You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board.
Your computer supports DDR2 memory. For additional information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory".
DDR2 Memory Overview
DDR2 memory modules should be installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the DDR2 memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will continue to operate, but with a slight reduction in performance. See the label on the upper-right corner of the module to determine the module's capacity.
NOTE: Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board.
The recommended memory configurations are:
A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2
or
A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 and another matched pair installed in DIMM connectors 3 and 4
NOTICE: Do not install ECC memory modules.
If you install mixed pairs of DDR2 400-MHz (PC2-3200) and DDR2 533-MHz (PC2-4200) memory, the modules function at the slowest speed installed. Similarly, if you install memory modules with mixed CAS Latency (CL) rates, the modules function at the speed and CAS latency capabilities of the slowest DIMM.
Be sure to install a single memory module in DIMM connector 1, the connector closest to the processor, before you install modules in the other connectors.
NOTE: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty.
NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new modules from Dell. If possible, do not pair an original memory module with a new memory module. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly. You should install your original memory modules in pairs either in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 or DIMM connectors 3 and 4.
Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations
Your computer supports a maximum of 4 GB of memory when you use four 1-GB DIMMs. Current operating systems, such as Microsoft® Windows® XP, can only use a maximum of 4 GB of address space; however, the amount of memory available to the operating system is less than 4 GB. Certain components within the computer require address space in the 4-GB range. Any address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer memory.
Installing Memory
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
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.
Right-click the My Computer icon and click Properties.
Click the General tab.
To verify that the memory is installed correctly, check the amount of memory (RAM) listed.
Removing Memory
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector.
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.
Cards
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards:
Three PCI card slots
One PCI Express x16 card slot
One PCI Express x1 card slot
PCI Cards
If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a PCI card, see "Removing a PCI Card."
If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then
continue with step 5.
If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
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.
CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards.
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in
the slot.
Before you lower the retention arm, ensure that:
The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
Press the retention arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
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.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's 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:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to Off.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external
audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back
panel.
If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network
adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter's connectors. Do not connect
the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
Grasp the card by its top corners, and 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.
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.
Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
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.
Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel of the
computer.
If you removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel of the
computer.
PCI Express Cards
Your computer supports one PCI Express x16 card and one PCI Express x1 card.
NOTICE: PCI Express graphics cards that run higher than 75 W may 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 to find out how to purchase a card fan.
If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a PCI Express Card."
If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then
continue with step 5.
If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card.
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 the securing tab, grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease it out of its connector.
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.
CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards.
If you are installing the card into the x16 card connector, position the card so the securing slot
is aligned with the securing tab, and gently pull the securing tab.
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in
the slot
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.
Before you lower the retention arm, ensure that:
The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
Press the retention arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
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 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.
Contact Dell to find out how to purchase a card fan.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation that came with the card for information about the card's 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:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to Off.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external
audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back
panel.
If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network
adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter's connectors. Do not connect
the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
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.
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.
Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
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.
Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel of the
computer.
If you removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and then change the setting to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel of the
computer.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Drives
Your computer supports a combination of these devices:
Up to two hard drives
One optional floppy drive
Up to two CD or DVD drives
General Installation Guidelines
Connect serial ATA hard drives and serial CD/DVD drives to the system board connectors labeled SATA-0, SATA-1, SATA-2, or SATA-3. Connect IDE CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled PRI IDE.
When you connect two IDE devices to a single IDE interface cable and configure them for the cable select setting, the device attached to the last connector on the interface cable is the primary or the boot device (drive 0), and the device attached to the middle connector on the interface cable is the secondary device (drive 1). See the drive documentation in your upgrade kit for information on configuring devices for the cable select setting.
Connecting Drive Cables
When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive and to the system board. Some drives may also have an audio connector; one end of the audio cable attaches to the drive connector and the other end attaches to the system board.
Drive Interface Connectors
Serial ATA Connector
Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector.
When you connect an IDE cable, ensure that you align the colored stripe with the pin 1 connector. When you disconnect an IDE cable, grasp the colored pull tab and pull until the connector detaches.
When you connect and disconnect a serial ATA cable, hold the cable by the connector at each end.
NOTE: The system board serial ATA connector may have an attached cover or shroud.
Power Cable Connector
Hard Drive
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.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.
If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before
you begin to remove the hard drive.
Disconnect the power and data cable from the drive and from the system board.
Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out.
Installing a Hard Drive
Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
If your replacement hard drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from
the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket
rails to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the
bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
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.
Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
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.
If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard
drive.
Adding a Second Hard Drive
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.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.
Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
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.
Connect a power cable to the drive.
Connect the data cable to the drive and to the system board.
Close the computer cover.
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.
Front-Panel Inserts
If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts.
Open the cover to a 90-degree angle.
Locate the insert that is in front of the drive bay that you want to use.
From inside the computer, press in the release tab of the insert.
From the outside of the computer, pull the insert away from the computer's front panel.
Remove the insert from the insert frame by pressing on the four tabs.
Reattach the empty insert frame over the front of the drive bay.
The insert frame fits only one way.
Face the front of the computer and slip the left side of the insert in to the left side of the
drive bay opening.
Slightly press the right-side insert release tab and gently push in the insert.
If you are adding a floppy drive and you purchased the drive from Dell, you received a front panel insert in your floppy drive kit. Attach this insert over the front of the drive bay.
