Reset button — reboots (restarts) the system in a way that reduces stress on system
components. Before you push this button, save and close all open files and application
programs to avoid losing data. Then perform an orderly shutdown of the operating system.
NOTICE: If your computer is not
responding, turning off power or unplugging the power cord should be done only as a last
resort. Doing so can cause problems with system settings and configuration.
Power button — controls the system's AC input power. See the following table for
power button functions on systems running Microsoft® Windows® 98 Second Edition (SE),
Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows NT®.
Push and hold for more than 6 seconds to immediately turn
the computer off
On
Push and release to attempt an orderly system shutdown
Suspended state
Push and release to bring the system out of the suspended
state
Power indicator — contains a light that illuminates in two colors and blinks or
remains solid to indicate different states.
Diskette-drive access indicator — lights when the drive is reading data from, or
writing data to, a diskette. Wait until this indicator turns off before you remove a
diskette from the drive.
Hard-drive access indicator — lights when a hard drive or CD drive is reading data
from, or writing data to, the drive.
Cover release button — releases the computer cover; located on back of chassis.
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 printer usually
require you to load device drivers before they will work.
When connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) mouse or keyboard, make sure you connect to
one of the Port 1 USB connectors.
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.
NOTICE: When you disconnect
external devices from the back of the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the
computer before you reconnect any devices to avoid possible damage to the system board.
Default port designations: COM1 for serial port 1 and COM2 for serial port 2. You can
reassign the serial port's designation in system setup if
you add an expansion card containing a serial port using this designation.
If you set the system's serial ports to Auto in system
setup 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.
Used to connect printers. Default designation: LPT1.
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 system setup.
Used to attach computer speakers. This jack is amplified, so speakers with integrated
amplifiers are not required. Connect the audio cable from the speakers to this jack.
Used 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.
Attach the Personal System/2 (PS/2) mouse cable to the 6-pin mouse connector on the
back panel. If your system uses Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows NT, Dell
installed the necessary mouse drivers on your hard drive.
NOTE: This connector is similar
to the keyboard connector. Make sure you correctly identify the mouse connector before you
connect the device.
NOTE: Do not attempt to operate a
PS/2 mouse and a USB mouse simultaneously.
The network interface controller (NIC), which includes a Remote Wake Up feature, has
the following indicators:
A yellow network 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 network link integrity and speed indicator, which is green when a
good connection exists between a 10-megabits per second (Mbps) network and the NIC, or is
orange when a good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the NIC. When the
orange or green indicator is off, the computer is not detecting a physical connection to
the network.
The NIC connector attaches an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable to your
system. Press one end of the UTP cable into the NIC connector until the cable snaps
securely into place. Connect the other end to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port
on a UTP concentrator or hub, depending on your network configuration.
A 100-Mbps network requires Category 5 wiring and connectors. A 10-Mbps network
requires Category 3 or Category 5 wiring and connectors.
