Your Computer...

Network ProblemsCheck the network cable connector— Ensure that the network eable eonneetor is firmly eonneeted to the eonneetor on the eomputer as sho

A REOUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program:1

Internet Connection ProblemsReview "Modem Problems"— See page 26.Turn off call waiting (catch-phone)— See your telephone directory for instr

E-mail Dell— Go to http://support.dell.com and then click E-Mail Dell in the Communicate list. Send an e-mail message to Dell about your problem; you

Sometimes you ean fix a deviee problem by reinstalling its driver:1 From the Windows desktop, insert the Dell Dimension ResoureeCD into the CD or DVD

Reinstalling Windows 98NOTICE: The operating system CD provides options for reinstalling your Windows 98 Second Edition operating system. The options

12 I n the User Information window, type your name and, if applieable, eompany name, and then eliek Next.The Name field must be eompleted; the Compan

Reinstalling Windows MeNOTICE: The operating system CD provides options for reinstalling your Windows Me operating system. The options can potentially

11 Ensure that Typical is selected, and then eliek Next.12 Specify a computer name, workgroup, and computer description, if desired, and then click

25 Enter the system setup program as direeted by a Dell teehnieal support representative.26 In the system setup program Boot menu,

Printer Problems...24If you cannot print to a parallel port prin

EOU13QJT314oQ.CLto15EOUQJT333316the Microsoft label on your computer. Then click Next.appears, enter a name for your computer and a password, if desir

3SECTION 5Adding PartsRemoving the Computer CoverLooking Inside Your ComputerRotating the Power SupplyRemoving and Replacing the Front PanelRemoving a

Removing the Computer CoverACAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions on page 7.^ NOTICE: The sy

/i\ CAUTION: To prevent cuts, keep your hands clear of the metal edges on the computer as you slide back the cover.4 Press the eover release button (

Looking Inside Your Computer4^ I Adding Parts

System BoardIn the illustration, the text in parentheses indieates how items are identified on the system board.CD drive audio interface

Rotating the Power SupplyTo access some of the components on the system board, you may need to rotate the system power supply out of the way:1 Turn o

When you have finished aeeessing eomponents on the system board, rotate the power supply baek to its original position until the r

To replace the front panel, fit the two retaining hooks into the recessed slots at the bottom of the computer (see the preceding illustration), and th

To replace the AGP card brace:1 Insert the tab on one end of the brace into the slot at the front of the computer.2 Lower the brace, ensuring that t

3 Adding PautsRemoving the Computer Cover...42Looking Inside Your Computer...

Installing a Card1 Turn off the computer and peripherals, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, and wait at least 5 seconds. Press and relea

Save the serew to use when installing the eard later in this proeedure.4 Remove the serew that seeures the slot filler braeket to the eomputer,and rem

cardconnector. edge connector card6 Secure the card bracket to the computer with the screw you removed in step 4.7 Connect any cables that should

2 If you are removing an AGP eard, remove the AGP eard braee (see page 48).3 If neeessary, diseonneet any eables eonneeted to the eard.4 Remove the

4 Insert the module straight down into the eonneetor, making sure that it fits into the vertieal guides at eaeh end of the eonne

4 Remove the drive braeket from the eomputer drive bay you want touse.Squeeze together the braeket tabs that extend from eaeh side of the drive braeke

6 Attach the new drive to the drive bracket.Turn the drive upside down, and fit the bracket on the drive so that the screw holes align. To ensure pro

7 Slide the new drive/braeket assembly into the drive bay until both drive braeket tabs snap seeurely into plaee.drive bracket assemblydrive bracket

9 Connect a DC power cable to the power input connector on the back of the drive.power input connectorDC power cabiinterface connectorinterface cable

12 Replace the front panel (see page 47).13 Replace the computer cover (see page 59), reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical out

^ I Contents

4 Rotate the eover downward toward the bottom of the eomputer. With both hands, press against the bottom edge of the eover to make sure that the seeu

4SECTION 4AppendixSpecificationsStandard SettingsContacting DellRegulatory InformationWarranty and Return Policy Information

SpecificationsMicroprocessorMicroprocessor type Intel Pentium® 4 microprocessor. Design provides for future Dell-supported upgrades. A slower compatib

MemoryArchitectureRDRAMRIMM socketsfourRIMM capacities64-, 128-, and 256-MB RDRAMStandard RAM 128 MB (minimum)Maximum RAM 1 GBBIOS addressF8000hDrives

VideoVideo type AGP 4X or PCI video eard (see manufaeturer's speeifieations)NICIntegrated NIC RJ45 eonneetorControls and LightsE-Support (operate

EnvironmentalTemperature:OperatingStorageRelative humidity Maximum vibration: Operating StorageMaximum shoek: OperatingStorageAltitude:OperatingStorag

^ HINT: The Xs in the figure will be replaced by information that is specific to your computer.See the following figure for an example of the Main ser

System Setup ScreensThe system setup sereens display the eurrent eonfiguration information for your eomputer. Information on the sereen is di

4 Press <Enter> at the Maintenance screen and then eliek Yes to clear all passwords.5 Press <F10> to save your changes and exit the syst

4 Insert the battery into the soeket with the side labeled “ + ” faeing up.battery socket (BATTERY)battery5 Replaee the eomputer eover (see page 59

Safety InstructionsUse the following safety guidelines to proteet yourself and your eomputer. For eomfort and effieieney, observe the

Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City CodeDepartment Name or Service Area, Website and E-mail AddressArea Codes, Local Numbers, a

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Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City CodeDepartment Name or Service Area, Website and E-mail AddressArea Codes, Local Numbers, a

EOUQJT3oQ.Q.Z5to•Keep your eomputer away from radiators and heat sourees. Also, do not Eloek eooling vents. Avoid plaeing loose papers underneath your

Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City CodeDepartment Name or Service Area, Website and E-mail AddressArea Codes, Local Numbers, a

Country (City) International Access Code Country Code City CodeDepartment Name or Service Area, Website and E-mail AddressArea Codes, Local Numbers, a

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IndexA D Iaudio. See sound display. See monitorinstalling an expansiondriverscard, 48, 50Breinstalling, 55Internetdrivesfixing problems, 52batteryfixi

pstroubleshooting, 18passwordsafety instructions, 7turning off the computer, 14clearing system setup, 67ScanDisk, 29powerscreen. See monitorwfixing pr

Protecting Against Electrostatic DischargeTo prevent statie damage, diseharge statie eleetrieity from your body before you toueh anything inside your