PCI, PCI Express Cards, and PS/2 Serial Port Adapters
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 supports a PS/2 serial adapter and provides the following connectors for PCI and PCI Express cards.
Two PCI card slots
One PCI Express x16 card slot
One PCI Express x1 card slot
NOTE: Your Dell computer uses only PCI and PCI Express slots. ISA cards are not supported.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open.
The latch will remain in the open position.
1
card retention latch
2
alignment guide
3
card
4
card-edge connector
5
card connector
6
release tab
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 (see Removing a
PCI Card). If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Then continue with step 6.
Prepare the new card for installation.
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.
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
NOTE: If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card-guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the system board.
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over 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.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
NOTE: See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
If you installed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio
devices to the line-in connector on the back panel of the computer (see Back-Panel Connectors).
If you installed a network adapter card and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the network adapter card's connectors. Do not connect the network
cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The
latch will remain in the open position.
1
card retention latch
2
alignment guide
3
card
4
card-edge connector
5
card connector
6
release tab
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.
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.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
Uninstall the card's driver. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio from the Onboard Devices group, and
change the setting to On (see System Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel of the
computer.
If you removed an network-adapter card connector:
Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC from the Onboard Devices group, and change
the setting to On (see System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the integrated network 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. See System Board Components for the location of the PCI Express card slots.
1
PCI Express x1 card
2
PCI Express x16 card
3
PCI Express x16 DVI card
4
PCI Express x1 card slot
5
PCI Express x16 card slot
6
PCI Express x16 DVI card slot
If you are replacing a card, uninstall the driver for the existing card. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The
latch will remain in the open position.
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 (see Removing a
PCI Express x1 Card).
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Then continue with step 6.
Prepare the new 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.
1
PCI Express x1 card
2
PCI Express x1 card connector
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Close the card retention latch and gently press until it clicks into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio
devices to the line-in connector on the back panel of the computer. Back-Panel Connectors.
If you installed a network adapter card and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup.
Connect the network cable to the network adapter card's connectors. Do not connect the network
cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The
latch will remain in the open position.
1
card retention latch
2
alignment guide
3
card
4
card-edge connector
5
card connector
6
release tab
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.
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.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.
Prepare the card for installation.
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.
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
PCI Express x16 card connector
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
DVI-card connector
3
PCI Express x16 card connector
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio
devices to the line-in connector on the back panel of the computer (see Back-Panel Connectors).
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
If you installed a network adapter card and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to Off (see System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the network adapter card's connectors. Do not connect the network
cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
Gently lift the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Pivot the
latch until it snaps into the open position.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
Press the lever with your thumb until you release the securing tab.
If you are removing a PCI Express x16 card, go to step 5.
While pressing the lever, pull the card up and out of the card connector.
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
lever
3
securing slot
4
securing tab
5
PCI Express x16 card connector
While pressing the lever, pull the removal pull tab up and remove the card out of the card connector.
1
PCI Express x16 DVI-card
2
removal pull tab
3
DVI-card connector
4
lever
5
securing slot
6
securing tab
7
PCI Express x16 card connector
If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
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.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure any remaining card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Uninstall the card's driver. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Audio from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to On (see System Setup).
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel 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.
If you removed a network-adapter card connector:
Enter system setup, select Integrated NIC from the Onboard Devices group, and change the
setting to On (see System Setup).
Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the
computer.
PS/2 Serial Port Adapters
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.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The
latch will remain in the open position.
1
card retention latch
2
alignment guide
Remove the filler bracket (if applicable).
NOTE: See the documentation that came with the PS/2 serial port adapter for information on configuring the adapter, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.
Align the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket in the retention slot and press down firmly. Ensure that the
adapter is fully seated in the slot.
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Before you close the card retention mechanism, ensure that:
The tops of all adapters and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
The notch in the top of the adapter or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
Close the card retention latch and gently press until it snaps into place.
NOTICE: Do not route cables over any installed cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Connect the adapter cable to the serial port adapter connector (PS2/SER2) on the system board (see
System Board Components for connector locations).
NOTE: See the documentation for the PS/2 serial port adapter for information about the cable connections.
Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The
latch will remain in the open position.
1
card retention latch
2
alignment guide
Disconnect the PS/2 serial adapter cable from the system board (see System Board Components).
If necessary, disconnect any external cables connected to the adapter.
Grasp the PS/2 serial-port adapter bracket by its top corners, and ease it out of its retention slot.
If you are removing the adapter permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
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.
Before you close the card retention mechanism, 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.
Secure the card(s) by closing the card retention latch and snapping it into place.
