Dell Dimension 8100 Solutions Guide
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...All rights reserved. September 2001 P/N 65JDG Rev. Other trademarks and trade names may result in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Dimension, Inspiron, Dell Precision, OptiPlex, Latitude, DellPlus, DellNet, and DellWare are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; 3Com is strictly ...forbidden. Information in the Tell Me How help file. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. ...
...All rights reserved. September 2001 P/N 65JDG Rev. Other trademarks and trade names may result in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Dimension, Inspiron, Dell Precision, OptiPlex, Latitude, DellPlus, DellNet, and DellWare are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; 3Com is strictly ...forbidden. Information in the Tell Me How help file. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. ...
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Safety Instructions 7 When Using Your Computer 7 When Working Inside Your Computer 8 Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge 9 1 Setting Up Connecting a Printer 12 Parallel Printer 12 USB Printer 13 Installing the Printer Driver 13 Turning Off the Computer 14 Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me 14 Windows 2000 14 2 Solving Problems Finding Solutions 16 Help Files 18 Power Problems 18 Start-Up Error Messages 19 Video and Monitor Problems 20 If the screen is blank 20 If the screen is difficult to read 21 Contents 3
Safety Instructions 7 When Using Your Computer 7 When Working Inside Your Computer 8 Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge 9 1 Setting Up Connecting a Printer 12 Parallel Printer 12 USB Printer 13 Installing the Printer Driver 13 Turning Off the Computer 14 Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me 14 Windows 2000 14 2 Solving Problems Finding Solutions 16 Help Files 18 Power Problems 18 Start-Up Error Messages 19 Video and Monitor Problems 20 If the screen is blank 20 If the screen is difficult to read 21 Contents 3
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... If you cannot play a DVD movie 27 If the CD-RW drive stops writing 28 If you have a hard drive problem 28 Network Problems 28 Windows Error Messages 29 General Program Problems 30 A program crashes 30 A program stops responding 30 A solid blue screen appears 30 Internet Connection Problems 30 E-Mail Problems...
... If you cannot play a DVD movie 27 If the CD-RW drive stops writing 28 If you have a hard drive problem 28 Network Problems 28 Windows Error Messages 29 General Program Problems 30 A program crashes 30 A program stops responding 30 A solid blue screen appears 30 Internet Connection Problems 30 E-Mail Problems...
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Reinstalling Windows Me 35 Reinstalling Windows 2000 37 3 Adding Parts Removing the Computer Cover 40 Looking Inside Your Computer 42 System Board 43 Rotating the Power Supply 44 Removing and Replacing the Front Panel 45 Adding Cards 46 Installing a Card 47 Removing Cards 49 Removing and Replacing the AGP Card 49 Adding Memory 51 Adding or Replacing Other Drives 52 Replacing the Computer Cover 57 4 Appendix Specifications 60 Standard Settings 64 Viewing Settings 64 System Setup Screens 65 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 65 Replacing the Battery 66 Contents 5
Reinstalling Windows Me 35 Reinstalling Windows 2000 37 3 Adding Parts Removing the Computer Cover 40 Looking Inside Your Computer 42 System Board 43 Rotating the Power Supply 44 Removing and Replacing the Front Panel 45 Adding Cards 46 Installing a Card 47 Removing Cards 49 Removing and Replacing the AGP Card 49 Adding Memory 51 Adding or Replacing Other Drives 52 Replacing the Computer Cover 57 4 Appendix Specifications 60 Standard Settings 64 Viewing Settings 64 System Setup Screens 65 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 65 Replacing the Battery 66 Contents 5
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...does not automatically run, click the Start button on your screen. If your CD or DVD drive [usually drive D]). If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. 4 Install the printer driver if necessary (see page 13). 2 Attach the USB printer cable to use. USB connector on computer...connect USB devices while the computer is ready to the USB connector on the screen using the instructions that came with the printer. HINT: Dell installs drivers for some new printers. Setting Up 13 Installing the Printer Driver If you need to Settings, and then click Printers. The USB...
