Dell Dimension 8400 Series
CD or DVD activity light CD or DVD drive eject button
floppy drive eject button* floppy drive light* USB 2.0 connectors (2) headphone connector Service Tag hard drive light power button *On computers with a floppy drive. parallel connector diagnostic lights mouse connector surround connector center/LFE connector line-out connector microphone connector USB 2.0 connectors (6) VGA video connector TV-OUT connector** optional sound-card connectors** **Not present on all computers. line-in connector network adapter DVI connector PCI card (3), PCI Express x1 card (1), PCI Express x16 card (1) slots
power connector voltage selection switch serial connector keyboard connector
w w w. d e l l. c o m | s u p p o r t. d e l l. c o m
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the

problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. If you purchased a Dell n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft Windows operating systems are not applicable.

____________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp, DellNet, PowerConnect, and Axim are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Outlook are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DHM

September 2004

P/N U7035

Rev. A00

Contents

Finding Information
Setting Up and Using Your Computer

Setting Up a Printer

Printer Cable. Connecting a USB Printer. Connecting a Parallel Printer Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Internet Connection Playing CDs or DVDs.
Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs.
How to Copy a CD or DVD. Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Helpful Tips. Connecting Two Monitors
Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors. Connecting One Monitor With a VGA connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector. Connecting a TV. Changing the Display Settings. About Your RAID Configuration.
RAID Level 0. RAID Level 1. Configuring Your Computer for RAID. Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Option ROM Utility. Configuring for RAID Using the Intel(R) Application Accelerator Setting Up a Home and Office Network. Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard.

Power Management

Overview. Standby Mode. Hibernate Mode. Power Options Properties Hyper-Threading.

Solving Problems

Troubleshooting Tips. Battery Problems
Card Fan Problems. Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems.
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages
IEEE 1394 Device Problems. Keyboard Problems
Lockups and Software Problems
The computer does not start up. The computer stops responding. A program stops responding. A program crashes repeatedly. A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system. A solid blue screen appears. Other software problems. Memory Problems Mouse Problems.
Network Problems. Power Problems. Printer Problems.

Scanner Problems.

Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from speakers. No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems.
If the screen is blank. If the screen is difficult to read.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Diagnostic Lights Dell Diagnostics.
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu. Drivers
What Is a Driver?. Identifying Drivers. Reinstalling Drivers
Restoring Your Operating System.
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Removing and Installing Parts

Before You Begin

Recommended Tools. Turning Off Your Computer. Before Working Inside Your Computer Front View. Back View

How to use Windows XP Documentation for my computer Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the computer. See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to: Obtain and install updated drivers. Connect the printer to the computer. Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge. Contact the printer manufacturer for technical assistance.

Printer Cable

Your printer connects to your computer with either a USB cable or a parallel cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer box.

Connecting a USB Printer

NOTE: You can connect USB devices while the computer is turned on.
Complete the operating system setup, if you have not already done so. Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer. Attach the USB printer cable to the USB connectors on the computer and the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.
USB connector on computer

USB printer cable

USB connector on printer
Connecting a Parallel Printer
Complete the operating system setup, if you have not already done so. Turn off the computer (see page 59). NOTICE: For best results, use a 3-m (10-ft) or shorter parallel cable. Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel connector on the computer and tighten the two screws. Attach the cable to the connector on the printer and snap the two clips into the two notches.
parallel connector on computer
connector on printer screws (2) parallel printer cable clips (2)

notches (2)

Turn on the printer and then turn on the computer. If the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. Install the printer driver if necessary. See the documentation that came with your printer.
Connecting to the Internet
NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country. To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP), such as AOL or MSN. Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options: Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable modem connections. DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously. Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV line.

Click the Start button and point to Programs Intel(R) Application Accelerator Intel Application Accelerator to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility. Right-click the Volume icon of the RAID volume you want to delete, and select Delete Volume. On the Delete RAID Volume Wizard screen, click Next. Highlight the RAID volume you want to delete in the Available box, click the right-arrow button to move the highlighted RAID volume into the Selected box, and then click Next. Click Finish to delete the volume.
Migrating to a RAID 0 Volume
Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 22). Click the Start button and point to All Programs Intel(R) Application Accelerator Intel Application Accelerator to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility. NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 22).
On the Actions menu, select Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive to launch the Migration Wizard. Click Next on the Migration Wizard screen. Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default. From the drop-down box, select RAID 0 as the RAID level. NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume. If
you do not know the average file size, choose 128 as your strip size.
Select the appropriate strip size from the drop-down box, and then click Next. NOTE: Select the hard drive that you want to use as your source hard drive (it should be the hard drive containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume).
On the Select Source Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to migrate, and click Next. On the Select Member Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member drive to span the stripe array, and click Next. On the Specify Volume Size screen, select the Volume Size you want, and click Next.
NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive.
Click Finish to start migrating, or click Back to make changes. You can use your computer normally during the migration process.

