Dell Dimension C521 User Manual

www.dell.com | support.dell.comDell™ Dimension™ C521Owner’s ManualFlexBay for optionalfloppy drive or Media Card Readerhard drive activity lightpower

10 Finding Information• How to set up my computer Setup Diagram• Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License LabelService Tag and

100 AppendixVideoPrimary Video(Auto default)This setting specifies which video controller is primary when there is two video controllers availble (PCI

Appendix 101Power ManagementAC Recovery(Off default)Determines how the system responds when AC power is re-applied after a power loss. Off commands th

102 AppendixBoot MenuThis feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.Option Settings•Bootable Hard Drive — The computer attempts to bo

Appendix 103Changing Boot Sequence for the Current BootYou can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device, such as a flop

104 AppendixClearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instruc

Appendix 105 NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device, and then plug it into the computer.11Connect y

106 AppendixMouse NOTICE: Disconnect the mouse from the computer before cleaning the mouseIf your screen cursor skips or moves abnormally, clean the

Appendix 107Dell Hardware Warranty Support Policy (U.S. Only)Technician-assisted support requires the cooperation and participation of the customer in

108 AppendixThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1This device may not cause harmf

Appendix 109For specific web addresses for your country, find the appropriate country section in the table below. NOTE: Toll-free numbers are for us

Finding Information 11• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, online courses, and frequently asked questions• Communi

110 AppendixAustria (Vienna)International Access Code: 900Country Code: 43City Code: 1Website: support.euro.dell.comE-mail: tech_support_central_europ

Appendix 111BruneiCountry Code: 673Technical Support (Penang, Malaysia)604 633 4966Customer Care (Penang, Malaysia)604 633 4888Transaction Sales (Pena

112 AppendixChina (Xiamen)Country Code: 86City Code: 592Technical Support website: support.dell.com.cnTechnical Support E-mail: [email protected]

Appendix 113Czech Republic (Prague)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 420Website: support.euro.dell.comE-mail: [email protected] Su

114 AppendixFrance (Paris) (Montpellier)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 33City Codes: (1) (4)Website: support.euro.dell.comHome and Small B

Appendix 115GreeceInternational Access Code: 00Country Code: 30Website: support.euro.dell.comTechnical Support 00800-44 14 95 18Gold Service Technical

116 AppendixIreland (Cherrywood)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 353City Code: 1Website: support.euro.dell.comE-mail: dell_direct_support@de

Appendix 117Japan (Kawasaki)International Access Code: 001Country Code: 81City Code: 44Website: support.jp.dell.comTechnical Support (servers)toll-fre

118 AppendixLatin America Customer Technical Support (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)512 728-4093Customer Service (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)512 728-3619Fax (Techn

Appendix 119MexicoInternational Access Code: 00Country Code: 52Customer Technical Support001-877-384-8979or 001-877-269-3383Sales50-81-8800or 01-800-8

12 Finding Information• How to reinstall my operating systemOperating System CDNOTE: The Operating System CD may be optional and may not ship with you

120 AppendixNorway (Lysaker)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 47Website: support.euro.dell.comTechnical Support for XPS portable computers on

Appendix 121Singapore (Singapore)International Access Code: 005Country Code: 65Website: support.ap.dell.comTechnical Support (Dimension, Inspiron, and

122 AppendixSpain (Madrid)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 34City Code: 91Website: support.euro.dell.comHome and Small BusinessTechnical Sup

Appendix 123Tai wa nInternational Access Code: 002Country Code: 886Website: support.ap.dell.comE-mail: [email protected] Support (OptiPlex,

124 AppendixU.K. (Bracknell)International Access Code: 00Country Code: 44City Code: 1344Website: support.euro.dell.comCustomer Care website: support.e

Appendix 125U.S.A. (Austin, Texas)International Access Code: 011Country Code: 1Automated Order-Status Servicetoll-free: 1-800-433-9014AutoTech (portab

126 Appendix

Glossary 127GlossaryTerms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your partic

128 GlossaryCC — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.cache — A special hig

Glossary 129DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop management standards for distribute

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 13Setting Up and Using Your ComputerFront View of the Computer1 cover release latch Use this latch to remove the co

130 GlossaryFFahrenheit — A temperature measurement scale where 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water.FBD — fully-buffered

Glossary 131infrared sensor — A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared-compatible devices without using a cable conne

132 Glossarymemory address — A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM.memory mapping — The process by which the computer assigns me

