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Cards

Dell™ Dimension™ 8300 Series Service Manual

  PCI Cards

  AGP Cards

PCI Cards

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions listed in your Owner's Manual.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

Your Dell™ computer provides slots for up to four 32-bit, 33-MHz cards.

If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a Card."

Installing a PCI Card

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions listed in your Owner's Manual.

1. If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
   
   
2. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
3. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

4. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
5. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

6. Open the computer cover.
   
   
7. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   

8. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 10.
   
   
9. 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.

10. 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. Verify that the standby power light on the system board is off.

11. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
    
    

If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the system board.

12. Before you lower the retention arm, 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.
      
      

Press the arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.

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.

13. 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 wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

14. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
15. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
    
    

Removing a PCI Card

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Open the computer cover.
   
   
6. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
7. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
8. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
   
   
9. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
   
   

If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for technical assistance

10. Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

11. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
    
    
12. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
    
    

AGP Cards

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

Your Dell computer provides a connector for an AGP card.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Open the computer cover.
   
   

Removing an AGP Card

1. Remove the filler bracket by raising the hinged lever and sliding the bracket up.
   
   
2. Press the card lever toward the PCI connector.
   
   
3. Pull the card up and out of the card clip.
   
   

Installing an AGP Card

1. To add or replace the card, press the card lever toward the PCI connector and gently press the card into the AGP connector until it clicks into place.
   
   

2. Release the card lever, ensuring that the tab fits into the notch on the front end of the card.
   
   
3. Secure the card by lowering the hinged lever on the back panel.
   
   
4. Close the computer cover.
   
   
5. Connect the monitor cable to the card's video connector.
   
   

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

6. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

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