Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Mini Tower Computer Desktop Computer Small Form Factor Computer
Back to Contents Page Advanced Features Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide LegacySelect Technology Control Manageability Security Password Protection System Setup Booting to a USB Device Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing CMOS Settings Hyper-Threading Power Management LegacySelect Technology Control LegacySelect technology control offers legacy-full, legacy-reduced, or legacy-free solutions based on common platforms, hard-drive images, and help desk procedures.
l Monitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices. l Change the state of your computer, such as updating its BIOS or shutting it down remotely. A managed system is one that has Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation set up on a network that uses IT Assistant.
System Password NOTICE: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive. Option Settings You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed: l Set — A system password is assigned.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized changes. Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password 1. Enter system setup. 2. Highlight System Password and press . 3. When prompted, type the system password. 4. Press twice to clear the existing system password. The setting changes to Not Set. If Not Set is displayed, the system password is deleted.
To change an existing administrator password, you must know the administrator password. 1. Enter system setup. 2. Type the administrator password at the prompt. 3. Highlight Admin Password and press the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing administrator password. The setting changes to Not Set. To assign a new administrator password, perform the steps in "Assigning an Administrator Password." 4. Exit system setup.
Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field. System Setup Options NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear. System System Info Lists the computer name, BIOS version, and service tag. CPU Info Identifies whether the computer's processor supports Hyper-Threading and identifies the CPU speed, bus speed, clock speed, and L2 cache.
USB Disable Enables or disables the front-panel USB connectors. The default setting is On. To disable the front-panel connectors, select Off. USB Controller Enables and disables the integrated USB controller Off — The USB controller is disabled On — The USB controller is enabled No Boot — The USB controller is enabled; however, the BIOS will not recognize USB storage devices. The factory default setting is On. Front USB Ports Enables and disables the front-panel USB ports.
NOTE: The option only appears for a hard drive installed in the module bay that supports hard-drive passwords. If no hard drive is installed in the module bay, or if one is installed that does not support a hard-drive password, this option will not display. Password Changes This option locks the system password field with the administrator password. When the field is locked, the option to disable password security by pressing when the computer starts is no longer available.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so that you can run the Dell Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities CD, but you want the computer to boot from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete. You can also use this feature to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD drive.
Clearing Forgotten Passwords CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: This process erases both the system and administrator passwords. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Locate the 2-pin password jumper (PSWD) on the system board, and remove the jumper to clear the password.
The real-time clock is being reset (jumpered temporarily). jumpered unjumpered 3. Replace the computer cover. 4. Connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets, and turn them on. 5. After the Microsoft® Windows® desktop appears on your computer, shut down your computer. 6. Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the electrical outlet. 7. Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet, and press the power button to ground the system board. 8.
1. Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. 2. Click Hardware and click Device Manager. 3. In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper- Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice. You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. Power Management Your computer can be set to use less power when you are not working.
Back to Contents Page Battery Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Replacing the Battery Replacing the Battery CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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.
1 system battery 2 positive side of battery connector 3 battery socket tab 4 battery socket NOTICE: To avoid damage to the battery connector, you must firmly support the connector while replacing the battery. 1. Install the new system battery. a. Support the battery connector by pressing down firmly on the positive side of the connector. b. Hold the battery with the "+" facing up, and slide it under the securing tabs at the positive side of the connector. c.
Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: l You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" and "Before Working Inside Your Computer.
4. If applicable, remove the computer stand (for instructions, see the documentation that came with the stand) and the cable cover, if attached. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. 5. Remove the computer cover: l Remove the mini tower computer cover. l Remove the desktop computer cover. l Remove the small form factor computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist: l You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" and "Before Working Inside Your Computer.
3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4. If applicable, remove the computer stand (for instructions, see the documentation that came with the stand) and the cable cover, if attached. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. 5. Remove the computer cover: l Remove the mini tower computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Chassis Intrusion Switch Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Removing the Chassis Instrusion Switch Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch Resetting the Chassis Intrusion Detector CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: The chassis intrusion switch is optional and may not ship with your computer. Removing the Chassis Instrusion Switch 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin.
Small Form Factor Computer Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch 1. Gently slide the chassis instrusion switch into its slot and reconnect the cable to the system board. 2. Replace the computer cover. 3. Attach the computer stand, if it is used. Resetting the Chassis Intrusion Detector 1. Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2. When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
4. Press to restart the computer and implement your changes.
Back to Contents Page Cleaning Your Computer Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
some protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches. Cleaning products for CDs are safe to use on DVDs.
Back to Contents Page Replacing the Computer Cover Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. 1. Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way. Gently pull the power cables toward you so that they do not get caught underneath the drives. 2. Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer. 3. To replace the cover: a.
Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Desktop Computer Finding Information Before You Begin Chassis Intrusion Switch Desktop Computer About Your Desktop Computer Inside Your Computer Desktop Computer Specifications Removing the Computer Cover I/O Panel Drives PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters Power Supply Processor Advanced Features Battery Replacing the System Board Memory Replacing the Computer Cover Cleaning Your Computer Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System Solving Problems Mic
Back to Contents Page Finding Information Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or in certain countries. NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
1. 2. Click the Start button and click Help and Support. Click User's and system guides and click User's guides. The User's Guide is also available on the optional Drivers and Utilities CD. l l Service Tag and Express Service Code Microsoft Windows License Label Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License These labels are located on your computer.
Back to Contents Page Getting Help Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Technical Assistance Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Contacting Dell Technical Assistance If you need help with a technical problem, Dell is ready to assist you. CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer covers, first disconnect the computer power and modem cables from all electrical outlets. 1. Complete the procedures in "Solving Problems." 2.
apsupport@dell.com (Asian/Pacific countries only) support.jp.dell.com (Japan only) support.euro.dell.com (Europe only) l Electronic Quote Service sales@dell.com apmarketing@dell.com (Asian/Pacific countries only) sales_canada@dell.com (Canada only) l Electronic Information Service info@dell.com AutoTech Service Dell's automated technical support service—AutoTech—provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable and desktop computers.
5. Pack the equipment to be returned in the original (or equivalent) packing materials. You are responsible for paying shipping expenses. You are also responsible for insuring any product returned, and you assume the risk of loss during shipment to Dell. Collect On Delivery (C.O.D.) packages are not accepted. Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be refused at Dell's receiving dock and returned to you. Before You Call NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call.
