Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Technical Overview Controls and Lights Solving Problems System Codes and Messages Technical Specifications System Setup Program Adding Parts Documentation Hints, Notices, and Cautions HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Back to Contents Page System Codes and Messages Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Diagnostic Codes POST Beep Codes System Messages Diagnostic Codes Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lights can be yellow, green, or off as shown in the following table. When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally, the lights flash during POST.
Other failure. See "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance. Computer has started and turned over control to the operating system. No action is necessary. POST Beep Codes If the monitor cannot display errors or problems, during POST the computer might emit a series of beeps, or beep code, that identifies the problem. The POST beep codes are listed below. Beep Codes Possible Cause Corrective Action 1 A memory refresh failure occurred.
CMOS Time and Date Not Set Diskette Boot Failure Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST. Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined correctly in the system setup program. Check the interface cable at both ends. DMA Error Error in the DMA controller on the system board. The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive or hard drive controller.
Back to Contents Page Documentation Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Printed Documentation Online Documentation Printed Documentation HINT: You must right-click the link for a portable document format (PDF) file and save the file to your hard drive. Attempting to open large PDF files through your browser causes your system to freeze. To save PDF files (files with an extension of .
Back to Contents Page Adding Parts Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Safety Instructions Front Panel Inserts Shutting Down the Computer Hard Drive Attaching and Removing the Computer Stand Floppy Drive Opening the Computer Cover 5.
Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated. CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in your online Dell documentation or otherwise provided to you. Always follow installation and service instructions closely. NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer. 1.
To use the computer in a vertical position, you must attach the computer stand: 1. Place the computer on its right side so that the drive bays are at the bottom. 2. Fit the stand onto what was the left side of the computer. a. b. 3. Position the stand as shown in the following illustration by aligning the large round hole in the stand with the securing button on the side of the cover and aligning the captive screw in the stand with the screw hole in the cover.
NOTICE: Ensure that there is sufficient space to support the open cover—at least 30 cm (1 ft) of desk top space. 5. Locate the two release buttons shown in the illustration. Then, press the two release buttons as you lift the cover. NOTICE: Open the cover slowly to ensure that you do not damage any cables. Raise the back of the cover, and pivot it toward the front of the computer.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1. Shut down the computer. 2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4.
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. 10. Insert the card into the card connector. If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the riser board. 11.
a. Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector. b. Grasp the module and pull up. If the module is difficult to remove, gently ease the module back and forth to remove it from the connector. 7. To insert a module, press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector. 8. Align the notches on the bottom of the module with the crossbars in the connector. NOTICE: To avoid breaking the memory module, do not press near the middle of the module. 9.
7. Press the AGP card clip lever toward the card slot and remove the installed AGP card. 8. Slide the new AGP card into place. 9. Release the AGP card clip lever, ensuring that the tab on the AGP card clip lever fits into the notch on the front end of the AGP card. 10. Secure the AGP card by lowering the hinged lever on the back panel. 11. Close the computer cover. 12. Attach the computer stand (optional). 13. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
7. Press on the inserts until they pop free of the front panel cover. Hard Drive CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in "Safety Instructions." CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. CAUTION: 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. 1.
7. Disconnect the power cable and hard drive cable from the drive. 8. Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out. NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer. NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it. 9. 10. 11. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail). 12. Install the hard drive into the computer by gently sliding the drive into place until you hear it securely click. 13. Connect the power cable and hard-drive data cable to the drive. CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1"). 14. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated. 15.
6. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the drive that is installed in the 5.25-inch drive bay above the floppy drive. 7. Disconnect the power and floppy-drive data cables from the back of the floppy drive. 8. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, slide the drive upward, and remove it from the floppy-drive bay. 9.
12. Reconnect the power and data cables to the back of the drive installed in the 5.25-inch drive bay above the floppy drive. 13. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 14. Close the computer cover. 15. Attach the computer stand (optional). 16. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
7. 8. 9. 10. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, and then slide the drive upward and remove it from the drive bay. If the replacement drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
11. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in a card slot. 12. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents. 13. If the drive uses removable media and drive bay was previously empty, remove the front panel insert. 14. Close the computer cover. 15. Attach the computer stand (optional). 16. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
NOTICE: Lay the heat sink down with the thermal grease facing upward. 9. 10. Lift the heat sink/blower assembly away from the microprocessor. Remove the two screws on the blower to remove it from the heat sink. NOTICE: Do not discard the original heat sink and securing clips unless you are installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell. If you are not installing a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell, reuse the original heat sink, blower, and securing clips when installing your new microprocessor. 11.