Migrating to a RAID 1 Volume
On the Actions menu, click Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive to launch the Migration Wizard. Click Next on the first Migration Wizard screen. Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default. From the drop-down box, select RAID 1 as the RAID level. NOTE: Select the hard drive that already has the data or operating system files that you want to maintain
on the RAID volume as your source hard drive.
On the Select Source Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to migrate, and click Next. On the Select Member Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member drive that you want to act as the mirror in the array, and click Next. On the Specify Volume Size screen, select the volume size you want, and click Next. NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive. Click Finish to start migrating, or click Back to make changes. You can use your computer normally during migration process.
Creating a Spare Hard Drive
A spare hard drive may be created with a RAID 1 array. The spare hard drive will not be recognized by the operating system, but you will be able to see the spare drive from within Disk Manager or the Intel Option ROM Utility. When a member of the RAID 1 array is broken, the computer automatically rebuilds the mirror array using the spare hard drive as the broken members replacement. To Mark a Drive as a Spare Hard Drive:
Click the Start button and point to Programs Intel(R) Application Accelerator Intel Application Accelerator to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility. Right-click the hard drive you want to mark as a spare hard drive. Click Mark as Spare.
To Remove Spare Marking From a Spare Hard Drive:
Right-click the spare hard drive icon. Click Reset Hard Drive to Non-RAID
Rebuilding a Degraded RAID 1 Volume
If your computer does not have a spare hard drive, and the computer has reported a degraded RAID 1 volume, you can manually rebuild the computers redundancy mirror to a new hard drive by performing the following steps:
Click the Start button and point to Programs Intel(R) Application Accelerator Intel Application Accelerator to launch the Intel(R) Storage Utility. Right-click the available hard drive to which you want to rebuild the RAID 1 volume, and click Rebuild to this Disk. You can use your computer while the computer is rebuilding the RAID 1 volume.

Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter
NOTE: Plug the network cable into the network adapter connector on the computer. Do not plug the network cable into the modem connector on the computer. Do not plug a network cable into a telephone wall jack.
Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer. Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure. Connect the other end of the network cable to a network device.

network device

network adapter connector
network adapter connector on computer

network cable

Network Setup Wizard
The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.
Click the Start button, point to All Programs Accessories Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard. On the welcome screen, click Next. Click Checklist for creating a network. NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the
integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1).
Complete the checklist and required preparations. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.

Overview

The Microsoft Windows XP power management features can reduce the amount of electricity your computer uses when it is on and you are not using it. You can reduce power to just the monitor or the hard drive, or you can use standby mode or hibernate mode to reduce power to the entire computer. When the computer exits from a power conservation mode, the Windows desktop is restored to the state it was in before it entered the mode. NOTE: Windows XP Professional includes security and networking features not available in
Windows XP Home Edition. When a Windows XP Professional computer is connected to a network, different options related to security and networking appear in certain windows.

Reattaching the Hinge Arms
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet. Remove the front-panel door by gently snapping it off the two hinge arms.
Remove the front-panel insert above the door bay area by pulling the bottom of the insert with your fingers.

front-panel insert

use fingers to pull here
Lift both hinge arms to the horizontal position. Use the two view slots to align the pivot bar with the two pivot-bar slots.

view slots (2)

pivot-bar slots (2) pivot bar
hinge arms (2) in horizontal position
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.
Pull the arms toward you until they snap into position. If the hinge arms do not snap back into position on the first attempt, slightly reposition the arms and try again.
After the hinge arms snap into position, lower and raise the arms two or three times to properly seat them. Reattach the front-panel insert. Reconnect the computer power cable to the electrical outlet. Reattach the front door (see page 68).
Reattaching the Front Door
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet. Lower the hinge arms to the vertical position. Align the two clips on the inside of the front door with the two hinge arms. Press inward on the front door until it clips to both hinge arms.

front-door clips (2)

hinge arms (2) in vertical position frontpanel door
Opening the Computer Cover
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 opening the cover.
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to support the open coverat least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top

space.

