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Installing System Board Options: Dell OptiPlex GX1 Low-Profile Managed PC Systems
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This section describes how to install the following options:
This section also includes instructions for replacing the system battery, if necessary.
Use Figure 1 to locate the system board features.
Figure 1. System Board Features
Expansion cards are installed on the computer's riser board (see Figure 3). The riser board
plugs into the RISER connector on the system board (see Figure
1) and is considered an extension of the system board.
The system accommodates up to three expansion cards, which can be a
mix of 32-bit PCI expansion cards, and 8- and 16-bit ISA expansion cards. (See Figure 2 for examples of ISA and PCI expansion cards.)
Figure 2. Expansion Cards
Four expansion-card connectors reside on the riser board (see Figure 3). Because two expansion slots
are shared, a maximum of three expansion cards can be installed on the riser board.
- Expansion-card connectors ISA1–ISA2 support 8- or 16-bit ISA
expansion cards.
- Expansion-card connectors PCI1–PCI2 support 32-bit PCI expansion
cards.
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NOTES: On shared expansion slots, only one card of
either type can be installed in the common slot. An
expansion-card installed in connector PCI1 cannot exceed 8.75 inches in length.
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Figure 3. Riser-Board Expansion-Card
Connectors
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CAUTION: To avoid the possibility
of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover.
Also, before you install an expansion card, see "Safety First — For You and
Your Computer." |
Follow this procedure to install an expansion card:
- If you are installing a non-Plug and Play ISA expansion card, enter
the ISA Configuration Utility (ICU) and add the new expansion card to your configuration.
See "Using the ISA Configuration Utility"
for instructions.
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NOTE: If you install a PCI or Plug and
Play expansion card, your system automatically performs any required configuration tasks
during the boot routine. |
- Prepare the expansion card for installation, and remove the computer cover according to
the instructions in "
Removing the Computer Cover."See
the documentation that came with the expansion card for information on configuring the
card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing the card for your system.
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CAUTION: Some network cards
automatically start up the system when they are connected. To guard against electrical
shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before you install any
expansion cards. |
- Remove the expansion-card cage as instructed in "
Removing the
Expansion-Card Cage."
Unscrew and remove the metal filler bracket that covers the card-slot opening for the
expansion slot you intend to use (see Figure 4). Save the screw to use when installing
the expansion card later in this procedure.
Figure 4. Removing the Filler Bracket
Install the expansion card. Insert the card-edge connector firmly into the
expansion-card connector on the riser board. Gently rock the card into the connector until
the card is fully seated (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Installing an Expansion Card
When the card is firmly seated in the connector and the card-mounting bracket is flush
with the brackets on either side of it, secure the bracket with the screw you removed in
step 4.
If you are installing an optional Wakeup On LAN network card, attach the three-wire
power cable that came with the card to the P1 connector on the riser board (see Figure 3) and to the network interface controller (NIC)
card.
Replace the expansion-card cage in the chassis as instructed in "Replacing the
Expansion-Card Cage."
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. See the documentation that
came with the card for information about its cable connections.
Replace the
computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals
to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
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NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
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CAUTION: To avoid the possibility
of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover.
Also, before you install an expansion card, see "Safety First — For You and
Your Computer." |
Follow this procedure to remove an expansion card:
- If you are removing a non-Plug and Play ISA expansion card, enter the
ICU and remove the expansion card from your configuration.
See
"Using
the ISA Configuration Utility" for instructions.
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "
Removing the Computer
Cover."
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
Remove the expansion-card cage as instructed in "Removing the Expansion-Card Cage."
Unscrew the mounting bracket of the card you want to remove.
Grasp the card by its outside corners, and ease it out of its connector.
If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty
card-slot opening.
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NOTE: Installing filler brackets over
empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
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Replace the expansion-card cage in the chassis as instructed in "Replacing the
Expansion-Card Cage."
Replace the
computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals
to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
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NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
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Memory can be increased to a maximum of 768 megabytes (MB) by
installing combinations of 32-, 64-, 128-, or 256-MB dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs)
in the three DIMM sockets on the system board. Figure 6
shows the DIMMs and DIMM sockets.
Your system can support both error checking and correction (ECC) and
nonparity synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) DIMMs. However, ECC support is
available only if all DIMMs are ECC DIMMs. ECC DIMMs enable your system to correct all
single-bit memory errors and detect multibit memory errors.
When you add system memory, you may install DIMMs in any socket. For optimum operation,
Dell recommends that you install a DIMM in socket A first (closest to the processor)
before installing a DIMM in another socket.
Figure 6. DIMMs and DIMM Sockets
Table 1 lists sample memory
configurations and shows valid DIMM combinations and socket placements for each
configuration.
