If your computer only has one memory module installed on the system board, you can increase your computer memory by installing an additional memory module.
Your computer supports DDR2 memory. For additional information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Specifications."
NOTE: Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board.
NOTICE: Do not install ECC or buffered memory modules. Only unbuffered, non-ECC memory is supported.
If you install mixed pairs of DDR2 400-MHz (PC2-3200) and DDR2 533-MHz (PC2-4300) memory, the modules function at the slowest speed installed.
Be sure to install a single memory module in DIMM connector 1, the connector closest to the processor, before you install modules in the other connectors.
NOTE: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty.
NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new modules from Dell. If possible, do not pair an original memory module with a new memory module. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly.
Installing Memory
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug the cable into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
When a message appears stating that memory size has changed, press <F1> to continue.
Log on to your computer.
Right-click the My Computer icon and click Properties.
Click the General tab.
To verify that the memory is installed correctly, check the amount of memory (RAM) listed.
Removing Memory
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards:
Two low-profile PCI card slots
One low-profile PCI Express x1 card slot
1
PCI card
2
PCI Express x1 card
3
PCI Express x1 card slot
If you are installing or replacing an expansion card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing an expansion card, see Removing an Expansion Card.
If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
Gently push the release tab on the inside of the card retention door to pivot the door open. Because
the door is captive, it will remain in the open position.
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue
with step 5.
If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
Prepare the card for installation.
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards.
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
1
bracket within slot
2
bracket caught outside of slot
3
alignment bar
4
alignment guide
5
fully seated card3
6
not fully seated card
Before you close the card retention door, ensure that:
The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
1
release tab
2
card retention door
3
filler bracket
4
alignment guide
5
alignment bar
Close the card retention door by snapping it into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device, and then plug it into the computer.
Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn
them on.
If you installed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to Off .
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio
devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel.
If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter's connectors. Do not connect the
network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention door from the inside to pivot the door open. Because
the door is captive, it will remain in the open position.
If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
Close the card retention door by snapping it into place to secure the cards.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device, and then plug it into the computer.
Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn
them on.
Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel of the computer.
If you removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel of the computer.
Drives
Your computer supports a combination of these devices:
One serial ATA hard drive
One FlexBay drive (floppy drive or Media Card Reader)
One CD or DVD drive
1
DVD drive
2
floppy drive
3
hard drive
Connect DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connectors labeled "SATA0" or "SATA1" on the system board.
IDE Drive Addressing
When you connect two IDE devices to a single IDE interface cable and configure them for the cable select setting, the device attached to the last connector on the interface cable is the master or boot device (drive 0), and the device attached to the middle connector on the interface cable is the slave device (drive 1). See the drive documentation in your upgrade kit for information on configuring devices for the cable select setting.
Connecting Drive Cables
When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive and to the system board.
Drive Interface Connectors
Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector. The pin-1 end of a connector on a board or a card is usually indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed directly on the board or card.
NOTICE: When you connect an IDE interface cable, do not place the colored stripe away from pin 1 of the connector. Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both.
1
interface cable
2
interface connector
Power Cable Connector
To connect a drive using the power cable, locate the power input connector on the system board.
1
power cable
2
power input connector
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables
When removing an IDE drive data cable, grasp the colored pull tab and pull until the connector detaches.
When connecting and disconnecting a serial ATA data cable, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.
Like IDE connectors, the serial ATA interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector.
CD/DVD Drive
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.
Pull up on the drive release latch and slide the drive towards the back of the computer. Then, lift up to
remove the drive from the computer.
1
drive release latch
2
CD/DVD drive
Disconnect the power and DVD drive cables from the back of the drive.
Installing a DVD Drive
Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. If you are installing an IDE drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting.
If you are installing a new drive:
Press the two snaps on the top of the drive-panel insert and rotate the insert toward the front of
the computer.
Remove the three shoulder screws from the drive-panel insert.
If you are replacing an existing drive:
Press the two snaps on the top of the drive-panel insert and rotate the insert toward the front of
the computer.
Remove the three shoulder screws from the existing drive.
Insert the three shoulder screws into the sides of the new drive and tighten them.
Connect the power and DVD drive cables to the drive.
Align the shoulder screws with the screw guides, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into
place.
Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling
vents.
NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the DVD drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the DVD drive.
Remove the DVD drive (see CD/DVD Drive) and carefully set it aside.
NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.
Pull up on the drive release latch and slide the floppy drive towards the back of the computer. Then, lift
up to remove the drive from the computer.
1
drive release latch
2
floppy drive
Disconnect the power and floppy-drive cables from the back of the floppy drive.
Installing a Floppy Drive
If you are installing a new drive:
Use a small flat-edge screw driver on the back side of the drive-panel insert to gently pop off the
insert.
Remove the four shoulder screws from the drive-panel insert.
If you are replacing an existing drive:
Remove the four shoulder screws from the existing drive.
Insert the four shoulder screws into the sides of the new floppy drive and tighten them.
Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive.
Align the shoulder screws with the screw guides, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into
place.
Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling
vents.
Replace the computer cover.
Media Card Reader
Removing a Media Card Reader
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the DVD drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the DVD drive.
Remove the DVD drive (see CD/DVD Drive) and carefully set it aside.
NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.
Disconnect the USB cable on the back of the Media Card Reader from the FlexBay USB connector on
the system board (see page 25) and route the cable through the clip on the shroud.
1
Media Card Reader
Grasp the sliding plate lever and push it towards the base of the computer; then, hold it in place while
you slide the drive from the computer.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
Remove the Media Card Reader and bracket from its packaging.
Insert three shoulder screws into the sides of the Media Card Reader and tighten them.
Gently slide the Media Card Reader (which should not yet be connected to the FlexBay cable) into
place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
Connect the USB cable on the back of the Media Card Reader to the front panel USB connector on
the system board (see System Board Components).
Connect the FlexBay USB cable to the back of the Media Card Reader.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.
NOTICE: If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.
Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the DVD drive and the floppy drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the two drives.
Remove the DVD drive from the bay and carefully set it aside.
Remove the floppy drive from the bay and carefully set it aside.
Press in on the two plastic securing clips on each side of the drive and slide the drive towards the back
of the computer.
NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.
Lift the drive out of the computer and disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive.
1
securing clips (2)
2
hard drive
Installing a Hard Drive
Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.
Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic hard-drive bracket attached, remove the
bracket from the existing drive by unsnapping it from the drive.
1
hard drive
2
release tabs (2)
3
plastic hard-drive bracket
Place the replacement hard drive in the bracket and press it in until it clicks into place.
1
securing tabs (2)
2
drive
3
release tabs (2)
4
plastic hard-drive bracket
Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive.
Locate the correct slot for the drive, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into place.
1
hard drive
2
slot verification number
Replace the floppy drive and DVD drive.
Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
Replace the computer cover.
If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive.
Turn on the computer.
Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 2).
Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.
For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system.
Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Install your operating system on the hard drive. For instructions, see the documentation that came
with your operating system
Processor
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: To loosen the two captive screws on each side of the heat sink and fan shroud assembly, you need a long Phillips screwdriver.
Loosen the two captive screws on each side of the heat sink assembly.
CAUTION: Despite having a plastic shield, the heat sink assembly may be very hot during normal operation. Be sure that it has had sufficient time to cool before you touch it.
Rotate the heat sink and fan shroud assembly upward, and remove it from the computer.
1
heat sink and fan shroud assembly
2
captive screw housings (2)
NOTICE: If you are installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, discard the original heat sink. If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink when you install your new processor.
Open the processor cover by sliding the release lever out from beneath the center cover latch on the
socket. Then, pull the lever back to release the processor.
1
processor cover
2
processor
3
socket
4
center cover latch
5
release lever
NOTICE: When replacing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket.
Gently remove the processor from the socket.
Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor.
Installing the Processor
NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
NOTICE: When replacing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket.
Unpack the new processor, being careful not to touch the underside of the processor.
NOTICE: You must position the processor correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the processor and the computer when you turn on the computer.
If the release lever on the socket is not fully extended, move it to that position.
Orient the front and rear alignment notches on the processor with the front and rear alignment
notches on the socket.
Align the pin-1 corners of the processor and socket.
1
processor cover
2
tab
3
processor
4
processor socket
5
center cover latch
6
release lever
7
front alignment notch
8
socket and processor pin-1 indicator
9
rear alignment notch
NOTICE: To avoid damage, ensure that the processor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor.
Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensure that the processor is positioned correctly.
When the processor is fully seated in the socket, close the processor cover.
Ensure that the tab on the processor cover is positioned underneath the center cover latch on the socket.
Pivot the socket release lever back toward the socket and snap it into place to secure the processor.
NOTICE: If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink assembly when you replace the processor.
If you installed a processor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat sink assembly and processor to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent.
Install the heat sink and fan shroud assembly:
Place the heat sink and fan shroud assembly back onto the heat sink assembly bracket.
Rotate the heat sink and fan shroud assembly down towards the computer base and tighten the
two capture screws.
NOTICE: Ensure that the heat sink is correctly seated and secure.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug the cable into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
System Board
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Removing the System Board
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
Disconnect the DC power cables from the system board and the drives.
Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the computer chassis as you remove them from the system board and drives. You must route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent their being pinched or crimped.
Remove the two screws that attach the power supply to the back of the computer chassis.
Remove the CD/DVD drive and carefully set it aside.
Press the release button located on the floor of the computer chassis.
1
release button
2
power supply
3
screws (2)
4
AC power connector
Slide the power supply toward the front of the computer by approximately 1 inch.
Lift the power supply up and out of the computer.
Slide the replacement power supply into place.
Replace the screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer chassis.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug the cable into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Battery
Replacing the Battery
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
A coin-cell battery maintains computer configuration, date, and time information. The battery can last several years.
If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer, replace the battery.
CAUTION: A new battery can explode 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.
To replace the battery:
Record all the screens in system setup so that you can restore the correct settings in step 8.
NOTICE: If you pry the battery out of its socket with a blunt object, be careful not to touch the system board with the object. Ensure that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before you attempt to pry out the battery. Otherwise, you may damage the system board by prying off the socket or by breaking circuit traces on the system board.
Remove the battery by carefully prying it out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt,
nonconducting object such as a plastic screwdriver.
Insert the new battery into the socket with the side labeled "+" facing up, and snap the battery into
place.
