Dell Xps Gen 5 Manual

							Setting Up and Using Your Computer21
4Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight RAID On, press , and then 
press .
 NOTE: For more information about RAID options, see System Setup Options on page 129.
5Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight Save/Exit, and press  to exit system 
setup and resume the boot process.
Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® RAID Option ROM Utility
 NOTE: Although any size drives may be used to create a RAID configuration using the Intel RAID Option 
ROM utility, ideally the drives should be of equal size. In a RAID level 0 configuration, the size of the 
configuration will be the size of the smallest drive multiplied by the number (two) of drives in the 
configuration. In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the configuration will be the smaller of the two 
drives used.
Creating a RAID Level 0 Configuration
 NOTICE: You will lose any data on your hard drives when you create a RAID configuration using the 
following procedure. Back up data you want to keep before continuing.
 
NOTE: Use the following procedure only if you are reinstalling your operating system. Do not use the 
following procedure to migrate an existing storage configuration to RAID level 0 configuration.
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Press  when you are prompted to enter the Intel® RAID Option ROM utility.
3Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight Create RAID Volume, and press .
4Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default, and press .
5Press the up- and down-arrow keys to select RAID0(Stripe), and press .
6If there are more than two hard drives available, press the up- and down-arrow keys and 
spacebar to select the two or three drives you want to use to make up your configuration, and 
then press .
 NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume. If 
you do not know the average file size, choose 128 KB as your strip size.
7Press the up- and down-arrow keys to change the strip size, and press .
8Select the desired capacity for the volume, and press . The default value is the 
maximum available size.
9Press  to create the volume.
10Press  to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume.
11Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel® RAID Option 
ROM utility screen.
12Press the up- and down-arrow keys to select Exit, and press .
13Install the operating system (see Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP on page 64).
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Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Press  when you are prompted to enter the Intel RAID Option ROM utility.
3Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight Create RAID Volume, and press .
4Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default, and press .
5Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select RAID1(Mirror), and press .
6If there are more than two hard drives available, press the up- and down-arrow keys and 
spacebar to select the two drives you want to use to make up your volume, and then press 
.
7Select the desired capacity for the volume, and press . The default value is the 
maximum available size.
8Press  to create the volume.
9Press  to confirm that you want to create the RAID volume.
10Confirm that the correct volume configuration is displayed on the main Intel RAID Option 
ROM utility screen.
11Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select Exit, and press .
12Install the operating system (see Reinstalling Microsoft® Windows® XP on page 64).
Deleting a RAID Volume
 NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.
 
NOTE: If your computer currently boots to RAID and you delete the RAID volume in the Intel RAID Option 
ROM utility, your computer will become unbootable.
1Press  when you are prompted to enter the Intel RAID Option ROM utility.
2Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight Delete RAID Volume, and press .
3Use the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the RAID volume you want to delete, and press 
.
4Press  to confirm the deletion of the RAID volume.
5Press  to exit the Intel RAID Option ROM utility.
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							Setting Up and Using Your Computer23
Configuring for RAID Using the Intel® Application Accelerator
If you already have one hard drive with the operating system installed on it, and you want to add 
a second hard drive and reconfigure both drives into a RAID volume without losing the existing 
operating system and any data, you need to use the migrating option (see Migrating to a RAID 
Level 0 Configuration on page 24 or Migrating to a RAID Level 1 Configuration on page 25). 
Create a RAID level 0 volume or RAID level 1 volume only when:
 You are adding two new drives to an existing single-drive computer (and the operating system 
is on the single drive), and you want to configure the two new drives into a RAID volume.
 You already have a two-hard drive computer configured into a volume, but you still have some 
space left on the volume that you want to designate as a second RAID volume.
Creating a RAID Level 0 Configuration
 NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Click Start and point to Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel Matrix 
Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
 NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled 
mode (see page 20).
3On the Actions menu, select Create RAID Volume to launch the Create RAID Volume 
Wizard, and then click 
Next.
4On the Select Volume Location screen, click the first hard drive you want to include in your 
RAID level 0 volume, and then click the right arrow. 
5Click a second hard drive. To add a third hard drive in your RAID level 0 volume, click the 
right arrow and click on the third drive until three drives appear in the 
Selected window, and 
then click 
Next.
6In the Specify Volume Size window, click the Volume Size desired, and then click Next.
7Click Finish to create the volume, or click Back to make changes.
Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration
 NOTE: When you perform this operation, all data on the RAID drives will be lost.
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Click the Start button and point to Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
 NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled 
mode (see page 20).