...does not automatically run, click the Start button on your screen. If your CD or DVD drive [usually drive D]). If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. 4 Install the printer driver if necessary (see page 13). 2 Attach the USB printer cable to use. USB connector on computer...connect USB devices while the computer is ready to the USB connector on the screen using the instructions that came with the printer. HINT: Dell installs drivers for some new printers. Setting Up 13 Installing the Printer Driver If you need to Settings, and then click Printers. The USB...
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... 1 Save and exit any programs and files you have open . 2 Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down. 3 In the Shut Down Windows window, click Shut down and then click OK. NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you have open . 2 Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down. 3... | support.dell.com If you connect an older printer and it doesn't work after the shutdown process finishes. 4 Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power. 14 Setting Up Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me) 1 Save and exit any programs and files you must perform...
... 1 Save and exit any programs and files you have open . 2 Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down. 3 In the Shut Down Windows window, click Shut down and then click OK. NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you have open . 2 Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down. 3... | support.dell.com If you connect an older printer and it doesn't work after the shutdown process finishes. 4 Turn off your monitor and any other devices connected to power. 14 Setting Up Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) and Windows Millennium Edition (Me) 1 Save and exit any programs and files you must perform...
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SECTION 2 Finding Solutions Help Files Power Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Monitor Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Modem Problems Mouse Problems Keyboard Problems Drive Problems Network Problems Windows Error Messages General Program Problems Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling Windows 98 Reinstalling Windows Me Reinstalling Windows 2000 www.dell.com | support.dell.com
SECTION 2 Finding Solutions Help Files Power Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Monitor Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Modem Problems Mouse Problems Keyboard Problems Drive Problems Network Problems Windows Error Messages General Program Problems Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling Windows 98 Reinstalling Windows Me Reinstalling Windows 2000 www.dell.com | support.dell.com
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... by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. ACCESS MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® 2000 HELP 1 Click the Start button and then click Help. 2 Click... T H E P O W E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I G H T - TE S T T H E E L E C T R I L E 1 Click the Start button, point to Programs-> User's Guides, and then click Tell Me How. www.dell.com | support.dell.com A C C E S S T H E TE L L M E H O W H E L P F I C A L O U T L E T - ACCESS WINDOWS MILLENNIUM EDITION (ME) HELP 1 Click the Start button and then click Help. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem in standby mode...
... by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. ACCESS MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® 2000 HELP 1 Click the Start button and then click Help. 2 Click... T H E P O W E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I G H T - TE S T T H E E L E C T R I L E 1 Click the Start button, point to Programs-> User's Guides, and then click Tell Me How. www.dell.com | support.dell.com A C C E S S T H E TE L L M E H O W H E L P F I C A L O U T L E T - ACCESS WINDOWS MILLENNIUM EDITION (ME) HELP 1 Click the Start button and then click Help. 2 Type a word or phrase that describes your problem in standby mode...
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... extension cables, too many devices on the same circuit or operating near the computer can cause interference. For Windows Me, click Changing the elapsed time before your computer automatically goes on standby or hibernate. Remove the floppy disk... standby. The operating system is trying to boot to verify that the computer turns on. CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET- See Windows Help. C H E C K F O R I E S - Call Dell for technical assistance (see page 68). C H E C K T H E PO W E R P R O P E R T I N T E R F E R E N C E - N O N - Insert a bootable floppy disk ...
... extension cables, too many devices on the same circuit or operating near the computer can cause interference. For Windows Me, click Changing the elapsed time before your computer automatically goes on standby or hibernate. Remove the floppy disk... standby. The operating system is trying to boot to verify that the computer turns on. CONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET- See Windows Help. C H E C K F O R I E S - Call Dell for technical assistance (see page 68). C H E C K T H E PO W E R P R O P E R T I N T E R F E R E N C E - N O N - Insert a bootable floppy disk ...
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.... TE S T T H E E L E C T R I T O R- TE S T T H E M O N I C A L O U T L E T - If all four lights below the serial port are not green, call Dell for fault indications and troubleshooting procedures specific to the computer. For Windows Me, type standby and then click Go. 4 For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, click To change the elapsed time before computer goes on standby or hibernate. 20...
.... TE S T T H E E L E C T R I T O R- TE S T T H E M O N I C A L O U T L E T - If all four lights below the serial port are not green, call Dell for fault indications and troubleshooting procedures specific to the computer. For Windows Me, type standby and then click Go. 4 For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, click To change the elapsed time before computer goes on standby or hibernate. 20...
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... Adjust the volume, bass, or treble controls to check for interference. T E S T - E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I T O R - Double-click the yellow speaker icon in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If your speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is turned up and that the headphone volume control is at least 2 ft... - Play a music CD. R U N T H E S P E A K E R S E L F - www.dell.com | support.dell.com HINT: The volume control in the lower-right corner of the CD drive. Ensure that the electrical outlet is not muted. Ensure ...
... Adjust the volume, bass, or treble controls to check for interference. T E S T - E L I M I N A T E P O S S I B L E I T O R - Double-click the yellow speaker icon in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If your speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is turned up and that the headphone volume control is at least 2 ft... - Play a music CD. R U N T H E S P E A K E R S E L F - www.dell.com | support.dell.com HINT: The volume control in the lower-right corner of the CD drive. Ensure that the electrical outlet is not muted. Ensure ...
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... documentation supplied with another device, such as a lamp. RE I N S T A L L T H E P R I N T E R D R I C A L O U T L E T - If you cannot print to a USB printer VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S - TE S T T H E E L E C T R I V E R - E N S U R E T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S T U R N E D O N - VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS 1 Click the Start button, point to a parallel port printer VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S - See page 13. If you cannot print to Settings, and then click Printers...
... documentation supplied with another device, such as a lamp. RE I N S T A L L T H E P R I N T E R D R I C A L O U T L E T - If you cannot print to a USB printer VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S - TE S T T H E E L E C T R I V E R - E N S U R E T H A T T H E P R I N T E R I S T U R N E D O N - VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS 1 Click the Start button, point to a parallel port printer VE R I F Y T H E P R I N T E R C A B L E C O N N E C T I O N S - See page 13. If you cannot print to Settings, and then click Printers...
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... E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E L I N G S - VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS 1 Click the Start button, point to restore mouse functionality: 1 With the computer on, remove the power cable from the back of the computer. 2 ...C T T H E M O U S E B E F O R E Y O U T U R N O N T H E C O M P U T E R - If all commands receive responses, the modem is communicating with Windows. C H E C K T H E M O U S E S E T T I N E - Try adjusting the settings. If you connect the mouse after you are not installed, delete the entries and restart the computer. 3 Click the ...
... E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E L I N G S - VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS 1 Click the Start button, point to restore mouse functionality: 1 With the computer on, remove the power cable from the back of the computer. 2 ...C T T H E M O U S E B E F O R E Y O U T U R N O N T H E C O M P U T E R - If all commands receive responses, the modem is communicating with Windows. C H E C K T H E M O U S E S E T T I N E - Try adjusting the settings. If you connect the mouse after you are not installed, delete the entries and restart the computer. 3 Click the ...
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www.dell.com | support.dell.com RE C O N N E C T T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E - Shut down the computer (see the Tell Me How help file. See the following illustration. Double-click the My Computer... E D R I V E W I T H A N O T H E R F L O P P Y D I V E - HINT: For information on saving files to eliminate the possibility that the floppy disk is not full or write-protected (locked). Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Insert another floppy disk to a floppy disk, see page 14), reconnect the keyboard cable as shown on the START HERE sheet...
www.dell.com | support.dell.com RE C O N N E C T T H E K E Y B O A R D C A B L E - Shut down the computer (see the Tell Me How help file. See the following illustration. Double-click the My Computer... E D R I V E W I T H A N O T H E R F L O P P Y D I V E - HINT: For information on saving files to eliminate the possibility that the floppy disk is not full or write-protected (locked). Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Insert another floppy disk to a floppy disk, see page 14), reconnect the keyboard cable as shown on the START HERE sheet...
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... T H E D R I T H A N O T H E R C D - If the CD drive is defective. TE S T T H E D R I V E W I V E - A D J U S T T H E W I T H A N O T H E R D V D - Double-click the My Computer icon. TE S T T H E D R I V E W I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L - C L E A N T H E D I S C - Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. See the Tell Me How help file for and remove viruses. Insert another CD to check for instructions. This does not.... Solving Problems 27 Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Double-click the ...
