CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets keep dust and dirt out of your computer and maintains the airflow that cools your computer.
Your Dell™ computer supports a PS/2 serial port adapter and provides the following connectors on the system board for PCI and PCI Express cards:
Two connectors for low-profile PCI cards
One connector for a low-profile PCI Express x16 card
NOTE: Your Dell computer includes only PCI and PCI Express card connectors. ISA cards are not supported.
PCI Cards
Installing a PCI Card
If you are replacing a PCI card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system. See the documentation that came with the card for information.
Gently press the release tab on the card-retention latch all the way up.
1
card
4
card insert
2
card-retention latch
5
release tab
3
system board connector
If you are installing a card in an empty card connector on the system board, remove the filler bracket to
create a card-slot opening at the back of the computer. Then continue with step 6.
If you are installing a card to replace one already installed in the computer, remove the installed card
(see Removing a PCI Card).
Prepare the card for installation.
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.
1
release tab on card-retention latch
2
card
3
card-edge connector
4
card connector
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.
If you are installing a PCI Express x16 card, hold the securing-tab release lever away from the card
connector as you insert the new card into the connector slot.
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
release lever
3
securing slot (not all cards)
4
securing tab
5
PCI Express x16 card connector
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Using the following illustration as a guide,
ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
1
card fully seated
2
card not fully seated
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
NOTE: If you are installing a PCI Express x16 card, ensure that the securing tab on the connector's release lever fits into the notch on the front end of the card.
Gently rotate the release tab downward to move the card-retention latch into place to secure the cards.
1
release tab
4
card-edge connector
2
card-retention latch
5
card connector
3
card
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.
Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover), reconnect the computer and
devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
If you installed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off (see Entering System
Setup).
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 or front panel.
If you installed a network adapter card and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to Off (see Entering
System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the connector on the network adapter card. Do not connect the
network cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Gently rotate upward the release tab on the card-retention latch.
1
card
4
card insert
2
card-retention latch
5
release tab
3
system board connector
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
If you are replacing a PCI Express x16 card, remove the installed card by gently pulling the release lever
away from the card until you release the securing tab from the dent in the card.
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
release lever
3
securing slot (not all cards)
4
securing tab
5
PCI Express x16 card connector
Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
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 keep dust and dirt out of your computer and maintain the airflow that cools your computer.
Rotate the release tab downward to snap the card-retention latch into place.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover), reconnect the computer and
devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
Uninstall the card's driver. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to On (see Entering System
Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
If you removed a network adapter card:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On (see Entering
System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the
computer.
If applicable, remove the card installed in the PCI3 connector on the system board.
Remove the riser-card cage:
Check any cables connected to cards through the back panel openings. Disconnect any cables that
will not reach the riser-card cage once they are removed from the computer.
Gently pull on the handle and lift the riser-card cage up and away from the computer.
1
riser-card cage
2
handle
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot opening.
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 corners, and ease it out of its connector.
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.
Prepare the new card for installation.
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.
Press the release tab to raise the card-retention latch.
1
release tab
4
card-edge connector
2
card-retention latch
5
card connector
3
card
Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the riser-card cage.
Lower the card-retention latch and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
Replace the riser-card cage:
Align the tabs in the side of the riser-card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide
the riser-card cage down into place.
Ensure that the riser cards are fully seated in the connectors on the system board.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
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.
Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover), reconnect the computer and
devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off (see Entering System
Setup).
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 a network adapter card and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller and change the setting to Off (see Entering
System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the network adapter card's connectors. Do not connect the network
cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer.
NOTICE: If you disable the integrated network adapter, you will not have AMT functionality.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Check any cables connected to cards through the back panel openings. Disconnect any cables that
will not reach the riser-card cage once they are removed from the computer.
Gently pull on the handle and lift the riser-card cage up and away from the computer.
1
riser-card cage
2
handle
Press in on the tab to raise the card-retention latch.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
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 keep dust and dirt out of your computer and maintain the airflow that cools your computer.
Lower the card-retention latch and press it into place.
Replace the riser-card cage:
Align the tabs in the side of the riser-card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide
the riser-card cage down into place.
Ensure that the riser cards are fully seated in the connectors on the system board.
1
riser-card cage
3
riser cards (2)
2
slots
4
system board connectors (2)
Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover), reconnect the computer and
devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
Uninstall the card's driver. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to On (see Entering System
Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
If you removed a network adapter card:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On (see Entering
System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the
computer.
PS/2 Serial Port Adapter
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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.
Gently lift the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Pivot the
latch until it snaps into the open position.
Remove the filler bracket (if applicable).
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the adapter for information on configuring the adapter, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.
Align the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket in the retention slot and press down firmly. Ensure that the
adapter is fully seated in the slot.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
1
release tab
2
adapter retention latch
3
PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket
4
serial port adapter connector
5
serial port adapter system board connector (SERIAL2)
Connect the adapter cable to the PS/2 serial port adapter connector (SERIAL2) on the system board
(see System Board Components).
NOTE: See the documentation for the PS/2 serial port adapter for information about the cable connections.
Gently lift the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Pivot the
latch until it snaps into the open position.
Ease the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket out of its retention slot.
If you are removing the adapter 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 keep dust and dirt out of your computer and maintain the airflow that cools your computer.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure any remaining card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
Check any cables connected to cards through the back panel openings. Disconnect any cables that
will not reach the riser-card cage once they are removed from the computer.
Rotate the riser-card cage handle up and gently pull on the handle to lift the riser-card cage up and
away from the computer.
1
riser-card cage
2
handle
3
riser cards (2)
Gently lift the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Pivot the
latch until it snaps into the open position.
If you are installing a new PS/2 serial port adapter, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot
opening.
If you are replacing a PS/2 adapter that is already installed in the computer, remove the adapter.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the adapter.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards or adapters.
Align the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket in the retention slot and press down firmly. Ensure that the
adapter is fully seated in the slot.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Connect the adapter cable to the PS/2 serial port adapter connector (PS2/SERIAL2) on the system
board (see System Board Components).
Replace the riser-card cage:
Align the tabs in the side of the riser-card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide
the riser-card cage down into place.
Ensure that the riser-card connectors are fully seated in the connectors on the system board.
Rotate the riser-card cage handle to the down position.
Check any cables connected to cards through the back panel openings. Disconnect any cables that
will not reach the riser-card cage once they are removed from the computer.
Rotate the riser-card cage handle up and gently pull on the handle and lift the riser-card cage up
and away from the computer.
1
riser-card cage
2
handle
3
riser cards (2)
Gently lift the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Pivot the
latch until it snaps into the open position.
Grasp the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
If you are removing the adapter 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.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
Replace the riser-card cage:
Align the tabs in the side of the riser-card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide
the riser-card cage down into place.
Ensure that the riser-card connectors are fully seated in the connectors on the system board.
Rotate the riser-card cage handle to the down position.
Uninstall the adapter's driver. See the documentation that came with the adapter for instructions.
eSATA
eSATA allows for full SATA data transfer rates (3 GB/sec) between a drive and the chipset, approximately six times the data throughput of USB.
eSATA on your computer also supports hot-plugging. Hot-plugging allows for device detection without powering down your computer prior to connecting the device to your computer. When a device is connected, the operating system automatically recognizes the change. However, the computer must be powered down before removal and/or replacement.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: 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.