Table 1. Sample DIMM Configuration
Options
Total
Desired
Memory |
DIMM Socket |
| A |
B |
C |
| 32 MB |
32 MB |
|
|
| 64 MB |
64 MB |
|
|
| 64 MB |
32 MB |
32 MB |
|
| 96 MB |
32 MB |
32 MB |
32 MB |
| 128 MB |
64 MB |
64 MB |
|
| 128 MB |
128 MB |
|
|
| 160 MB |
128 MB |
32 MB |
|
| 192 MB |
128 MB |
64 MB |
|
| 192 MB |
128 MB |
32 MB |
32 MB |
| 256 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
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| 320 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
64 MB |
| 384 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
| 512 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
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| 768 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
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CAUTION: To avoid the
possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them
from their electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the
computer cover. Also, before you install an expansion card, see "Safety First
— For You and Your Computer." |
Follow this procedure to perform a memory upgrade:
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "
Removing the Computer
Cover."
Determine the DIMM sockets into which you will install DIMMs or replace existing DIMMs. See
Figure 1 and Table 1.
Install or replace DIMMs as necessary to reach the desired memory total. Follow the
instructions in "Installing a DIMM"
or "Removing a DIMM," as appropriate.
Replace the
computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals
to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
|
NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
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The system detects that the new memory does not match the existing
system configuration information and generates the following message:
The amount of system memory has changed.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
Press <F2> to enter the System Setup program and check the
System Memory under System Data Options.
The system should have already changed the value of System Memory to
reflect the newly installed memory modules. Verify the new total. If it is correct, skip
to step 7.
If the memory total is incorrect, turn off and disconnect your
computer and peripherals from their electrical outlets. Remove the computer cover, and
check the installed DIMMs to make sure that they are seated properly in their sockets.
Then repeat steps 4 and 5.
When the System Memory total is correct, press the <Esc> key to
exit the System Setup program.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the DIMMs are operating
properly. See your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide
for information on running the Dell Diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may
occur.
Use the following procedure to install a DIMM:
- Locate the first empty socket in which you plan to install a DIMM.
For optimum performance, DIMMs should be installed in consecutive sockets
beginning with socket A.
- Locate the plastic securing clips at each end of the socket. Press
the clips outward until they snap open.
- Orient the DIMM to the socket by aligning the notches in the DIMM's
edge connector with the crossbars in the socket.
- Press the DIMM straight into the slot running down the center of the
socket (see Figure 7) until the securing clips snap into place around the ends of the
DIMM.
Figure 7 . Installing a DIMM
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To remove a DIMM, press the securing clips outward (see Figure 8)
simultaneously until the DIMM disengages from the socket (it should pop up slightly).
Figure 8. Removing a DIMM
You can upgrade video memory from 4 to 8 MB by installing a
video-memory upgrade module. Upgrading the video memory increases video performance and
allows you to use video modes for application programs that require high resolutions and
many colors.
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CAUTION: To avoid the possibility
of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover.
Also, before you install an expansion card, see "Safety First
— For You and Your Computer." |
To upgrade the video memory, perform the following steps:
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer
Cover."
- Remove the expansion-card cage as described in "
Removing the
Expansion-Card Cage."
- Locate the video-memory upgrade socket (labeled "VIDEO_UPGRADE") on the system
board.
See Figure 1.
- Orient the module as shown in Figure 9. Then install
it in the socket.
Video memory modules are keyed, or designed to fit in the socket in only one direction.
The socket on the system board is notched so that the video memory module can be firmly
seated only one way:
- Align the video memory module's edge connector with the slot in the
center of the socket.
- Press the video memory module's edge connector firmly into the
socket.
- Pivot the module down until it clicks into place.
- If you do not hear a sharp click, you should remove the module and
reinstall it.
Figure 9. Installing a Video-Memory
Upgrade Module
- Replace the expansion-card cage as described in "Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage."
- Replace the computer cover, and
reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
|
NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
|
- Enter the System Setup program
and check the Video Memory under System Data
Options.
- If the video memory total is incorrect, turn off and disconnect your computer and
peripherals from their electrical outlets. Remove the computer cover, and check the video
memory upgrade to make sure that it is seated properly in its socket. Then repeat steps 6
and 7.
- Run the Video Test Group in the Dell Diagnostics to test the new video memory.
See
your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the Dell
Diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that may occur.
To take advantage of future options in speed and functionality, you
can replace the microprocessor on your system board with any Dell-supported microprocessor
upgrade. Call your Dell sales representative for information on available microprocessor
upgrades.
