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Dell 4500 Personal Computer User Manual

1. As you continue to work inside the computer periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge ESD When unpacking a static sensitive component from its shipping carton do not remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component in your computer J ust before unwrapping the antistatic packaging be sure to discharge static electricity from your body When transporting a sensitive component first place it in an antistatic container or packaging Handle all sensitive components in a static safe area If possible use antistatic floor pads and workbench pads The following notice may appear throughout this document to remind you of these precautions NOTICE See Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge in the safety instructions at the front of this guide Ergonomic Computing Habits CAUTION Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury A CAUTION Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in eye strain For comfort and efficiency observe the ergonomic guidelines in the Owner s Manual when setting up and using your computer Battery Disposal Your computer uses a lithium battery The lithium battery is a long life battery and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it However should
2. Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer as shown in the Dell Owner s Manual Test the electrical outlet Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp Verify that the printer is recognized by Windows Click the Start button Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Click View installed printers or fax printers If the printer is listed right click the printer icon Click Properties and then select the Ports tab For a parallel printer ensure that the Print to the following port s setting is LPT1 Printer Port For a USB printer ensure that the Print to the following port s setting is USB Reinstall the printer driver See the printer documentation for instructions Scanner Problems K HINT Dell does not cover the scanner s warranty If you need technical assistance for your scanner call the scanner s manufacturer See the scanner documentation for the correct phone number Check the scanner documentation See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information Unlock the scanner Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button Restart the computer and try the scanner again Check the cable connections If your scanner has a power cable ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to a working electrical outlet and that the scanner is turned on
3. A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the Safety nstructions K HINT If the power light on the front of the computer is steady green the computer is operating normally Adjust the Power Properties Your computer may be in standby or hibernate mode For information on power conservation modes see the Tell Me How help file or search for the keyword standby or hibernate in Windows Help If the power light is blinking green The computer is in standby mode Press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse to resume normal operation If the power light is off The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power Ensure that the power cable is firmly inserted into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet Ifthe computer is plugged into a power strip ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location Bypass power protection devices power strips and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective Ensure that the microprocessor power cable is securely connected to the system board Ensure that the
4. Advanced Security Power Boot Exit Setup Warning Item Specific Help Setting items on this menu to incorrect values may cause your system to malfunction Boot Configuration Peripheral Configuration IDE Configuration Diskette Configuration Select Menu Event Log Configuration Tl Select Item Tr ery Video Configuration Enter Select B gt Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit Help Function Boot Configuration Displays the Boot Configuration submenu Peripheral Configuration Displays the Peripheral Configuration submenu IDE Configuration Displays the IDE Configuration submenu Diskette Configuration Displays the Diskette Configuration submenu Event Log Configuration Displays the Event Log Configuration submenu Video Configuration Displays the Video Configuration submenu Boot Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup NU NE Item Specific Help gt lt Plug and Play OS Numlock O 5 0 Select Menu tt Select Item Enter Select lb Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit Help Function Determines whether the computer is configured to support Plug and Play devices from the operating system or from the system BIOS Leave this option set to Yes so the operating system handles all Plug and Play operation Be sure that this option is set to No before running Dell Diagnostics Otherwise some diagn
5. E ASS e RIS OTA 7 To remove the card grasp the card by the top corners and lift it out If the card is difficult to remove gently ease the card back and forth to remove it from the connector filler bracket in empty card slot opening NST card securing lever slot connector K HINT Installing filler brackets over empty card slot openings is necessary to maintain Federal Communications Commission FCC certification of the computer The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer 8 Ifyou are not replacing the card install a filler bracket in the empty card slot opening If you are adding a card see Adding Cards 9 Lower the securing lever 10 Close the computer cover NOTI CE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Adding Memory A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety nstructions You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board For information on the type of memory supported by your computer see Memory in Technical Specifications Ka HINT Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and
6. E Mail Modem and I nternet Problems K HINT Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only The modem does not operate while it is connected to a digital telephone network Check the telephone line connection Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem The jack has either a green label or a connector shaped icon next to it Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem Check the telephone jack Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone Listen for a dial tone Connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack If you have other telephone devices sharing the line such as an answering machine fax machine surge protector or line splitter then bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack Use a different telephone line If you are using a line that is 3 m 10 ft or more in length try a shorter one Run the Modem Helper diagnostics Click the Start button point to All Programs and then click Modem Helper Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems Modem Helper is not available on all computers Verify that the modem is communicating with Windows Click the Start button and then click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Click Phone and Modem Options Click the Modems tab Click the COM port for your modem
7. Ensure that the scanner cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the scanner Verify that the scanner is recognized by Microsoft Windows Click the Start button Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Click Scanners and Cameras If your scanner is listed Windows recognizes the scanner Reinstall the scanner driver See the scanner documentation for instructions Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers Ka HINT The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting If you have been listening to MP3 songs ensure that you did not turn the player volume down or off Check the speaker cable connections Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the setup diagram supplied with the speakers Ensure that the subwoofer and the speakers are turned on See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers If your speakers have volume controls adjust the volume bass or treble to eliminate distortion Adjust the Windows volume control Click or double click the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted Disconnect headphones from the headphone connector Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer s front panel headphone connector Enable digital mode Your speakers do not work if the CD drive is operating in
8. not fully seated fully seated bracket caught outside of slot bracket within slot 8 Lower the plastic securing lever 9 Connect any cables that should be attached to the card See the documentation that came with the card for information about the card cable connections 10 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on 12 Install any drivers required for the card as described in the documentation that came with the card Removing Cards A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 If necessary disconnect any cables connected to the card 6 To raise the securing lever press the tab until it is free from the latch and then lift the lever securing lever card bracket latch ty SS Rd he Za ANARAN ARNAN AACA MARALA ONNEN ORANG A y a
9. you need to replace it see your Owner s Manual Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site Shutting Down the Computer NOTICE To prevent data loss you must turn off your computer through the Start menu rather than by pressing the power button K HINT If you are having difficulty turning off your computer see General Problems Windows XP 1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs 2 Click the Start button and then click Turn off Computer 3 Click Turn off The computer automatically turns off after the shutdown process finishes NOTICE Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms To prevent damage to your computer the front door is designed to break away if it is lifted up too far If the front door breaks away you might need to reattach both the front door and the hinge arms Reattaching the Front Door 1 Shut down the computer 2 Lower the hinge arms to the vertical position 3 Align the two clips on the inside of the front door with the two hinge arms 4 Press inward on the front door until it clips to both hinge arms front door clips 2 hinge arms 2 in vertical position front door Reattaching the Hinge Arms 1 Shut down the computer 2 Disconnect the power cable from your computer
10. 3 Remove the front door if it is attached The front door snaps off of the two hinge arms 4 Remove the front panel insert above the front door bay area Pull the bottom of the insert with your fingers to remove it front panel insert 5 Lift both hinge arms to the horizontal position 6 Use the two view slots to align the pivot bar with the two pivot bar slots view slots 2 pivot bar slots 2 pivot bar hinge arms in horizontal position NOTICE Using excessive force to pull the hinge arms into place may damage the arms or the front panel 7 Pull the arms toward you until they snap into place If the hinge arms don t snap back into place on the first attempt slightly reposition the arms and try again 8 After the hinge arms clip into place lower and raise the arms two or three times to properly seat them 9 Reattach the front panel insert 10 Reconnect the power cable to your computer 11 Reattach the front door as described in Reattaching the Front Door Opening the Computer Cover A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the computer power cable from the
11. Click Properties click the Diagnostics tab and then click Query Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows If all commands receive responses the modem is operating properly Turn off call waiting catch phone See your telephone directory for instructions on deactivating this feature Then adjust the dial up networking connection properties Click the Start button and then click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware and then click Phone and Modem Options Click your connection type to highlight it Click the Dialing Rules tab and then click Edit Click the To Disable Call Waiting box to place a checkmark in it Select the disable code from the drop down menu for example 70 Click Apply and then click OK Ensure that you are connected to the I nternet With the Outlook Express e mail program open click File If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it click the checkmark to remove it and connect to the Internet Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet service provider Contact an Internet service provider to subscribe Contact your I nternet service provider Contact your Internet service provider for assistance Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware ncompatibilities Error Messages A filename cannot contain any of the following characters lt gt Do not use these characters in filenames A required DLL fi
