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Introduction: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Low-Profile Managed PC Systems
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Introduction: Dell™ OptiPlex™
GX1 Low-Profile Managed PC Systems
Dell OptiPlex GX1 low-profile Managed PC systems are high-speed,
expandable personal computers designed around the Intel® Pentium® II and Pentium III microprocessors. Each computer system uses a high-performance Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) design that allows you to configure the computer system to
your initial requirements and then add Dell-supported upgrades as necessary. These systems
also support the Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) bus for older expansion devices.
Your system offers the following features:
- An Intel Pentium II or Pentium III microprocessor.
The Intel Pentium II and Pentium III microprocessors include MMX™ technology
designed to handle complex multimedia and communications software. This microprocessor
incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called single
instruction, multiple data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data
elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.
- A keyboard command (<Ctrl><Alt><\>) that lets you switch between the
microprocessor's rated speed and a slower compatibility speed.
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NOTE: This keyboard command is not available under the
Microsoft® Windows NT® and IBM® OS/2® operating systems. |
- A secondary cache of 512 kilobytes (KB) of static random-access memory (SRAM) included
within the single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge, which also contains the microprocessor.
- System memory that can be increased up to 768 megabytes (MB) by installing 32-, 64-,
128-, or 256-MB synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) dual in-line memory
modules (DIMMs) in the three DIMM sockets on the system board. The system also supports
both error checking and correction (ECC) and nonparity DIMMs. See "
Adding Memory" for details.
Self-Monitoring and Analysis Reporting Technology II (SMART II) support, which warns you
at system start-up if your hard-disk drive has become unreliable. To take advantage of
this technology, you must have a SMART II-compliant hard-disk drive in your computer. All
hard-disk drives shipped with OptiPlex GX1 systems are SMART II-compliant.
A basic input/output system (BIOS), which resides in flash memory and can be upgraded by
diskette, or remotely over a network, if required.
Full compliance with PCI specification 2.2.
Full Plug and Play version 1.0a capability, which greatly simplifies the installation of
expansion cards. Plug and Play support included in the system BIOS allows you to install
Plug and Play expansion cards without setting jumpers or switches or performing other
configuration tasks. The ISA Configuration Utility (ICU) allows you to configure existing
non-Plug and Play ISA expansion cards for conflict-free operation. Also, because the
system BIOS is stored in flash memory, it can be updated to support future enhancements to
the Plug and Play standard.
Wakeup On LAN capability, which, when enabled in the System Setup program, allows the
system to be powered up from a server management console. Wakeup On LAN capability also
allows remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and
asset tracking after hours and on weekends when network traffic is at a minimum. For more
information, refer to "Using the System Setup Program."
Universal Serial Bus (USB) capability, which can simplify connecting peripheral devices
such as mice, printers, and computer speakers. The USB connectors on your computer's back
panel, which are enabled by default, provide a single connection point for multiple
USB-compliant devices. USB-compliant devices can also be connected and disconnected while
the system is running.
A modular computer chassis with a minimum number of screws for easy disassembly and
improved serviceability.
The system board includes the following integrated features:
- Three expansion slots on a riser board with one 32-bit PCI slot, one
16-bit ISA slot, and one shared PCI/ISA slot.
- A 64-bit accelerated graphics port (AGP) video subsystem, which includes the ATI 3D Rage
Pro super video graphics array (SVGA) video controller. This video subsystem contains 4 MB
(upgradable to 8 MB) of synchronous graphics random-access memory (SGRAM) video memory.
Maximum resolutions are 1600 × 1200 with 65,536 colors noninterlaced and 1280 × 1024 and
1024 × 768 with true-colors noninterlaced. In 800 × 600 and 640 × 480 resolutions, 16.7
million colors are available for true-color graphics using a 32-bits per pixel (bpp)
format. True-color provides higher performance, but uses more graphics memory. Table 1 lists the video memory requirements for the Microsoft
Windows® 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems.
Table 1. Video Memory Requirements
| Video Resolution |
Maximum Color Depth |
Maximum Refresh Rate |
Minimum SGRAM Required |
| 640 × 480 |
True-color (32 bpp) |
85 Hz |
4 MB |
| 800 × 600 |
True-color (32 bpp) |
85 Hz |
4 MB |
| 1024 × 768 |
True-color (32 bpp) |
85 Hz |
4 MB |
| 1280 × 1024 |
True-color (32 bpp) |
75 Hz |
8 MB |
| 1600 × 1200 |
65,536 colors (16 bpp) |
75 Hz |
8 MB |
2X AGP provides a dedicated bus from the video subsystem to the system chip set.