Glossary 133PIO — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two devices through the processor as part of the data path.pixel — A

134 GlossarySATA — serial ATA — A faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface.ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the

Glossary 135TTAPI — telephony application programming interface — Enables Windows programs to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, includ

136 GlossaryWW — watt — The measurement of electrical power. One W is 1 ampere of current flowing at 1 volt.WHr — watt-hour — A unit of measure common

Index 137IndexAaudio. See soundBbatteryproblems, 31replacing, 89BIOS, 97boot sequenceabout, 102changing, 103option settings, 102bootingto a USB device

138 Index138 IndexDVDs, 22playing, 20Ee-mailproblems, 33End User License Agreement, 9ergonomics information, 9error messagesdiagnostic lights, 47troub

Index 139Ooperating systemreinstalling, 12reinstalling Windows XP, 54Operating System CD, 12Ppasswordclearing, 104jumper, 104PCI cardsinstalling, 69re

14 Setting Up and Using Your Computer3 FlexBay drive Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader. For information on using the

140 Index140 Indexspeakerproblems, 43volume, 43specificationstechnical, 93standby mode, 27supportcontacting Dell, 108policy, 107support website, 11sys

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 15Back View of the Computer42131 voltage selection switch See the safety instructions in the Product Information G

16 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerBack Panel I/O Connectors1 link integrity light• Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and t

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer.Se

18 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerConnecting a USB Printer NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.1Complete the operati

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line. With a DSL connec

Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates

20 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerPlaying CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray cl

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 21A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the

22 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerAdjusting the PictureIf an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too m

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 23•If you have two CD/DVD drives, select the drive into which you have inserted your source CD or DVD, and then cli

24 Setting Up and Using Your Computer• Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs may not play in many home or car s

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 25To use the Media Card Reader:1Check the media or card to determine the proper orientation for insertion.2Slide th

26 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerSetting Up a Home and Office NetworkConnecting to a Network Adapter NOTICE: Plug the network cable into the netw

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 27Network Setup WizardThe Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you thro

28 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerTo immediately activate standby mode without a period of inactivity, click the Start button, click Tu rn Off Com

Setting Up and Using Your Computer 29The Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes:•Always On (default) — If you want to use your co

Contents 3ContentsFinding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . .

30 Setting Up and Using Your ComputerEnabling Cool ’n’ Quiet™ TechnologyThe Cool ’n’ Quiet technology controls your computer’s processor performance a

Solving Problems 31Solving ProblemsTroubleshooting TipsFollow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer:• If you added or removed a part before t

32 Solving ProblemsCD and DVD drive problems NOTE: High-speed CD or DVD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defe

Solving Problems 33Hard drive problemsE-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow th

34 Solving ProblemsError MessagesIf the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the

Solving Problems 35Keyboard Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the P

36 Solving ProblemsLockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions loca

Solving Problems 37A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating systemA solid blue screen appearsOther software problemsRUN THE PROGRAM COMP

38 Solving ProblemsMedia Card Reader ProblemsMemory Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instr

Solving Problems 39Mouse Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Prod

4 Contents2 Solving Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 Solving ProblemsNetwork Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Pr

Solving Problems 41Printer Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Pro

42 Solving ProblemsScanner Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Pr

Solving Problems 43Sound and Speaker Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located

44 Solving ProblemsNo sound from headphonesVideo and Monitor Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the saf

Solving Problems 45The screen is difficult to readCHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT — If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that th

46 Solving Problems

Advanced Troubleshooting 47Advanced TroubleshootingPower Light and Diagnostic Lights CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section,

48 Advanced TroubleshootingDiagnostic LightsLight Pattern Problem Description Suggested ResolutionThe computer is in a normal condition or a possible

Advanced Troubleshooting 49No memory modules are detected.• If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module

Contents 53 Advanced Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Power Light and Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 Advanced TroubleshootingDell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located i

Advanced Troubleshooting 51Dell Diagnostics Main Menu1After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the opti

52 Advanced Troubleshooting4Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the

Advanced Troubleshooting 534In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.5Click Device Manager.6Scroll down the list to see if any device h

54 Advanced Troubleshooting9When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click Next.10Click Finish and restart your computer.Resolving Software an

Advanced Troubleshooting 55Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateIf problems occur after you install a device driver, use Device Driver

56 Advanced Troubleshooting4Click the System Restore tab.5Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked.Using Dell™ PC Restore by Symantec NOTE: D

Advanced Troubleshooting 57Removing Dell PC Restore NOTICE: Removing Dell PC Restore from the hard drive permanently deletes the PC Restore utility f

58 Advanced Troubleshooting

Removing and Installing Parts 59Removing and Installing PartsBefore You BeginThis chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the componen

6 ContentsPower Cable Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables. . . . . . . . . .

60 Removing and Installing PartsBefore Working Inside Your ComputerUse the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential da

Removing and Installing Parts 61 NOTICE: Work on a level, protected surface to avoid scratching either the computer or the surface on which it rests.