12. Maintenance menu 8 Exit and save the system setup program settings 9 After the computer boots turn it off and unplug it from the electrical outlet 10 Open the computer cover again 11 Move the configuration jumper plug so that pins 1 and 2 are jumpered the normal setting 12 Close the computer cover connect your computer to an electrical outlet and turn on the computer Enabling the Processor Serial Number The Intel Pentium microprocessor includes a processor serial number feature designed to provide additional user security and manageability benefits By default this feature is disabled on Dell computers to protect your privacy However it can be enabled through the Processor Serial Number option in the system setup program NOTICE Do not change this setting by any means other than the system setup program Otherwise your computer may become unusable 1 Enter the system setup program 2 When the Main screen appears press the down arrow key to highlight the Processor Serial Number option and then press lt Enter gt 3 Select Enabled from the menu and then press lt Enter gt 4 Use the right arrow key to highlight Exit and then press lt Enter gt 5 When prompted to confirm the changes you made press lt Enter gt 6 The computer restarts with the processor serial number feature enabled K HINT The processor serial number feature remains enabled until you disable it in the system setup program T
13. NOTICE The system board and the metal tray are attached and are removed as one piece 5 Remove or move any components that restrict access to the system board 6 Disconnect all cables from the system board Before you remove the existing system board visually compare the replacement system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part 7 Pull up on the tab and slide the system board toward the front of the computer lift it up and away 8 Place the system board that you just removed next to the replacement system board Replacing the System Board 1 Transfer components from the existing system board to the replacement system board a Remove the memory modules and install them on the replacement board A CAUTION The microprocessor package and heat sink assembly can get hot To avoid burns be sure that the package and assembly have had sufficient time to cool before you touch them b Remove the fan heat sink assembly and microprocessor package from the existing system board and transfer them to the replacement system board 2 Configure the settings of the replacement system board Set the jumper on the replacement system board so it is identical to the one on the existing board NOTICE Some components and connectors on the replacement system board may be in different locations from the corresponding connectors on the existing system board 3 Orient the replacement board by aligning the no
14. analog mode To enable digital mode Click the Start button click Control Panel and then click Sounds Speech and Audio Devices Click Sounds and Audio Devices Click the Hardware tab Double click the name of your CD drive Click the Properties tab Check the Enable digital CD audio for this CD ROM device box Test the electrical outlet Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp Eliminate possible interference Turn off nearby fans fluorescent lights or halogen lamps to check for interference Run the speaker diagnostics Some speaker systems have self diagnostics See the speaker documentation for diagnostics instructions Reinstall the audio sound driver See Reinstalling Drivers Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities No sound from headphones Check the headphone cable connection Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone connector Adjust the Windows volume control Click or double click the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted Disable digital mode Your headphones do not work if the CD drive is operating in digital mode To disable digital mode Click the Start button click Control Panel and then click Sounds Speech and Audio Devices Click Sounds and Audio De
15. claims of certain U S patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited September 2002 Rev A01 Back to Contents Page Advanced Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 4500 Diagnostic Codes Beep Codes System Messages Using System Restore Reinstalling Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Windows XP Diagnostic Codes Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights which are labeled A B C and D on the back of the computer Each of the four lights can be yellow green or off as shown in the following table When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally the lights flash during POST After the computer starts the lights remain green to signify normal computer operation If a malfunction is detected and the computer fails to start the lights display a code that identifies the problem Write down the diagnostic code displayed and look it up in the following table Diagnostic Code Corrective Action Power up default Make sure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet and then check whether the front panel power light on th
16. complete NOTICE The Operating System CD provides options for reinstalling your Windows XP operating system The options can potentially overwrite files installed by Dell and possibly affect programs installed on your hard drive Therefore Dell does not recommend that you reinstall your operating system unless instructed to do so by a Dell technical support representative NOTICE To prevent conflicts with Windows XP you must disable any virus protection software installed on your computer before you reinstall Windows XP To reinstall Windows XP 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 To reinstall Windows XP insert the Operating System CD into the CD or DVD drive Close any program or utility that might run after you insert the CD into the drive Turn off the computer and then turn the computer on again When the blue DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop Then shut down the computer and try again Use the arrow keys to select the CD ROM option and then press lt Enter gt When the Windows XP Setup screen appears press lt Enter gt to select To set up Windows now Read the information in the License Agreement window and then press lt F8 gt on your keyboard to agree with the license information If your computer already has Windows XP installed and
17. down the computer and try again Main Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup ma Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit Item Specific Help Processor Type Intel Pentium 4 Processor Speed Displayed in MHz System Bus Frequency Displayed in MHz Cache RAM Displayed in KB Service Tag 12ABC Total Memory Displayed in MB Memory Bank 0 Displayed in MB ra Memory Bank 1 Displayed in MB She ee System Time 00 00 00 Enter Select gt Submenu System Date MO DY YR F3 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit F1 Help Option Function BIOS Version Displays the version of the BIOS being used Processor Type Displays the type of microprocessor installed Processor Speed Displays the internal speed of the microprocessor System Bus Frequency Displays the external speed of the microprocessor Cache RAM Displays the cache random access memory Service Tag Displays the service tag for the computer Total Memory Displays the total computer memory Memory Bank 0 Displays the memory size and type in memory bank 0 Memory Bank 1 Displays the memory size and type in memory bank 1 Processor Serial Number Displays the serial number of an Intel Pentium microprocessor when set to Enabled Disabled default turns off this feature System Time Resets the time on the computer s internal clock System Date Resets the time on the computer s internal calendar Advanced Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup
18. enable the features Master Primary IDE Identifies the first drive attached to the primary IDE interface usually the boot hard drive See Primary IDE Master Submenu Master Primary IDE Identifies the second drive attached to the primary IDE interface usually a second hard drive The format of this submenu is the same as the Slave one described in Primary IDE Master Submenu Secondary Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary IDE interface if there is one The format of this submenu is the same as the one described IDE Master in Primary IDE Master Submenu Secondary Identifies the second drive attached to the secondary IDE interface usually a CD CD RW or DVD drive The format of this submenu is the IDE Slave same as the one described in Primary IDE Master Submenu Primary IDE Master Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup NU oo NR Primary IDE Master Item Specific Help Drive Installed WDC WD2O0ODD 75AUA1 Type Auto Maximum Capacity 20021 MB Configuration Options Selected By BIOS LBA Mode Supported Block Mode 16 Sectors PIO Mode Mode 4 Ultra DMA Mode 5 gt Select Menu Cable Detected 80 Conductor tL select Item Enter Select B Submenu NOTE The actual performance of the drive F3 Setup Defaults is dependent upon the operating system and F10 Save and Exit IDE drivers ESC Exit Fl Help Option Function v o o SSGGO v Drive Installed Displays the primary IDE devi
19. jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation See the documentation that came with the drive to ensure that the drive is set up for your computer 5 Open the computer cover 6 To remove the drive bay cover panel carefully press the panel out from the inside of the computer 7 To remove the drive bay cover panel insert press the four securing tabs and pull the insert away from the panel remove front panel insert through here securing tabs 4 front panel insert securing tab cover panel insert front panel insert HINT Two sets of rails are attached to the inside of the computer cover Use the two longer rails on 5 25 inch drives Use the shorter rails for 3 5 inch drives Rails for a second hard drive are attached inside the hard drive cage 8 Remove the two shorter green plastic rails from the inside of the computer cover These rails are not attached to the computer cover with screws To remove the rails firmly pull the rails from the drive cage 9 Attach the rails to the drive using the screws supplied with the drive Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive 10 Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click rail tabs 2 11 Carefully replace the
20. the extra connector on the drive cable that is attached to your first hard drive and attach the connector to the second hard drive HINT Your computer uses cable select drive cables This means that the device connected to the end connector of the drive cable is the master device and the device connected to the middle connector is the slave device Be sure that the jumper setting on the new device is set for cable select see the documentation that came with the drive for information power cable second hard drive cable secondary drive first hard drive cable primary boot drive secondary drive 11 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 12 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on 13 See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation Adding Other Drives A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions HINT Drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation After you install a drive refer to the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing and using the drive software NOTICE To avoid possibly damaging the drive by electrostatic discharge ESD ground yourself by peri
21. the other devices Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point beside the conflicting device or a red x if the device has been disabled 5 Double click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window to determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from the Device Manager Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices 6 Double click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager list 7 Double click the icon for the specific device in the expanded list The Properties window appears 8 Resolve any IRQ conflicts as described in step 5 If an IRQ conflict exists the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device s IRQ You can also use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter 1 Click the Start button 2 Click Help and Support 3 Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field and then click the arrow to start the search 4 Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list 5 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list click need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer 6 Click Next Reinstalling Windows xP Before reinstalling the Microsoft Windows XP operating system to correct a problem try correcting the problem by performing a Windows XP System Restore The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours and you will need to reinstall your drivers virus protection program and other software when the process is
22. the port is set to Enabled available I O addresses are 378 default 278 and 228 Interrupt If the port is set to Enabled available interrupts are 7 and 5 Onboard Audio Sets the integrated audio controller to either Enabled default or Disabled Device Legacy USB Set to Enabled default to allow support for legacy USB Set to Disabled if legacy USB support is not desired Support IDE Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup ES o IDE Controller Both Item Specific Help PCI IDE Bus Master Enabled b Primary IDE Master WDC WD204BA b Primary IDE Slave Not Installed B Secondary IDE Master CRD 8480C b Secondary IDE Slave Not Installed Select Menu Tt Select Item Enter Select Submenu F9 Setup Defaults Fl0 Save and Exit ESC Exit Fl Help Function IDE Configures the integrated primary and secondary IDE controllers and detects the types of drives attached to them If set to Primary Controller Secondary or Both default the designated controller s are enabled and the types of drives attached are displayed If set to either Primary or Secondary the other controller is not enabled and the IRQ it normally uses becomes available If set to Disabled the computer cannot detect any drives attached to the controllers and displays None for all four IDE drive options PCI IDE Bus Set to Disabled to disable the computer s PCI IDE Bus Master functions Set Enabled default to
