Manuals

System Setup Program: Dell Dimension 9200 Service Manual

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System Setup Program

Dell™ Dimension™ 9200 Service Manual

Overview

Entering System Setup

System Setup Screens

System Setup Options

Boot Sequence

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Clearing CMOS Settings

Flashing the BIOS

Overview

Use system setup as follows:

To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
To set or change a user-selectable option, such as the user password
To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
To flash the BIOS with an update

Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.

NOTICE: Expert computer users only can safely change the settings for this program. Certain changes can cause your computer to work incorrectly.

Entering System Setup

Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the blue DELL™ logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear.
Once the F2 prompt appears, press <F2> immediately.

NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. If you press <F2> before you are prompted, the keystroke will be lost.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop, then shut down your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) and try again.

System Setup Screens

The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, active options field, and key functions.


Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features. Scroll up and down the list with the up- and down-arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Option Field displays more information about that option and the option's current and available settings. By pressing <Enter> or the left- and right-arrow keys, you can toggle between a primary topic (collapsed) and subtopics (expanded).	Option Field — This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view and make changes to your current settings. Use the right- and left-arrow keys to highlight an option. Press <Enter> to make that selection active.
	Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.

System Setup Options

NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.


System
System Info	Lists system information such as the computer name, the BIOS version number and date, system tags, and other system-specific information. NOTE: The system name listed in the BIOS may not appear exactly as the name that appears on the computer or in the computer's documentation.
CPU Info	Lists the processor type, processor bus speed, processor ID, clock speed, L2 cache, and additional features supported by your processor.
Memory Info	Indicates the type and amount of installed memory, memory speed, and channel mode (dual or single).
Date/Time	Displays current date and time settings.
Boot Sequence	The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list. NOTE: If you insert a boot device and restart the computer, this option appears in the system setup menu. To boot from a USB memory device, select the USB device and move it (by pressing <U>) so that it becomes the first device in the list.


Drives
Diskette Drive	Identifies and defines the floppy drive attached to the FLOPPY connector on the system board. The options restrict identification of drives to USB only, Internal only, or none (Off). The Read Only option restricts the ability to boot from any floppy device.
SATA 0 through 5	Identifies the drives attached to the SATA connectors on the system board, and lists the capacity for hard drives.
SATA Operation	Identifies and defines the SATA controller settings for RAID. You can set the SATA controller to RAID Autodetect/ATA or RAID On.


Onboard Devices
Integrated NIC	You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, or On w/PXE. When the On w/PXE setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer prompts you to press <Ctrl><Alt><b>. Pressing this key combination causes a menu to display that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.
Integrated Audio	Enables or disables the onboard audio controller.
USB Controller	Set to On (default) so that USB devices will be detected and supported in the operating system.
USB for FlexBay	This field enables and disables the internal USB for FlexBay. Off — Internal USB for FlexBay is disabled. On — Internal USB for FlexBay is enabled. No Boot — Internal USB for FlexBay is enabled but not bootable. The factory default setting is No Boot. NOTE: This USB option appears only if a FlexBay device is installed.
Rear Quad USB	Enables or disables the 4-stack of USB ports on the back of the computer.
Real Dual USB	Enables or disables the 2-stack of USB ports on the back of the computer.
Front USB	Enables or disables the 2-stack of USB ports on the front of the computer.
PS/2 mouse port	If your computer has the optional PS/2 mouse port, then this option is listed.


Video
Primary Video	This setting specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer.


Performance
Multiple CPU Core	If your computer processor supports more than one core, this option appears in the Options List.
Virtualization	If your computer processor supports virtual technology, this option appears in the Options List.
SpeedStep	If your computer processor supports Intel® SpeedStep® technology, then this option is listed and it allows you to enable or disable support for this feature.
HyperThreading	If your computer processor supports Hyper-Threading, this option appears in the Options List.
HDD Acoustic Mode	Bypass (default) — Your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode setting. Quiet — The hard drive operates at its most quiet setting. Suggested — The hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive manufacturer. Performance — The hard drive operates at its maximum speed. NOTE: Switching to performance mode will cause the drive heads to move faster, causing the hard drive to be noisier. However, some drives may not see an increase in data transfer rates. NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image.


