Owner's Manual
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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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... entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp, DellNet, Dell TravelLite, Strike Zone, and PowerConnect are not applicable. Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you...
... entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp, DellNet, Dell TravelLite, Strike Zone, and PowerConnect are not applicable. Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you...
Owner's Manual
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Contents Finding Information 9 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer 11 Front View of the Computer 11 Back View of the Computer 13 Back Panel Connectors 14 Setting Up a Printer 15 Printer Cable 15 Connecting a Printer 15 Connecting to the Internet 16 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 17 Playing CDs and DVDs 18 Adjusting the Volume 19 Adjusting the Picture 19 Copying CDs and DVDs 20 How to Copy a CD or DVD 20 Using Blank CDs and DVDs 20 Helpful Tips 21 Using a Media Card Reader (Optional 22 Connecting Two Monitors 23 Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors 23 Connecting...
Contents Finding Information 9 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer 11 Front View of the Computer 11 Back View of the Computer 13 Back Panel Connectors 14 Setting Up a Printer 15 Printer Cable 15 Connecting a Printer 15 Connecting to the Internet 16 Setting Up Your Internet Connection 17 Playing CDs and DVDs 18 Adjusting the Volume 19 Adjusting the Picture 19 Copying CDs and DVDs 20 How to Copy a CD or DVD 20 Using Blank CDs and DVDs 20 Helpful Tips 21 Using a Media Card Reader (Optional 22 Connecting Two Monitors 23 Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors 23 Connecting...
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Power Management 26 Standby Mode 26 Hibernate Mode 27 Power Options Properties 27 Enabling Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology 28 About RAID Configurations 29 RAID Level 1 Configuration 29 Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID 30 Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility 30 Using Nvidia MediaShield 31 2 Solving Problems 33 Troubleshooting Tips 33 Battery Problems 33 Drive Problems 34 CD and DVD drive problems 34 Hard drive problems 35 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 35 Error Messages 36 Keyboard Problems 37 Lockups and Software Problems 38 The computer does not start up ...
Power Management 26 Standby Mode 26 Hibernate Mode 27 Power Options Properties 27 Enabling Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology 28 About RAID Configurations 29 RAID Level 1 Configuration 29 Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID 30 Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility 30 Using Nvidia MediaShield 31 2 Solving Problems 33 Troubleshooting Tips 33 Battery Problems 33 Drive Problems 34 CD and DVD drive problems 34 Hard drive problems 35 E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 35 Error Messages 36 Keyboard Problems 37 Lockups and Software Problems 38 The computer does not start up ...
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...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 System 55 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 56 Using Dell PC Restore 57 Using the Operating System CD 59 4 Removing and Installing Parts 61 Before You Begin 61 Recommended Tools 61...
...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 System 55 Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 56 Using Dell PC Restore 57 Using the Operating System CD 59 4 Removing and Installing Parts 61 Before You Begin 61 Recommended Tools 61...
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Memory 66 Memory Installation Guidelines 66 Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations 67 Installing Memory 68 Removing Memory 69 Cards 70 PCI Cards 70 PCI Express Cards 76 Drive Panel 81 Removing the Drive Panel 81 Removing the Drive-Panel Insert 83 Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert 83 Replacing the Drive Panel 84 Drives 85 Recommended Drive Cable Connections 85 Connecting Drive Cables 86 Drive Interface Connectors 86 Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 86 Hard Drives 87 Removing a Hard Drive 87 Installing a Hard Drive 88 Adding a Second Hard Drive 91 Floppy Drive ...
Memory 66 Memory Installation Guidelines 66 Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations 67 Installing Memory 68 Removing Memory 69 Cards 70 PCI Cards 70 PCI Express Cards 76 Drive Panel 81 Removing the Drive Panel 81 Removing the Drive-Panel Insert 83 Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert 83 Replacing the Drive Panel 84 Drives 85 Recommended Drive Cable Connections 85 Connecting Drive Cables 86 Drive Interface Connectors 86 Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 86 Hard Drives 87 Removing a Hard Drive 87 Installing a Hard Drive 88 Adding a Second Hard Drive 91 Floppy Drive ...
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A Appendix 107 Specifications 107 System Setup 111 Overview 111 Entering System Setup 111 System Setup Options 112 Boot Sequence 116 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 118 Clearing CMOS Settings 119 Cleaning Your Computer 119 Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor 119 Mouse 120 Floppy Drive 120 CDs and DVDs 120 Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only 121 FCC Class B 121 Contacting Dell 122 Glossary 145 Index 155 Contents 7 Only 120 Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals 121 Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals 121 FCC Notice (U.S.
A Appendix 107 Specifications 107 System Setup 111 Overview 111 Entering System Setup 111 System Setup Options 112 Boot Sequence 116 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 118 Clearing CMOS Settings 119 Cleaning Your Computer 119 Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor 119 Mouse 120 Floppy Drive 120 CDs and DVDs 120 Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only 121 FCC Class B 121 Contacting Dell 122 Glossary 145 Index 155 Contents 7 Only 120 Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals 121 Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals 121 FCC Notice (U.S.
Owner's Manual
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...Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) • Safety instructions • Regulatory information • Ergonomics information • End User License Agreement Find it Here Dell™ Product Information Guide • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows... License These labels are located on your computer. •Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. •Enter the Express Service Code to direct your computer. Finding Information NOTE: Some features or ...
...Terms and Conditions (U.S. only) • Safety instructions • Regulatory information • Ergonomics information • End User License Agreement Find it Here Dell™ Product Information Guide • How to set up my computer Setup Diagram • Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows... License These labels are located on your computer. •Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. •Enter the Express Service Code to direct your computer. Finding Information NOTE: Some features or ...
Owner's Manual
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...support for your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers • Downloads - support.dell.com from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked questions • Community - If you should also reinstall the DSS utility. Find.... Service call and order status, warranty, and repair information • Service and support - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles Dell Support Website - The software automatically detects your 1 Go to view the appropriate support site. Contact information, service call status ...
...support for your problem. 4 Follow the instructions on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers • Downloads - support.dell.com from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked questions • Community - If you should also reinstall the DSS utility. Find.... Service call and order status, warranty, and repair information • Service and support - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles Dell Support Website - The software automatically detects your 1 Go to view the appropriate support site. Contact information, service call status ...
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The drive light is on page 63. Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive. Use the Service Tag to remove the cover. See "Removing the Computer Cover" on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 11 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 cover latch release 2 location of Service Tag 3 CD or DVD eject button 4 CD or DVD activity light Use this latch to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.
The drive light is on page 63. Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive. Use the Service Tag to remove the cover. See "Removing the Computer Cover" on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 11 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 cover latch release 2 location of Service Tag 3 CD or DVD eject button 4 CD or DVD activity light Use this latch to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.
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On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is adequately ventilated. Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of the vents. Press the power button to the computer. 12 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. For adequate cooling, do not use the back USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Options" on page 112 for more information, see "Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)" on the diagnostic code. The ...
On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is adequately ventilated. Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of the vents. Press the power button to the computer. 12 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. For adequate cooling, do not use the back USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Options" on page 112 for more information, see "Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)" on the diagnostic code. The ...
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Setting Up and Using Your Computer 13 Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards. Insert the power cable. Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector. See "Back Panel Connectors" on page 14 for more information. Back View of the Computer 1 2 3 1 voltage selection switch 2 power connector 3 back panel connectors 4 card slots 4 See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more information.
Setting Up and Using Your Computer 13 Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards. Insert the power cable. Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector. See "Back Panel Connectors" on page 14 for more information. Back View of the Computer 1 2 3 1 voltage selection switch 2 power connector 3 back panel connectors 4 card slots 4 See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more information.
Owner's Manual
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The computer is transmitting or receiving network data. Flashes a yellow light when the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network. On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card. Back Panel Connectors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 10 9 8 1 link integrity light 2 network adapter connector 3 network activity light 4 surround connector 5 line-in a steady "on" state. On computers with a sound card, use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to attach multichannel-capable speakers. Use the blue line-in connector to ...
The computer is transmitting or receiving network data. Flashes a yellow light when the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network. On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card. Back Panel Connectors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 10 9 8 1 link integrity light 2 network adapter connector 3 network activity light 4 surround connector 5 line-in a steady "on" state. On computers with a sound card, use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to attach multichannel-capable speakers. Use the blue line-in connector to ...