23. then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 Remove the AGP card 6 If necessary remove a memory module a Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector b Grasp the module and pull up If the module is difficult to remove gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector 7 To insert a module press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector memory module connector cutouts 2 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 memory module connectors securing clips 2 notches 2 step 8 zi step 9 Align the notches on the bottom of the module with the crossbars in the connector NOTI CE To avoid breaking the memory module do not press near the middle of the module Insert the module straight down into the connector ensuring that it fits into the vertical guides at each end of the connector Press firmly on the ends of the module until it snaps into place During most installations the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module During some installations you have to use your fingers to gently push the clips into the cutouts NOTICE Visually inspect the position of the securing clip
24. to the directory in which you saved the Tell Me How help file 3 Double click the file tellhow chm Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Adding Parts Dell Dimension 4500 Adding a Second Hard Drive Adding Other Drives Replacing the Microprocessor Removing the Front I O Panel Replacing the Power Supply Replacing the System Board Closing the Computer Cover Safety Instructions Shutting Down the Computer Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms Opening the Computer Cover Adding Cards Removing Cards Adding Memory Replacing an AGP Card Safety I nstructions Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to ensure your own personal safety When Using Your Computer As you use your computer observe the following safe handling guidelines A CAUTION Do not operate your computer with any cover s including computer covers bezels filler brackets front panel inserts and so on removed To help avoid damaging your computer be sure the voltage selection switch on the power supply is set to match the AC power available at your location o 115 volts V 60 hertz Hz in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan o 100 V 50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V 60 Hz in western J apan K NOTE The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V o 230 V 50 H
25. whether a supervisor password has been assigned User Password Indicates whether a user password has been assigned Set Supervisor Sets and confirms a supervisor password If a supervisor password is set a User Access Level option appears that enables you to Password set the user access level as Full default Limited No Access or View Only Set User Password Sets and confirms a user password Power Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup Suspend Mode S3 Item Specific Help Restore on AC Power Loss Stay Off Select Menu T4 Select Item Enter Select Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit F1 Help Option Function Suspend Mode Determines the ACPI suspend state Options are State 1 and State 3 default Restore on AC Power Loss Determines what state the computer enters when AC power is restored after a power loss Settings are as follows Last State Computer returns to the state it was in when power was lost Stay Off default Computer stays off when power is restored you must press the power button to turn on the computer Power On Computer turns on when power is restored Boot Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup Silent Boot Enabled Item Specific Help Quick Boot Enabled Boot Device Priority Hard Disk Drives Removable Devices ATAPI CD ROM Drives Select Menu Select Item Select Submenu Setup Defaults Save and Exit Exit Help Enab
26. you remove them from the system board and drives It is important to route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent them from being pinched or crimped 6 Remove the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer 7 Press the PUSH button located on the floor of the computer frame 8 Slide the power supply toward the front of the system approximately 1 inch 9 Lift the power supply up and out of the computer Replacing the Power Supply 1 Slide the power supply into place 2 Replace the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer frame 3 Reconnect the DC power cables 4 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 5 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Replacing the System Board Removing the System Board A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section see Safety nstructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover system board and metal tray assembly
27. 1 CD audio connector J5B2 Power Supply The 250 W power supply can operate from an AC power source of 115 VAC at 60 Hz or 230 VAC at 50 Hz The power supply provides the DC operating voltages and currents listed in the following table Output Voltage Minimum Current A Maximum Current A 1Outputs meet and do not exceed SELV requirements per electrical standards UL 1950 IEC 950 or EN60950 Par 2 3 2Maximum continuous combined load on 5 VDC and 3 3 VDC outputs do not exceed 150 W 3 Peak 12 VDC output power up to 15 0 A does not exceed 15 seconds in duration Under this condition tolerance on the 12 VDC output is allowed to be 10 445 VDC minimum load is 0 2 A when there is a minimum load of 0 3 A on the 12 VDC and 0 42 A on the 3 3 VDC outputs simultaneously 5 V minimum load is 1 A for load transient tests in system configurations where 43 3 VDC is not used all other outputs stay within regulation while the 3 3 VDC output is in a zero load condition DC Power Connectors Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments DC Power Connector P1 Bide 214 ID Ah LE IM 19 gU E5 E5 CCC PRPS eee im 2 S EM IT F1 Pin Number Signal name 18 AWG Wire 13 3 VDC 13 3 VDC Orange Orange O O o o Q vio Q Q Oj OoJO O Ojo O lt S lt lt S A Z z Black Black Gray OLTOINTFOTUFRIWInNntre 5 VFP Purple 12 VDC Yellow 3 3 VDC Orange 12 VDC Blue Black Green Bla
28. Dell Dimension 4500 Technical Overview Controls and Lights Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Technical Specifications System Setup Program Adding Parts Documentation K HI NT A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer NOTICE A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem CAUTION A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage personal injury or death For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms see the Tell Me How help file Information in this document is subject to change without notice 2002 Dell Computer Corporation All rights reserved Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden Trademarks used in this text Dell the DELL logo and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method
29. Help and Support Center Documentation for my computer and devices Click the Start button and then click Help and Support Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click the arrow icon Click the topic that describes your problem Follow the instructions shown on the screen Printed Documentation K HINT You must right click the link for a portable document format PDF file and save the file to your hard drive Attempting to open large PDF files through your browser causes your computer to freeze To save PDF files files with an extension of pdf to your hard drive right click the document title click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator and specify a location on your hard drive Right click only the following links Dell Dimension 4500 Owner s Manual pdf 2 04 MB Provides information on adding upgrades performing basic troubleshooting procedures and reinstalling drivers It also provides technical specifications K HINT PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded from the Adobe World Wide Web site at http www adobe com acrobat To view a PDF file launch Acrobat Reader Click File gt Open and select the PDF file Online Documentation The Tell Me How help file is already loaded on your hard drive when you receive your computer To open the file click the Start button on the Windows desktop point to Programs g
30. and acronyms see the Tell Me How help file Information in this document is subject to change without notice 2002 Dell Computer Corporation All rights reserved Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden Trademarks used in this text Dell the DELL logo and Dimension are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U S patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited May 2002 Rev A00 Back to Contents Page
31. ce type Type Specifies the type of hard drive Settings for this option are User Auto CD ROM ATAPI Removable Other ATAPI IDE Removable and None Maximum Displays the maximum capacity of the primary IDE device Capacity Diskette Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup INN NR Diskette Configuration Item Specific Help Diskette Controller Enabled Floppy A 1 44 1 25 MB 3 La bei N 3 Diskette Write Protect Disabled Select Menu t4 Select Item Enter Select P gt Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit F1 Help Diskette Controller Configures the floppy drive interface Options are Enabled default and Disabled Floppy A Selects the floppy drive type from Not Installed 360 KB 5 1 4 1 2 MB 5 1 4 720 KB 3 1 2 1 44 1 25 MB 3 1 2 or 2 88 MB 3 1 2 Diskette Write Protects a floppy disk from being written to when set to Enabled When this option is set to Disabled default the floppy disk is not Protect protected unless the write protect tab is in place Event Log Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup NI ooo Event Log Configuration Item Specific Help Event Log Space Available View Event Log Clear Event Log No Event Logging Enabled Select Menu tl Select Item Mark Events As Read Enter Enter Select lb Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit Help Functio
32. ck Black Black 5 VDC N C 5 VCD 5 VCD kod Sense connector DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name 18 AWG Wire Pin Number Signal Name 18 AWG Wire svoe Rea signal wame 22 Awe wire as veo frea IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell I nstalled Drives I DE Channel IDE Connector Location Primary IDE master End connector on PRI IDE connector cable Primary IDE slave Middle connector on cable PRI IDE connector Secondary IDE master End connector on cable SEC IDE connector Secondary IDE slave Middle connector on SEC IDE connector cable Placement of Dell I nstalled Cards Dell Installed Drive Hard drive Zip drive CD or DVD drive CD RW drive Card Connector Card Description AGP connector PCI 1 connector Network adapter wireless network adapter or swap box PCI3 connector PCI 4 connector 1394 FireWire Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Controls and Lights Dell Dimension 4500 Front View Back View Front View CD volume control dial CD activity light CD drive eject button CD headphone connector floppy drive eject button floppy drive light hard drive light power button CD Activity Light The CD activity light is on when the computer reads data from the CD drive CD Drive Eject Button Press this button to eject your CD from the CD drive Floppy Drive Eject Button Press this butt
33. connector on PCI local bus 40 pin connector on PCI local bus 34 pin connector l Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities ADI 1981A 2 Present only on computers with integrated audio capabilities Video controller Controls and Lights Power control Power light Hard drive access light Diagnostic code lights green light on power button blinking green in sleep state solid green for power on state solid amber for possible internal power problem four bicolor amber and green located on back panel Power DC power supply Wattage Heat dissipation Voltage switch selectable on back panel Backup battery 250 W 850 BTU fully loaded computer without monitor 90 to 135 V at 50 60 Hz 180 to 265 V at 50 60 Hz 100 V at 50 60 Hz for Japanese computers 3 V CR2032 coin cell Physical Height x Width x Depth 42 5 x 18 1 x 44 7 cm 16 7 x 7 1 x 17 6 inches 12 7 kg 28 Ib Environmental Temperature Operating Storage Relative humidity Maximum vibration Operating Storage Maximum shock Operating Storage Altitude Operating Storage Back to Contents Page 10 to 35 C 50 to 95 F 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F 20 to 80 noncondensing 0 25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1 2 octave min 0 5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1 2 octave min bottom half sine pulse with a change in velocity of 50 8 cm sec 20 inches sec 23 G faired square wave with a vel
