Dell Dimension 4300 manual

Dell™Dimension™4300 Technical Overview Controls and Lights Solving Problems System Codes and Messages Technical Specifications System Setup Program Adding Parts Documentation Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file (click the Start button on t[...]

Back to Contents Page System Codes and Messages Dell™Dimension™4300  Diagnostic Codes  POST Beep Codes  System Messages Diagnostic Codes Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lig[...]

POST Beep Codes If the monitor cannot display errors or problems, during POST the computer might emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem. The POST beep codes are listed below.  System Messages   Other failure. See "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance[...]

Back to Contents Page    CMOS Time and Date Not Set Diskette Boot Failure Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST. Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined correctly in the system setup program . Check the interface cable at both ends. DMA Error DMA 1 Error DMA 2 Error Error in the DMA controlle[...]

Back to Contents Page Documentation Dell™Dimension™4300  Printed Documentation  Online Documentation Printed Documentation To save PDF files (files with an extension of .pdf ) to your hard drive, right - click the document title, click Save Target As in Microsoft ® Internet Explorer or Save Link A s in Netscape Navigator, [...]

Back to Contents Page Adding Parts Dell™Dimension™4300  Safety Instructions Use the following safety guidelines to protect yourself and your computer. For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines provided in "Sitting Comfortably at Your Computer" in the Tell Me How help file. When Using Your Computer l To h[...]

2.  Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of the computer before touching anything inside your computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components. 3.  Disconnect any devices connected to the computer, inclu[...]

Reattaching the Hinge Arms 1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Disconnect the power cable from your computer. 3.  Remove the front door, if it is attached. The front door snaps off of the two hinge arms. 4.  Remove the front - panel insert above the front - door bay area. Pull the bottom of the insert with your fingers to remove it.  5.[...]

7.  Pull the arms toward you until they snap into place. If the hinge arms don't snap back into place on the first attempt, slightly reposition the arms and try again. 8.  After the hinge arms clip into place, lower and raise the arms two or three times to properly seat them. 9.  Reattach the front - panel insert. 10.  Reconnect th[...]

5.  Press the two release buttons as you lift the cover. The release buttons are located on the right and left sides of the computer as it is laying on its side.  Adding Cards 1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 3.  Disconnect the computer power cable from [...]

7.  Ensure that the card is fully seated in the connector.  8.  Lower the plastic securing lever. 9.  Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation that came with the card for information about the card cable connections. 10.  Close the computer cover . 11.  Connect your computer and devices to thei[...]

7.  To remove the card, grasp the card by the top corners and lift it out. If the card is difficult to remove, gently ease the card back and forth to remove it from the connector.  8.  If you are not replacing the card, install a filler bracket in the empty card - slot opening. If you are adding a card, see " Adding Cards ." 9. ?[...]

4.  Open the computer cover. 5.  If necessary, remove a memory module: a.  Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector. b.  Grasp the module and pull up. If the module is difficult to remove, gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector. 6.  To insert a module, press out the securin[...]

6.  To replace the AGP card, gently press it down into the slot connector until it clicks into place. Press the card clip lever while inserting the card into the slot connector.  Adding a Second Hard Drive Your computer includes one hard drive. To add a second hard drive: 1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Turn off any attached devices an[...]

10.  Connect a power cable to the drive. 11.  Locate the extra connector on the drive cable that is attached to your first hard drive and attach the connector to the second hard drive.  12.  Close the computer cover . 13.  Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on. 14.  See the documentation t[...]

1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. 3.  Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4.  Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation. See the documentation that came with the drive t[...]

12.  Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on. 13.  See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 3.5 - Inch Devices 1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical ou[...]

 11.  Carefully replace the drive bay cover. You do not need to replace the cover insert. 12.  Connect a power cable to the drive. 13.  See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on connecting a drive cable to the drive.  14.  Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on. 15.[...]

8.  For each of the metal securing clips that secure the heat sink to the microprocessor, press down on the clip's latch to release the clip from the retention base. Then lift each clip out of the tabs on the retention base and away from the heat sink.  9.  Lift the heat sink away from the microprocessor. 10.  Pull the socket lever[...]