AGP-based video subsystems have two significant performance advantages over PCI-based
video subsystems:
- The AGP bus reduces bandwidth requirements of the PCI bus, improving overall system
performance.
- The AGP bus allows a 3D video subsystem to execute directly from main memory.
- A diskette/tape drive interface, which supports a 3.5-inch diskette drive and,
optionally, a second diskette drive or tape drive.
- Enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) support. The primary and secondary
interface are both located on the PCI bus to provide faster data throughput. Each
interface supports high-capacity EIDE drives, as well as devices such as ATA 33 hard-disk
drives, EIDE CD-ROM drives, and EIDE tape drives.
- Two high-performance serial ports and one bidirectional parallel port for connecting
external devices. The parallel port is fully Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP)-compliant.
- A Personal System/2 (PS/2)-style keyboard port and a PS/2-compatible mouse port.
- An optional integrated, 10/100-megabit-per-second (Mbps) 3Com® PCI 3C905B-TX Ethernet
network interface controller (NIC). The NIC is configured using software on the Dell
ResourceCD.
- A 16-bit, integrated Plug and Play Crystal CS4236B audio controller that provides all
the sound functions of the Sound Blaster Pro expansion card. For information, see your
online System User's Guide.
The following software is included with your Dell computer system:
- System utilities that safeguard your system and enhance the operation of its features.
More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.
Video drivers for displaying many popular application programs in high-resolution modes.
More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.
Audio drivers for enabling the sound functions on the expansion sound card. More
information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.
Bus-mastering EIDE drivers to improve performance by off-loading certain functions from
the microprocessor during multithreaded operation (when several applications are running
simultaneously). More information is available on the Dell ResourceCD.
The System Setup program for quickly viewing and changing the system configuration
information for your system. For more information on this program, see "Using the System Setup
Program."
Enhanced security features (a setup password, a system password, a system-password lock
option, a write-protect option for diskette drives, and automatic display of the system's
service tag number) available through the System Setup program. In addition, a
customer-definable asset tag number can be assigned via a software support utility and
viewed on the System Setup screens. For more information, see your online System User's
Guide and "Using the System Setup Program."
Advanced power management options that can reduce the energy consumption of your system.
For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."
The ICU, which tells you how to configure ISA expansion cards manually. After resources
have been assigned to these cards, the system BIOS can assign resources to PCI and Plug
and Play expansion cards for a conflict-free configuration. For more information, see
"Using
the ISA Configuration Utility."
Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer's components and devices. For information
on using the diagnostics, see the chapter titled "Running the Dell Diagnostics"
in the Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide.
Network device drivers for several network operating systems. More information is
available on the Dell ResourceCD.
Desktop Management Interface (DMI) support, which enables the management of your
computer system's software and hardware. DMI defines the software, interfaces, and data
files that enable your system to determine and report information about system components.
Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 Managed PC system incorporates many hardware
and software features to improve the manageability of the system. Installed features
include the following:
The Dell OpenManage program is the Dell software-management
application interface for DMI. It allows you to manage system-level information, such as
system configuration information and Management Information Format (MIF) database values
(see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Dell OpenManage Program
On systems running Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0, the
Dell OpenManage program is available in client and administrator versions. The Dell
OpenManage administrator version enables system administrators to view, manage, and
inventory remote systems in a Dell DMI client network and incorporates the following
manageability features, which are based on the DMI 2.0 specification.
Fault management features of the Dell OpenManage include the
following:
- Alerts to warn you about events generated by SMART drives on a local or remote system
and about thermal errors
- An event log that stores events in a text file and reports information about the event
under the following options: System Name, Component Name, Date and Time, Event Type, Event
Severity, Event Class, Event System
Configuration management features of the Dell OpenManage include the
following:
- Wakeup On LAN support, which allows network administrators to remotely turn on Managed
PC systems with Wakeup On LAN capability in a Dell DMI network.
- A System Properties window that enables network administrators to view, set, or disable
certain hardware configuration settings for the local and remote systems in a Dell DMI
network.
- Support for the Microsoft System Management Server (SMS), which allows the exporting of
one or more groups to an SMS directory that the SMS administrator can access.
- A Monitor component for systems running Windows 95 and having a display data channel
(DDC)-compliant video subsystem and monitor.
