Dell 8300 manual

Dell™Dimension™8300Series Before You Begin Turning Off Your Computer Opening the Computer Cover Technical Overview Technical Specifications Advanced Troubleshooting System Setup Program Removing and Installing Parts Closing the Computer Cover Notes, Notices, and Cautions    Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list [...]

Back to Contents Page Advanced Troubleshooting Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Diagnostic Lights  Beep Codes  System Messages Diagnostic Lights  To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and &qu[...]

Beep Codes  Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start - up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. One possible beep code (code 1 - 3- 1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a[...]

 Back to Contents Page  Message Possible Cause Corrective Action 8042 Gate - A20 error The keyboard controller failed its test. If you receive this message after you make changes in the system setup program , enter the program and restore the original value(s). Address Line Short! An error in the address decoding circuitry in the memory has o[...]

Back to Contents Page Battery Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual   A coin - cell battery maintains computer configuration, date, and time information. The battery can last several years.  If you have to repeatedly reset time and date information after turning on the computer, replace the battery.   To replace t[...]

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Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Getting Started  Recommended Tools  Shutting Down Your Computer Getting Started  This section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the [...]

Back to Contents Page Cards Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  PCI Cards  AGP Cards PCI Cards    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 bu[...]

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.  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[...]

Removing a PCI 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.  3.  Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer[...]

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 bac[...]

Back to Contents Page Closing the Computer Cover Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual 1.  Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way.  Gently pull the power cables toward you so that they do not get caught underneath the drives. 2.  Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the compu[...]

Back to Contents Page Opening the Computer Cover Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesService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 of[...]

Back to Contents Page Drives Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Replacing the Hard Drive  Adding a Second Hard Drive  Adding or Replacing a Floppy Drive  Adding or Replacing a CD/DVD Drive Your computer supports one floppy drive and a maximum combination of up to four of any of the following drives. l[...]

2.  Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out.  Installing a Hard Drive 1.  Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation. 2.  Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. 3.  If your replacement hard drive does not have the bracke[...]

5.  Connect the power and hard - drive cables to the drive.  6.  Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 7.  Close the computer cover .  8.  Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.  See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on i[...]

c.  Gently slide the first hard drive into the lower bay until you hear or feel a click. d.  Reconnect the power and hard - drive cables to the back of the first hard drive. 10.  Gently slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until you hear or feel a click.  11.  Connect a power cable to the drive.  12.  Locate the extra co[...]

 2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 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.  5.  Open the computer cov[...]

 1.  Shut down the computer through the Start menu.  2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 3.  Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. 4.  Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system boar[...]

Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1.  If you are installing a new drive, unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.  Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. If you are installing an IDE drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting. 2.  Connect the new drive to t[...]

Back to Contents Page Front Panel Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Removing the Front Panel  Removing the Front - Panel Insert Removing the Front Panel  1.  Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2.  Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet. 3.  Remove the front - panel[...]

4.  From outside the computer, pull the insert away from the computer's front panel. 5.  Remove the insert from the insert frame by pressing on the four tabs.  6.  Reattach the empty insert frame over the front of the drive bay.  The insert frame fits only one way.  Back to Contents Page [...]

Back to Contents Page Memory Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  DDR Memory Overview  Installing Memory  You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see " Memory " in "Technical Specifica[...]

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.  3.  Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. 4.  Disconnect your[...]

11.  Close the computer cover .  12.  Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on. 13.  Click the Start button, right - click My Computer , and then click Properties . 14.  Click the General tab. 15.  To verify that the memory is installed correctly, check the amount of memory (RAM) listed.  B[...]

Back to Contents Page Microprocessor Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Removing the Microprocessor  Installing the Microprocessor Removing the Microprocessor  1.  Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2.  Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attach[...]

b.  Pull the release lever out until the heat sink is released. c.  Lift the heat sink away from the microprocessor.      11.  Remove the microprocessor from the socket.  Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new microprocessor.  NOTICE: Lay the heat si[...]

Installing the Microprocessor   1.  Unpack the new microprocessor.  2.  If the release lever on the socket is not fully extended, move it to that position. 3.  Align the pin - 1 corners of the microprocessor and socket.   4.  Set the microprocessor lightly in the socket and ensure that all pins are headed into the correct[...]

c.  When the heat sink is secured, pivot the retention module clip back until the tab snaps into place to secure the heat sink. 7.  Lower the airflow shroud over the heat sink. 8.  Reconnect the cooling fan power cable to the FAN2 connector on the system board . 9.  Reconnect the power cable to the PWR connector on the system board . 10[...]