The microprocessor upgrade kit includes a new single-edge contact
(SEC) cartridge with heat sink assembly.
The following procedure describes how to replace the microprocessor.
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NOTE: Dell recommends that only a
technically knowledgeable person perform this procedure.
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- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing the Computer
Cover."
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CAUTION: The SEC cartridge and
heat sink can get extremely hot during system operation. Be sure the assembly has had
sufficient time to cool before you touch it. |
- Locate the SEC cartridge connector (labeled "SLOT1") and the microprocessor
fan connector (labeled "FAN") on the system board.
See Figure 1.
- Disconnect the microprocessor fan cable from the connector on the system board.
Remove the SEC cartridge/heat sink assembly from the system board connector (see Figure 10).
Press outward and hold the guide-bracket assembly latches, grasp the SEC cartridge/heat
sink assembly firmly, and pull away from the connector on the system board. Lift the SEC
cartridge/heat sink assembly from the guide bracket assembly.
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NOTE: You must use up to 15 pounds of
force to disengage the SEC cartridge from the connector. |
Figure 10. Removing the Microprocessor
Insert the new SEC cartridge/heat sink assembly into the system board connector. Orient
the SEC cartridge/heat sink assembly with the heat sink facing the right (as you face the
front of the chassis). Align the sides of the heat sink with the guide brackets and press
the SEC firmly into its connector until it is fully seated. The guide brackets will snap
into place, securing the SEC cartridge in the connector on the system board.
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NOTE: You must use up to 25 pounds of
force to fully engage the SEC cartridge in the connector.
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Connect the microprocessor fan cable to the connector on the system board.
Replace the
computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals
to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
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NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
|
Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the
installed microprocessor is correctly identified.
As the system boots, it detects the new microprocessor and automatically changes the
system configuration information in the System Setup program.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the new microprocessor is
operating correctly. See your Diagnostics and
Troubleshooting Guide for information on running the Dell Diagnostics and
troubleshooting any problems that may occur.
A 3.0-volt (V) CR2032 coin-cell battery installed on the system board maintains system
configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory.
The operating life of the battery can extend up to ten years. The battery may need
replacing if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot routine along with a
message such as:
Time-of-day not set - please run SETUP program
or
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program
or
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
To determine whether the battery needs replacing, reenter the time and date through the
System Setup program (not through the MS-DOS® time and date commands) and exit the
program properly to save the information (see " Using the System Setup
Program" for instructions). Turn off your system and
disconnect it from AC power for a few hours; then reconnect and turn on your system. Enter
the System Setup program. If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup
program, replace your battery.
You can operate your system without a battery; however, without a battery, the system
configuration information is erased if the system is turned off or unplugged from AC
power. In this case, you must enter the System Setup program and reset the configuration
options.
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CAUTION: There is a danger
of the new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with
the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries
according to the manufacturer's instructions. |
Use the following procedure to replace the system battery with
another CR2032 coin-cell battery:
- If you have not already done so, make a copy of your system
configuration information in the System Setup program.
If the
settings are lost while you are replacing the battery, refer to your written or printed
copy of the system configuration information to restore the correct settings. See "Using the System Setup
Program" for instructions.
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "
Removing the Computer
Cover."
To access the battery on the system board, remove the expansion-card cage as described
in "Removing
the Expansion-Card Cage."
| NOTICE: If you pry the battery
out of its socket with a blunt object, be careful not to touch the system board with the
object. Make certain that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before
attempting to pry out the battery. Otherwise, you may damage the system board by prying
off the socket or by breaking circuit traces on the system board. |
- Locate the battery and remove it.
The battery (see Figure
1) is mounted in a socket labeled "BATTERY," in the front-right corner of
the system board (as you face the front of the system).
Pry the battery out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive
object, such as a plastic screwdriver.
- Install the new battery.
Orient the battery with the side labeled "+"
facing up (see Figure 11). Then insert the battery into the socket, and snap it into
place.
Figure 11. System Battery and Battery Socket
- Replace the expansion-card cage as described in "Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage."
- Replace the
computer cover, and reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical
outlets and turn them on.
|
NOTE: If Enabled, the Chassis Intrusion option will cause the following
message to be displayed at the next system start-up: ALERT!
Cover was previously removed.
|
- Enter the System
Setup program and confirm that the battery is operating properly.
- Enter the correct time and date through the System Setup program's
Time and Date categories. Also, use the copy you made in step 1 to restore the correct
settings for other system configuration information. Then exit the System Setup program.
- Turn off your computer, and unplug it for at least 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, plug in the computer, turn it on, and enter the System Setup program.
If the time and date are still incorrect, see the chapter titled "Getting Help"
in your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
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