- Automated inventory control of one or more groups for the remote systems in a Dell DMI
network. Network administrators can automate inventory to occur every day, week, or month
at a certain hour, on the hour; or you can enable inventory as needed. The Dell OpenManage
creates a text file for the group(s) and saves it to a user-defined directory.
- Support for the application program used to create user-definable attributes (UDAs).
Asset management features of the Dell OpenManage include the
following:
- Support that enables network administrators to remotely view, enter, and modify an asset
tag for a remote system in a Dell DMI network
- Automated and manual mapping of one or more groups to a user-defined directory
Security management features of the Dell OpenManage include the
following:
- Password security that enables network administrators to maintain standard attribute
values for the local and remote systems in a Dell DMI network
For more information about the Dell OpenManage, refer to the online
Dell OpenManage Help that accompanied the software.
The Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) allows a personal computer to be managed by one or more configuration
management servers running the LANDesk Configuration Manager (LCM) software, which
provides management services for the many Managed PC systems on the network. The LCM
allows network administrators to do the following:
- Provide preboot support for a new Managed PC system that depends on the server for its
initial operating system installation
- Service the network boot requests from the Managed PC systems
- Download diagnostics and BIOS update utilities
- Format the hard-disk drive, if required
- Download and install the operating system, based on previously established profiles
- Download and install applications software
- Update the operating system and applications as required
For additional information about the Intel LCM, refer to the documentation that
accompanied the software.
The Wakeup On LAN feature allows you to remotely turn on a Managed PC system that is in
a sleep state. The ability to turn on the Managed PC systems remotely allows you to
perform remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and
asset tracking after hours and on weekends when users are not using the systems and
network traffic is at a minimum.
To use the Wakeup On LAN feature, each Managed PC system must contain a NIC that
supports Wakeup On LAN. You must also enable the Wakeup On LAN option in the System Setup
program.
Auto Power On enables you to turn on the computer system automatically on certain days
of the week at a preset time. You can set Auto Power On to turn on the system either every
day or every Monday through Friday.
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NOTE: This feature does not work if the system is shut
off using a power strip or surge protector. |
Your system includes temperature probes to sense when the processor
becomes overheated. In such a case, a message appears on the screen when Dell OpenManage
is running or at the next system start-up notifying you of the problem.
Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 system has the following integrated security
features.
A built-in chassis intrusion alarm displays the status of the system
chassis intrusion monitor. If the computer cover is removed, the setting changes to
Detected and the following message appears during the boot sequence at the next system
start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
The field can be cleared using the System Setup program to enable
future intrusions to be detected. For more information, see " Using the System Setup
Program."
On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and padlock
ring (see Figure 2) for attaching commercially available antitheft devices. Security cables for
personal computers usually include a segment of galvanized cable with an attached locking
device and key. To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an
immovable object, insert the locking device into the security cable slot on the back of
your computer, and lock the device with the key provided. Complete instructions for
installing this kind of antitheft device are usually included with the device.
|
NOTE: Antitheft devices are of
differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure it will work with the cable
slot on your computer. |
The padlock ring allows you to secure the computer cover to the
chassis to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock
ring, insert a commercially available padlock through the ring and then lock the padlock.
Figure 2. Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring
The password feature enables you to set a user-defined password to restrict access to
the system. Additional protection is available through the System Setup program. When the
Setup Password option is set to Enabled, Password Status allows you to prevent the system
password from being changed or disabled at boot time. For more information, see "Using the System Setup
Program."
Figure 3 shows the connectors on the back of your computer for attaching external
devices.
Figure 3. I/O
Ports, Connectors, and Indicators
When you connect external devices to your computer's back panel, follow these
guidelines:
- Check the documentation that accompanied the device for specific installation and
configuration instructions.
For example, you must connect most devices to a particular input/output (I/O) port or
connector to operate properly. Also, external devices like a mouse or printer usually
require you to load device drivers into system memory before they will work.
- Always attach external devices while your computer is turned off. Then turn on the
computer before turning on any external devices, unless the documentation for the
device specifies otherwise. (If the computer does not seem to recognize the device, try
turning on the device before turning on the computer.)
NOTICE: When you disconnect external devices from the back of the computer,
wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect any devices to avoid
possible damage to the system board.
The integrated parallel port uses a 25-pin D-subminiature connector on the computer's
back panel.
This I/O port sends data in parallel format (where 8 data bits, or 1 byte, are sent
simultaneously over eight separate lines in a single cable). The parallel port is used
primarily for printers.