34. ctors and make sure that they are secured in the vertical position in the cutouts on the ends of the memory modules Otherwise the securing clips may prevent the AGP card from being properly reinstalled 6 To replace the AGP card gently press it down into the slot connector until it clicks into place Press the card clip lever while inserting the card into the slot connector AGP card card clip lever AGP card clip slot connector back of computer 7 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 8 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Adding a Second Hard Drive A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions Your computer includes one hard drive To add a second hard drive 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation See the drive documentation to ensure that the drive is set up for your computer 5 Open the computer cover HINT Two se
35. de but does not exit the system setup program Discard Changes Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their last saved settings but does not exit the system setup program Clearing Forgotten Passwords A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety nstructions If you forget your supervisor or setup password you cannot operate your computer or change settings in the system setup program until you clear the forgotten password s NOTICE The following procedure resets all standard settings for your computer Before proceeding record all current settings so that you can restore them when you finish this procedure 1 Shut down the computer 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 Locate the configuration jumper on the system board and move the jumper plug so that pins 2 and 3 are jumpered to clear the password when you turn on the computer 6 Close the computer cover connect your computer to an electrical outlet and turn on the computer 7 Access the system setup program and assign a new Supervisor or setup password in the
36. des are listed below Possible Cause Corrective Action A memory refresh failure occurred Reseat the memory modules Memory parity cannot be reset Reseat the memory modules A failure occurred in the first 64 KB of memory Reseat the memory modules 8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled See Contacting Dell assistance An exception interrupt error occurred See Contacting Dell assistance A read write error occurred in the display See Contacting Dell memory assistance A CMOS shutdown register test error occurred See Contacting Dell assistance An invalid BIOS is installed See Contacting Dell assistance System Messages The system timer is not operational See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical Message Possible Cause Corrective Action 8042 Gate A20 error The keyboard controller failed its test If you receive this message after making changes in the s SNE setup program enter the program and restore the original value s Address Line Short Error in the address decoding circuitry in the Reseat the memory modules
37. dom disconnected such as USB mouse and keyboard devices Line Out Connector Use the green line out connector available on computers with integrated sound to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers On computers with a sound card the line out connector is on the card Line In Connector Use the blue line in connector available on computers with integrated sound to attach a record playback device such as a cassette player CD player or VCR On computers with a sound card the line in connector is on the card Microphone Connector Use the pink microphone connector available on computers with integrated sound to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program On computers with a sound card the microphone connector is on the card Video Connector Plug the cable from your monitor into the blue video connector Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Dell Dimension 4500 Hints Notices and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Hints Notices and Cautions K HI NT A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer NOTI CE A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem A CAUTION A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage personal injury or death Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations
38. drive bay cover You do not need to replace the cover insert 12 Close the computer cover 13 Connect a power cable to the drive See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on connecting a drive cable to the drive HINT Your computer uses cable select drive cables This means that the device connected to the end connector of the drive cable is the master device and the device connected to the middle connector is the slave device Be sure that the jumper setting on the new device is set for cable select see the documentation that came with the drive for information drive cable NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 14 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on 15 Install any drivers required for the drive as described in the documentation that came with the drive Replacing the Microprocessor A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the com
39. e computer does not respond to a keystroke or a proper shutdown press the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off Press the power button again to restart the computer The chkdsk program automatically runs during the start up process Follow the instructions on the screen Other software problems Check the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer for troubleshooting information Back up your files immediately If your computer has a CD RW drive or a zip drive installed see the drive s documentation for instructions Ensure that you have not made an error while entering data See the program documentation to make sure that the values or characters you are entering are valid Check for viruses Use a virus scanning program to check the hard drive floppy disks or CDs Restart the computer Save and close any open files exit any open programs and then shut down your computer through the Start menu instead of pressing the power button Otherwise you may lose data Check for compatibility Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer and that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software See the software documentation for information If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program Ensure that you properly installed and configured the program See the software documentation for in
40. e power button is on or off If the power light is off check the power supply If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance OOOO A BCD See Safety Instructions and then remove all cards If the computer still does not start see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance Recovery mode from BIOS See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance failure i A B C OD Microprocessor has failed a See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance BIOS test i A B C OD Memory modules are If you have one memory module installed reinstall it and then restart the computer detected but a memory If you have two or more memory modules installed remove the modules reinstall one module failure has occurred and then restart the computer If the computer starts normally reinstall an additional module Continue until you have identified a faulty connector or reinstalled all modules without error If available install properly working memory of the same type into your computer i A B C D If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance PCI bus failure has occurred 1 Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card and then
41. ets wet consult your Owner s Manual Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources Also do not block cooling vents Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer do not place your computer in a closed in wall unit or on a bed sofa or rug When Working Inside Your Computer Before you open the computer cover perform the following steps in the seguence indicated CAUTI ON Do not attempt to service the computer yourself except as explained in your online Dell documentation or otherwise provided to you Always follow installation and service instructions closely NOTICE To help avoid possible damage to the system board wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer 1 Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu 2 Turn off your computer and any devices 3 Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis such as the metal around the card slot openings at the back of the computer before touching anything inside your computer While you work periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components 4 Disconnect your computer and devices from their power sou
42. formation If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program Other technical problems Go to the Dell Support website Go to support dell com for help with general usage installation and troubleshooting questions See Dell Technical Support Policy in the Owner s Manual for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell E mail Dell Go to the Dell Support website and then click E Mail Dell in the Communicate list Send an e mail message to Dell about your problem you can expect to receive an e mail message from Dell within hours See Dell Technical Support Policy in the Owner s Manual for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell Call Dell f you cannot solve your problem by using the Dell Support website or e mail service call Dell for technical assistance See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for the correct number to call See Dell Technical Support Policy in the Dell Owner s Manual for a description of the hardware and software support provided by Dell General hardware problems If your computer exhibits one or more of the following symptoms a device conflict may exist Your computer locks up particularly while using a specific device A recently added device does not work A sound card emits noise or demonstrates other problems Unintelligible characters print from the printer The mouse pointer does not move or stu
43. he Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data and then the computer automatically restarts 6 After the computer restarts click OK To change the restore point you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point or you can undo the restoration Undoing the Last System Restore NOTICE Before undoing the last system restore save and close all open files and close all open programs Do not alter open or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete 1 Click the Start button point to All Programs gt Accessories gt System Tools and then click System Restore 2 Select Undo my last restoration and click Next 3 Click Next The System Restore screen appears and then the computer automatically restarts 4 After the computer restarts click OK Enabling System Restore If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard drive space available System Restore is automatically disabled To see if System Restore is enabled 1 Click the Start button and then click Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance 3 Click System 4 Click the System Restore tab 5 Make sure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked Reinstalling Drivers NOTICE The Dell Support website and the Dell Dimension ResourceCD provide approved drivers for Dell computers If you install drivers obtained from other sources your computer might not wo
44. he system board 10 Plug the 12 VDC P2 DC power cable into the 4B1 connector on the system board 11 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 12 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on If you are installing a microprocessor replacement kit from Dell return the original heat sink assembly and microprocessor package to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent Your microprocessor replacement kit should include a replacement microprocessor heat sink and one replacement securing clip Removing the Front I O Panel A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 Disconnect the control panel cable from the control panel connector Disconnect the I O cable from the connector on the system board Note the routing of the control panel cable as you remove it from the computer so that you can replace it correctly 6 Rem
45. he top is a menu bar for accessing the main program screens The box on the left side of each screen lists options that define the installed hardware in the computer Fields beside the options contain settings or values You can change those that are enclosed in brackets Values that are grayed out contain status information reported by the computer The box on the right side of each screen displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field The lower right area lists keys and their functions for the currently displayed screen The menu bar provides access to the following screens Main screen Provides settings for the basic computer configuration Advanced screen Provides detailed settings for some computer features Security screen Provides indications and settings for system password and setup password Power screen Provides settings for system power management features Boot screen Provides information about which device boots the computer Exit screen Provides selections for saving and loading the configurations and options In addition to these screens options identified by a right arrow provide access to submenus Entering the System Setup Program 1 Turn on or restart your computer 2 When the blue DELL logo appears press lt Del gt If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory let the computer complete the load operation Then shut