3On the Actions menu, select Create RAID Volume to launch the Create RAID Volume 
Wizard.
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4Click Next at the first screen.
5Confirm the volume name, select RAID 1 as the RAID level, and then click Next to continue.
6On the Select Volume Location screen, click the first hard drive you want to use to create 
your RAID level 0 volume, and then click the right arrow. Click a second hard drive until two 
drives appear in the 
Selected window, and then click Next.
7In the Specify Volume Size window, select the Volume Size desired and click Next.
8Click Finish to create the volume, or click Back to make changes.
9Follow Microsoft Windows procedures for creating a partition on the new RAID volume.
Deleting a RAID Volume
 NOTE: While this procedure deletes the RAID 1 volume, it also splits the RAID 1 volume into two non-
RAID hard drives with a partition, and leaves any existing data files intact. Deleting a RAID 0 volume, 
however, destroys all data on the volume.
1Click the Start button and point to Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
2Right-click the Vo l u m e icon of the RAID volume you want to delete, and select Delete Volume.
3On the Delete RAID Volume Wizard screen, click Next.
4Highlight the RAID volume you want to delete in the Available box, click the right-arrow 
button to move the highlighted RAID volume into the 
Selected box, and then click Next.
5Click Finish to delete the volume.
Migrating to a RAID Level 0 Configuration
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Click the Start button and point to All Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
 NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled 
mode (see page 20).
3On the Actions menu, select Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive to launch the 
Migration Wizard.
4Click Next on the Migration Wizard screen.
5Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default.
6From the drop-down box, select RAID 0 as the RAID level.
 NOTE: Select the strip size closest to the size of the average file you want to store on the RAID volume. If 
you do not know the average file size, choose 128 KB as your strip size.
7Select the appropriate strip size from the drop-down box, and then click Next.
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							Setting Up and Using Your Computer25
 NOTE: Select the hard drive that you want to use as your source hard drive (it should be the hard drive 
containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume).
8On the Select Source Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to 
migrate, and click 
Next.
9On the Select Member Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive(s) to select the 
member drive(s) to span the stripe array, and click 
Next.
10On the Specify Volume Size screen, select the Volume Size you want, and click Next.
 NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive.
11Click Finish to start migrating, or click Back to make changes. You can use your computer 
normally during the migration process.
Migrating to a RAID Level 1 Configuration
1Set your computer to RAID-enabled mode (see page 20).
2Click the Start button and point to All Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
 NOTE: If you do not see an Actions menu option, you have not yet set your computer to RAID-enabled 
mode (see page 20).
3On the Actions menu, click Create RAID Volume From Existing Hard Drive to launch the 
Migration Wizard.
4Click Next on the first Migration Wizard screen.
5Enter a RAID volume name or accept the default.
6From the drop-down box, select RAID 1 as the RAID level.
 NOTE: Select the hard drive that you want to use as your source hard drive (it should be the hard drive 
containing the data or operating system files that you want to keep on the RAID volume).
7On the Select Source Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive from which you want to 
migrate, and click 
Next.
8On the Select Member Hard Drive screen, double-click the hard drive to select the member 
drive that you want to act as the mirror in the configuration, and click 
Next.
9On the Specify Volume Size screen, select the volume size you want, and click Next.
 NOTE: In the following step, you will lose all data contained on the member drive.
10Click Finish to start migrating, or click Back to make changes. You can use your computer 
normally during migration process.
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							26Setting Up and Using Your Computer
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Creating a Spare Hard Drive
A spare hard drive may be created with a RAID level 1 configuration. The spare hard drive will 
not be recognized by the operating system, but you will be able to see the spare drive from 
within Disk Manager or the Intel RAID Option ROM utility. When a member of the RAID 
level 1 configuration is broken, the computer automatically rebuilds the mirror configuration 
using the spare hard drive as the broken member’s replacement.
To Mark a Drive as a Spare Hard Drive:
1
Click the Start button and point to Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
2Right-click the hard drive you want to mark as a spare hard drive.
3Click Mark as Spare.
To Remove Spare Marking From a Spare Hard Drive:
1
Right-click the spare hard drive icon.
2Click Reset Hard Drive to Non-RAID
Rebuilding a Degraded RAID Level 1 Configuration
If your computer does not have a spare hard drive, and the computer has reported a degraded 
RAID level 1 volume, you can manually rebuild the computer’s redundancy mirror to a new hard 
drive by performing the following steps:
1
Click the Start button and point to Programs→ Intel(R) Application Accelerator→ Intel 
Matrix Storage Manager
 to launch the Intel® Storage Utility.
