Owner's Manual
Page 1
Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Owner's Manual Service Tag CD or DVD eject button CD or DVD activity light FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader microphone connector headphone connector diagnostic lights hard-drive activity light power button/ power activity light USB 2.0 connectors (2) cover latch release Model DCSM www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Owner's Manual Service Tag CD or DVD eject button CD or DVD activity light FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader microphone connector headphone connector diagnostic lights hard-drive activity light power button/ power activity light USB 2.0 connectors (2) cover latch release Model DCSM www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Owner's Manual
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... headphones 47 Video and Monitor Problems 47 If the screen is blank 47 If the screen is difficult to read 48 3 Troubleshooting Tools 49 Diagnostic Lights 49 Dell Diagnostics 52 Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 52 Drivers 53 What Is a Driver 53 Identifying Drivers 53 Reinstalling Drivers 54 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 55 Restoring Your Operating...
... headphones 47 Video and Monitor Problems 47 If the screen is blank 47 If the screen is difficult to read 48 3 Troubleshooting Tools 49 Diagnostic Lights 49 Dell Diagnostics 52 Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 52 Drivers 53 What Is a Driver 53 Identifying Drivers 53 Reinstalling Drivers 54 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 55 Restoring Your Operating...
Owner's Manual
Page 12
...indicates power state. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. 5 FlexBay drive 6 microphone connector 7 headphone connector 8 diagnostic lights (4) 9 hard-drive activity light 10 power button, power light 11 USB 2.0 connectors (2) 12 vents Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader. Use the... off the computer. For information on using the Media Card Reader, see "Diagnostic Lights" on when a device such as a CD player is recommended that there is adequately ventilated. The light might also be on page 49. NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do...
...indicates power state. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. 5 FlexBay drive 6 microphone connector 7 headphone connector 8 diagnostic lights (4) 9 hard-drive activity light 10 power button, power light 11 USB 2.0 connectors (2) 12 vents Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader. Use the... off the computer. For information on using the Media Card Reader, see "Diagnostic Lights" on when a device such as a CD player is recommended that there is adequately ventilated. The light might also be on page 49. NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do...
Owner's Manual
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TEST THE KEYBOARD - E N S U R E T H A T T H E U S B P O R T S A R E E N A B L E D I G H T S - See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on page 49. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55. ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET The computer stops responding NOTICE: You ...
TEST THE KEYBOARD - E N S U R E T H A T T H E U S B P O R T S A R E E N A B L E D I G H T S - See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities" on page 49. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55. ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET The computer stops responding NOTICE: You ...
Owner's Manual
Page 43
... correct and that the network is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. • Ensure that the electrical outlet is functioning. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55. C H E C K Y O U R N E T W O R K S E T T I N G S - R U N T H E H A R D W A R E TR O U B L E S H O O T E R - The computer is in the Product Information Guide. Press a key on page 65). Solving Problems 43...
... correct and that the network is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. • Ensure that the electrical outlet is functioning. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55. C H E C K Y O U R N E T W O R K S E T T I N G S - R U N T H E H A R D W A R E TR O U B L E S H O O T E R - The computer is in the Product Information Guide. Press a key on page 65). Solving Problems 43...
Owner's Manual
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... CONNECTION - • Ensure that the sound is normal for your screen. TE S T T H E E L E C T R I G H T S - No sound from headphones C H E C K T H E H E A D P H O N E C A B L E C O N N E C T I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L - A D J U S T T H E W I O N - If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 111. Click or double-click the speaker icon in the Product Information Guide. Video and Monitor Problems...
... CONNECTION - • Ensure that the sound is normal for your screen. TE S T T H E E L E C T R I G H T S - No sound from headphones C H E C K T H E H E A D P H O N E C A B L E C O N N E C T I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L - A D J U S T T H E W I O N - If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 111. Click or double-click the speaker icon in the Product Information Guide. Video and Monitor Problems...
Owner's Manual
Page 49
...the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the same type into your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front panel (see "Contacting Dell" on occurred. The diagnostic lights are detected, but a memory failure has occurred. • If you troubleshoot a problem... Memory" on page 68). • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights CAUTION: Before you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the...
...the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the same type into your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front panel (see "Contacting Dell" on occurred. The diagnostic lights are detected, but a memory failure has occurred. • If you troubleshoot a problem... Memory" on page 68). • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 122). If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights CAUTION: Before you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the...
Owner's Manual
Page 51
... properly. • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to indicate normal operating condition. Troubleshooting Tools 51 None. After POST is complete, all four diagnostic lights turn green briefly before turning off to ensure...
... properly. • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to indicate normal operating condition. Troubleshooting Tools 51 None. After POST is complete, all four diagnostic lights turn green briefly before turning off to ensure...
Owner's Manual
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... 109 Blinking amber indicates a problem with the system board (see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 49.) AUX_PWR_LED on page 43). four lights on the front panel (see "Power Problems" on the system board green light - Connectors External connectors: Video Network adapter USB Audio System board connectors... PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 Front panel Processor Memory Power 12V Power Controls and Lights Front of computer: Power button Power light Diagnostic lights Standby power light Hard-drive activity light 15-hole connector RJ-45 connector two front-panel and four back-panel USB 2.0-compliant...
... 109 Blinking amber indicates a problem with the system board (see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 49.) AUX_PWR_LED on page 43). four lights on the front panel (see "Power Problems" on the system board green light - Connectors External connectors: Video Network adapter USB Audio System board connectors... PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 Front panel Processor Memory Power 12V Power Controls and Lights Front of computer: Power button Power light Diagnostic lights Standby power light Hard-drive activity light 15-hole connector RJ-45 connector two front-panel and four back-panel USB 2.0-compliant...