The default designation of your computer's integrated parallel port is LPT1. Port
designations are used, for example, in software installation procedures to identify the
port to which your printer is attached, thus telling your software where to send its
output. (An incorrect designation prevents the printer from printing or causes scrambled
print.)
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NOTE: The integrated parallel port is automatically disabled if the
system detects an installed expansion card containing a parallel port configured to the
same address as specified in the Parallel Port option in the System Setup Program. |
Your system uses a PS/2-compatible mouse. The mouse cable attaches
to a 6-pin miniature Deutsche Inductive Norm (DIN) connector on the back panel of your
computer. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals before connecting a mouse to
the computer.
A PS/2-compatible mouse works as does an industry-standard serial
mouse or bus mouse except that it has its own dedicated connector, which frees up the
serial ports and does not require an expansion card. Mouse driver software gives the mouse
priority with the microprocessor by issuing interrupt request (IRQ) 12 whenever a new
mouse movement is made. The drivers also pass along the mouse data to the application that
is in control.
Your system contains two USB connectors for attaching USB-compliant
devices. USB-compliant devices are typically peripherals such as keyboards, mice,
printers, and computer speakers.
If you reconfigure your hardware, you may need pin number and signal
information for the USB connectors.
Your system has an integrated 10/100-Mbps 3Com PCI 3C905B-TX
Ethernet NIC. The NIC provides all the functions of a separate network expansion card and
supports both the 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet standards.
The NIC includes a Wakeup On LAN feature that enables the computer
to be started by a special local area network (LAN) signal from a server management
console. Wakeup On LAN provides remote computer setup, software downloading and
installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when LAN
traffic is typically at a minimum.
The NIC connector on the computer's back panel has the following
indicators:
- A yellow activity indicator flashes when the system is transmitting
or receiving network data. (A high volume of network traffic may make this indicator
appear to be in a steady "on" state.)
- A dual-colored link integrity indicator, which lights up green when
there is a good connection between a 10-Mbps network and the NIC, or it lights up orange
when there is a good connection between a 100-Mbps network and the NIC. When the green
indicator is off, the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.
You can use the microphone jack to attach a standard personal
computer microphone. Connect the audio cable from the microphone to the microphone jack.
The microphone input is a monaural source with maximum signal levels of 89 millivolts
root-mean-squared (mVrms).
You can use the line-out jack to attach most computer speakers. The
line-out jack is amplified, so speakers with integrated amplifiers are not required.
Connect the audio cable from the speakers to this jack.
You can use the line-in jack to attach record/playback devices such
as cassette players, CD players, and VCRs. Connect the line-out cable from any of these
devices to the line-in jack on the back of your computer.
The system uses a 15-pin high-density D-subminiature connector on
the back panel for attaching a VGA-compatible monitor to your system.
The serial ports use 9-pin D-subminiature connectors on the back
panel. These ports support devices such as external modems or plotters that require serial
transmission (sending one bit of data at a time over one line).
The default designations for these integrated serial ports are COM1
for serial port 1 and COM2 for serial port 2. Port designations are used in software
installation procedures to identify the port used by a device—for example, specifying
the port used by a modem when installing communications software.
The system contains a reconfiguration feature to reassign the serial
port's designation if you add an expansion card containing a serial port using this
designation.
If you set the system’s integrated serial ports to Auto
in the System Setup Program and add an expansion card containing
a serial port configured to a specific designation, the computer automatically maps
(assigns) the integrated ports to the appropriate COM setting as necessary.
Before you add a card with a serial port, check the documentation
that accompanied your software to make sure that the software can be mapped to the new COM
port designation.
Your system uses a PS/2-style keyboard. The keyboard cable attaches to a 6-pin
miniature DIN connector on the back panel of your computer.
Your computer's NIC connector (an RJ45 connector located on the back panel) is designed
for attaching an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable. Press one end of the UTP
cable into the NIC connector until the cable snaps securely into place.
Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port on a
UTP concentrator or hub, depending on your network configuration.
The power button controls the system's AC input power.
The Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
operating systems let you configure the function of the power button through the Advanced
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) feature (see Table 2).
NOTICE: When you turn off your computer system, perform an
orderly system shutdown using the operating system menu when possible.
Table 2. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 98
and Windows 98 SE Operating Systems With ACPI
Action |
Results |
System
Turned On
and ACPI Enabled |
System
in Standby Mode |
System
Turned Off |
Press power
button |
System goes
into standby mode or turns off (depending on the operating system setup) |
System turns
on |
Boots and
system turns on |
Hold power
button
for 6 seconds* |
System turns
off immediately |
System turns
off immediately |
Boots and
system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system
may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the
operating system is not responding.