E-mail: us_latin_services@dell.com Argentina (Buenos Aires) E-mail for desktop and portable computers: la-techsupport@dell.com International Access Code: 00 E-mail for servers and EMC® storage products: la_enterprise@dell.com Country Code: 54 City Code: 11 Customer Care toll-free: 0-800-444-0730 Tech Support toll-free: 0-800-444-0733 Tech Support Services toll-free: 0-800-444-0724 Sales Aruba General Support 0-810-444-3355 toll-free: 800-1578 E-mail (Australia): au_tech_support@dell.
Technical Support (med./large bus., government) toll-free: 1-800-387-5757 International Access Code: 011 Technical Support (printers, projectors, televisions, handhelds, digital jukebox, and wireless) Cayman Islands 1-877-335-5767 Sales (Home Sales/Small Business) toll-free: 1-800-387-5752 Sales (med./large bus.
E-mail: support.euro.dell.com/fi/fi/emaildell/ International Access Code: 990 Technical Support Country Code: 358 City Code: 9 09 253 313 60 Customer Care 09 253 313 38 Fax 09 253 313 99 Switchboard 09 253 313 00 Website: support.euro.dell.com E-mail: support.euro.dell.
Technical Support for Inspiron XPS computers only Technical Support for all other Dell computers Ireland (Cherrywood) U.K. Technical Support (dial within U.K. only) Home User Customer Care International Access Code: 16 Small Business Customer Care Country Code: 353 U.K. Customer Care (dial within U.K. only) Corporate Customer Care City Code: 1 Corporate Customer Care (dial within U.K. only) Ireland Sales U.K. Sales (dial within U.K.
Luxembourg Technical Support (Brussels, Belgium) Home/Small Business Sales (Brussels, Belgium) 3420808075 toll-free: 080016884 International Access Code: 00 Country Code: 352 Corporate Sales (Brussels, Belgium) 02 481 91 00 Customer Care (Brussels, Belgium) 02 481 91 19 Fax (Brussels, Belgium) 02 481 92 99 Switchboard (Brussels, Belgium) Macao Country Code: 853 Technical Support 02 481 91 00 toll-free: 0800 105 Customer Service (Xiamen, China) 34 160 910 Transaction Sales (Xiamen, China) 29
Poland (Warsaw) E-mail: pl_support_tech@dell.com Customer Service Phone International Access Code: 011 Customer Care Country Code: 48 City Code: 22 Portugal International Access Code: 00 Sales 57 95 999 Customer Service Fax 57 95 806 Reception Desk Fax 57 95 998 Switchboard 57 95 999 Website: support.euro.dell.com E-mail: support.euro.dell.
Country Code: 46 Home/Small Business Customer Care Employee Purchase Program (EPP) Support City Code: 8 08 587 70 527 20 140 14 44 Technical Support Fax 08 590 05 594 Sales 08 590 05 185 Website: support.euro.dell.com E-mail: Tech_support_central_Europe@dell.com Switzerland (Geneva) E-mail for French-speaking HSB and Corporate Customers: support.euro.dell.
International Access Code: 011 Employee Purchase Program (EPP) Customers Country Code: 1 Printers and Projectors Technical Support toll-free: 1-800-695-8133 toll-free: 1-877-459-7298 Public (government, education, and healthcare) Customer Service and Technical Support toll-free: 1-800-456-3355 Employee Purchase Program (EPP) Customers toll-free: 1-800-234-1490 toll-free: 1-800-289-3355 Dell Sales or toll-free: 1-800-879-3355 Dell Outlet Store (Dell refurbished computers) toll-free: 1-888-798-7561 S
Back to Contents Page Glossary Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer. A AC — alternating current — The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet.
bootable disk — A disk that you can use to start your computer. In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a virus, ensure that you always have a bootable CD or floppy disk available. bps — bits per second — The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed. BTU — British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output. bus — A communication pathway between the components in your computer. bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information.
Control Panel — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings, such as display settings. controller — A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices. CRIMM — continuity rambus in-line memory module — A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots. cursor — The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard, touch pad, or mouse action will occur.
DVD drive — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from DVDs and CDs. DVD player — The software used to watch DVD movies. The DVD player displays a window with buttons that you use to watch a movie. DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be written to a DVD+RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten). (DVD+RW technology is different from DVD-RW technology.
FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing communications-related regulations that state how much radiation computers and other electronic equipment can emit. floppy drive — A disk drive that can read and write to floppy disks. folder — A term used to describe space on a disk or drive where files are organized and grouped. Files in a folder can be viewed and ordered in various ways, such as alphabetically, by date, and by size.
Hz — hertz — A unit of frequency measurement that equals 1 cycle per second. Computers and electronic devices are often measured in kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), gigahertz (GHz), or terahertz (THz). I IC — Industry Canada — The Canadian regulatory body responsible for regulating emissions from electronic equipment, much as the FCC does in the United States.
LCD — liquid crystal display — The technology used by portable computer and flat-panel displays. LED — light-emitting diode — An electronic component that emits light to indicate the status of the computer. local bus — A data bus that provides a fast throughput for devices to the processor. LPT — line print terminal — The designation for a parallel connection to a printer or other parallel device. M Mb — megabit — (written as Mb) A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb.
N network adapter — A chip that provides network capabilities. A computer may include a network adapter on its system board, or it may contain a PC Card with an adapter on it. A network adapter is also referred to as a NIC (network interface controller). NIC — See network adapter. notification area — The section of the Windows taskbar that contains icons for providing quick access to programs and computer functions, such as the clock, volume control, and print status. Also referred to as system tray.
processor — A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions. Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU (central processing unit). program — Any software that processes data for you, including spreadsheet, word processor, database, and game packages. Programs require an operating system to run. PS/2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a PS/2-compatible keyboard, mouse, or keypad.
stopped responding. SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory — A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor. serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer. Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer service or technical support.
system tray — See notification area. T TAPI — telephony application programming interface — Enables Windows programs to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, and video. text editor — A program used to create and edit files that contain only text; for example, Windows Notepad uses a text editor. Text editors do not usually provide word wrap or formatting functionality (the option to underline, change fonts, and so on).
