Summary of the content on the page No. 1
905grbk0.book Page 1 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM
CHAPTER 7
Checking Inside the Computer
Your Dell PowerEdge 300 system supports a variety of internal options that expand
system capabilities. This file prepares you to install options inside the computer. It
describes how to remove and replace the computer cover and rotate the power sup-
ply away from the system board. It also familiarizes you with the internal components
you may handle if you install Dell hardware options.
Before You Begin
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
905grbk0.book Page 2 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 4. To verify that all power has been removed from the system, make sure that the standby light-emitting diode (LED) on the system board has gone out. For the location of this LED, see Figure 8-1, in Chapter 8, “Installing System Board Options” . 5. Touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis, such as the power supply, before touching anything inside your computer. 6. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
905grbk0.book Page 3 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM padlock ring security cable slot Figure 7-1. Padlock Installed 3. Remove the cover. 4. Facing the left side cover, press the release button (located at the bottom-left cor- ner of the front bezel) and lift the bottom of the cover, allowing it to pivot up toward you (see Figure 7-2). 5. Disengage the tabs that secure the cover to the top of the chassis, and lift the cover away. support.dell.com Checking Inside the Computer 7-3
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
905grbk0.book Page 4 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM release button Figure 7-2. Removing the Computer Cover Replacing the Computer Cover Use the following procedure to replace the computer cover: 1. Check all cable connections, especially those that might have come loose during your work. Fold cables out of the way so that they do not catch on the computer cover. Make sure cables are not routed over the drive cage—they will prevent the cover from closing properly. 2. Check to see that no tool
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
905grbk0.book Page 5 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM the tabs on the cover into the recessed slots on the computer chassis so that the tabs catch the hooks inside the slots. Pivot the cover down toward the bottom of the chassis and into position. Make sure the securing hooks at the bottom of the cover click into place. tabs (3) recessed slot Figure 7-3. Replacing the Computer Cover 5. If you are using a padlock to secure your system, reinstall the padlock. NOTE: After removing and replacing t
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
905grbk0.book Page 6 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM Inside Your Computer Figure 7-4 shows a side view of your computer to help you orient yourself when installing hardware options. Unless otherwise specified, locations or directions rela- tive to the computer are as shown. back of computer left side right side front of computer Figure 7-4. Computer Orientation View Figure 7-5 shows your computer with its cover removed. Refer to this illustration to locate interior features and components dis
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
905grbk0.book Page 7 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM power supply AC power receptacle external drive bays input/output (I/O) panel internal drive bays expansion card slots drive interface cable drive power cable security cable lock system board padlock ring Figure 7-5. Inside the Chassis The system board holds the computer's control circuitry and other electronic compo- nents. Some hardware options are installed directly on the system board. Drive support is as follows: The three 5.25-inch
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
905grbk0.book Page 8 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM to an IDE connector on the system board. (For more information, see Chapter 9, “Installing Drives.”) During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a jumper or switch setting. For information on the system board jumpers, see Appendix B, “Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors.” Rotating the Power Supply Away From the System Board To access some components on the system board, you may have to rotate the sys- te
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
905grbk0.book Page 9 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 4. The power supply bracket has detents to hold the power supply up in one of sev- eral extended positions, which are especially useful when the chassis is standing upright. Removing and Replacing the Front Bezel The bezel is secured to the front of the chassis by two tabs and two hooks. The tab release for the bezel is at the top of the computer chassis and can be accessed only with the computer cover removed (see “Replacing the Computer Co
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
905grbk0.book Page 10 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM To replace the bezel, fit the two retaining hooks on the bezel into their corresponding slots at the bottom of the chassis. Then rotate the top of the bezel toward the chassis until the top tabs snap into their corresponding slots on the bezel. Removing and Replacing Front-Panel Inserts Empty 5.25-inch drive bays contain a front-panel insert to protect the inside of the computer from dust particles and also to ensure proper airflow within
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
905grbk0.book Page 11 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM bezel posts (2) ring tabs (2) Figure 7-8. Removing a Front-Panel Insert To replace a front-panel insert, work from inside the bezel. Insert the two ring-tabs (one on each end of the insert) over the posts on the inside of the bay opening, and firmly press both ends of the insert into place. Responding to a Dell OpenManage Server Agent Alert Message The optional Dell OpenManage Server Agent management application monitors criti- cal syste
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
905grbk0.book Page 12 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM Troubleshooting a Wet Computer Liquid spills, splashes, and excessive humidity can cause damage to the system. If an external device (such as a printer or an external drive) gets wet, contact the device manufacturer for instructions. If the computer gets wet, complete the following steps. CAUTION: See Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge in the safety instructions at the front of this guide. 1. Turn off the system, including any at
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
905grbk0.book Page 13 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM obtaining technical assistance from Dell. Follow these steps to troubleshoot a dam- aged computer: 1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the sys- tem from its electrical outlet. CAUTION: See Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge in the safety instructions at the front of this guide. 2. Remove the computer cover. See “Removing the Computer Cover,” earlier in this chapter. 3. Check all the board a
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
905grbk0.book Page 14 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 4. Check the connection of the coin cell battery to the system board. Is the battery firmly installed in the battery socket on the system board? Yes. Go to step 6. No. Go to step 5. 5. Reseat the battery in its socket. Is the problem resolved? Yes. The battery was loose. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue with this procedure. WARNING There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
905grbk0.book Page 15 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions at the front of this guide. 3. Remove the computer cover. See “Replacing the Computer Cover,” found earlier in this chapter. 4. Check the power cable connection to the POWER_1 connector on the system board. Troubleshooting the Cooling Fan If you experience trouble with the cooling fan, make sure the fan cable is plugged into the FAN connector on the syste
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
905grbk0.book Page 16 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 4. Reseat the expansion cards in their connectors. See “Removing an Expansion Card” and “Installing an Expansion Card” in Chap- ter 8 for instructions on removing and replacing expansion cards. Is the problem resolved? Yes. The connection was loose. You have fixed the problem. No. Go to step 5. 5. Verify that any appropriate cables are firmly connected to their corresponding connectors on the expansion cards. For instructions on which cable
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
905grbk0.book Page 17 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 8. Reconfigure the card according to the instructions in the card's documentation. Is the problem resolved? Yes. The memory configuration of the card was incorrect. You have fixed the problem. No. Go to step 9. 9. Remove all expansion cards. See “Removing an Expansion Card” in Chapter 8 for information on removing expansion cards. 10. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system. 11. Ente
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
905grbk0.book Page 18 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM Troubleshooting System Memory A system memory problem can be a faulty dual in-line memory module (DIMM) or a faulty system board. If a random-access memory (RAM) error message appears, the system probably has a memory problem. When you turn on or reboot the system, the and indica- tors on the keyboard should flash momentarily and then turn off. If Num Lock in the System Setup program is set to On, the i
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
905grbk0.book Page 19 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM 7. Replace the support panel. Align the panel so that the two tabs are to the right. Fit the tabs into the two slots on the chassis back and swing the panel closed. Secure the panel with the two thumbscrews. 8. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the system to an electrical outlet, and turn on the system. 9. Enter the System Setup program and check the System Memory setting again. Does the amount of memory installed match the System Memor
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
905grbk0.book Page 20 Friday, September 1, 2000 9:30 AM Troubleshooting the Video Subsystem Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following is the source of the problem: the monitor, the monitor interface cable, the video memory, or the video logic of the computer. You can also have a high-resolution video expansion card installed, which overrides the video logic of the computer. The following procedure troubleshoots problems with the video memory and video logic only.