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. Installing the Microprocessor 1.  If the release lever on the ZIF socket is not extended to the release position, move it to that position. 2.  Align pin - 1 (the beveled corner) o[...]

If you are installing a microprocessor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat sink assembly and microprocessor package to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent. Your microprocessor replacement kit should include a replacement microprocessor heat sink and one replacement securing clip. Removing the Front I/O Pa[...]

 6.  Note the routing of the DC power cables underneath the tabs in the computer frame as you remove them from the system board and drives. It is important to route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent them from being pinched or crimped. 7.  Remove the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer. 8[...]

5.  Remove or move any components that restrict access to the system board. 6.  Disconnect all cables from the system board. Before you remove the existing system board, visually compare the replacement system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part. 7.  Pull up on the tab and slide the system board t[...]

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Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™Dimension™4300 Accessing Help Files  Power Problems   Accessing Help Files  Power Problems  Start - Up Error Messages  Video and Monitor Problems  Sound and Speaker Problems  Printer Problems  Scanner Problems  Modem Problems  Mouse Pro[...]

Start - Up Error Messages  Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank  If the screen is difficult to read  Check for interference — Electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating near the computer can cause interference. Other causes of interference: power extension cables, keyboard and mouse extension cables, too many dev[...]

Sound and Speaker Problems  Printer Problems If you cannot print to a parallel port printer  If you cannot print to a USB printer  HINT: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume setting. If you have been listening to MP3 songs, make sure that you did not turn the player volume down or off. Ensure that the subwoof[...]

Scanner Problems  Modem Problems  Windows Me and Windows 2000 1.  Click the Start button, point to Settings , and then click Printers . If the printer is listed, right - click the printer icon. 2.  Click Properties, and then select the Details tab in Windows Me and the Ports tab in Windows 2000. Ensure that the Print to the following po[...]

Mouse Problems  Keyboard Problems  Drive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk   If you connected the mouse before turning on the computer, reconnect the mouse cable 1.  Press <Ctrl><Esc> to display the Start menu. 2.  In Windows XP, type the letter u , and then type the letter u again. In Windows Me and [...]

If you cannot play a music CD or install a program from a CD  If you cannot play a DVD movie  If the CD - RW drive stops writing  If you have a hard drive problem  HINT: High - speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. This does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD. Ensure that Windows recognizes the drive — In W[...]

Network Problems  Microsoft ® Windows ® Error Messages  General Program Problems A program crashes  A program stops responding  A program error causes the system to lock up  Check the network cable connector — Ensure that the network cable connector is firmly connected to the connector on the computer and the network wall j[...]

A solid blue screen appears  A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Internet Connection Problems If you have a problem with your Internet connection  E- Mail Problems  Resolving Other Technical Problems  computer. You might lose data if you are unable to perform a Microsoft Windows shutdown. HINT: ScanDisk may run[...]

Reinstalling Drivers Dell installed the following drivers on your computer: l Intel ® Chip Set Update Utility Driver — Installs the Microsoft Windows operating system device installation files ( .inf ) that tell the operating system how certain chip set components should be configured for proper operation. l ADI AC - 97 Audio Codec Driver — En[...]

 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Windows XP, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured. Windows XP To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP: 1.  Click the Start button, and then click Control P[...]

6.  Double - click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments. Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled. 7.  Double - click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window so you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or rem[...]

2.  Click Create a restore point . 3.  Click Next . 4.  Type a name for your new restore point in the Restore point description field. The present date and time are automatically added to your restore point. 5.  Click Create (click Next in Windows Me). 6.  Click OK (click Close in Windows Me). Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Ope[...]

2.  Turn off the computer , and then turn the computer on again. 3.  When the blue Dell logo appears, press <F12> 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 the computer and try again. 4.  Use the arrow keys to select the CD - R[...]

10.  Select the directory in which Windows resides. If c:windows (recommended) is displayed, select it, and then click Next . If c:windows.000 (recommended) is displayed, click Other , change c:windows.000 to c:windows, and then click Next . 11.  Ensure that Typical is selected, and then click Next . 12.  Specify a computer name, workg[...]