W W — watt — The measurement of electrical power. One W is 1 ampere of current flowing at 1 volt. WHr — watt-hour — A unit of measure commonly used to indicate the approximate capacity of a battery. For example, a 66-WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1 hour or 33 W for 2 hours. wallpaper — The background pattern or picture on the Windows desktop. Change your wallpaper through the Windows Control Panel. You can also scan in your favorite picture and make it wallpaper.
Back to Contents Page Memory Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide DDR2 Memory Overview Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations Removing Memory Replacing/Adding Additional Memory For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see the "Memory" section of the specifications for your computer: l Mini Tower Computer Specifications l Desktop Computer Specifications l Small Form Factor Computer Specifications NOTICE: Before you install new memory modules, download the most recent BIOS for
Removing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the computer during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new modules from Dell. If possible, do not pair an original memory module with a new memory module. Otherwise, your computer may not start properly.
3. Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector. 1 cutouts (2) 2 memory module 3 notch 4 crossbar NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the module. 4. Insert the module into the connector until the module snaps into position. If you insert the module correctly, the securing clips snap into the cutouts at each end of the module. 5. Replace the computer cover. 6.
Back to Contents Page Memory Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide DDR2 Memory Overview Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations Removing Memory Replacing/Adding Additional Memory For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see the "Memory" section of the specifications for your computer: l Mini Tower Computer Specifications l Desktop Computer Specifications l Small Form Factor Computer Specifications NOTICE: Before you install new memory modules, download the most recent BIOS fo
l If the total installed computer memory is equal to or greater than the usable address space, a small portion of installed memory is available for use by the operating system. Removing Memory CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
1 memory connector closest to processor 2 securing clips (2) 3 connector 3. Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector. 1 cutouts (2) 2 memory module 3 notch 4 crossbar NOTICE: To avoid damage to the memory module, press the module straight down into the connector while you apply equal force to each end of the module. 4. Insert the module into the connector until the module snaps into position.
Back to Contents Page Mini Tower Computer Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide About Your Mini Tower Computer Inside Your Computer About Your Mini Tower Computer Front View 1 CD/DVD drive Insert a CD or DVD (if applicable) into this drive. 2 floppy drive Insert a floppy disk into this drive. 3 USB 2.
Windows Device Manager. For more information about sleep modes and exiting from a power-saving mode, see "Power Management." See "System Lights" for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer. 8 hard-drive activity light This light flickers when the hard drive is in use. 9 headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers. 10 microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.
1 parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have a USB printer, plug it into a USB connector. NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically disabled if the computer detects an installed card containing a parallel connector configured to the same address. For more information, see "System Setup Options.
Inside Your Computer CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not accidentally disconnect cables from the system board.
4 memory module connectors (DIMM_1, DIMM_2) 15 PCI connector (SLOT2) 5 serial ATA drive connectors (SATA0, SATA2) 16 PCI connector (SLOT3) 6 front-panel connector (FNT_PANEL) 17 serial connector (SER2) 7 CD drive analog audio cable connector for optional analog audio cable (CD_IN) 18 floppy drive connector (DSKT) 8 power connector (POWER) 19 standby power indicator (AUX_PWR) 9 CD/DVD drive connector (IDE) 20 system board speaker (BEEP) 10 RTC reset jumper (RTCRST) 11 chassis manual voltage-
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters PCI and PCI Express Cards and 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.
4. Set the card retention mechanism aside in your work area. 5. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 5. 6. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. 7. Prepare the new card for installation.
a. b. 16. Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to Off. 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. Removing a PCI Card 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2.
1 card fully seated 2 card not fully seated 3 bracket within slot 4 bracket caught outside of slot 8. Gently press down on the card retention mechanism to secure the adapter bracket in place. 9. Close the card retention latch by snapping it into place. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. 10. Replace the computer cover. 11. Uninstall the card's driver. See the documentation that came with the card for instructions.
1 card retention latch 4 card-edge connector 2 alignment guide 5 card connector 3 card 6 release tab 2. 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. 3. Open the card retention mechanism that secures the card in place from the top: a. Place your thumb on the top of the card retention mechanism and grip the bottom of the retention mechanism with your fingers. b.
1 card fully seated 2 card not fully seated 3 bracket within slot 4 bracket caught outside of slot 9. Before you replace and lower the card retention mechanism, ensure that: l The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar. l The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide. 10. Gently press down on the card retention mechanism to secure the adapter bracket in place. 11.
1 card retention latch 4 card-edge connector 2 alignment guide 5 card connector 3 card 6 release tab 2. Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Because the latch is captive, it will remain in the open position. 3. Open the card retention mechanism that secures the card in place from the top: 4. a. Place your thumb on the top of the card retention mechanism and grip the bottom of the retention mechanism with your fingers. b.
1 card retention latch 2 alignment guide 2. 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. 3. Open the card retention mechanism that secures the adapter bracket and cards in place from the top: 4. a. Place your thumb on the top of the card retention mechanism and grip the bottom of the retention mechanism with your fingers. b.
NOTICE: Do not route cables over or behind any installed cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. 8. Connect the adapter cable to the serial-port adapter connector (SER2) on the system board. 9. Connect any cables that should be attached to the serial port adapter. NOTE: See the documentation for the serial port adapter for information about the cable connections. 10. Replace the computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Removing the Computer Cover Removing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Lay the computer on its side. 3.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Drives Drives Your computer supports: l Two serial ATA hard drives l Two floppy or optional Zip drives l Two CD or DVD drives NOTE: Due to the limited number of drive bays and IDE controllers on this computer, you will not be able to connect all supported devices at once. 1 CD/DVD drive 2 floppy drive 3 hard drive General Installation Guidelines Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board.
1 colored stripe on IDE cable 2 interface cable connector 3 interface connector Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. Removing a Hard Drive 1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure. 2.
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. NOTE: If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic hard-drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the existing drive by unsnapping it from the drive. Snap the bracket onto the new drive. 1 hard drive 2 hard-drive bracket 1 hard drive 2 hard-drive bracket 3. Gently slide the hard drive into the hard-drive bracket until it clicks into place. 4.
8. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 9. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 1). 10. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer. 11. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step. See the documentation for your operating system for instructions.
8. Attach the serial ATA connector removed in step 5 to the first hard drive. 9. Locate an unused serial ATA connector on the system board and attach a drive cable to this connector and to the second hard drive. 1 hard-drive cable 2 hard-drive cable on system board 3 power cable 10. Replace the computer cover. Drive-Panel Inserts If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the drive-panel inserts. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2.
1 drive panel 2 release tab 3 drive-panel insert 3. Select the drive-panel insert in front of the drive bay that you want to use. 4. Gently press the release tab of the insert to remove it from the drive panel. 1 CD/DVD-drive panel insert 2 floppy-drive panel insert 3 holder for shoulder screws 5. Reattach the drive panel to the front of the computer. The drive panel only fits one way.
Floppy Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. Removing the Floppy Drive 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Remove the drive panel by sliding the drive release latch downward to open the panel, and then remove it from the hinges. 3.
1 floppy drive 2 shoulder screws (4) 3 shoulder screw slots (2) 4. Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive. 1 power cable 2 floppy-drive cable 3 floppy-drive connector (DSKT) 5. Replace the computer cover. 6. Enter system setup and use the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive. 7. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
2. Disconnect the power and CD/DVD drive cables from the back of the drive. 3. Remove the CD/DVD drive by sliding and holding the drive release latch downward. Then slide the drive out of the computer. 1 CD/DVD drive 2 drive release latch Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. If you are replacing a CD/DVD drive, remove the shoulder screws from the existing drive and attach the screws to the replacement drive. 3.
1 CD/DVD drive 2 shoulder screws (3) 3 shoulder screw slots (2) 6. Connect the power and CD/DVD drive cables to the drive and to the system board. NOTE: The CD/DVD drive cable may be a SATA cable and appear differently than the image below. For information on SATA cable connectors, see "General Installation Guidelines." 1 power cable 2 CD/DVD drive cable 3 CD/DVD drive connector (IDE) 7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Drives Drives Your computer supports: l Two serial ATA hard drives l Two floppy or optional Zip drives l Two CD or DVD drives NOTE: Due to the limited number of drive bays and IDE controllers on this computer, you will not be able to connect all supported devices at once. 1 CD/DVD drive 2 floppy drive 3 hard drive General Installation Guidelines Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board.
1 colored stripe on IDE cable 2 interface cable connector 3 interface connector Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. Removing a Hard Drive 1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure. 2.
1. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation. 2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. NOTE: If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic hard-drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the existing drive by unsnapping it from the drive. Snap the bracket onto the new drive. 1 hard drive 2 hard-drive bracket 1 hard drive 2 hard-drive bracket 3.
7. Replace the computer cover. 8. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 9. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 1). 10. 11. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.
8. Attach the serial ATA connector removed in step 5 to the first hard drive. 9. Locate an unused serial ATA connector on the system board and attach a drive cable to this connector and to the second hard drive. 1 hard-drive cable 2 hard-drive cable on system board 3 power cable 10. Replace the computer cover. Drive-Panel Inserts If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the drive-panel inserts. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2.
1 drive panel 2 release tab 3 drive-panel insert 3. Select the drive-panel insert in front of the drive bay that you want to use. 4. Gently press the release tab of the insert to remove it from the drive panel. 1 CD/DVD-drive panel insert 2 floppy-drive panel insert 3 holder for shoulder screws 5. Reattach the drive panel to the front of the computer. The drive panel only fits one way.
Floppy Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. Removing the Floppy Drive 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Remove the drive panel by sliding the drive release latch downward to open the panel, and then remove it from the hinges. 3.
1 floppy drive 2 shoulder screws (4) 3 shoulder screw slots (2) 4. Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive. 1 power cable 2 floppy-drive cable 3 floppy-drive connector (DSKT) 5. Replace the computer cover. 6. Enter system setup and use the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive. 7. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
2. Disconnect the power and CD/DVD drive cables from the back of the drive. 3. Remove the CD/DVD drive by sliding and holding the drive release latch downward. Then slide the drive out of the computer. 1 CD/DVD drive 2 drive release latch Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. If you are replacing a CD/DVD drive, remove the shoulder screws from the existing drive and attach the screws to the replacement drive. 3.
1 CD/DVD drive 2 shoulder screws (3) 3 shoulder screw slots (2) 6. Connect the power and CD/DVD drive cables to the drive and to the system board. NOTE: The CD/DVD drive cable may be a SATA cable and appear differently than the image below. For information on SATA cable connectors, see "General Installation Guidelines." 1 power cable 2 CD/DVD drive cable 3 CD/DVD drive connector (IDE) 7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide I/O Panel I/O Panel Removing the I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. NOTE: Note the routing of all cables as you remove them so that you can re-route them correctly when installing the new I/O panel. 1.
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Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Processor Processor 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. Removing the Processor 1.
1 center cover latch 2 processor cover 3 processor 4 socket 5 release lever NOTICE: When replacing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket. 5. Gently remove the processor from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor. Installing the Processor NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
1 processor cover 6 release lever 2 tab 7 front alignment-notch 3 processor 8 socket and processor pin-1 indicator 4 processor socket 9 rear alignment-notch 5 center cover latch NOTICE: To avoid damage, ensure that the processor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor. 6. Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensure that the processor is positioned correctly. 7.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Power Supply Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply 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. 1.
9. Reconnect the DC power cables to the power supply. 10. Connect the AC power cable to the AC power connector. 11. Replace the computer cover. DC Power Connectors DC Power Connector P1 Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange 3 GND Black 4 VCC (+5 V) Red 5 GND Black 6 VCC (+5 V) Red 7 GND Black 8 PS_PWRGOOD Gray 9 P5AUX Purple 10 V_12P0_DIG Yellow 11 V_12P0_DIG Yellow 12 +3.3 V Orange 13 +3.
19 GND Black 20 NC N/C 21 VCC (+5 V) Red 22 VCC (+5 V) Red 23 VCC (+5 V) Red 24 GND Black *Use 22-AWG wire instead of 18-AWG wire. DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire 1 COM Black 2 COM Black 3 +12 VDC Yellow 4 +12 VDC Yellow DC Power Connectors P3 and P5 Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +3.