HINT: You must identify the pin-1 corner to correctly position the microprocessor. NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the microprocessor and the computer when you turn on the computer. 16. If the release lever on the socket is not fully extended, move it to that position now. 17. With the pin-1 corners of the microprocessor and socket aligned, align the pins on the microprocessor with the holes in the socket.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. 1. Shut down the computer. 2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets. NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack. 3. Disconnect the computer power cable from the wall outlet, and then press the power button to ground the system board. 4.
1. Ensure that all cables are connected, and fold cables out of the way. Do not route cables over the drive cage—they can prevent the cover from closing properly. 2. Ensure that no tools or extra parts are left inside the computer. 3. Pivot the cover down and ensure that the release buttons click into place. 4. Attach the computer stand (optional). NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug it in to the computer. 5.
Back to Contents Page Solving Problems Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Accessing Help Files Network Problems Power Problems Microsoft® Windows® Error Messages Start-Up Error Messages General Program Problems Video and Monitor Problems Internet Connection Problems Sound and Speaker Problems E-Mail Problems Printer Problems Resolving Other Technical Problems Scanner Problems Reinstalling Drivers Modem Problems Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Mouse Problems Using System Restore Keyb
Operating system not found— Call Dell for technical assistance. See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for the correct number to call. Insert bootable media— The operating system is trying to boot to a nonbootable floppy disk or CD. Insert a bootable floppy disk or CD. Non-system disk error— There is a floppy disk in the floppy drive. Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.
Adjust the speaker controls— Adjust the volume, bass, or treble controls to eliminate distortion. Verify the speaker cable connections— Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the START HERE sheet for your computer and the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. Be sure that headphones are not connected to the front-panel headphone connector— Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer's front-panel headphone connector.
Check for interrupt request conflicts— See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." Scanner Problems HINT: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, call the scanner's manufacturer. Dell does not cover the scanner's warranty. Check the power cable connection— Ensure that the scanner power cable is firmly connected to a working electrical power source and that the scanner is turned on.
Check the mouse settings Windows XP 1. 2. 3. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware. Click Mouse. Try adjusting the settings. Windows 2000 1. 2. 3. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Mouse icon. Try adjusting the settings. Check for interrupt request conflicts— See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities.
HINT: Because of different worldwide file types, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives. Adjust the Windows volume control— In Windows XP, click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. In Windows 2000, double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Be sure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted. Test the drive with another DVD— Insert another DVD to eliminate the possibility that the original DVD is defective.
3. 4. 5. Select the program that you want to remove. Click Change/Remove and follow the prompts on the screen. See the program documentation for installation instructions. General Program Problems A program crashes See the software documentation— Many software manufacturers maintain websites with information that may help you to solve the problem. A program stops responding End the program 1. 2. 3. Simultaneously press .
Windows 2000 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Phone and Modems Options icon. In the Locations window, select the location for which you want to disable call waiting, and then click Edit. Ensure that To disable call waiting, dial: is checked and then select the proper code according to the information in your telephone directory. Click Apply and then click OK. Close the Phone and Modems Options window. Close the Control Panel.
To view other contents on the ResourceCD: 1. Verify that your computer is selected in the System Model list. 2. Verify that your operating system is selected in the Operating System list. 3. Select the type of device in the Device Type list. NOTICE: The ResourceCD contains drivers for devices that are not part of your computer. Only reinstall the specific drivers for hardware included in your computer. Otherwise, your computer might not work correctly. 4. Select a topic in the Topic list.
6. Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments. Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (!) beside the conflicting device or a red X if the device has been disabled. 7. 8. 9. Double-click any conflicting device listed to bring up the Properties window so you can determine what needs to be reconfigured or removed from the Device Manager. Resolve these conflicts before checking specific devices. Double-click the malfunctioning device type in the Device Manager list.
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State If problems occur after installing a device driver, first try using Device Driver Rollback. If that is unsuccessful, then use System Restore. NOTICE: Before restoring the computer to an earlier time, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete. 1.
go to step 15. If you want to install a new copy of Windows XP, press to select the fresh copy option, and then press on the next screen to select the highlighted partition (recommended). Then follow the instructions on the screen. The Windows XP Setup screen appears and Windows XP begins to copy files and install the devices. The computer automatically restarts multiple times before it requires additional input. 8. 9. 10. 11.