62 Removing and Installing PartsInside View of Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instr

Removing and Installing Parts 63System Board Components1265134715141211 10398

64 Removing and Installing PartsMemoryIf your computer only has one memory module installed on the system board, you can increase your computer memory

Removing and Installing Parts 65• A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors DIMM1 and DIMM2 and another matched pair installed in conne

66 Removing and Installing Parts NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body bef

Removing and Installing Parts 673Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memor

68 Removing and Installing PartsRemoving Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions locat

Removing and Installing Parts 69If you are installing or replacing an expansion card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing a

Contents 7Dell Hardware Warranty Support Policy (U.S. Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Perip

70 Removing and Installing Parts4If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card.If necessary, disconnect any c

Removing and Installing Parts 717Before you close the card retention door, ensure that:• The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the

72 Removing and Installing Parts8Close the card retention door by snapping it into place. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables rou

Removing and Installing Parts 7312If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network adapter:aEnter system setup, s

74 Removing and Installing Parts6If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. NOTE: Installing

Removing and Installing Parts 75DrivesYour computer supports a combination of these devices:• One serial ATA hard drive• One optional floppy drive or

76 Removing and Installing PartsDrive Interface ConnectorsPower Cable ConnectorConnecting and Disconnecting Drive CablesWhen removing a serial ATA dat

Removing and Installing Parts 77Hard Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in

78 Removing and Installing PartsInstalling a Hard Drive1Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. NOTI

Removing and Installing Parts 793If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic hard-drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the exi

8 Contents

80 Removing and Installing Parts5Connect the power and data cables to the drive.6Locate the correct guidance-slot for the drive (slot 1) and align the

Removing and Installing Parts 8116Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 50).17Install your ope

82 Removing and Installing Parts4Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the floppy drive.5Replace the computer cover (see "Replaci

Removing and Installing Parts 836Attach the power and data cables to the floppy drive.7Locate the correct guidance-slot for the drive (slot 2) and ali

84 Removing and Installing PartsRemoving a Media Card Reader CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instr

Removing and Installing Parts 85 NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device, and then plug it into the

86 Removing and Installing Parts6Locate the correct guidance-slot for the Media Card Reader (slot 2) and align the shoulder screws with the screw guid

Removing and Installing Parts 87Removing a CD/DVD Drive1Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. NOTICE: Do not pull the dri

88 Removing and Installing Parts3If you are installing a new drive:aPress the two snaps on the top of the drive-panel insert and rotate the insert tow

Removing and Installing Parts 899Replace the computer cover (see "Replacing the Computer Cover" on page 90). NOTICE: To connect a network c

Finding Information 9Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media may

90 Removing and Installing Parts5Insert the new battery into the socket with the side labeled "+" facing up, and snap the battery into place

Removing and Installing Parts 913To replace the cover:aAlign the bottom of the cover with the hinge tabs located along the bottom edge of the computer

92 Removing and Installing Parts

Appendix 93AppendixSpecificationsMicroprocessorMicroprocessor type AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core processorAMD Athlon 64AMD™ SempronInternal L2 cache up

94 AppendixAudioType Sigma Tel 9227 CODEC (7.1 Channel Audio)ControllersDrives two SATA controllers supporting two devicesExpansion BusBus type PCI 2.

Appendix 95ConnectorsExternal connectors:Video15-hole VGA connectorNetwork adapterRJ45 connectorUSBtwo front-panel and four back-panel USB 2.0–complia

96 AppendixActivity light (on integrated network adapter)yellow blinking lightDiagnostic lights Four lights on the front panel. See "Diagnostic L

Appendix 97System SetupOverviewUse system setup as follows: • To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hard

98 AppendixSystem Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not a

Appendix 99DrivesDiskette Drive(Internal default)This option enables or disables the floppy drive. The options are Off, USB, Internal, and Read Only.