Lay the computer on its side so that the arrow on the bottom of the computer points up. Open the cover:
Facing the back of the computer, press the release button on the right side of the computer with one hand while pulling up on the top of the cover with the other hand. Press the release button on the left side of the computer with one hand while pulling up on the top of the cover with the other hand. Hold the bottom of the computer with one hand, and then pull open the cover with the other hand.

release button

If you replaced a card that was already installed in the computer and you removed the top of the retention mechanism, you may reinstall the top.
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. If a card fan is not present in your computer and you are installing a graphics card that runs higher than 75 W, contact Dell (see page 123) to find out how to purchase a card fan.
If you installed a PCI Express graphics card that runs at 75 W or higher, install the card fan (see page 86). Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation that came with the card for information about the cards cable connections. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
If you installed a sound card:
Removing a PCI Express Card
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. If your card includes a retention mechanism, remove the top of the retention mechanism by pressing the tab and pulling up on the top. Gently pull back the securing tab, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector. 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 page 123). 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 computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. Remove the cards driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:

Card Fan

NOTICE: PCI Express graphics card that run higher than 75 W require an additional cooling fan. Otherwise, your card could overheat and damage your computer. If a card fan is not present in your computer and you are installing a graphics card that runs at 75 W or higher, contact Dell (see page 123) to find out how to purchase a card fan. 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 opening the cover.

bracket rails (2)

screws (4)
Install the hard drive into the computer by gently sliding the drive into place until you hear it securely click. Connect the power and data cable to the drive and to the system board (see page 71).
Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. Close the computer cover (see page 104). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable floppy disk into drive A. Turn on the computer. Enter system setup (see page 111), and update the appropriate Drive option. Exit system setup, and restart the computer. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step. See the documentation for your operating system for instructions. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics (see page 52). If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard drive.
Adding a Second Hard Drive
Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. Remove the two plastic rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay by gently pulling the rails up and out of the bay. Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the rails. Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive. NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until you have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay.
Remove the first hard drive from the upper bay and install it in the lower bay:
Disconnect the power and the data cable from the back of the first hard drive. Press in the two rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of the upper bay.
Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear a click. Reconnect the power and data cable to the back of the first hard drive.
Gently slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until you hear a click.
rail tabs (2) second hard drive in upper bay first hard drive in lower bay

hard drive bay

Connect a power cable to the drive. Connect the data cable to the drive and to the system board (see page 71). Close the computer cover (see page 104). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.

Drives Externally accessible: two 3.5-inch drive bays two 5.25-inch drive bays Available devices Serial ATA drive, floppy drive, Zip drive, USB memory devices, CD drive, CD-RW drive, DVD drive, DVD-RW drive, and DVD and CD-RW combo drive two bays for 1-inch high hard drives Connectors External connectors: Serial Parallel Video Network adapter PS/2 (keyboard and mouse) USB Audio 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible 25-hole connector (bidirectional) 15-hole connector RJ45 connector two 6-pin mini-DIN connectors two front-panel and six back-panel USB 2.0compliant connectors five connectors for line-in, line-out, microphone, surround, and center/Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel; one front-panel connector for headphones 40-pin connector on PCI local bus four 7-pin connectors 34-pin connector two 5-pin connectors 120-pin connector 36-pin connector 164-pin connector 4-pin connector

Internally accessible:

System board connectors: Primary IDE drive Serial ATA Floppy drive Fan PCI 2.3 PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 Telephony (TAPI)
Controls and Lights Power control Power light push button green light Blinking green in sleep state; solid green for power-on state. amber light Blinking amber indicates a problem with an installed device; solid amber indicates an internal power problem (see "Power Problems" on page 42). Hard-drive access light Link integrity light (on integrated network adapter) green green light A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer. orange light A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer. yellow light A good connection exists between a 1 Gb (or 1000-Mbps) connection. off (no light) The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network. Activity light (on integrated network adapter) Diagnostic lights Standby power light Power DC power supply: Wattage Heat dissipation Voltage (see the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide for important voltage setting information) Backup battery Physical Height Width Depth Weight 42.5 cm (16.7 inches) 18.1 cm (7.1 inches) 44.7 cm (17.6 inches) 12.7 kg (28 lbs) 350 W 460.7 BTU/hr fixed-voltage power supply 110 V at 50/60 Hz manual selection and auto-sensing power supplies 90 to 135 V at 50/60 Hz; 180 to 265 V at 50/60 Hz; 100 V at 50/60 Hz for Japanese computers 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell yellow blinking light four lights on the back panel (See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 49.) AUX_PWR on the system board
Environmental Temperature: Operating 10 to 35C (50 to 95F)
NOTE: At 35C (95F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m

(3000 ft). Storage Relative humidity Maximum vibration: Operating Storage Maximum shock: Operating Storage Altitude: Operating Storage 15.2 to 3048 m (50 to 10,000 ft) 15.2 to 10,668 m (50 to 35,000 ft) bottom half-sine pulse with a change in velocity of 20 inches/sec (50.8 cm/sec) 27-G faired square wave with a velocity change of 200 inches/sec (508 cm/sec) 0.25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 0.5 octave/min 0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1 octave/min 40 to 65C (40 to 149F) 20% to 80% (noncondensing)

System Setup

Use system setup as follows: To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference. NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.