If you are adding a floppy drive that was not purchased from Dell, reattach the empty insert frame over the front of the drive bay.
Floppy Drive
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.
Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the floppy drive.
Disconnect the other end of the data cable from the system board.
Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, slide the drive upward, and then
remove it from the floppy-drive bay.
Installing a Floppy Drive
If you are replacing a drive and the new drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove
the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive.
Attach the bracket to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw
holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on
each rail).
Gently slide the drive into place until the tabs securely click into position.
Attach the power and data cables to the floppy drive.
Connect the other end of the data cable to the connector labeled FLOPPY on the system
board.
If you are installing a new floppy drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel
inserts.
Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and
cooling vents.
Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the drive.
Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, and then slide the drive upward and
remove it from the drive bay.
Installing a CD/DVD Drive
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.
Connect the new drive to the set of rails that are attached to the inside of the cover. If a set of
rails is not attached inside the cover, contact Dell.
If you are installing a replacement drive and the new drive does not have the bracket rails
attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail
to the drive. Attach the bracket to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with
the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two
screws on each rail).
Gently slide the drive into place until the tabs securely click into position.
Connect the power and data cables to the drive.
If you are installing a new CD/DVD drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the
front-panel inserts.
Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and
cooling vents.
CAUTION: The heat sink can get very hot during normal operation. Be sure that the heat sink has had sufficient time to cool before you touch it.
Remove the heat sink:
Remove the retention module clips. Press the tabs toward the center of the clip and lift
up.
On the retention base locate the tab opposite the power supply. Press on the retention
base tab until the heat sink pops up slightly.
Press out on the second retention tab while lifting the heat sink up and out of the
retention base.
NOTICE: Lay the heat sink down on its side.Do not touch or remove the thermal grease on the bottom of the heat sink.
NOTICE: If you are installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, discard the original heat sink. If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink and blower when you install your new processor.
Push down and out on the socket release lever.
Open the processor cover.
To remove the processor from the socket, lift the processor vertically in one motion.
Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor.
Installing the Processor
NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
Unpack the new processor.
NOTICE: You must position the processor correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the processor and the computer when you turn on the computer.
If the release lever on the socket is not fully extended, move it to that position.
Align the pin-1 corners of the processor and socket.
NOTICE: To avoid damage, ensure that the processor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor.
NOTICE: Be careful not to touch or bend the pins on the system board.
Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensure that the processor is level in the socket.
When the processor is positioned correctly, press it with minimal pressure to seat it.
When the processor is fully seated in the socket, close the processor cover.
Ensure that the tab on the processor cover is positioned underneath the center cover latch on the socket.
Pivot the socket release lever back toward the socket and snap it into place to secure the
processor.
NOTICE: If you are not installing a processor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink assembly when you replace the processor.
If you installed a processor replacement kit from Dell, return the original heat sink assembly and processor to Dell in the same package in which your replacement kit was sent.
Install the heat sink:
Slide one end of the heat sink under the retention tab.
Pull out the other retention tab and lower the heat sink until it fits securely in the base.
NOTICE: Ensure the heat sink is correctly seated and secure.
Reinstall the retention module clips.
Lower the airflow shroud over the heat sink.
Reconnect the cooling fan power cable to the fan connector on the system board.
Reconnect the power cable to the power connector on the system board.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
System Board
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTICE: The system board and metal tray are connected and are removed as one piece.
Remove any components that restrict access to the system board.
Disconnect all cables from the system board.
Before you remove the existing system board assembly, visually compare the replacement
system board to the existing system board to make sure that you have the correct part.
Remove the system board screw.
Pull up on the two tabs, slide the system board assembly toward the front of the computer,
and then lift the asembly up and away.
Place the system board assembly that you just removed next to the replacement system board.
Replacing the System Board
Transfer components from the existing system board to the replacement system board:
Remove the memory modules and install them on the replacement board.
Install them on the replacement board.
CAUTION: The processor package and heat-sink assembly can get hot. To avoid burns, ensure that the package and assembly have had sufficient time to cool before you touch them.
Configure the settings of the replacement system board.
Set the jumpers on the replacement system board so they are identical to the ones on the
existing board.
NOTE: Some components and connectors on the replacement system board may be in different locations than the corresponding connectors on the existing system board.
Orient the replacement board by aligning the notches on the bottom of the board with the
tabs on the computer.
Slide the system board assembly toward the back of the computer until the assembly clicks
into position.
Replace any components and cables that you removed from the system board.
Reconnect all cables to their connectors at the back of the computer.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Power Supply
Removing the Power Supply
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Disconnect the DC power cables from the system board and the drives.
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. You must route these cables properly when you replace them to prevent their being pinched or crimped.
Remove the two screws that attach the power supply to the back of the computer frame.
Press the release button located on the floor of the computer frame.
Slide the power supply toward the front of the computer approximately 1 inch.
Lift the power supply up and out of the computer.
Replacing the Power Supply
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
Slide the power supply into place.
Replace the two screws that secure the power supply to the back of the computer frame.
Reconnect the DC power cables.
Connect the AC power cable to the connector.
Run the cables underneath the clips, and press the clips to close them over the cables.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Battery
Replacing the Battery
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
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.
CAUTION: A new battery can explode 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.
To replace the battery:
Record all the screens in system setup so that you can restore the correct settings in step 8.