46. in the Failure hard drive controller computer and defined correctly in the system setup program Check the interface cable at both ends DD Controller Failure INTR1 Error Interrupt channel on the system board failed to The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced POST INTR2 Error Invalid Boot Diskette The operating system cannot be located on drive A Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is or drive C properly identified Keyboard Error The BIOS has detected a stuck key Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard if a key appears to be stuck carefully pry it up If the problem persists you may need to replace the keyboard Interface Error An error occurred with the keyboard connector Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard if a key appears to be stuck carefully pry it up If the problem persists you may need to replace the keyboard No ROM Basic The operating system cannot be located on drive A Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is or drive C properly identified Using System Restore The Microsoft Windows xP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files if changes to the hardware software or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state See Windows Help for information on using S
47. l cameras gaming controllers and scanners Use the back panel USB connectors for USB devices that are seldom disconnected such as USB mouse and keyboard devices Headphone Connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most speakers for listening to all sounds from your computer including your CD player and computer sounds such as beeps Service Tag K HINT Express Service may not be available in some countries This label lists your computer s service tag and your Express Service Code if applicable If you call Dell technical support use your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the correct support personnel The Dell technical support staff will ask for your service tag information Back View power connector voltage selection switch my COC ARR RER Oe prrrreperre BAB BE Soe HE rerrrerryr FFEFEFEFFF keyboard connector Perro eer rrerrrrrer USB 2 0 connectors 2 s mouse connector serial connector parallel connector diagnostic lights 4 USB 2 0 connectors 2 microphone connector line out video connector connector line in connector Power Connector Plug one end of your computer power cable into the power connector and plug the other end into an electrical outlet Voltage Selection Switch The voltage selection switch must be set to match the AC power available at your location The switch should be set for 115 V in most of North and South America and some Far Eas
48. le to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off Then press the power button again to turn on the computer You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown A program stops responding End the program Press lt Ctrl gt lt Alt gt lt Delete gt simultaneously Click Task Manager and click Applications Click the program that is no longer responding Click End Task A program crashes repeatedly K HI NT Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD Check the software documentation Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that may help you solve the problem Ensure that you properly installed and configured the program If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Run the Program Compatibility Wizard Windows XP provides a Program Compatibility Wizard that configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to non Windows XP operating system environments 1 Click the Start button point to All Programs gt Accessories and then click Program Compatibility Wizard 2 In the welcome screen click Next 3 Follow the instructions on the screen A solid blue screen appears Turn the computer off If th
49. le was not found The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file To remove and then reinstall the program Click the Start button Click Control Panel Click Add or Remove Programs Select the program you want to remove Click the Change or Remove Program icon See the program documentation for installation instructions Insert bootable media The operating system is trying to boot to a nonbootable floppy disk or CD Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD Non system disk error A floppy disk is in the floppy drive Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer Not enough memory or resources Close some programs and try again You have too many programs open Close all windows and open the program that you want to use In some cases you might have to restart your computer to restore computer resources If so try running the program that you want to use first Operating system not found Contact Dell See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for the correct number to call The file being copied is too large for the destination drive The file that you are trying to copy is too large to fit on the disk Try copying the file to a blank disk or using a larger capacity disk x is not accessible The device is not ready Insert a disk into the drive and try again General Problems The computer stops responding Turn the computer off f your computer locks up and you are unab
50. led default displays the DELL logo during POST Disabled displays the normal POST messages When set to Enabled this option shortens POST by eliminating some tests If set to Disabled default all POST tests occur The system setup program automatically checks the configuration of a Simple Boot Flag compatible operating system at POST Depending on its configuration the system setup program may automatically set this option to Enabled or Disabled Exit Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit Nana b Exit Saving Changes Item Specific Help Bb Exit Discarding Changes B Load Optimal Defaults MP Load Custom Defaults Bb Save Custom Defaults Bb Discard Changes Select Menu ty Select Item Enter Select P gt Submenu F9 Setup Defaults Fl0 Save and Exit ESC Exit Fl Help Option Function o 7 v SSG Exit Saving Changes Saves any changes you have made exits the system setup program and restarts the computer Exit Discarding Discards any changes you have made exits the system setup program and restarts the computer Changes Load Optimal Defaults Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their defaults but does not exit the system setup program Load Custom Defaults Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their defaults but does not exit the system setup program Save Custom Defaults Saves any changes you have ma
51. ly press the panel out from the inside of the computer remove front panel insert through here securing tabs 4 front panel insert securing tab drive bay cover panel 9 Gently slide the drive into the bay until you hear a click rail tabs 2 drive 10 Connect a power cable to the drive See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on connecting a drive cable to the drive and system board HINT Your computer uses cable select drive cables This means that the device connected to the end connector of the drive cable is the master device and the device connected to the middle connector is the slave device Be sure that the jumper setting on the new device is set for cable select see the documentation that came with the drive for information power cable drive cable NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation 3 5 Inch Devices A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall
52. memory C Drive Error The hard drive is not working or is not configured Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined correctly correctly in the system setup program C Drive Failure Cache Memory Bad Do Cache memory is not operating See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining Not Enable Cache technical assistance CH 2 Timer Error An error is occurring on the timer on the system See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining board technical assistance CMOS Battery State The system configuration information in the system Enter the system setup program and verify the system configuration then Low setup program is incorrect or the battery charge restart the computer may be low CMOS Checksum Failure CMOS System Options Not Set CMOS Display Type Mismatch CMOS Memory Size Mismatch CMOS Time and Date Not Set Diskette Boot Failure JDrive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined correctly in the system setup program Check the interface cable at both ends DMA E Error in the DMA controller on the system board The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced DMA 1 E DMA 2 Error FDD Controller BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive or Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly
53. n Event Log Displays the space available for the event log View Event Log Press lt Enter gt to view the event log Clear Event Log Clears all event logs when the computer restarts if set to Yes Retains the event log information if set to No default Event Logging Enables or disables event logging Mark Events As Read Press lt Enter gt and then select Yes or No to mark DMI events as either read or unread Video Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup INN NNNNH Video Configuration Item Specific Help AGP Aperture Size Primary Video Adapter Select Menu t4 Select Item Enter Select Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit F1 Help AGP Aperture Sets the AGP aperture size to 64 MB default or 256 MB Size Primary Video Supports the Windows 2000 multiple monitor feature Select AGP default to specify the integrated AGP video controller as the primary Adapter video adapter Select PCI to specify a PCI video card as the primary video adapter Security Screen Dell Dimension 4500 Setup Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit Security Item Specific Help Supervisor Password Not Installed User Password Not Installed Set Supervisor Password Enter Set User Password Enter Select Menu t4 Select Item Enter Select B Submenu F9 Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit F1 Help Function Supervisor Password Indicates
54. o disable the processor serial number feature repeat steps 1 through 5 selecting Disabled in step 3 Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell Dimension 4500 Internal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Power Supply DC Power Connectors IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell Installed Drives Placement of Dell I nstalled Cards Internal View A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section read Safety nstructions NOTICE Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not inadvertently disconnect cables from the system board power supply hard drive filler brackets for empty card slots 4 Depending on the types of drives installed in your computer the cover may not open as widely as shown in the figure System Board Connectors and Sockets floppy drive CD drive connector hard drive connector connector FLOPPY SEC IDE PRI IDE front panel switch main power connector connector J60H1 MAIN POWER configuration jumper z standby power light J6F2 CR3F1 memory module connectors DIMM 0 DIMM PN microprocessor fan connector J1D2 AGP slot connector AGP SLOT battery socket BATTERY PCI card connectors microprocessor PCI SLOTS 1 4 connector J1D1 front panel audio cable connector 170644 telephony voice modem 12 V power connector J5B1 connector J4B
55. ocity change of 508 cm sec 200 inches sec 15 2 to 3048 m 50 to 10 000 ft 15 2 to 10 670 m 50 to 35 000 ft 3 At 35 C 95 F the maximum operating altitude is 914 m 3000 ft Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell Dimension 4500 Overview Entering the System Setup Program Main Screen Advanced Screen Security Screen Power Screen Boot Screen Exit Screen Clearing Forgotten Passwords Enabling the Processor Serial Number Overview Each time you turn on or restart your computer system the computer compares the hardware installed in the computer to the hardware listed in the configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board If the computer detects a discrepancy between the two it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings The computer then prompts you to enter the system setup program to correct the setting NOTICE Unless you are an expert computer user don t change the settings for this program Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly You can use the system setup program as follows To change the system configuration information after you add change or remove any hardware in your computer To set or change user selectable options for example the user password Dell recommends that you write down the system setup program screen information for future reference The system setup screens are organized as follows At t