Back to Contents Page Removing and Installing Parts Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual Back to Contents Page   Cards  Memory  Front Panel  Drives  Microprocessor  System Board  Power Supply  Battery[...]

Back to Contents Page Power Supply Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Removing the Power Supply  Replacing the Power Supply Removing the Power Supply  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 device[...]

2.  On the small mini - tower computer, replace the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer frame. 3.  Reconnect the DC power cables. 4.  Connect the AC power cable to the connector. 5.  Run the cables underneath the clips, and press the clips to close them over the cables. 6.  Close the computer cover . ?[...]

Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual        Microprocessor  Memory  Computer Information  Video  Audio  Expansion Bus  Drives  Connectors  Controls and Lights  Power ?[...]

      connector data width (maximum) 32 bits  bus protocols 8x/4x/2x modes at 1.5 V PCI   connectors four  connector size 120 pins  connector data width (maximum) 32 bits Drives Externally accessible two 3.5 - inch bays two 5.25 - inch bays Available devices ATA - 66 or ATA - 100 Ultra DMA hard drive, serial ATA dri[...]

 Back to Contents Page  Environmental Temperature:   Operating 10 º to 35 º C (50 º to 95 º F)  NOTE: At 35 º C (95 º F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m (3000 ft).  Storage – 40 º to 65 º C ( – 40 º to 149 º F) Relative humidity 20% to 80% (noncondensing) Maximum vibration:   Operating 0.25 G at 3 t[...]

Back to Contents Page System Board Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Removing the System Board  Replacing the System Board Removing the System Board  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 device[...]

1.  Transfer components from the existing system board to the replacement system board: a.  Remove the memory modules and install them on the replacement board.  b.  Remove the heat - sink assembly and microprocessor from the existing system board and transfer them to the replacement system board. 2.  Configure the settings of the re[...]

Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Overview  Entering the System Setup Program  Hyper - Threading  Clearing Forgotten Passwords Overview  The system setup program contains the standard settings for your computer.   You can use the system setup progra[...]

l  Title — The box at the top of all screens that lists the computer name. l  Computer data — Two boxes below the title box that display your computer processor, L2 cache, service tag, and the version number of the BIOS. l  Options — A scrollable box listing options that define the configuration of your computer, including installed [...]

 The following table shows Integrated Devices (Legacy Select Options) option information.   The following table shows Power Management option information.   The following table shows System Security option information.  Boot Sequence This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices. Changing Boot Sequence for the Cu[...]

 Hyper - Threading  Hyper - Threading is an Intel ® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical microprocessor to function as two logical microprocessors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft Windows XP operating system because Windows XP is [...]

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Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Looking Inside Your Computer  Power Supply  DC Power Connectors  IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell - Installed Drives  Placement of Dell - Installed Cards Looking Inside Your Computer     System Board [...]

 Power Supply  The 250 - W power supply can operate from an AC power source of 115 VAC at 60 Hz or 230 VAC at 50 Hz. The power supply provides the DC operating voltages and currents listed in the following table.  DC Power Connectors Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments  Output Voltage Minimum Current (A) Maximum Current (A) 1 Peak[...]

DC Power Connector P1   DC Power Connector P2  Pin Number Signal name 18 - AWG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red 5 COM Black 6 +5 VDC Red 7 COM Black 8 POK Gray 9 +5 VFP Purple 10 +12 VDC Yellow 11 +3.3 VDC* Orange 12 – 12 VDC Blue 13 COM Black 14 PS ON Green 15 COM Black 16 COM Black 17 COM Black 18 N/C N[...]

  DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9   DC Power Connector P7   IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell - Installed Drives  Placement of Dell - Installed Cards Pin Number Signal Name 18 - AWG Wire 1 COM Black 2 COM Black 3 +12 VDC Yellow 4 +12 VDC Yellow Pin Number Signal Name 18 - AWG Wire 1 +12 VCD Yellow 2 COM Black [...]

  Back to Contents Page  Card Connector Card Description AGP connector Video PCI1 connector Network adapter, wireless network adapter, or swap box PCI2 connector Modem PCI3 connector Sound PCI4 connector IEEE 1394[...]

Back to Contents Page Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  Notes, Notices, and Cautions  Abbreviations and Acronyms Notes, Notices, and Cautions    Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file.  IfyoupurchasedaDell™nSerie[...]

Back to Contents Page Turning Off Your Computer Dell™Dimension™8300SeriesServiceManual  1.  Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, click the Start button, and then click Turn Off Computer . 2.  In the Turn off computer window, click Turn off .  The computer turns off after the shutdown process finishes[...]