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Use the back USB connectors for computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card. For technical assistance, refer to a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) audio channel. The USB connectors fit only one way. Use the yellow connector to attach a speaker to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer. Connect the monitor's VGA cable to the computer. Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the VGA connector on the computer. Your printer may arrive in the computer box. On ...
Use the back USB connectors for computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card. For technical assistance, refer to a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) audio channel. The USB connectors fit only one way. Use the yellow connector to attach a speaker to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer. Connect the monitor's VGA cable to the computer. Setting Up a Printer NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the VGA connector on the computer. Your printer may arrive in the computer box. On ...
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Connecting to the Internet, you set up connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a telephone line. If you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously. • Cable modem connections that came with your printer. 1 2 3 1 USB connector on computer 2 USB printer cable 3 USB connector on printer 3 Turn on the printer and then turn on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). With a DSL connection, you are using a dial-up connection, connect...
Connecting to the Internet, you set up connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a telephone line. If you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously. • Cable modem connections that came with your printer. 1 2 3 1 USB connector on computer 2 USB printer cable 3 USB connector on printer 3 Turn on the printer and then turn on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). With a DSL connection, you are using a dial-up connection, connect...
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If you do not have a service outage. NOTE: If you do you cannot connect to complete the setup. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17 Setting Up Your Internet Connection To set up my connection manually, continue to step 6. If you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. Contact your desktop or if you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-...
If you do not have a service outage. NOTE: If you do you cannot connect to complete the setup. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 17 Setting Up Your Internet Connection To set up my connection manually, continue to step 6. If you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP: 1 Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs. 2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. 3 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup. Contact your desktop or if you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "E-...
Owner's Manual
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Playing CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the front of the drive. 2 Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray. 3 Press the eject button or gently push in the tray. Keep the tray closed when you are playing CDs or DVDs. 1 Press the eject button on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. NOTE: Ensure that came with your computer. To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to the next track 18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer A CD player includes the following basic buttons: Play Move backward within the current track Pause Move forward ...
Playing CDs and DVDs NOTICE: Do not press down on the front of the drive. 2 Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray. 3 Press the eject button or gently push in the tray. Keep the tray closed when you are playing CDs or DVDs. 1 Press the eject button on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. NOTE: Ensure that came with your computer. To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to the next track 18 Setting Up and Using Your Computer A CD player includes the following basic buttons: Play Move backward within the current track Pause Move forward ...
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A DVD player includes the following basic buttons: Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in the Volume Control window. For more information on volume control options, click Help in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to increase or decrease the volume. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19 Adjusting the Picture If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing. 1 Click the Start button, ...
A DVD player includes the following basic buttons: Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in the Volume Control window. For more information on volume control options, click Help in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter Continuously play the current title or chapter Go to increase or decrease the volume. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 19 Adjusting the Picture If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing. 1 Click the Start button, ...
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... available software patches on your computer hard drive. For help, open Sonic DigitalMedia and then click the question mark icon in Dell™ computers can write to and may vary by Dell may not read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to both CD and DVD...
... available software patches on your computer hard drive. For help, open Sonic DigitalMedia and then click the question mark icon in Dell™ computers can write to and may vary by Dell may not read DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW and DVD+R DL (dual layer) media, but cannot write to both CD and DVD...
Owner's Manual
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CD-RWs do not copy a 650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. CD-Writable Drives Media Type CD-R CD-RW Read Yes Yes Write Yes Yes Rewritable No Yes DVD-Writable Drives Media Type CD-R CD-RW DVD+R DVD-R DVD+RW DVD-RW DVD+R DL Read Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Write Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Rewritable No Yes No No Yes Yes No Helpful Tips • Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project. • Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you may not support all available DVD ...
CD-RWs do not copy a 650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. CD-Writable Drives Media Type CD-R CD-RW Read Yes Yes Write Yes Yes Rewritable No Yes DVD-Writable Drives Media Type CD-R CD-RW DVD+R DVD-R DVD+RW DVD-RW DVD+R DL Read Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Write Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Rewritable No Yes No No Yes Yes No Helpful Tips • Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project. • Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you may not support all available DVD ...