Microsoft Windows 95 does not support ACPI. Table 3 shows power
button functions for Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems that have the ACPI
feature disabled.
Table 3. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 95
and Windows 98 (With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)
Action |
Results |
System
Turned On |
System
in Suspend Mode |
System
Turned Off |
Press power
button |
System turns
off |
System turns
off |
Boots and
system turns on |
Hold power
button for 6 seconds* |
System turns
off immediately |
System turns
off immediately |
Boots and
system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system
may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the
operating system is not responding.
Table 4 shows power button functions for Microsoft Windows NT
operating systems.
Table 4. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows NT
(With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)
Action |
Results |
System
Turned On |
System
Turned Off |
Press power
button |
System shuts
down |
Boots
and system turns on |
Hold power
button for 6 seconds* |
System turns
off immediately |
Boots and
system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system
may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the
operating system is not responding.
If the system does not turn off when you press the power button, the
system may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the system turns off completely
(this process may take several seconds). Alternatively, press the reset button to reset
the system and reboot. If the system is hung and both buttons fail to function properly,
unplug the AC power cable from the computer, wait for it to completely stop running, plug
in the AC power cable, and if it the system does not restart, press the power button to
restart the system.
Dell offers an optional stand that you can attach to the computer
for a mini tower (vertical) orientation. Although you can attach (and remove) the stand at
any time with a minimum of system disruption, it is easiest to attach before you set up
your computer and connect the back-panel cables.
Attach the stand as follows:
- Turn the computer onto its right side, so that the drive bays are at the bottom.
- Fit the stand onto what was the left side of the computer.
Position the stand as shown in Figure 4. Align the large round hole in the stand with
the securing button on the side of the cover, and align the captive thumbscrew in the
stand with the screw hole in the cover.
Figure 4 . Attaching the Optional Stand for Vertical
Orientation
As you lower the stand into place, make sure that the locator pin (see Figure 4) fits
into the corner hole of the hole pattern as shown. When the stand is in place, tighten the
thumbscrew.
- Rotate the computer so that the stand is at the bottom and the drives are at the top.
To remove the stand, turn the computer over so the stand is at the
top, loosen the screw, lift the stand away, and place the computer in a horizontal
position.
Certain configurations of Dell computer systems comply with the requirements set forth
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for energy-efficient computers. If the front
panel of your computer bears the ENERGY STAR® Emblem (see Figure 5), your original configuration complied
with these requirements and all ENERGY STAR® power management features of the computer
are enabled. To disable or change the operation of these features, you must change the
setting for the Power Management option in the System Setup program. For instructions, see
"Using
the System Setup Program."
|
NOTES: As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Dell Computer Corporation
has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy
efficiency. |
| Any Dell computer bearing the ENERGY STAR® Emblem is certified
to comply with EPA ENERGY STAR® requirements as configured when shipped by Dell.
Any changes you make to this configuration (such as installing additional expansion cards
or drives) may increase the system's power consumption beyond the limits set by the EPA's
ENERGY STAR® Computers program. |
Figure 5. ENERGY STAR® Emblem
The EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program is a joint effort between the EPA and
computer manufacturers to reduce air pollution by promoting energy-efficient computer
products. The EPA estimates that use of ENERGY STAR® computer products can save computer
users up to two billion dollars annually in electricity costs. In turn, this reduction in
electricity usage can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the gas primarily responsible
for the greenhouse effect, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are the two
primary causes of acid rain.
Computer users can also help to reduce electricity usage and its side effects by
turning off their computer systems when they are not in use for extended periods of
time—particularly at night and on weekends.
The online System User's Guide installed on your hard-disk
drive contains information on the following topics:
- How to use the online System User's Guide
- System features
- Using drivers and utilities
- Using the integrated audio controller
- Using the System Setup program
- Configuring expansion cards
- Securing your computer
- Connecting external devices
- Maintaining the system
- Contacting Dell
The guide also contains a glossary of commonly used terms and
abbreviations.
The System User's Guide is located in the Dell Accessories
program group or folder.
To print any of the topics from this guide, display the topic you
want on your screen and select Print Topic from the File menu.
Dell provides a number of tools to help you if you don't understand
a procedure described in this guide or if your system does not perform as expected. For
information on these help tools, see the chapter titled "Getting Help" in your Diagnostics
and Troubleshooting Guide or the "Contacting Dell" section in the online System
User's Guide.
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