10.  Click Next when the Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard screen appears. 11.  When the Regional Settings screen appears, select the settings for your locale, and then click Next . 12.  Enter your name and organization in the Personalize Your Software screen, and then click Next . 13.  Type the Windows product key in the fields [...]

Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell™Dimension™4300 Specifications       Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel ® Pentium ® 4 microprocessor that runs at 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, 1.90, or 2.0 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally L1 cache 8 KB first - level L2 cache integrated 256 - KB at full mic[...]

     Back to Contents Page Keyboard 6- pin mini - DIN connector or USB connector Mouse 6- pin mini - DIN connector or USB connector USB two front - panel and two back - panel USB – compliant connectors Headphone front - panel miniature jack Audio 2 three miniature jacks for line - in, line - out, and microphone Internally accessibl[...]

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Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell™Dimension™4300  Overview  Viewing Settings  Clearing Forgotten Passwords Overview The system setup program contains the standard settings for your computer. See the following figure for an example of the main screen of the program.  Viewing Settings 1.  Turn on (or re[...]

settings and values are set by the computer and cannot be changed. When <Enter> appears to the right of an option, press <Enter> to access a pop - up menu of additional options. l Key functions – A line of boxes across the bottom of all system setup screens that lists keys and their functions within the system setup program. l Help ?[...]

The following table shows System Security option information.  Clearing Forgotten Passwords If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your computer or change settings in the system setup program until you clear the forgotten password(s). 1.  Shut down the computer . 2.  Turn off any attached devices and disconnect the[...]

Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™Dimension™4300  Internal View  System Board Connectors and Sockets  Socketed Microprocessor  Power Supply  DC Power Connectors  IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell - Installed Drives  Placement of Dell - Installed Cards Internal View  System Bo[...]

Socketed Microprocessor  The 478 - pin, socketed Intel ® Pentium ® 4 microprocessor, shown above with the heat sink attached, contains an integrated 8 - KB primary (L1) cache with a secondary (L2) 256 - KB Advanced Transfer Cache that resides in the processor's core and runs at the processor's internal clock speed. The socketed[...]

DC Power Connectors Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments  DC Power Connector P1   +5 VDC +/ – 5% 1.0 22.0 +3.3 VDC +/ – 5% 0.1/0.0 4 18.0 – 12 VDC +/ – 10% 0.0 1.0 +5 VFP +/ – 5% 0.0 2.0 When the current load is outside of the ranges listed, but within each specified output current range, the +5 - V, +12 - V, and +3.3 - V ou[...]

DC Power Connector P2   DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9   DC Power Connector P7  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 1 Orange 12 – 12 VDC Blue 13 COM Black 14 PS ON Green 15 COM Black 16 COM Black 17 COM[...]

IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell - Installed Drives  Placement of Dell - Installed Cards  `  Back to Contents Page    Pin Number Signal Name 22 - AWG Wire 1 +5 VCD Red 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +12 VDC Yellow IDE Channel IDE Connector Location Dell - Installed Drive Primary IDE master End connector on PRI IDE connector cab[...]

Back to Contents Page Controls and Lights Dell™Dimension™4300  Front View  Back View Front View  CD Activity Light The CD activity light is on when the computer reads data from the CD drive. CD Drive Eject Button Press this button to eject your CD from the CD drive. Floppy Drive Eject Button Press this button to eject a dis[...]

Windows Label This Microsoft ® Windows label provides the product key for your copy of Windows. You will need this information if you ever reinstall Windows. USB Connectors Although any USB device can be attached to either the front - or back - panel USB connectors, Dell recommends using the front - panel USB connectors for devices that you fre[...]

The voltage selection switch must be set to match the AC power available at your location. The switch should be set for 115 V in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. For most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East, the switch should be set for 230 V. Parallel Connector Connect [...]

Back to Contents Page Dell™Dimension™4300  Hints, Notices, and Cautions  Abbreviations and Acronyms Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file. Back to Contents Page    HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps [...]