Entering System Setup

Turn on (or restart) your computer. When the blue DELL logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 59) and try again.

System Setup Screens

The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, active options field, and key functions. Options List This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features. Option Field This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view your current settings and make changes to your settings. Use the right and left arrow keys to highlight an option. Press <Enter> to make that selection active.
Scroll up and down the list with the up- and down-arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Option Field displays more information about Key Functions This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system that option and the setup field. options current and available settings.

System Setup Options

NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed. System
System Info CPU Info Memory Info Date/Time Boot Sequence Lists system information such as the computer name, the BIOS version number and date, system tags, and other system-specific information. Identifies whether the computers processor supports Hyper-Threading and lists the processor bus speed, processor ID, clock speed, and L2 cache. Indicates amount of installed memory, memory speed, channel mode (dual or single), and type of memory installed. Displays current date and time settings. The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list. NOTE: If you insert a boot device and restart the computer, this option appears in the system setup menu. To boot from a USB memory device, select the USB device and move it so it becomes the first device in the list.

Security

Admin Password
System Password Password Status
AC Recovery Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer.

Auto Power On

Sets the computer to automatically turn on. Choices are every day or every Monday through Friday. The default setting is Off. This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.

Auto Power Time

Sets time to automatically turn on the computer. Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the start-up time by pressing the right- or left-arrow key to increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields. This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Low Power Mode Remote Wake Up
When Low Power Mode is selected, remote wakeup events no longer power up from Hibernate or Off. This option allows the computer to power up when a NIC or Remote Wakeup-capable modem receives a wake up signal. On is the default setting. On w/ Boot to NIC allows the computer to attempt to boot from a network prior to using the boot sequence. NOTE: Normally, the system can be powered up remotely from suspend mode, hibernate mode, or when powered off. When Low Power Mode (in the Power Management menu) is enabled, the computer can only be powered up remotely from Suspend.

Suspend Mode

The options are S1, a suspend state where the computer is running in a lowpower mode, and S3, a standby state where the power is reduced or turned off for most components, however, system memory remains active.

Maintenance

CMOS Defaults Event Log BIOS Update This setting restores the computers factory-installed default settings. Displays the system event log. After downloading a new version of the BIOS, use this option to identify and define the location of the BIOS update file. The options are Diskette or Disk.

POST Behavior

Fastboot Numlock Key When set to On (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests. This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key. This setting turns the OS Install Mode either On or Off (default).

OS Install

POST Hotkeys Keyboard Errors
This option allows you to specify the function keys to display on the screen when the computer starts. This option disables or enables keyboard error reporting when the computer starts.

Boot Sequence

This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.

Option Settings

Diskette Drive The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, if no floppy disk is in the drive, or if there is no floppy drive installed in the computer, the computer generates an error message. Hard Drive The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message. CD Drive The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer generates an error message. USB Flash Device Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu. NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive. NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup (see page 111).
If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector (see page 61). Turn on (or restart) your computer. When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 59) and try again. The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.
At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only. For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Flash Device and press <Enter>. NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
Enter system setup (see page 112). Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press <Enter> to access the menu. NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it. Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices. Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark). Press plus (+) or minus () to move a selected device up or down the list.

Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59.

CLR CMOS (page 119) 2

Locate the 3-pin password jumper (PASS) on the system board (see page 71), and attach the jumper plug to pins 2 and 3 to clear the password. NOTE: When you receive your computer, the jumper plug is attached to pins 1 and 2. Close the computer cover (see page 104). Connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets, and turn them on. After the Microsoft Windows desktop appears on your computer, shut down the computer (see page 59). Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the electrical outlet. Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet, and press the power button to ground the system board. Open the computer cover (see page 69). Locate the 3-pin password jumper (PASS) on the system board (see page 71) and attach the jumper to pins 1 and 2 to reenable the password feature. Close the computer cover (see page 104). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug it into the computer.

Clearing CMOS Settings

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" on page 59. Reset the current CMOS settings:
Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper (CLR CMOS) on the system board (see page 71). Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3. Place the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 and wait approximately 5 seconds. Replace the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3.
Close the computer cover (see page 104). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

Cleaning Your Computer

Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor
CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove dust from the slots and holes on your computer and from between the keys on the keyboard. NOTICE: Do not wipe the display screen with any soap or alcohol solution. Doing so may damage the antiglare coating. To clean your monitor screen, lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with water. If possible, use a special screen-cleaning tissue or solution suitable for the monitors antistatic coating. Wipe the keyboard, computer, and plastic part of the monitor with a soft cleaning cloth moistened with a solution of three parts water and one part dishwashing detergent. Do not soak the cloth or let water drip inside your computer or keyboard.
If your screen cursor skips or moves abnormally, clean the mouse. To clean a non-optical mouse: