User Guide

9. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter the System Setup program and reset Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
   

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Removing an Expansion Card

To remove an expansion card, perform the following steps.

NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in your System Information Guide. 

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer Cover (Desktop Chassis)" or "Removing the Computer Cover (Mini Tower Chassis)."
   
   
2. If you have a mini tower chassis, remove the AGP card brace according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the AGP Card Brace (Mini Tower Chassis Only)."
   
   
3. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
4. Unscrew the mounting bracket of the card you want to remove.
   
   
5. Grasp the card by its outside corners, and ease it out of its connector.
   
   
6. If you are not replacing the card, install a metal filler bracket over the empty card-slot opening.
   
   

NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.

7. If you have a mini tower chassis, replace the AGP card brace.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
   
   

NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector causes the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

9. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter the System Setup program and reset Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
   
   

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Adding Memory

Dell Precision 420 systems support dual direct Rambus dynamic random-access memory (RDRAM) channels. The channels are designated A and B. Dell Precision 420 systems support Rambus in-line memory modules (RIMMs) in 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-megabyte (MB) capacities. The RIMMs feature error checking and correction (ECC).

Dell Precision 420 systems support a maximum of four RIMMs for up to 2 gigabytes (GB) of total memory.

Figure 6 shows the RIMMs and RIMM sockets.

Figure 6. RIMMs and RIMM Sockets

RIMM Installation Guidelines

When you add system memory, you must install RIMMs in matched pairs (pairs of identical capacity). If only one pair of RIMMs is installed, they must occupy slots RIMMB_1 and RIMMA_2, and you must install continuity RIMMs (C-RIMMs) in sockets RIMMB_3 and RIMMA_4.

Tables 1 lists sample memory configurations.

Table 1. Sample RIMM Configuration Options

To upgrade memory, perform the following steps.

NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in your System Information Guide. 

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer Cover (Desktop Chassis)" or "Removing the Computer Cover (Mini Tower Chassis)."
   
   
2. Determine the RIMM sockets in which you will install RIMMs or replace existing RIMMs.
   
   
3. Install or remove RIMMs as necessary to reach the desired memory total.
   
   
4. Install C-RIMMs in any RIMM slots that do not contain RIMMs.
   
   
5. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
   
   

NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector causes the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

The system detects that the new memory does not match the existing system configuration information and generates the following message:

The amount of system memory has changed.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility

6. Press <F2> to enter the System Setup program, and check the value for System Memory in the lower-right corner of Page 1.
   
   

The system should have already changed the value of System Memory to reflect the newly installed memory. Verify the new total.

NOTE: If the memory total is incorrect, turn off and disconnect your computer and peripherals from their electrical outlets. Remove the computer cover, rotate the power supply, and check the installed RIMMs to make sure that they are seated properly in their sockets. Then repeat steps 5, 6, and 7.

7. While in the System Setup program, reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
   
   

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

8. When the system memory total is correct, press the <Esc> key to exit the System Setup program.
   
   
9. Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the RIMMs are operating properly.
   
   

See your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may occur.

Installing a RIMM

If a RIMM is already installed in the socket you want to use, you must remove it.

To install a RIMM, perform the following steps (see Figure 7):

1. Locate the plastic securing clips at each end of the socket. Press the clips outward until they snap open.
   
   
2. Press the RIMM straight into the slot running down the center of the socket until the securing tabs snap into place around the ends of the RIMM.

Figure 7. Installing a RIMM

Removing a RIMM

To remove a RIMM, press the securing clips outward simultaneously until the RIMM disengages from the socket (see Figure 8). It should pop out slightly.

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the securing clips with equal force applied at each end of the socket. 

Figure 8. Removing a RIMM

Microprocessor Upgrades

NOTE: Only the Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 and Windows® 2000 and higher operating systems support dual microprocessors.

To take advantage of future options in speed and functionality, you can add a second processor or replace either the primary or secondary processor.

NOTICE: The second processor must be of the same type and speed as the first processor.

Downloading Instructions for Installing Dual Processor Support

Each processor and its associated level-2 (L2) cache memory are contained in an SECC2 cartridge that is installed in a dedicated connector on the system board. In systems with only one processor, a terminator card is installed in the secondary processor connector. The following subsection describes how to install or replace an SECC2 cartridge in either the primary or secondary processor connector.

Adding or Replacing a Microprocessor

The following items are included in a processor upgrade kit:

• The new processor SECC2 cartridge with attached heat sink

• Two heat-sink securing thumbscrews

Use the following procedure to add or replace an SECC2 cartridge.

NOTE: Dell recommends that only a technically knowledgeable person perform this procedure.

NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in your System Information Guide.    

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer Cover (Desktop Chassis)" or "Removing the Computer Cover (Mini Tower Chassis)."
   
   
2. Rotate the power supply as described in "Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board (Desktop Chassis)" or "Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board (Mini Tower Chassis)."
   
