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 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.
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: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20
seconds after turning off the computer to avoid possible damage to the system
board.
Default serial connector designations: COM1 for port 1 and COM2 for port 2. You can reassign the serial connector's designation in system setup if you add an expansion card containing a serial connector using this designation.
If you set the computer's serial connectors to Auto in system setup and add an expansion card containing a serial connector 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 connector, check the documentation that accompanied your software to ensure that the software can be mapped to the new COM port designation.
The parallel connector is used to connect parallel devices, such as printers, scanners, and zip drives. The default parallel connector designation: LPT1.
NOTE: The integrated
parallel connector is
automatically disabled if
the computer detects an
installed expansion card
containing a parallel
connector configured to
the same address as
specified in the Parallel
Port option in system
setup.
Attach the PS/2 mouse cable to the 6-pin mouse connector on the back panel. If your computer uses Microsoft® Windows®, Dell installed the necessary mouse drivers on your hard drive.
NOTE: The mouse and
keyboard connectors are
similar to each other.
Ensure that you correctly
identify the connector
before you connect the
device.
NOTE: Do not attempt to
operate a PS/2 mouse and
a USB mouse
simultaneously.
A yellow network activity light flashes when the computer is transmitting or receiving network data. (A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.)
A dual-colored link integrity light, which is green when a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer, or is orange when a good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer. When the light is off, the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.
Press one end of the UTPEthernet cable into the network adapter on your computer 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.
Dell recommends the use of Category 5 wiring and connectors for our customers' networks.
NOTE: Verify the type of
network device to which
you are connecting the
computer. A hub typically
operates at 10-Mbps. A
switch can operate at 10-
or 100-Mbps. Ensure that
the network adapter is
configured for the
appropriate speed. To
configure the resources
and settings select Option
5 in the Dell Diagnostics.