Security
Admin Password	This option provides restricted access to the computer's system setup program in the same way that access to the system can be restricted with the System Password option.
System Password	Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
Password Status	This option locks the system password field with the setup password. When the field is locked, you can no longer disable password security by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> when the computer starts.
Execute Disable	Specifies whether Execute Disable Memory Protection Technology will be on or off.


Power Management
AC Recovery	Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer.
Auto Power On	Sets the computer to automatically turn on. Choices are every day or every Monday through Friday. The default setting is Off. This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Auto Power Time	Sets time to automatically turn on the computer. Time is kept in the standard 12-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the startup time by pressing the right- or left-arrow key to increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields. This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Remote Wake Up	This option allows the computer to power up when a NIC or Remote Wakeup-capable modem receives a wake up signal. On is the default setting. On w/ Boot to NIC allows the computer to attempt to boot from a network prior to using the boot sequence. NOTE: Normally, the system can be powered up remotely from suspend mode, hibernate mode, or when powered off.
Quick Resume	This feature enables/disables the Intel® Viiv™ Quick Resume Technology. The default setting is Off.


Maintenance
Service Tag	Displays the system service tag which is a unique seven-digit alphanumeric system identifier.
SERR Message	Controls SERR message mechanism to support some add-in cards.
Load Defaults	Allows you to reset all options in the setup menu to the factory default.
Event Log	Displays the system event log.


POST Behavior
Fastboot	When set to On (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests.
Numlock Key	This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key.
POST Hotkeys	This option allows you to specify the function keys to display on the screen when the computer starts.
Keyboard Errors	This option disables or enables keyboard error reporting when the computer starts.

Boot Sequence

This feature allows you to set the order in which the BIOS will search devices when trying to find an operating system.

NOTICE: If you modify any boot sequence settings, save the new settings to avoid losing the changes.

Option Settings

NOTE: The computer attempts to boot from all bootable devices, but if no bootable device is found, the computer generates an error message that states No boot device available. Press the <F1> key to retry the boot, or press the <F2> key to enter the setup utility.

Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If there is no floppy in the drive or there is no floppy drive installed, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the sequence.

NOTE: If there is a non-bootable floppy in the drive, the computer generates an error message. Follow the on-screen instructions to retry the boot.

Onboard SATA Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device.
Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device.
USB Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB option to the boot menu.

NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot

You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive.

NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup (see System Setup Options).

If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector (see Front View of the Computer).
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>.

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) and try again.

The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.

At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only.

For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Device and press <Enter>.

NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots

Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup).
Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option, then press <Enter> to access the menu.

NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.

Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device. Enabled devices have a number assigned to them; disabled devices have no number assigned.
Press <U> or <D> to move a selected device up or down the list.

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.

Locate the 2-pin password jumper (CLRPSWD) on the system board (see System Board Components), and remove the jumper to clear the password.

NOTE: When you receive your computer, the jumper plug is attached to pins 1 and 2.

Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
Connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
After the Microsoft® Windows® desktop appears on your computer, shut down the computer (see Turning Off Your Computer).
Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet, then press the power button to ground the system board.
Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
Locate the 2-pin password jumper (CLRPSWD) on the system board (see System Board Components) and attach the jumper to pins 1 and 2 to re-enable the password feature.
Replace the computer cover (see Replacing 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 electrical outlets, and then turn them on.

Clearing CMOS Settings

CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

Follow the procedures in Before Working Inside Your Computer.
Reset the current CMOS settings:
1. Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper (CLRCMOS) on the system board (see System Board Components).

NOTE: When you receive your computer, there is no jumper plug on the CMOS jumper.

Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper (CLRPSWD) pins 1 and 2.
Place the jumper plug on the CMOS jumper (CLRCMOS) pins 1 and 2 and wait approximately five seconds.
Remove the jumper plug and replace it on the password jumper (CLRPSWD) pins 1 and 2.

Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).

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 then turn them on.

Flashing the BIOS

The BIOS may require a new flash when an update is available or when replacing the system board.

Turn on the computer.
Locate the BIOS update file for your computer at support.dell.com.
Click Download Now to download the file.
If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click Yes, I Accept the Agreement.

The FIle Download window appears.

Click Save this program to disk and then click OK.

The Save In window appears.

Click the down arrow to view the Save In menu, select Desktop, and then click Save.

The file downloads to your desktop.

Click Close when the Download Complete window appears.

The file icon appears on your desktop and is titled the same as the download BIOS update file.

Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the on-screen instructions.

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