   
3. Remove the airflow shroud.
   
   
4. If you are adding a second processor to a single-processor system, remove the terminator card from the secondary SECC2 cartridge connector (labeled "PROC_1").
   
   

Pull the SECC2 cartridge release latches outward and pull the terminator card straight out to remove it from the connector.

5. If you are replacing an installed processor, remove the current SECC2 cartridge/heat sink assembly from its connector.

Unscrew and remove the two large thumbscrews that secure the heat sink to the system board. Pull the SECC2 cartridge release latches outward. Grasp the SECC2 cartridge assembly firmly, and pull it away from the guide bracket assembly (see Figure 9). You must use up to 15 pounds (lb) of force to disengage the SECC2 cartridge from the connector.

Figure 9. SECC2 Cartridge/Heat Sink Assembly Removal

1 Airflow shroud 2 Processor/heat sink assembly 3 Guide bracket 4 Second processor 5 Cooling fan

 

6. Insert the new SECC2 cartridge/heat sink assembly into the system board connector.
   
   Press the SECC2 cartridge firmly into its connector until it is fully seated and the latches snap into place. You must use up to 25 lb of force to fully seat the SECC2 cartridge in its connector. Install or replace the two large thumbscrews that secure the heat sink to the system board.
   
   
7. Replace the airflow shroud.
   
   
8. Rotate the power supply back into position, making sure that the securing tab snaps into place.
   
   
9. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.

As the system boots, it detects the presence of the new processor and automatically changes the system configuration information in the System Setup program.

NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector causes the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

10. Enter the System Setup program, and confirm that the system data area correctly identifies the type and number of installed processor(s).
    
    
11. While in the System Setup program, reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
    

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

12. If you installed a second processor and your system is running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, reinstall the operating system.
    
    

See your Windows NT documentation for instructions.

When you reinstall Windows NT 4.0, the operating system detects the second processor.

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Replacing the System Battery

A 3.0-volt (V) CR2032 coin-cell battery installed on the system board maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory.

The operating life of the battery can extend up to 10 years if the system remains plugged into an electrical outlet. If the system is in storage and disconnected from all power sources, the battery life is approximately 3.5 years. You may need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot routine along with a message such as:

Time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program

or

Invalid configuration information -
please run SETUP program

or

Strike the F1 key to continue,
F2 to run the setup utility

To determine whether you need to replace the battery, reenter the time and date through the System Setup program and exit the program properly to save the information. Turn off and unplug your system for a few hours, and then plug in and turn on your system. Enter the System Setup program. If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace your battery.

You can operate your system without a battery; however, without a battery, the system configuration information maintained by the battery is erased if the system is unplugged or AC power is lost. In this case, you must enter the System Setup program and reset the configuration options.

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding 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 system battery with another CR2032 coin-cell battery, perform the following steps:

1. If you have not already done so, make a copy of your system configuration information in the System Setup program.
   
   

If the settings are lost while you are replacing the battery, you can refer to your written or printed copy of the system configuration information to restore the correct settings.

CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

2. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer Cover (Desktop Chassis)" or "Removing the Computer Cover (Mini Tower Chassis)."
   
   NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in your System Information Guide. 
   
   
3. (Desktop chassis only) To access the battery on the system board, rotate the power supply as described in "Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board (Desktop Chassis)."
   
   
4. (Mini tower chassis only) If installed, remove the CD-ROM drive according to the instructions in "Installing a Diskette, LS-120 SuperDisk, Tape, or CD-ROM Drive in a Mini Tower Chassis" to access the battery.
   
   

NOTE: If a CD-ROM drive or hard-disk drive in the upper 5.25-inch drive bay obstructs your access to the battery, you may find it helpful to remove the front bezel and slide the drive forward slightly to provide more room for you to work. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel (Mini Tower Chassis Only)" and "Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive in the Mini Tower Chassis" for instructions.

5. Locate the battery and remove it.
   
   

The battery is mounted in a socket labeled "BATTERY" at the upper front-right corner of the system board (as you face the side of the system) (see Figure 1).

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. Make certain that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before attempting 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.

Pry the battery out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive object, such as a plastic screwdriver (see Figure 10).

Figure 10. System Battery and Battery Socket

1 Battery 2 Battery socket

6. Install the new battery.
   
   

Orient the battery with the side labeled "+" facing up. Then insert the battery into the socket, and snap it into place.

7. Rotate the power supply back into position, making sure that the securing tab snaps into place.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
   
   

   NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector will cause the following message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

9. Enter the System Setup program, and confirm that the battery is operating properly.
   
   

Enter the correct time and date through the System Setup program's Time and Date options. Also, restore the correct settings for the system configuration information using the copy made in step 1.

10. While in the System Setup program, reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

11. Turn off your computer, and unplug it for at least 10 minutes.
    
    
12. After 10 minutes, plug in and turn on the computer and enter the System Setup program. If the time and date are still incorrect, see "Getting Help."

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