Pin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire 1 +5 VCD Red 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +12 VDC Yellow DC Power Connectors P8 and P9 Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +12 VDC Yellow 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Mini Tower Computer Specifications Mini Tower Computer Specifications Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® or Celeron® processor Level 1 (L1) cache 32 KB Level 2 (L2) cache 512-KB, 1-MB, or 2-MB pipelined-burst, eight-way set associative, write-back SRAM Memory Type 400-MHz and 533-MHz DDR2 SDRAM Memory connectors 2 Memory modules supported 256-MB, 512-MB, 1-GB, or 2-GB non-ECC Minimum memory dual-channel: 512 MB single-c
devices per channel with one channel Expansion Bus Bus type PCI 2.3 SATA 1.0a and 2.0 USB 2.0 PCI Express 1.0a Bus speed PCI: 33 MHz SATA: 1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps USB: 480 Mbps PCI Express x1: 5 Gbps Cards: full-height cards supported PCI: connectors two connector size 120 pins connector data width 32 bits (maximum) PCI Express: connectors one x1 power 10 W maximum connector size 36 pins connector data width (maximum) one PCI Express lane Drives Externally accessible one 3.
(during system tart-up only) or displays a boot device menu that allows the user to enter a device for a single boot (during system startup only) as well as options to run hard-drive and system diagnostics Controls and Lights Power control push button Power light green light — Blinking green indicates sleep mode; solid green indicates power-on state.
Back to Contents Page FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is any signal or emission, radiated in free space or conducted along power or signal leads, that endangers the functioning of a radio navigation or other safety service or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a licensed radio communications service.
l Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. l Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. l Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help. FCC Identification Information The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with FCC regulations: l l Model numbers: DCTR, DCNE, and DCSM Company name: Dell Inc.
Back to Contents Page FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is any signal or emission, radiated in free space or conducted along power or signal leads, that endangers the functioning of a radio navigation or other safety service or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a licensed radio communications service.
l Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. l Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. l Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help. FCC Identification Information The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with FCC regulations: l l Model numbers: DCTR, DCNE, and DCSM Company name: Dell Inc.
Back to Contents Page Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Drivers Using Microsoft® Windows® XP System Restore Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. NOTICE: You must use Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later when you reinstall the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3. Click System. 4. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab. 5. Click Device Manager. 6. Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties. 7. Click the Drivers tab. 8. Click Roll Back Driver.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close any open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® System Tools, and then click System Restore. 2. Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected and click Next. 3.
If you are considering reinstalling the Windows XP operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback. If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver. NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary hard drive.
9. If the Modem Dialing Information screen appears, enter the requested information and click Next. 10. Enter the date, time, and time zone in the Date and Time Settings window, and click Next. 11. If the Networking Settings screen appears, click Typical and click Next. 12. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional and you are prompted to provide further information regarding your network configuration, enter your selections. If you are unsure of your settings, accept the default selections.
Back to Contents Page Replacing the System Board Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Removing the System Board 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.
1 mini tower system board 2 screws (10) Desktop System Board Screws 1 desktop system board 2 screws (10) Small Form Factor System Board Screws
1 small form factor system board 2 screws (8) Place the system board assembly that you just removed next to the replacement system board to ensure it is identical. Replacing the System Board 1. Gently align the board into the chassis and slide it toward the back of the computer. 2. Replace the screws on the system board. 3. Replace any components and cables that you removed from the system board. 4. Reconnect all cables to their connectors at the back of the computer. 5.
Back to Contents Page Desktop Computer Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide About Your Desktop Computer Inside Your Computer About Your Desktop Computer Front View 1 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the USB connectors on the front of the computer for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup" for more information about booting to a USB device).
Back View 1 card slots Access connectors for any installed PC Cards. 2 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector. 3 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector. 4 voltage selection switch Your computer is equipped with a manual voltage-selection switch. To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage-selection switch, set the switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location.
It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation. 4 network activity light This light flashes yellow 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.
System Board Components 1 fan connector (FAN) 11 chassis intrusion switch connector (INTRUDER) 2 processor connector (CPU) 12 password jumper (PSWD) 3 power connector (12VPOWER) 13 battery socket (BATT) 4 memory module connectors (DIMM_1, DIMM_2) 14 PCI connector (SLOT3) 5 serial ATA drive connector (SATA0) 15 PCI riser connector (SLOT2) 6 front-panel connector (FNT_PANEL) 16 serial connector (SER2) 7 CD drive analog audio cable connector for optional analog audio cable (CD_IN) 17 floppy
RTCRST The real-time clock has not been reset. The real-time clock is being reset (jumpered temporarily).
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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.
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. 6. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot. 1 card fully seated 2 card not fully seated 3 bracket within slot 4 bracket caught outside of slot 7. Gently press down on the card retention latch to secure the card.
1 release tab 4 card-edge connector 2 card retention latch 5 card connector 3 card 5. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. 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. 6. Snap the card retention latch into place.
1 riser-card cage 2 handle 4. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot opening. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its corners, and ease it out of its connector. NOTE: See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer. 5.
1 riser-card cage 3 riser board 2 slots 4 system board connectors 10. Reconnect any cables that you removed in step 3. 11. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment. 12. Replace the computer cover. 13. If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps: a. b. 14.
1 riser-card cage 2 handle 3. Press in on the tab to raise the card retention latch. 4. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. 5. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector. 6. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer.
12. If you removed an network adapter card: a. Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On. b. Connect the network cable to the integrated network connector on the back panel of the computer. Serial Port Adapters CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
Removing a Serial Port Adapter 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Gently push the release tab on the adapter retention latch. 3. Disconnect the cable that connects the adapter to the system board. 4. Grasp the serial-port adapter bracket by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector. 5. Replace the computer cover. Installing a Serial Port Adapter in the Riser-Card Cage 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Remove the riser-card cage: a. b.
10. Connect any disconnected cables. 11. Replace the computer cover. 12. Install any drivers required for the serial port adapter. Removing a Serial Port Adapter From the Riser-Card Cage 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Remove the riser-card cage: a. b. Check any cables connected to cards through the back-panel openings. Disconnect any cables that will not reach the riser-card cage once they are removed from the computer.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Removing the Computer Cover Removing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Drives Drives Your computer supports: l One serial ATA hard drive l One optional ATA hard drive l One optional floppy drive l One optional CD or DVD drive 1 CD/DVD drive 2 floppy drive 3 hard drive General Installation Guidelines Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connectors labeled "SATA0" or "SATA2" on the system board.
Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector. The pin-1 end of a connector on a board or a card is usually indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed directly on the board or card.
1 drive release latch 2 CD/DVD drive 3. Disconnect the power and CD/DVD drive cables from the back of the drive. Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation. Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. If you are installing an IDE drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting. 2. 3. If you are installing a new drive: a.
6. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 7. Replace the computer cover. 8. Update your configuration information by setting the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives. See "System Setup" for more information. 9. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
1 drive release latch 2 floppy drive 4. Disconnect the power and floppy-drive cables from the back of the floppy drive. Installing a Floppy Drive 1. 2. If you are installing a new drive: a. Use a small flat-edge screw driver on the back side of the drive-panel insert to gently pop off the insert. b. Remove the four shoulder screws from the drive-panel insert. If you are replacing an existing drive: Remove the four shoulder screws from the existing drive. 3.
2 slot verification number 6. Replace the CD/DVD drive. 7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 8. Replace the computer cover. 9. Enter system setup and set the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive. 10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
Installing a Hard Drive 1. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. 2. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation. 3.
1 hard drive 2 slot verification number 7. Replace the floppy drive and CD/DVD drive. 8. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 9. Replace the computer cover. 10. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive. 11. Turn on the computer. 12. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 2). 13. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer. 14.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide I/O Panel I/O Panel Removing the I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the cover. NOTE: Note the routing of all cables before disconnecting them, so that you can re route them correctly when installing the new I/O panel. 1.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Processor Processor 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. Removing the Processor 1.
1 center cover latch 2 processor cover 3 processor 4 socket 5 release lever NOTICE: When replacing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket. 5. Gently remove the processor from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor. Installing the Processor NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
1 processor cover 6 release lever 2 tab 7 front alignment-notch 3 processor 8 socket and processor pin-1 indicator 4 processor socket 9 rear alignment-notch 5 center cover latch NOTICE: To avoid damage, ensure that the processor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor. 6. Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensure that the processor is positioned correctly. 7.
3 captive screw housing (2) 10. Replace the computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Power Supply Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply 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. 1.
11. Replace the CD/DVD drive. 12. Connect the AC power cable to the connector. 13. Replace the computer cover. DC Power Connectors DC Power Connector P1 Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +3.3 VDC Orange 2 +3.3 VDC Orange 3 GND Black 4 VCC (+5 V) Red 5 GND Black 6 VCC (+5 V) Red 7 GND Black 8 PS_PWRGOOD Gray 9 P5AUX Purple 10 V_12P0_DIG Yellow 11 V_12P0_DIG Yellow 12 +3.3 V Orange 13 +3.
22 VCC (+5V) Red 23 VCC (+5V) Red 24 GND Black *Use 22-AWG wire instead of 18-AWG wire.
Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG Wire 1 +3.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Desktop Computer Specifications Desktop Computer Specifications Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® or Celeron® processor Level 1 (L1) cache 32 KB Level 2 (L2) cache 512-KB, 1-MB, or 2-MB pipelined-burst, eight-way set associative, write-back SRAM Memory Type 400-MHz and 533-MHz DDR2 SDRAM Memory connectors 2 Memory modules supported 256-MB, 512-MB, 1-GB, or 2-GB non-ECC Minimum memory dual-channel: 512 MB; single-channe
devices per channel with one channel Expansion Bus Bus type PCI 2.3 SATA 1.0a and 2.0 USB 2.0 Bus speed PCI: 33 MHz SATA: 1.5 Gbps and 3.
or starts embedded system setup (during system startup only) automatically starts the computer from the network environment specified by the remote boot environment (PXE) rather than from one of the devices in the system setup Boot Sequence option (during system start-up only) or displays a boot device menu that allows the user to enter a device for a single boot (during system startup only) as well as options to run hard-drive and system dia
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Back to Contents Page Small Form Factor Computer Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide About Your Small Form Factor Computer Inside Your Computer About Your Small Form Factor Computer Front View 1 USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the USB connectors on the front of the computer for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup" for more information about booting to a USB device).
Back View 1 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI cards. 2 back-panel connectors Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connector. 3 power connector Insert the power cable into this connector. 4 voltage selection switch Your computer is equipped with a manual voltage-selection switch. To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage-selection switch, set the switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location.
card. It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation. 4 network activity light Flashes a yellow light 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.
3 power supply and fan 7 power button 4 hard drive 8 front panel door System Board Components 1 fan connector (FAN) 10 chassis intrusion switch connector (INTRUDER) 2 processor connector (CPU) 11 password jumper (PSWD) 3 power connector (12VPOWER) 12 battery socket (BATT) 4 memory module connectors (DIMM_1 and DIMM_2) 13 PCI connector (SLOT2) 5 serial ATA drive connector (SATA0) 14 serial connector (SER2) 6 front-panel connector (FNT_PANEL) 15 floppy-drive connector (DSKT) 7 power connector (PO
(default) Password features are disabled. RTCRST The real-time clock has not been reset. (default) The real-time clock is being reset (jumpered temporarily).
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide PCI Cards and Serial Port Adapters PCI Cards PCI Cards and 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.
1 fully seated card 2 not fully seated card 3 bracket within slot 4 bracket caught outside of slot 8. 9. If applicable, before replacing the card retention mechanism, ensure that: l The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar. l The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide. Snap the card retention mechanism into place, securing the card(s) in the computer. NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards.
4. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening. If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell. 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. 5. Re-seat the card retention mechanism in the tabs and pivot downward to snap it into place.
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Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Removing the Computer Cover Removing the Computer Cover CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Drives Drives Your computer supports: l One serial ATA drive l One FlexBay drive (floppy drive or Media Card Reader) l One CD or DVD drive 1 FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader 2 CD/DVD drive 3 hard drive General Installation Guidelines Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connectors labeled "SATA0" or "SATA2" on the system board.