2Right-click the available hard drive to which you want to rebuild the RAID level 1 volume, 
and click 
Rebuild to this Disk.
3You can use your computer while the computer is rebuilding the RAID level 1 volume.
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. You can move data such as:
 E-mails
 Toolbar settings
 Window sizes
 Internet bookmarks 
You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can 
store it on a removable medium, such as a writable CD or floppy disk.
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							Setting Up and Using Your Computer27
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer: 
1
Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools, and then click 
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
2When the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen appears, click Next.
3On the Which computer is this? screen, click New Computer and click Next.
4On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? screen, click I will use the wizard from the 
Windows XP CD
 and click Next.
5When the Now go to your old computer screen appears, go to your old or source computer. 
Do not click Next at this time.
To copy data from the old computer:
1
On the old computer, insert the Windows XP Operating System CD.
2On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform additional tasks.
3Under What do you want to do?, click Transfer files and settings.
4On the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
5On the Which computer is this? screen, click Old Computer and click Next.
6On the Select a transfer method screen, click the transfer method you prefer.
7On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click 
Next.
After the information has been copied, the 
Completing the Collection Phase screen appears.
8Click Finish.
To transfer data to the new computer:
1
On the Now go to your old computer screen on the new computer, click Next.
2On the Where are the files and settings? screen, select the method you chose for transferring 
your settings and files and click 
Next.
The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.
When all of the settings and files have been applied, the 
Finished screen appears.
3Click Finished and restart the new computer.
Playing CDs and Movies
Playing a CD or DVD
 NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD or DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep the tray closed when 
you are not using the drive.
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 NOTICE: Do not move the computer when you are playing CDs or DVDs.
1Press the eject button on the front of the drive.
2Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray.
3Press the eject button or gently push in the tray.
To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the CD software that 
came with your computer.
 NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.
A CD player includes the following basic buttons:
Play.
Move backward within the current track.
Pause.
Move forward within the current track.
Stop.
Go to the previous track.
Eject.
Go to the next track.
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							Setting Up and Using Your Computer29
A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:
For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD or DVD player (if 
available).
Adjusting the Volume
 NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.
1Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Accessories→ Entertainment, and then click 
Volume Control.
2In the Volume Control window, click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column and 
slide it up or down to increase or decrease the volume.
For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume Control window.
Adjusting the Picture
If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much 
memory and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display properties.
1
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2Under Pick a category, click Appearance and Themes.
3Under Pick a task..., click Change the screen resolution.
Stop.
Restart the current chapter.
Play.
Fast forward.
Pause.
Fast reverse.
Advance a single frame while in pause mode.
Go to the next title or chapter.
Continuously play the current title or chapter.
Go to the previous title or chapter.
Eject.
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4In the Display Properties window, click and drag the bar in Screen resolution to change the 
setting to 
800 by 600 pixels.
5Click the drop-down menu under Color quality, and then click Medium (16 bit).
6Click OK.
Copying CDs and DVDs
 NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs or DVDs.
This section applies only to computers that have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, or 
DVD/CD-RW combo drive.
 NOTE: The types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country.
The following instructions show how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD. You can also use 
Sonic RecordNow for other purposes, including creating CDs from audio files on your computer 
and creating MP3 CDs. For instructions, see the Sonic RecordNow documentation that came 
with your computer. Open Sonic RecordNow, click the question mark icon in the upper-right 
corner of the window, and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial.
How to Copy a CD or DVD
 NOTE: If you have a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and you experience recording problems, check for 
available software patches at the Sonic support website at support.sonic.com.
Currently, five DVD-writable disc formats available: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW 
and DVD-RAM. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell
™ computers will write to DVD+R 
and DVD+RW media, and can read DVD-R and DVD-RW media. However, DVD-writable 
drives do not write to and may not read DVD-RAM media. In addition, chimerically available 
DVD players for home theater systems might not read all five formats.
 NOTE: Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Sonic 
RecordNow.
1Click the Start button, point to All Programs→ Sonic→ RecordNow!→ RecordNow!
2Click either the audio tab or the data tab, depending on the kind of CD or DVD you are 
planning to copy.
3Click Exact Copy.
4To copy the CD or DVD:

If you have one CD or DVD drive, ensure that the settings are correct and click Copy. The 
computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies it to a temporary folder on your 
computer hard drive.
When prompted, insert a blank CD or DVD into the CD or DVD drive and click 
OK.
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