16. When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard screen appears, remove the CD from the drive, and then click Finish. The computer automatically restarts.
Back to Contents Page Technical Specifications Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Microprocessor Audio System Information Video Expansion Bus Controls and Lights Memory Power Drives Physical Ports and Connectors Environmental Microprocessor Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor that runs at 1.40, 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, or 1.90 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally NOTE: Microprocessor offerings vary by country.
Externally accessible: Serial 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible Parallel 25-hole connector (bidirectional) Video 15-hole connector Keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector Mouse 6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector USB two front-panel and two back-panel USB–compliant connectors Headphone front-panel miniature connector Audio2 three miniature connectors for line in, line out, and microphone Internally accessible: 2 Primary IDE channel 40-pin connector on PCI local bus Seco
Storage 4 –15.
Back to Contents Page System Setup Program Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Overview Viewing Settings Clearing Forgotten Passwords Overview The system setup program contains the standard settings for your computer. NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, don't change the settings for this program. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly. See the following figure for an example of the main screen of the program. Viewing Settings 1. 2. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
l Title – The area at the top of all system setup screens that displays your computer's model number. l Computer data – Two boxes below the title that display the system processor, L2 cache, service tag, and the version number of the system setup program. l Options – A scrollable box listing options that define the configuration of your computer (including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features). Fields to the right of the listed options contain settings or values.
Diskette Interface Sets diskette interface options. The default is Auto. PC Speaker Turns the PC speaker off and on. The default is On. Primary Video Controller Sets the primary video controller. The default is AGP. Video DAC Snoop Turns the video DAC Snoop off and on. The default is Off. The following table shows System Security option information. Option Function Password Status Locks and unlocks the password option. The default is Unlocked.
Back to Contents Page Technical Overview Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Internal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Socketed Microprocessor Power Supply DC Power Connectors Internal View CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, read "Safety Instructions." NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not inadvertently disconnect cables from the system board.
Socketed Microprocessor The 478-pin, socketed Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor, shown above with the heat sink and fan attached, contains an integrated 8-KB primary (L1) cache with a secondary (L2) 256-KB Advanced Transfer Cache that resides in the processor's core and runs at the processor's internal clock speed. The socketed microprocessor inserts into the ZIF connector mounted on the system board. A clip secures the heat sink to the connector.
+5 VFP +/–5% 0.0 2.0 1 Outputs meet and do not exceed SELV requirements per electrical standards (UL 1950, IEC 950, or EN60950 Par. 2.3). 2 Maximum continuous combined load on +5 VDC and +3.3 VDC outputs do not exceed 80 W. 3 +5 VDC minimum load is 0.2 A when there is a minimum load of 0.3 A on the +12 VDC and 0.42 A on the +3.3 VDC outputs simultaneously. +5 V minimum load is 1 A for load transient tests. 4 In system configurations where +3.
13 COM Black 14 PS ON1 Green 15 COM Black 16 COM Black 17 COM Black 18 N/C N/C 19 +5 VDC Red 20 +5 VDC Red 1 Use 22-AWG wire instead of 18-AWG wire DC Power Connector P6 Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire 1 COM Black 2 COM Black 3 +12 VDC Yellow 4 +12 VDC Yellow DC Power Connectors P2, P3, and P4 Pin Number Signal Name 18-AWG Wire 1 +12 VDC Yellow 2 COM Black 3 COM Black 4 +5 VDC Red DC Power Connector P5 Pin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire 1 +5 VDC Red
Back to Contents Page Controls and Lights Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S Computer Stand Front View Back View Computer Stand The computer can be used in either a vertical or horizontal position. See "Attaching and Removing the Computer Stand" for more information. Front View Front-Panel Door The front-panel door opens for access to a headphone connector and two USB connectors. Power Button Press the power button to turn on the computer.
Headphone Connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most speakers for listening to all sounds in your computer including your CD player and system sounds such as beeps. USB Connectors HINT: If you attach a USB device that was not included in your original computer order, you may need to install a specific driver to make the device work. Check the documentation that came with the device or contact the USB device manufacturer for more information.
Line-Out Connector Use the green line-out connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers. On computers with a sound card, the line-out connector is on the card. Line-In Connector Use the blue line-in connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. On computers with a sound card, the line-in connector is on the card.