NOTICE: When you connect an IDE interface cable, do not place the colored stripe away from pin 1 of the connector. Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both. Power Cable Connectors 1 power cable 2 power input connector Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables When connecting and disconnecting a serial ATA data cable, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.
NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors. 5. Lift the drive out of the computer and disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive. 1 securing tabs (2) 2 hard drive 6. Disconnect the power and hard-drive cable from the drive. 1 power cable 2 serial ATA data cable Installing a Hard Drive 1. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
1 drive 2 release tabs (2) 3 hard drive bracket 4. Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive. 1 power cable 2 serial ATA data cable 5. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 6. Gently position the drive until it clicks into place. 1 release tabs (2) 2 hard drive 7. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 8. Replace the computer cover.
9. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive. 10. Turn on the computer. 11. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 2). 12. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer. 13. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step. For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system. 14. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics. 15.
6. Remove the two screws from the side of drive and remove the drive bracket. Then disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable from the back of the drive. 1 screws (2) 2 drive bracket 3 CD/DVD drive 4 CD/DVD drive cable Installing a CD/DVD Drive 1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation. Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. Configure the drive for the cable select setting. 2. Connect the CD/DVD drive cables to the drive. 3.
6. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 7. Replace the computer cover. 8. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation. 9. Enter system setup and select the appropriate Drive option. 10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
1 cable release tab 2 data-cable edge connector 3 data-cable pull tab 7. Pull up on the drive release latch and slide the floppy drive towards the back of the computer. Then lift up to remove the drive from the computer. Installing a Floppy Drive NOTE: In the event the replacement or new floppy drive does not have the shoulder screws, use the screws located within the drive-panel insert. 1 drive 2 screws (3) 3 bracket rails (3) 1. Remove the floppy drive. 2.
1 cable release tab 2 data cable edge connector 3 system board connector (DSKT) 5. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 6. Replace the CD/DVD drive. 7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 8. Replace the computer cover. 9. Enter and use the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide I/O Panel I/O Panel Removing the I/O Panel CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover. 1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin." 2. Remove the system board. 3.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Processor Processor 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. Removing the Processor 1.
1 center cover latch 2 processor cover 3 processor 4 socket 5 release lever NOTICE: When replacing the processor, do not touch any of the pins inside the socket or allow any objects to fall on the pins in the socket. 5. Gently remove the processor from the socket. Leave the release lever extended in the release position so that the socket is ready for the new processor. Installing the Processor NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.
1 processor cover 6 release lever 2 tab 7 front alignment-notch 3 processor 8 socket and processor pin-1 indicator 4 processor socket 9 rear alignment-notch 5 center cover latch NOTICE: To avoid damage, ensure that the processor aligns properly with the socket, and do not use excessive force when you install the processor. 6. Set the processor lightly in the socket and ensure that the processor is positioned correctly. 7.
3 captive screw in housing (2) 10. Replace the computer cover.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Small Form Factor Computer Specifications Small Form Factor Computer Specifications Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® or Celeron® processor Level 1 (L1) cache 32 KB Level 2 (L2) cache 512-KB, 1-MB, or 2-MB pipelined-burst, eight-way set associative, write-back SRAM Memory Type 400-MHz and 533-MHz DDR2 SDRAM Memory connectors 2 Memory modules supported 256-MB, 512-MB, 1-GB, or 2-GB non-ECC Minimum memory dual-channel: 5
Expansion Bus Bus type PCI 2.2 SATA 1.0a and 2.0 USB 2.0 Bus speed PCI: 33 MHz SATA: 1.5 and 3.
amber light — Blinking amber indicates a problem with an installed device; solid amber indicates an internal power problem (see "Power Problems").
Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Small Form Factor Computer Finding Information Before You Begin Chassis Intrusion Switch Small Form Factor Computer About Your Small Form Factor Computer Inside Your Computer Small Form Factor Computer Specifications Removing the Computer Cover I/O Panel Drives PCI Cards and Serial Port Adapters Processor Advanced Features Battery Replacing the System Board Memory Replacing the Computer Cover Cleaning Your Computer Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System Solving P
Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Battery Problems Drive Problems Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Restoring Default Settings Serial or Parallel Device Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Video and Monitor Problems Battery Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist before you complete these checks.
Adjust the Windows volume control — l l l Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up. Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked. Check the speakers and subwoofer — See "Sound and Speaker Problems." Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Close other programs — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing.
Check for software and hardware conflicts Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you installed a unique image on your computer or if you had to reinstall your operating system, run the DSS utility. DSS is available on your Drivers and Utilities CD and at support.dell.com. NOTE: You must use Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later when you reinstall Windows XP.
Other software problems Check the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer for troubleshooting information — l l l l l Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information. Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
1. 2. 3. 4. Simultaneously press to display the Start menu. Type u, press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down or Turn Off, and then press . After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the in the Quick Reference Guide for your computer. Start the computer. Test the mouse — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, and try using the mouse. If the new mouse works, the original mouse is faulty. Check the mouse settings — 1. 2. 3.
If the power light is off — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power. l l l l Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet. If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.
Restoring Default Settings To restore the computer's system settings to their default values — 1. 2. Turn on or restart your computer. When Press to Enter Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press immediately. If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again. 3.
Enable digital mode — Your speakers do not work if the CD drive is operating in analog mode. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Click Sounds and Audio Devices. Click the Hardware tab. Double-click the name of your CD drive. Click the Properties tab Check the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device box. Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
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. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. Test the monitor — Connect a properly working monitor to the computer, and try using the monitor.
Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Battery Problems Drive Problems Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Restoring Default Settings Serial or Parallel Device Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Video and Monitor Problems Battery Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist before you complete these checks.
Adjust the Windows volume control — l l l Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up. Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked. Check the speakers and subwoofer — See "Sound and Speaker Problems." Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Close other programs — The CD/DVD-RW drive must receive a steady stream of data when writing.
Check for software and hardware conflicts Lockups and Software Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. NOTE: If you installed a unique image on your computer or if you had to reinstall your operating system, run the DSS utility. DSS is available on your Drivers and Utilities CD and at support.dell.com. NOTE: You must use Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 or later when you reinstall Windows XP.