Owner's Manual
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... 250 MB/sec to have read-only status if: • It resides on a network in the range of pixels up . POST - Diagnostics programs, loaded automatically by the BIOS, that keeps the date and time after you shut down your computer reside in rpm. personal system/2 -... text file included with existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are recharged (sometimes also referred to as infrared and light. radio frequency interference - Radio frequencies are at typical radio frequencies, in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to 100...
... 250 MB/sec to have read-only status if: • It resides on a network in the range of pixels up . POST - Diagnostics programs, loaded automatically by the BIOS, that keeps the date and time after you shut down your computer reside in rpm. personal system/2 -... text file included with existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are recharged (sometimes also referred to as infrared and light. radio frequency interference - Radio frequencies are at typical radio frequencies, in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to 100...
Owner's Manual
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...PCI, 70 PCI Express, 76 removing PCI, 75 removing PCI Express, 80 slots, 70 types supported, 70 CD/DVD drive activity light, 11 eject button, 11 installing, 102 problems, 34 removing, 100 CD-RW drive problems, 35 CDs, 20 playing, 18 ...to, 20 copying DVDs general information, 20 helpful tips, 21 how to, 20 cover removing, 63 replacing, 105 D Dell contacting, 122 Dell Diagnostics, 52 support policy, 120 support site, 10 diagnostic lights, 49 diagnostics Dell, 52 lights, 12, 49 documentation End User License Agreement, 9 ergonomics, 9 Finding Information, 9 online, 10 Product Information Guide, ...
...PCI, 70 PCI Express, 76 removing PCI, 75 removing PCI Express, 80 slots, 70 types supported, 70 CD/DVD drive activity light, 11 eject button, 11 installing, 102 problems, 34 removing, 100 CD-RW drive problems, 35 CDs, 20 playing, 18 ...to, 20 copying DVDs general information, 20 helpful tips, 21 how to, 20 cover removing, 63 replacing, 105 D Dell contacting, 122 Dell Diagnostics, 52 support policy, 120 support site, 10 diagnostic lights, 49 diagnostics Dell, 52 lights, 12, 49 documentation End User License Agreement, 9 ergonomics, 9 Finding Information, 9 online, 10 Product Information Guide, ...
Owner's Manual
Page 156
... DVD drive problems, 34 DVDs, 20 playing, 18 E e-mail problems, 35 End User License Agreement, 9 ergonomics information, 9 error messages diagnostic lights, 49 troubleshooting, 36 F Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, 29 Finding Information, 9 Flex Bay drive Media Card Reader, 12 floppy drive installing..., 94 removing, 92 K keyboard problems, 37 H hard drive activity light, 12 installing, 88 installing second, 91 problems, 35 removing, 87 hardware Dell Diagnostics, 52 Hardware Troubleshooter, 55 headphone connector, 12 Help and Support Center, 10 help file Windows...
... DVD drive problems, 34 DVDs, 20 playing, 18 E e-mail problems, 35 End User License Agreement, 9 ergonomics information, 9 error messages diagnostic lights, 49 troubleshooting, 36 F Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, 29 Finding Information, 9 Flex Bay drive Media Card Reader, 12 floppy drive installing..., 94 removing, 92 K keyboard problems, 37 H hard drive activity light, 12 installing, 88 installing second, 91 problems, 35 removing, 87 hardware Dell Diagnostics, 52 Hardware Troubleshooter, 55 headphone connector, 12 Help and Support Center, 10 help file Windows...
Owner's Manual
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...USB, 15 problems battery, 33 blue screen, 39 CD drive, 34 CD-RW drive, 35 computer crashes, 38-39 computer stops responding, 38 Dell Diagnostics, 52 problems (continued) diagnostic lights, 49 drives, 34 DVD drive, 34 e-mail, 35 error messages, 36 general, 38 hard drive, 35 Internet, 35 keyboard, 37 Media Card... Reader, 40 memory, 41 modem, 35 monitor is blank, 47 monitor is hard to read, 48 mouse, 41 network, 42 power, 43 power light conditions, ...
...USB, 15 problems battery, 33 blue screen, 39 CD drive, 34 CD-RW drive, 35 computer crashes, 38-39 computer stops responding, 38 Dell Diagnostics, 52 problems (continued) diagnostic lights, 49 drives, 34 DVD drive, 34 e-mail, 35 error messages, 36 general, 38 hard drive, 35 Internet, 35 keyboard, 37 Media Card... Reader, 40 memory, 41 modem, 35 monitor is blank, 47 monitor is hard to read, 48 mouse, 41 network, 42 power, 43 power light conditions, ...
Owner's Manual
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...-39 sound problems, 46 volume, 46 speaker problems, 46 volume, 46 specifications audio, 108 computer information, 107 connectors, 109 controls and lights, 109 drives, 108 environmental, 110 expansion bus, 108 memory, 107 specifications (continued) physical, 110 power, 110 processor, 107 technical,... entering, 111 options, 112 T technical support policy, 120 telephone numbers, 122 transferring information to a new computer, 29 troubleshooting Dell Diagnostics, 52 diagnostic lights, 49 Hardware Troubleshooter, 55 Help and Support Center, 10 restore to previous state, 55-56 tips, 33 TV connect to ...
...-39 sound problems, 46 volume, 46 speaker problems, 46 volume, 46 specifications audio, 108 computer information, 107 connectors, 109 controls and lights, 109 drives, 108 environmental, 110 expansion bus, 108 memory, 107 specifications (continued) physical, 110 power, 110 processor, 107 technical,... entering, 111 options, 112 T technical support policy, 120 telephone numbers, 122 transferring information to a new computer, 29 troubleshooting Dell Diagnostics, 52 diagnostic lights, 49 Hardware Troubleshooter, 55 Help and Support Center, 10 restore to previous state, 55-56 tips, 33 TV connect to ...