Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Technical Overview Controls and Lights Solving Problems Advanced Troubleshooting Technical Specifications System Setup Program Adding and Replacing Parts Documentation Hints, Notices, and Cautions HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
Back to Contents Page Advanced Troubleshooting Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Beep Codes System Messages Using System Restore Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP Beep Codes If the monitor cannot display errors or problems during POST, the computer might emit a series of beeps (a beep code) that identifies the problem. Reseating the memory modules may fix the POST beep code errors listed below.
1. Click the Start button. 2. Click Help and Support. 3. Click System Restore. 4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore. NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close all open files and close all open programs.
If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and to update the driver, if necessary. Identifying Drivers 1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3. In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System. 4. In the System Properties screen, click the Hardware tab. 5. Click Device Manager.
1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. 2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System. 3. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. 4. In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices. Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled. 5.
3. If your computer already has Windows XP installed and you want to recover your current Windows XP data, type r to select the repair option, and then remove the CD from the drive. 4. If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press to select the fresh copy option. 5. Press to select the highlighted partition (recommended), and then follow the instructions on the screen.
Back to Contents Page Documentation Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Finding Information for Your Computer Printed Documentation Online Documentation Finding Information for Your Computer What Are You Looking For? l l l l A diagnostic program for my computer Drivers for my computer My computer documentation My device documentation Find it Here ResourceCD You can use this CD to access documentation or reinstall drivers l l l l How How How How to to to to set up a printer troubleshoot and solve problem
l Reference — computer documentation, product specifications, and white papers l How to set up my computer Start Here setup diagram l Tips on using Windows How to clean my computer How to use my mouse and keyboard Tell Me How Help File How to use Windows XP Documentation for my computer and devices Windows XP Help and Support Center l l l l 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support. Click User and system guides, and then click User's guides.
2. Click Save Target As in Microsoft Internet Explorer or Save Link As in Netscape Navigator, and specify c:\windows\system. 3. Click the Start button on the Microsoft Windows desktop, and then click Run. 4. Type regsvr32 hhactivex.dll and then press . 5. Click OK when the installation is complete. 6. Right-click the following link to the file: Dell Dimension 2300 Tell Me How (.chm) (578 KB). 7.
Back to Contents Page Adding and Replacing Parts Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Shutting Down the Computer Removing the Computer Cover Looking Inside Your Computer Adding or Removing Cards Adding Memory Removing the Front Panel Removing the Front-Panel Insert Hard Drive Floppy Drive Replacing the CD/DVD Drive Adding a Second CD/DVD Drive Replacing the Microprocessor Replacing the System Board Replacing the Power Supply Replacing the Battery Replacing the Computer Cover Shutting
8. Place the computer cover on a level surface. Looking Inside Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. Adding or Removing Cards CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 5. Remove the computer cover. NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components. 6.
9. Secure the bracket on the end of the card with the screw you removed in step 7. 10. Connect any cables required for the card as described in the card documentation. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can cause damage to the equipment. 11. Replace 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. 12.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 5. Remove the computer cover. NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components. 6.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. 4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 5. Remove the computer cover.
Removing the Front-Panel Insert CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off.
NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer. NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a soft surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. 8. Unpack the replacement hard drive. 9. Check the jumper setting on the back of the replacement drive.
14. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. 15. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. Floppy Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1.
17. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. Replacing the CD/DVD Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. HINT: Drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation.
CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1"). 14. Connect the power and data cables to the new drive. 15. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 16. Replace the front panel. 17. Replace 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. 18.
HINT: Some computers come with only two extra alignment screws; others come with four. You only need two alignment screws for this procedure. 11. Gently slide the drive into place. 12. Once the drive is in place, apply pressure to ensure the drive is fully seated. 13. Use the securing screw that came with the drive to attach the drive to the computer. 14. Connect a power cable to the new drive. CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1"). 15.
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 5. Remove the computer cover. NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components. 6. Lift up the heat-sink shroud. 7.
If any of the pins on the microprocessor appears to be bent, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. 2. Align the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor with the pin-1 corner of the socket. HINT: You must identify the pin-1 corner to correctly position the microprocessor. NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer when you turn on the computer. 3.
1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu. 2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. 4.
4. Reinstall the microprocessor heat sink, and then lower the heat sink shroud. 5. Reattach the cables to the system board. 6. Reinstall any cards. 7. Replace the floppy drive. 8. Replace 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. 9. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
3. Reconnect the DC power cables to the drives and system board. 4. Replace the computer cover. 5. Connect the AC power cable to the AC power connector on the back of the power supply. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 6. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
from closing properly. 2. Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer. 3. Place the computer cover on the computer. 4. Slide the computer cover towards the front of the computer until it fits completely into place. 5. Tighten the computer cover thumbscrew. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 6. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Finding Help Information Battery Problems Drive Problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages General Problems Keyboard Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Video and Monitor Problems Finding Help Information To access the Tell Me How help file — 1. 2. 3. Click the Start button, and then click Help and Support.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You may accidentally misalign the heads, which can render the drive inoperable. Clean the drive — Use a commercially available cleaning kit. CD drive problems HINT: High-speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. This does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD. Adjust the Windows volume control — Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly. Turn off call waiting (catch-phone) — See your telephone directory for instructions on deactivating this feature. Then adjust the dial-up networking connection properties. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Phone and Modem Options. Click your connection type to highlight it. Click the Dialing Rules tab, and then click Edit.