56. odically touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer Your computer includes a floppy drive and a CD or DVD drive You can add other devices such as a Zip drive a CD RW drive or a tape drive 5 25 I nch Devices A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation See the documentation that came with the drive to ensure that the drive is set up for your computer 4 HINT Two sets of rails are attached to the inside of the computer cover Use the two longer rails on 5 25 inch drives Use the shorter rails on 3 5 inch drives Rails for a second hard drive are attached inside the hard drive bay 5 Remove the two longer green plastic rails from the inside of the computer cover To remove the rails gently ease the rails up and out 6 Attach the rails to the drive using the screws supplied with the drive Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the drive 7 Open the computer cover 8 To remove the drive bay cover panel careful
57. on to eject a disk from the floppy drive Hard Drive Light The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to your hard drive Power Button Press the power button to turn on the computer NOTICE To turn off your computer perform a Windows shutdown instead of pressing the power button Otherwise you may lose data Floppy Drive Light The floppy drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the floppy drive CD Headphone Connector Use the CD headphone connector to attach headphones to the CD drive CD Volume Control Dial Move the dial to adjust the volume of your audio CD HINT To prevent damage to your computer the front door is designed to break away if it is lifted up too far For instructions on how to reattach the door see Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge Arms USB 2 0 headphone connectors 2 connector USB 2 0 Connectors NOTI CE This computer supports the use of a USB hub However do not connect two or more USB hubs to a USB connector Doing so may cause the computer to unexpectedly reboot 4 HINT If you attach a USB device that was not included in your original computer order you may need to install a specific driver to make the device work Check the documentation that came with the device or contact the USB device manufacturer for more information For guick connections Dell recommends using the front USB connectors for USB devices such as digita
58. onnect the keyboard directly to the computer Test the keyboard Connect a keyboard that works properly to the computer and try using the keyboard If the new keyboard works the original keyboard is faulty Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Mouse Problems Restart the computer 1 Simultaneously press lt Ctrl gt lt Esc gt to display the Start menu 2 Type u press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down or Turn Off and then press lt Enter gt 3 After the computer turns off press the power button to restart the computer If you connected the mouse before turning on the computer reconnect the mouse cable Simultaneously press lt Ctrl gt lt Esc gt to display the Start menu Type u press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down or Turn Off and then press lt Enter gt After the computer turns off reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the Start Here setup diagram for your computer Start the computer simi If you connected the mouse after turning on the computer remove the power cable and then reconnect the mouse cable If the mouse is connected after the power is turned on the mouse appears to be nonfunctional To make the mouse function properly While your computer is on remove the power cable from the back of the computer Connect the mouse to the computer Reconnect the power cable Turn on your computer eS Pres
59. ostics may incorrectly fail The system setup program automatically checks the configuration of a Simple Boot Flag compatible operating system at POST Depending on its configuration the system setup program may automatically set this option to No or Yes Numlock Selects power on state for Numlock Peripheral Configuration Submenu Dell Dimension 4500 Setup NU oo NV Serial Port A Auto Item Specific Help Parallel Port Auto Mode Bi Directional Onboard Audio Device Enabled Legacy USB Support Disabled Select Menu tu Select Item Enter Select Submenu FS Setup Defaults F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit Fl Help Serial Port A Configures the serial port Set this option to Auto default Enabled or Disabled Depending on the port setting you can set the following additional options Basel O Address If the port is set to Enabled available I O addresses are 3F8 3E8 2F8 and 2E8 Interrupt If the port is set to Enabled available interrupts are IRQ3 and IRQ4 Parallel Port Configures the parallel port Set this option to Auto default Enabled or Disabled Depending on the port setting you can set the following additional options Mode If the port is set to Auto or Enabled available modes are Output Only Bi Directional default ECP and EPP See the device manufacturer s documentation for information on which mode to use before changing this setting Base l O Address If
60. ove all cables that are connected to the front I O panel 7 From inside the computer cover remove the mounting screw that secures the front I O panel to the computer 8 Remove the front I O panel from the computer 9 Reinstall the front I O panel by reversing steps 5 through 7 10 Close the computer cover NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 11 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Replacing the Power Supply Removing the Power Supply A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety Instructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 Be sure that the AC power cable is disconnected from the back of the power supply Then disconnect the DC power cables from the system board and the drives DC power cables screws 2 push button PISTTVIITTTD TITTIIITTIG TVIIVIII II IIIT AC power connector Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the computer frame as
61. power supply cables are securely connected to the system board Remove and then reinstall the memory modules Remove and then reinstall any cards If the problem persists contact Dell See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for the correct number to call If the power light is amber and green The computer is receiving electrical power but an internal power problem might exist Ensure that the microprocessor power cable is securely connected to the system board If the problem persists contact Dell See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for the correct number to call Eliminate interference Electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating near the computer can cause interference Other causes of interference are Power extension cables Keyboard and mouse extension cables Too many devices on a power strip Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet Printer Problems K HINT Dell does not cover the printer s warranty If you need technical assistance for your printer call the printer s manufacturer See the printer documentation for the correct phone number Check the printer documentation See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information Ensure that the printer is turned on See the printer documentation for power button information Verify the printer cable connections See the printer documentation for cable connection information
62. ppropriate network settings If you do not have a network card this option does not appear Windows XP begins to install its components and configure the computer The computer automatically restarts When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue Follow the directions on the screen to finish Remove the CD from the drive Reinstall the chipset INF driver Reinstall the appropriate drivers Reinstall your virus protection software Reinstall your other software programs See the documentation supplied with the software for instructions Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Documentation Dell Dimension 4500 Finding Information for Your Computer Printed Documentation Online Documentation Finding I nformation for Your Computer What Are You Looking For A diagnostic program for my computer ResourceCD Drivers for my computer My computer documentation My device documentation You can use this CD to access documentation reinstall drivers or run diagnostics tools How to set up a printer Owner s Manual How to troubleshoot and solve problems How to add parts How to contact Dell Dwner s Manual Warranty information Express Service Code and Service Tag Express Service Code and Product Key Number Windows License Label WWW DELL COM Service Tag OOX Express Service Code XXX xX Wares Ob Yuka a
63. puter cover 5 Disconnect the cooling fan power cable from the CR3F1 connector on the system board 6 Disconnect the 12 VDC P2 DC power cable from the J4B1 connector on the system board 7 Lift up the airflow shroud X TYTTTTIII rrrovveyerre VVIITIT TT serrr g wee A arrr 4 vevessev amp vy 8 Remove the heat sink a Press and lower the green lever on the retention mechanism until it is parallel to the system board heat sink lever NOTICE Gently rock the heat sink and then lift it to remove it 9 Lift the heat sink away from the microprocessor NOTICE Do not discard the original heat sink unless you are installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell If you are not installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell reuse the original heat sink and blower when you install your new microprocessor 10 Pull the socket lever up straight up until the microprocessor is released The microprocessor uses a ZIF socket with a lever type handle that secures or releases the microprocessor NOTICE Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you remove the microprocessor package from the ZIF socket Bending the package pins can permanently damage the microprocessor ZIF socket lever microprocessor microprocessor socket 11 Remove the microprocessor from the socket Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new microproces
64. rces Also disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock In addition take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate When you disconnect a cable pull on its connector or on its strain relief loop not on the cable itself Some cables have a connector with locking tabs if you are disconnecting this type of cable press in on the locking tabs before disconnecting the cable As you pull connectors apart keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins Also before you connect a cable make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned Handle components and cards with care Do not touch the components or contacts on a card Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket Hold a component such as a microprocessor chip by its edges not by its pins There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer s instructions Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer To prevent static damage discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer s electronic components such as the microprocessor You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis
65. restarting the computer 2 Ifthe problem persists reinstall the card that you removed remove a different card and then restart the computer 3 Repeat this process for each card If the computer starts normally troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts see Resolving Software and Hardware ABCD Incompatibilities i If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance Video controller failed to If the computer has a video card remove the card and reinstall it initialize or respond If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance i A B C D IDE bus failure has occurred Reseat the drive cables If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance i A B C D No memory modules are Reseat all memory modules and then restart the computer detected To eliminate the possibility of a faulty memory connector remove all memory modules reinstall i A B C D System board failure Memory modules are detected but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists USB port or a device connected to it has failed initialization Other failure Computer has started and turned over control to the operating sy
66. rk correctly A driver is a software program that allows a hardware device controller to function properly and to communicate with the computer Sometimes you can fix a device problem by reinstalling its driver Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Windows XP Device Driver Rollback replaces a device driver with the previously installed version if you install a new driver that causes system instability If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem then try using System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver To use Device Driver Rollback 1 Click the Start button and then right click My Computer 2 Click Properties 3 Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager 4 Inthe Device Manager window right click the device for which the new driver was installed and then click Properties 5 Click the Drivers tab 6 Click Roll Back Driver Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore does not resolve the problem then reinstall the driver from the Dell Dimension ResourceCD 1 With the Windows desktop displayed insert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive If this is your first time to use the ResourceCD go to step 2 If not go to step 5 2 When the ResourceCD installation program starts follow the prompts on the screen 3 When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears remove the Reso
67. ructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness demagnetizing degaussing the monitor and running the monitor self test Move the subwoofer away from the monitor If your speaker system includes a subwoofer ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm 2 ft away from the monitor Move the monitor away from external power sources Fans fluorescent lights halogen lamps and other electrical devices can cause the screen image to appear shaky Turn off nearby devices to check for interference Rotate the monitor to face a different direction Eliminate sunlight glare which can cause poor picture quality Adjust the Windows display settings 1 Click the Start button and then click Control Panel 2 Click Appearance and Themes 3 Click Display and then click the Settings tab 4 Try different settings for Screen resolution and Color quality Restore the recommended settings Restore the original resolution and refresh rate settings See the Tell Me How help file for instructions Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell Dimension 4500 Microprocessor Microprocessor type L1 cache L2 cache Intel Pentium 4 microprocessor that runs at 1 60 1 70 1 80 1 90 2 00 2 20 or 2 40 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally and 2 26 2 40 2 53 2 66 or 2 80 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally 8 KB first level integrated 256 KB or 512 KB at full microproce
68. s and make sure that they have snapped into the vertical position in the cutouts on the ends of the memory modules Otherwise the securing clips may prevent the AGP card from being properly reinstalled Reinstall the AGP card Close the computer cover NOTI CE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Right click the My Computer icon and then click Properties Click the General tab To verify that the memory is installed correctly check the amount of memory RAM listed Replacing an AGP Card A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety nstructions 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet and then press the power button to ground the system board Open the computer cover Press the card clip lever on the side of the AGP card to release the card from the slot connector and remove the card AGP card card clip ii lever AGP card clip ee slot connector back of computer NOTICE Visually inspect the position of the securing clips on the memory conne
69. sing the power button does not clear the computer s settings and does not restore mouse functionality Check the mouse cable Check the cable connector for bent or broken pins and for damaged or frayed cables Straighten bent pins Ensure that the cable is firmly connected to the computer Test the mouse Connect a mouse that works properly to the computer and try using the mouse If the new mouse works the original mouse was faulty Check the mouse settings 1 Click the Start button click Control Panel and then click Printers and Other Hardware 2 Click Mouse 3 Try adjusting the settings Reinstall the mouse driver See Reinstalling Drivers Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Network Problems Check the network cable connector Ensure that the network cable is connected as shown in the Dell Owner s Manual Check the network lights on the back of the computer No light indicates that there is no network communication Try replacing the network cable light light Restart the computer and try to log on to the network again Check your network settings Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware ncompatibilities Power Problems
70. sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive Test the drive Insert another disk to eliminate the possibility that the original floppy disk is defective Insert a bootable floppy disk and reboot the computer Ensure that the disk is not full or write protected Ensure that the disk has available space and that it is not write protected locked See the following illustration back of floppy disk NOTICE Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab You may accidentally misalign the heads which can render the drive inoperable Clean the drive Use a commercially available cleaning kit CD drive problems K HINT High speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise This does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD Adjust the Windows volume control Click the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked Test the drive with another CD Insert another CD to eliminate the possibility that the original CD is defective Check the speakers and subwoofer See Sound and Speaker Problems Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive Click the Start button and then click My Computer f the CD drive is not listed perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses Viruses can some
71. sor Installing the Microprocessor NOTICE You must position the microprocessor package correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer 1 If the release lever on the ZIF socket is not extended to the release position move it to that position 2 Align pin 1 the beveled corner of the microprocessor package and pin 1 of the socket pin 1 corners of microprocessor and socket aligned socket lever microprocessor po microprocessor socket NOTICE The microprocessor pins are delicate To avoid damage ensure that the microprocessor aligns properly with the socket and do not use excessive force when installing the processor 3 Carefully set the microprocessor in the socket and press it down lightly to seat it 4 Rotate the lever back toward the system board until it snaps into place securing the microprocessor package 5 If you are installing a new heat sink remove the film covering the bottom of the heat sink 6 Lower the heat sink to the microprocessor so that the heat sink fits in the retention base notch lever retention base hinge 7 Raise the retention lever and press until the heat sink is secured You will feel the lever pause once it is at a 90 degree angle Keep pressing the lever another 30 degrees ensuring that it is in the locked position 8 Lower the airflow shroud over the heat sink 9 Reconnect the cooling fan power cable to the CR3F1 connector on t
72. ssor speed System Information System chip set DMA channels Interrupt levels System BIOS chip System clock Expansion Bus Bus types Bus speed AGP connector AGP connector size AGP connector data width maximum AGP bus protocols PCI connectors PCI connector size PCI connector data width maximum Memory Architecture Memory connectors Memory capacities Minimum memory Maximum memory Memory type BIOS address 400 or 533 MHz data rate 4x 2x modes at 1 5 V 120 pins DDR SDRAM wo 128 256 and 512 MB non ECC DDR SDRAM 128 MB 1 GB DDR non ECC F8000h Drives Externally accessible Internally accessible Available devices Ports and Connectors Externally accessible Serial Parallel Video Keyboard Mouse USB two 5 25 inch bays two 3 5 inch bays two bays for 1 inch high IDE hard drives ATA 100 Ultra DMA hard drive CD drive Zip drive DVD drive DVD RW drive and CD RW drive 9 pin connector 16550C compatible 25 hole connector bidirectional 15 hole connector 6 pin mini DIN connector or USB connector 6 pin mini DIN connector or USB connector two front panel and four back panel USB compliant connectors Headphone Audio Internally accessible Primary IDE channel Secondary IDE channel Floppy drive Audio Audio controller front panel miniature connector three miniature connectors for line in line out and microphone 40 pin
73. stem Beep Codes one memory module if the computer supports a single module and then restart the computer If the computer starts normally move the memory module to a different connector and restart the computer Continue until you have identified a faulty connector or reinstalled all modules without error If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance Be sure that there are no special memory module memory connector placement requirements Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with the computer If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance Disconnect the device from the USB connector If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance Ensure that the cables are properly connected from the hard drive CD drive and DVD drive to the system board If the problem persists see Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance No action is necessary If the monitor cannot display errors or problems during POST the computer might emit a series of beeps or beep code that identifies the problem The POST beep co
74. t User s Guides and then click Tell Me How K HINT Tell Me How help files files with an extension of chm require Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 0 or later The Tell Me How help file allows you to search for information in multiple ways You can guickly link to information on the following topics Hardware and software features of your computer The Windows desktop where you can change your wallpaper and screen saver create shortcuts and position icons Software access installation and removal Basic file management such as finding copying deleting and renaming files Tips on using your computer hardware Downloading the Tell Me How Help File and Associated Files 1 Right click the following link to the hhactivex dil file hhactivex dil 2 Click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator and specify c windows system 3 Click the Start button on the Microsoft Windows desktop and then click Run 4 Type regsvr32 hhactivex dll and then press lt Enter gt 5 Click OK when the installation is complete 6 Right click the following link to the file Dell Dimension 4500 Tell Me How chm 1 02 MB Click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator and specify a location on your hard drive Viewing the Tell Me How Help File 1 Click the Start button on the Windows desktop point to Programs and then click Windows Explorer 2 Navigate
75. t button and then click Help and Support 2 Click User and system guides and then click User s guides 3 Click Tell Me How To access Windows help Click the Start button and then click Help and Support Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click the arrow icon Click the topic that describes your problem Follow the instructions shown on the screen To locate additional information for your computer See Finding Information for Your Computer Battery Problems A CAUTION There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer s instructions A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the Safety nstructions Replace the battery If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer or if an incorrect time or date displays during start up replace the battery If the battery still does not work properly contact Dell See Contacting Dell in the Dell Owner s Manual for the correct number to call Drive Problems Floppy drive problems Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive Click the Start button and then click My Computer If the floppy drive is not listed perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses Viruses can
76. tches on the bottom to the tabs on the computer frame floor 4 Slide the board toward the back of the computer until it clicks into place 5 Replace any components and cables that you removed from the system board NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 6 Reconnect all cables to their connectors at the back of the computer close the computer cover and reconnect the computer and devices to their power sources and turn them on Closing the Computer Cover 1 Ensure that all cables are connected and fold cables out of the way 2 Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer 3 Pivot the cover down and ensure that the release buttons click into place NOTICE To connect a network cable first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer 4 Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on Back to Contents Page Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell Dimension 4500 Finding Help Information Mouse Problems Battery Problems Drive Problems Network Problems Power Problems E Mail Modem and Internet Problems Error Messages General Problems Keyboard Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Video and Monitor Problems Finding Help Information To access the Tell Me How help file 1 Click the Star
77. tern countries such as Japan South Korea and Taiwan For most of Europe the Middle East and the Far East the switch should be set for 230 V K HI NT The voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position even though the AC supply in Japan is 100 V Parallel Connector Connect a parallel device such as a printer to the parallel connector If you have a USB printer plug it into a USB connector Serial Connector Connect a serial device like a handheld device to the serial connector Mouse Connector Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector If you have a USB mouse plug it into a USB connector Keyboard Connector If you have a standard keyboard plug the keyboard into the purple keyboard connector If you have a USB keyboard plug it into a USB connector USB 2 0 Connectors NOTI CE This computer supports the use of a USB hub However do not connect two or more USB hubs to a USB connector Doing so may cause the computer to unexpectedly reboot HINT If you attach a USB device that was not included in your original computer order you may need to install a specific driver to make the device work Check the documentation that came with the device or contact the USB device manufacturer for more information For guick connections Dell recommends using the front USB connectors for USB devices such as digital cameras gaming controllers and scanners Use the back panel USB connectors for USB devices that are sel
