User Guide

PCI and PCI Express Cards: Dell Studio XPS 8000 Service Manual

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PCI and PCI Express Cards

Dell™ Studio XPS™ 8000 Service Manual

Removing the Card Retention Bracket

Replacing the Card Retention Bracket

Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards

Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards

Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing the PCI Express Card

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

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

WARNING: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer covers, bezels, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, etc.) removed.

CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

Removing the Card Retention Bracket

Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
Remove the screw that secures the card retention bracket.
Lift the card retention bracket and set it aside in a secure location.

1

screw

2

card retention bracket

Replacing the Card Retention Bracket

Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
Replace the card retention bracket, ensuring that:
- The guide clamp is aligned with the guide notch.
- The top 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

guide clamps (2)

2

card retention bracket

3

alignment bar

4

alignment guide

5

filler bracket

6

guide notches (2)

Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards

Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
Remove the graphics card bracket (see Removing the Graphics Card Bracket).
Remove the primary hard drive, if applicable (see Removing the Hard Drive).
Remove the card retention bracket (see Removing the Card Retention Bracket).
Disconnect any cables connected to the card, if applicable.
Remove the PCI Express card from the card slot:
- For a PCI or PCI Express x1 card, grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
- For a PCI Express x16 card, press the retention mechanism, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector.

1

PCI Express x1 card

2

PCI Express x1 card slot

3

securing tab

4

retention mechanism

5

PCI Express x16 card slot

6

PCI Express x16 card

1

card retention clamp

2

PCI Express card

3

card retention clamp insert

4

filler bracket

5

screw

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.

Replacing PCI and PCI Express Cards

Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
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.

Place the PCI Express card in the slot in the chassis and press down firmly. Ensure that the PCI Express card is fully seated in the slot.

1

fully-seated card

2

not fully-seated card

3

alignment bar

4

alignment guide

5

bracket within slot

6

bracket caught outside of slot

If you are installing the PCI Express card into the x16 card connector, position the card so the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab.

1

PCI Express x1 card

2

PCI Express x1 card slot

3

securing tab

4

retention mechanism

5

PCI Express x16 card slot

6

PCI Express x16 card

Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
Replace the card retention bracket (see Replacing the Card Retention Bracket).

1

screw

2

card retention clamp

3

card clamp insert

4

filler bracket

5

PCI Express card

Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.

See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.

CAUTION: 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 primary hard drive, if applicable (see Replacing the Hard Drive).
Replace the graphics card bracket (see Replacing the Graphics Card Bracket).
Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
To complete the installation, see Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing the PCI Express Card.

Configuring Your Computer After Removing or Installing the PCI Express Card

NOTE: For information on location of external connectors, see the Setup Guide. For information on installing drivers and software for your card, see the documentation that shipped with the card.

Installed

Removed

Sound Card

Enter system setup (see System Setup)
Go to Onboard Audio Controller and then change the setting to Disabled.
Connect the external audio devices to the sound card's connectors.

Enter system setup (see System Setup)
Go to Onboard Audio Controller and then change the setting to Enabled.
Connect the external audio devices to the computer's back panel connectors.

Network Card

Enter system setup (see System Setup)
Go to Onboard LAN Controller and then change the setting to Disabled.
Connect the network cable to the network card's connector.

Enter system setup (see System Setup)
Go to Onboard LAN Controller and then change the setting to Enabled.
Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector.

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