Other software problems Check the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer for troubleshooting information — l l l l l Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information. Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
1. 2. 3. 4. Simultaneously press to display the Start menu. Type u, press the keyboard arrow keys to highlight Shut down or Turn Off, and then press . After the computer turns off, reconnect the mouse cable as shown on the in the Quick Reference Guide for your computer. Start the computer. Test the mouse — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, and try using the mouse. If the new mouse works, the original mouse is faulty. Check the mouse settings — 1. 2. 3.
If the power light is off — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power. l l l l Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet. If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.
Restoring Default Settings To restore the computer's system settings to their default values — 1. 2. Turn on or restart your computer. When Press to Enter Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press immediately. If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again. 3.
Enable digital mode — Your speakers do not work if the CD drive is operating in analog mode. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Click Sounds and Audio Devices. Click the Hardware tab. Double-click the name of your CD drive. Click the Properties tab Check the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device box. Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
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. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. Test the monitor — Connect a properly working monitor to the computer, and try using the monitor.
Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Mini Tower Computer Finding Information Before You Begin Chassis Intrusion Switch About Your Mini Tower Computer Inside Your Computer Mini Tower Computer Specifications Removing the Computer Cover I/O Panel Drives PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters Power Supply Processor Advanced Features Battery Replacing the System Board Memory Replacing the Computer Cover Cleaning Your Computer Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System Solving Problems Microsoft®
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide NOTE: A NOTE 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. For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary.
Back to Contents Page Troubleshooting Tools and Utilities Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Dell Diagnostics System Lights Diagnostic Lights Beep Codes Error Messages Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
6. Type 1 to start the Drivers and Utilities CD menu. 7. Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics. 8. Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer. 9. When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run. Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 1. After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want.
If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance. Blinking yellow A power supply or system board failure has occurred. See "Power Problems." Solid green and a beep code during POST A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing. See "Beep Codes" for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
A failure has occurred. l This pattern also displays when you enter system setup and may not indicate a problem. l After POST is complete, all four diagnostic lights turn green briefly before turning off to indicate normal operating condition. Light Pattern l Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive. Check the computer message that appears on your monitor screen. If the problem persists, contact Dell. None.
Error Messages Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared. A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames. A required .
Hard-disk drive failure — See "Drive Problems." Insert bootable media — Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD. Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program — Enter system setup and correct the computer configuration information. Keyboard failure — See "Keyboard Problems." Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value — See "Lockups and Software Problems." Memory allocation error — 1. 2. 3. Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart the computer.
4. the other cards. Repeat this process until you identify which card is malfunctioning. Read fault — Requested sector not found — Reset failed — See "Drive Problems." Sector not found — l l Run the Windows error-checking utility to check the file structure on the floppy disk or hard drive. See Windows Help for instructions. If a large number of sectors are defective, back up the data (if possible), and then reformat the floppy disk or hard drive. Seek error — See "Drive Problems.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance and click System. 3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager. 4. In the Device Manager list, check for devices that are incorrectly configured. Incorrectly configured devices are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) or a red X if the device has been disabled. 5. Double-click any device marked with an exclamation point to display the Properties window. The Device status area in the Properties window reports the devices that need to be re-configured.
Back to Contents Page Troubleshooting Tools and Utilities Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Dell Diagnostics System Lights Diagnostic Lights Beep Codes Error Messages Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
5. Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears. 6. Type 1 to start the Drivers and Utilities CD menu. 7. Type 2 to start the Dell Diagnostics. 8. Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your computer. 9. When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run. Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 1.
system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed. complete. If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance. Blinking yellow A power supply or system board failure has occurred. See "Power Problems." Solid green and a beep code during POST A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing. See "Beep Codes" for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
A failure has occurred. l This pattern also displays when you enter system setup and may not indicate a problem. l After POST is complete, all four diagnostic lights turn green briefly before turning off to indicate normal operating condition. Light Pattern l Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive. Check the computer message that appears on your monitor screen. If the problem persists, contact Dell. None.
Error Messages Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared. A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames. A required .
Hard-disk drive failure — See "Drive Problems." Insert bootable media — Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD. Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program — Enter system setup and correct the computer configuration information. Keyboard failure — See "Keyboard Problems." Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value — See "Lockups and Software Problems." Memory allocation error — 1. 2. 3. Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart the computer.
3. 4. If the message reappears, the installed card might be malfunctioning. If the message does not reappear, turn off the computer and reinsert one of the other cards. Repeat this process until you identify which card is malfunctioning. Read fault — Requested sector not found — Reset failed — See "Drive Problems." Sector not found — l l Run the Windows error-checking utility to check the file structure on the floppy disk or hard drive. See Windows Help for instructions.
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. Click Performance and Maintenance and click System. 3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager. 4. In the Device Manager list, check for devices that are incorrectly configured. Incorrectly configured devices are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) or a red X if the device has been disabled. 5. Double-click any device marked with an exclamation point to display the Properties window.
Back to Contents Page Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Back to Contents Page
Back to Contents Page Warranty Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Dell Inc. ("Dell") manufactures its hardware products from parts and components that are new or equivalent to new in accordance with industry-standard practices. For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your computer.
Back to Contents Page Microsoft® Windows® XP Features Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Transferring Information to a New Computer User Accounts and Fast User Switching Setting Up a Home and Office Network Transferring Information to a New Computer The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer.
User Accounts and Fast User Switching Adding User Accounts After the Microsoft Windows XP operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts. 1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts. 3. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account. 4. Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next. 5.
1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard. 2. On the welcome screen, click Next. 3. Click Checklist for creating a network. NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP SP1. 4. Complete the checklist and required preparations. 5. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
Back to Contents Page Microsoft® Windows® XP Features Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX520 User's Guide Transferring Information to a New Computer User Accounts and Fast User Switching Setting Up a Home and Office Network Transferring Information to a New Computer The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides a Files and Settings Transfer wizard to move data from the source computer to the new computer.
User Accounts and Fast User Switching Adding User Accounts After the Microsoft Windows XP operating system is installed, the administrator or a user with administrator rights can create additional user accounts. 1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts. 3. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account. 4. Under Name the new account, type the name of the new user and click Next. 5.
1. Click the Start button, point to All Programs® Accessories® Communications, and then click Network Setup Wizard. 2. On the welcome screen, click Next. 3. Click Checklist for creating a network. NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP SP1. 4. Complete the checklist and required preparations. 5. Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