HINT: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD. Check the software documentation — Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that may help you solve the problem. Ensure that you properly installed and configured the program. If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." Keyboard Problems Restart the computer — l l If the mouse is functioning, shut down the computer through the Start menu. After the computer shuts down, press the power button to restart the computer. If the computer does not respond to a keystroke or the mouse, press the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off. Press the power button again to restart the computer.
Restart the computer and try to log on to the network again Check your network settings — Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning. Check for interrupt request conflicts — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." Power Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.
See the printer documentation for instructions. Scanner Problems HINT: Dell does not cover the scanner's warranty. If you need technical assistance for your scanner, call the scanner's manufacturer. See the scanner documentation for the correct phone number. Check the scanner documentation — See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information. Unlock the scanner — Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button.
4. 5. 6. Double-click the name of your CD drive. Click the Properties tab. Uncheck the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device box. Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank HINT: See the monitor documentation for troubleshooting procedures. Check the monitor power light — If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on. If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power.
Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Microprocessor System Information Expansion Bus Memory Drives Ports and Connectors Video Audio Controls and Lights Power Physical Environmental Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® 4 that runs at 1.80 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally or Intel Celeron® that runs at 1.70 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally NOTE: Microprocessor offerings vary by country.
Audio three back miniature connectors for line-in, line-out, and microphone; one front miniature connector for line-out Internally accessible: Primary IDE channel 40-pin connector on PCI local bus Secondary IDE channel 40-pin connector on PCI local bus Floppy drive 34-pin connector Video Video controller Intel integrated AGP graphics* *Integrated AGP graphics uses a maximum of 32 MB of main memory.
Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Overview Entering the System Setup Program Main Screen Advanced Screen Security Screen Power Screen Boot Screen Exit Screen Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing CMOS Overview Each time you turn on or restart your computer, the computer compares the hardware installed in the computer to the hardware listed in the configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board.
Option Function Date Resets the time on the computer's internal calendar. Time Resets the time on the computer's internal clock. BIOS Version Displays the version of the BIOS being used. Processor Type Displays the type of microprocessor installed. Processor Speed Displays the internal speed of the microprocessor. System Bus Speed Displays the external speed of the microprocessor. Cache RAM Displays the microprocessor's cache RAM size. Service Tag Displays the computer's service tag number.
Peripheral Configuration Submenu Option Function USB Controller Sets the USB controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled. Legacy USB Support Set to Disabled if legacy USB support is not desired. Enabled (default) allows support for legacy USB. Integrated Audio Sets the integrated audio controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled. Serial Port Sets the integrated serial port setting to Auto, (default) 2E8/IRQ3, 3E8/IRQ4, 2F8/IRQ3, 3F8/IRQ4, or Disabled.
IDE Primary Master Submenu Option Function IDE HDD Auto-Detection Press to start auto-detection for the primary IDE hard drive. IDE Primary Master Specifies the type of hard drive. Settings for this option are Auto (default), None, and Manual. Capacity Displays the maximum capacity of the primary IDE device. Cylinder, Head, Precoup, Landing Zone, Sector Displays each setting of the primary IDE device. Access Mode Sets the access mode of the primary IDE device.
Option Function Event Logging The event log function is activated when set to Enabled (default). Disabled deactivates the event log function. Clear Event Log Clears the event log when the computer restarts if set to Yes. Retains the event log information if set to No (default). View Event Log Press to view the event log. Mark Events As Read Press , and then select Yes or No to mark DMI events as either read or unread. Event Log Capacity Displays the space available for the event log.
Option Function ACPI Suspend Type Determines the ACPI suspend type. Options are S3 (default) and S1. Wake-Up by PCI Device Allows a PCI device to wake up the computer. The options are Enabled (default) and Disabled. AC Power Recovery Determines what state the computer enters when AC power is restored after a power loss. Settings are as follows: l Last State Computer returns to the state it was in when power was lost.
Exit Screen Option Function Exit Saving Changes Saves any changes you have made, exits the system setup program, and restarts the computer. Exit Discarding Changes Discards any changes you have made, exits the system setup program, and restarts the computer. Load Setup Defaults Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their defaults, but does not exit the system setup program.
14. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. 15. If you are prompted to press to continue, press . Clearing CMOS CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. NOTICE: The following procedure resets all standard settings for your computer. Before proceeding, record all current settings so that you can restore them when you finish this procedure. To clear the computer's CMOS: 1.
Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Internal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments Internal View CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the computer cover.
Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments DC Power Connector P1 Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red 5 COM Black 6 +5 VDC Red 7 COM Black 8 POK* Gray 9 +5 VFP Purple 10 +12 VDC Yellow 11 +3.3 VDC Orange 12 –12 VDC* Blue 13 COM Black 14 PS ON* Green 15 COM Black 16 COM Black 17 COM Black 18 –5 VDC White 19 +5 VDC Red 20 +5 VDC Red *Use 22-AWG wire instead of 18-AWG wire.
DC Power Connector P8 Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire 1 COM Black 2 COM Black 3 +12 VDC Yellow 4 +12 VDC Yellow Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page Controls and Lights Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Front View Back View Front View 1 CD or DVD drive activity light The drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive. 2 CD or DVD eject button Press this button to eject your disc from the CD or DVD drive. 3 Floppy drive eject button Press this button to eject a disk from the floppy drive.
1 mouse connector Plug your computer's PS/2 mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer and any attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. 2 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial connector. 3 PCI card slots (4) Use these slots for a PCI card, such as a modem or a network adapter. 4 USB 2.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ Dimension™ 2300 Hints, Notices, and Cautions Hints, Notices, and Cautions HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2002 Dell Computer Corporation.