78. times prevent Windows from recognizing the drive Clean the disc See the Tell Me How help file for instructions on cleaning your CDs Problems writing to a CD RW drive Close other programs The CD RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing If the stream is interrupted an error occurs Try closing all programs before writing to the CD RW See the CD RW program s Help file for CD RW recording instructions See the CD RW program s online help information for complete instructions on how to record CD RWs DVD drive problems K HI NT Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives Test the drive with another DVD Insert another DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original DVD is defective Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive Click the Start button and then click My Computer If the DVD drive is not listed perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive Clean the disc See the Tell Me How help file for instructions on cleaning your DVDs Hard drive problems Run Check Disk Click the Start button and then click My Computer Right click the drive letter local disk that you want to scan for errors and then click Properties Click the Tools tab Under Error checking click Check Now Click Start
79. ts of rails are attached to the inside of the computer cover Use the two longer rails on 5 25 inch drives Use the shorter rails for 3 5 inch drives Rails for a second hard drive are attached inside the hard drive bay 6 Remove the two green plastic rails from the inside of the hard drive bay These rails are not attached to the inside of the hard drive bay with screws To remove the rails gently pull the rails up and out of the bay 7 Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the rails Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive 8 Remove the first hard drive from the upper bay and install it in the lower bay a Disconnect the power cable and the data cable from the back of the first hard drive b Press in the two green rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of the upper bay NOTICE Do not install any drive into the lower hard drive bay until after you have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard drive cage c Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear a click d Reconnect the power cable and the data cable to the back of the first hard drive 9 Gently slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until you hear a click rail tabs 2 second hard drive in upper bay first hard drive in lower bay ji _L hard drive cage NOTICE Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive 10 Locate
80. tters when it moves Messages appear stating that the computer is not operating at maximum performance Errors occur and programs crash for no apparent reason Nothing displays on the monitor Remove any recently added hardware to see if it resolves the conflict If removing the hardware resolves the conflict see the hardware documentation for configuration and troubleshooting instructions If the problem persists contact the hardware manufacturer for technical assistance Check your operating system documentation for additional troubleshooting information Check for interrupt request conflicts See Resolving Software and Hardware ncompatibilities Keyboard Problems Restart the computer If the mouse is functioning shut down the computer through the Start menu After the computer shuts down press the power button to restart the computer If the computer does not respond to a keystroke or the mouse press the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off Press the power button again to restart the computer Check the keyboard cable Ensure that the keyboard cable is firmly connected to the computer Shut down the computer reconnect the keyboard cable as shown on the Start Here setup diagram for your computer and then restart the computer Check the cable connector for bent or broken pins and for damaged or frayed cables Straighten bent pins Remove keyboard extension cables and c
81. urceCD and click Finish to restart the computer 4 When you see the Windows desktop reinsert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen click Next HINT The ResourceCD displays drivers only for the hardware that came on your computer If you installed additional hardware the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed by the ResourceCD If those drivers are not displayed exit the ResourceCD program For drivers information see the documentation that came with that product A message stating that the ResourceCD is detecting hardware in your computer appears The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers The ResourceCD has identified these components in your system window 6 Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions on the screen If a particular driver is not listed then that driver is not required by your operating system Resolving Software and Hardware I ncompatibilities Microsoft Windows XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP 1 Click the Start button and then click Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then click System 3 Click the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager 4 Inthe Device Manager list check for conflicts with
82. vices Click the Hardware tab Double click the name of your CD drive Click the Properties tab Uncheck the Enable digital CD audio for this CD ROM device box Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank K HINT See the monitor documentation for troubleshooting procedures Check the monitor power light If the power light is off firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on If the power light is lit or blinking the monitor has power If the power light is blinking press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse Check the monitor cable connection Check the connector for bent or broken pins It is normal for monitor cable connectors to have missing pins Ensure that the video cable is connected as shown on the Start Here setup diagram for your computer Test the electrical outlet Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp Swap the power cables Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective Test the video extension cable if used If you are using a video extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem the cable is defective Test another monitor If another monitor is available connect it to the computer Check the diagnostic lights See Diagnostic Codes If the screen is difficult to read Check the monitor settings See the monitor documentation for inst
83. w Mera sone mitten puman pn MI Bi i JOU UDO FI IIK MUSOU GUL Located on your computer How to reinstall my operating system man x se M Z OPERATING SYSTEM DELES Peedi Aan F ma ad Operating System CD If you reinstall your operating system use the ResourceCD to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer Latest drivers for my computer Dell Support website Answers to technical service and support questions Online discussions with other users and support dell com technical support Documentation for my computer The Dell Support website provides several online tools including Knowledge Base hints tips and online courses Customer Forum online discussion with other Dell customers Upgrades upgrade information for components such as memory the hard drive and the operating system Customer Care contact information order status warranty and repair information Downloads drivers patches and software updates Reference computer documentation product specifications and white papers How to set up my computer Start Here Tips on using Windows Tell Me How help file How to clean my computer How to use my mouse and keyboard 1 Click the Start button and then click Help and Support 2 Click User and system guides and then click User s guides 3 Click Tell Me How How to use Microsoft Windows XP Windows XP
84. wall outlet and then press the power button to ground the system board NOTICE Ensure that there is sufficient space to support the open cover at least 30 cm 1 ft of desk top space 4 Lay the computer on its side so that the arrow on the bottom of the computer points up 5 Locate the two release buttons shown in the illustration Then press the two release buttons as you lift the cover release button ON P 4 gt oT nae 3 wy 4 Pere s v f IZI PAAT back of computer Adding Cards A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in Safety nstructions A CAUTION To guard against electrical shock always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover 1 Shut down the computer NOTICE To disconnect a network cable first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack 2 Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets 3 Disconnect the power cable from your computer and then press the power button to ground the system board 4 Open the computer cover 5 To raise the securing lever press the tab until it is free from the latch and then lift the lever 6 Insert the card into the connector card card bracket slot connector PFO LO securing lever Sn gt lt board 7 Ensure that the card is fully seated in the connector
85. you want to recover your current Windows XP data type r to select the repair option and then go to step 16 If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP press lt Esc gt to select the fresh copy option and then press lt Enter gt on the next screen to select the highlighted partition recommended Then follow the instructions on the screen The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to copy files and install the devices The computer automatically restarts multiple times before it requires additional input When the Welcome to Microsoft screen appears click the green arrow icon at the bottom of the screen to continue Follow the directions on the screen to finish When the Regional Settings screen appears select the settings for your locale and then click Next Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software screen and then click Next If you are reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition enter a name for your computer when the Computer Name window appears and then click Next If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional enter a name for your computer and a password when the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears and then click Next If the Modem Dialing I nformation screen appears enter the requested information Then click Next Enter the date time and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window and then click Next If you have a network card in your computer select the a
86. ystem Restore To access Windows Help see Finding Help Information NOTICE Make regular backups of your data files System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them Creating a Restore Point 1 Click the Start button 2 Click Help and Support w Click System Restore 4 Follow the instructions on the screen Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State If problems occur after installing a device driver first try using Device Driver Rollback If that is unsuccessful then use System Restore NOTICE Before restoring the computer to an earlier operating state save and close all open files and close all open programs Do not alter open or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete 1 Click the Start button point to All Programs gt Accessories gt System Tools and then click System Restore 2 Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and then click Next 3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold 4 Select a restore point and then click Next If a calendar date has only one restore point then that restore point is automatically selected If two or more restore points are available click the restore point that you prefer 5 Click Next T
87. z in most of Europe the Middle East and the Far East Dee hee rrrerecere osi gi ad zi pi m gi vi Bi Ma K NOTE Auto select power supplies do not require a voltage selection switch Your power supply may not have this switch Also be sure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in your location Before working inside the computer unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock or system board damage Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the computer is connected to AC power To help avoid possible damage to the system board wait 15 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from the computer To help prevent electric shock plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded power sources These cables are equipped with three prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable If you must use an extension cable use a three wire cable with properly grounded plugs To help protect your computer from sudden transient increases and decreases in electrical power use a surge suppressor line conditioner or uninterruptible power supply UPS Be sure nothing rests on your computer s cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over Do not spill food or liquids on your computer If the computer g

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