... T H E D R I T H A N O T H E R C D - If the CD drive is defective. TE S T T H E D R I V E W I V E - A D J U S T T H E W I T H A N O T H E R D V D - Double-click the My Computer icon. TE S T T H E D R I V E W I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L - C L E A N T H E D I S C - Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. See the Tell Me How help file for and remove viruses. Insert another CD to check for instructions. This does not.... Solving Problems 27 Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Double-click the ...
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..., type standby and then click Go. 4 For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, click To change the elapsed time before computer goes on to log on standby or hibernate. Try to the network again. 28 Solving Pr oblems www.dell.com | support.dell.com If the CD-RW drive stops writing TURN OFF ...STANDBY IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD -RW D I S K - Closing all programs before writing to Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools, and ...
..., type standby and then click Go. 4 For Windows 98 and Windows 2000, click To change the elapsed time before computer goes on to log on standby or hibernate. Try to the network again. 28 Solving Pr oblems www.dell.com | support.dell.com If the CD-RW drive stops writing TURN OFF ...STANDBY IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A CD -RW D I S K - Closing all programs before writing to Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools, and ...
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... to copy is functioning. Solving Problems 29 Verify that you want to fit on the screen. 5 See the program documentation for installation instructions. T H E D E V I C E I L E W A S N O T F O U N D - Close all windows and open the program that you are correct and that you want to open . THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE DESTINATION D R I R E D . A R E Q U I V E- NOT...
... to copy is functioning. Solving Problems 29 Verify that you want to fit on the screen. 5 See the program documentation for installation instructions. T H E D E V I C E I L E W A S N O T F O U N D - Close all windows and open the program that you are correct and that you want to open . THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE DESTINATION D R I R E D . A R E Q U I V E- NOT...
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... click the End Task button. Press the power button again to perform a proper Windows shutdown. RE V I O N - In the Close Program window, select the program that may help you were not able to restart the computer.... power button until the computer turns off. Follow the instructions on the screen. If the computer does not respond to solve the problem. www.dell.com | support.dell.com A program crashes S E E T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I E W " M O D E M P R O B L E M S " - Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that is no longer responding. A ...
... click the End Task button. Press the power button again to perform a proper Windows shutdown. RE V I O N - In the Close Program window, select the program that may help you were not able to restart the computer.... power button until the computer turns off. Follow the instructions on the screen. If the computer does not respond to solve the problem. www.dell.com | support.dell.com A program crashes S E E T H E S O F T W A R E D O C U M E N T A T I E W " M O D E M P R O B L E M S " - Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that is no longer responding. A ...
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...Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2 Double-click the Modems icon. 3 In the Modems Properties window, click the Dialing Properties button. 4 Ensure that To disable call Dell for technical assistance (see page 68). Go to the information in the Communicate list. Send an .... Go to receive an e-mail message from Dell within hours. TU R N O F F C A L L W A I T I L D E L L - With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. See your telephone directory. 5 Click the Apply button and then click the OK button. 6 Close the Modems Properties window. 7 Close the Control Panel.
...Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2 Double-click the Modems icon. 3 In the Modems Properties window, click the Dialing Properties button. 4 Ensure that To disable call Dell for technical assistance (see page 68). Go to the information in the Communicate list. Send an .... Go to receive an e-mail message from Dell within hours. TU R N O F F C A L L W A I T I L D E L L - With the Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. See your telephone directory. 5 Click the Apply button and then click the OK button. 6 Close the Modems Properties window. 7 Close the Control Panel.
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... cards that might not work correctly. Sometimes you can fix a device problem by reinstalling its driver: 1 From the Windows desktop, insert the Dell Dimension ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive. 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next. 6 If necessary, change the language in the Language list in your first time using...
... cards that might not work correctly. Sometimes you can fix a device problem by reinstalling its driver: 1 From the Windows desktop, insert the Dell Dimension ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive. 5 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next. 6 If necessary, change the language in the Language list in your first time using...