Dell Xps Gen 5 Manual

							Removing and Installing Parts71
Front and Back View of the Computer
Front View
2 1
3
4
1hard-drive activity light The hard-drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the 
hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is 
operating.
2power buttonPress to turn on the computer.
 
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the 
computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.
3
drive door Open the drive door to access the floppy and CD/DVD drives.
NOTE: The drive door is removable; if you remove it or accidentally knock it off its 
hinges, it snaps back in place. For instructions on how to reattach the door, see 
page 118.
4
front-panel doorOpen the front-panel door to use the front-panel connectors.
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Front View (Doors Open)
ABCD
2 1
3
4
5
1
headphone connectorUse the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.
2
microphone connector Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or 
musical input into a sound or telephony program.
3USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks 
or cameras.
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically 
remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
4IEEE 1394 connector Attach high-speed serial multimedia devices, such as digital video cameras.
5diagnostic lights (4) Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic 
code. For more information, see Diagnostics Lights on page 55.
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Back View
7
11 9 2
1
3
13
14
5
15
17
8*
6
4*
10*
16
* Not present on certain computers
12
1
processor fans (2) For optimal cooling, two processor fans are provided. Do not block the vents.
2cover latch releaseTo open the computer, lay the computer on its side with the cover latch release at the 
top and then push the latch to the left. See Opening the Computer Cover on 
page 75.
3
network adapter connector To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of a 
network cable to either a network jack or to your network or broadband device. Connect 
the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back panel 
of your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.
NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector.
On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the 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.
4TV-OUT connector Connects your computer to a TV. For more information, see Connecting Two 
Monitors on page 16.
network or 
broadband jack
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5DVI connector If your monitor has a DVI connector, plug it into the DVI connector on the computer. If 
your monitor has a VGA connector, plug it into the VGA connector on the computer.
6VGA connector If your monitor has a VGA connector, plug it into the VGA connector on the computer. 
If your monitor has a DVI connector, plug it into the DVI connector on the computer. 
7security cable slot Use a security cable with the slot to help secure your computer.
8padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover.
9
optional modem 
connectorIf you have a modem, connect a telephone cable to the modem connector (optional).
NOTE: For optimum performance, install a modem card only in PCI slot 2, 3, or 4.
NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector.
10sound card connectors
 Line-in connector — Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback 
device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
 Microphone connector — Use the pink microphone connector to attach a personal 
computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
 Line-out connector — Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and 
most speakers with integrated amplifiers.
 Surround sound connector — Use the black surround connector to attach 
multichannel-capable speakers.

Center/Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) connector — Use the yellow center/LFE 
connector to attach your subwoofer.
11power connector Insert the power cable.
12IEEE 1394 connector Attach high-speed serial multimedia devices, such as digital video cameras.
13keyboard connector If you have a standard keyboard, plug it into the purple keyboard connector. If you have a 
USB keyboard, plug it into a USB connector.
14mouse connector Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer and any 
attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. If you have a USB mouse, 
plug it into a USB connector. 
15USB 2.0 connectors (5) Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as 
printers and keyboards.
It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect 
occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras.
16card slotsAccess connectors for any installed PCI cards (three slots) and PCI Express cards 
(one x16 slot, one x4 slot, and one x1 slot).
17
power supply fans For optimal cooling, two power supply fans are provided. Do not block the vents.
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Opening 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 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.
1Follow the procedures in Before You Begin (see page 69).
2Lay the computer on its side so that the arrow on the bottom of the computer points up.
 NOTICE: Ensure that sufficient space exists to accommodate the open cover—at least 30 cm (1 ft) of 
desk top space.
3Slide the cover release latch toward the top of the computer.
4Raise the cover, and pivot it toward the front of the computer.
padlock ring cover release latch
security cable slot
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Inside View of Your Computer
hard drive 
shroud
floppy drive
CD/DVD drive
system board processor 
airflow shroud
power supply
processor fan
power supply fans (2)
PCI card shroud 
and fan
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System Board Components
456 
hard-drive connector (IDE)
battery socket 
(BATTERY) front-panel connector 
(FRONT PANEL)
front-panel light 
connector (LED)
rear fan connector 
(FANREAR) processor and heat-
sink connector main power 
connector
(POWER)
internal speaker (SPKR) serial ATA connectors 
(SATA0 - SATA3)password jumper 
(PSWD)
PCI card connectors 
(PCI SLOT 4, PCI SLOT 5, 
PCI SLOT 6) PCI Express x16 
card connector
memory module 
connectors (2, 4)
CMOS jumper 
(RTCRST)
PCI Express x1 
card connector
floppy-drive connector (DSKT)
memory module 
connectors (1, 3)
processor fan 
(FANCPU)
power connector (POWER12V)
card fan connector 
(FANPCI) 1394 connector 
(FRONT1394)
auxiliary power 
LED (AUX_PWR)
PCI Express x4 
card connector
FLEX
serial connector
(SERIAL2)
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Memory
You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board.
Your computer supports DDR2 memory. For additional information on the type of memory 
supported by your computer, see Memory on page 123.
DDR2 Memory Overview
 DDR2 memory modules should be installed in pairs of matched memory size and speed. If the 
DDR2 memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will continue to 
operate, but with a slight reduction in performance. See the label on the upper-right or upper-
left corner of the module to determine the module’s capacity.
 NOTE: Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board.
The recommended memory configurations are:
– A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2
or
– A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 and another 
matched pair installed in DIMM connectors 3 and 4
 NOTICE: Do not install ECC memory modules.
 If you install mixed pairs of PC2-4300 (DDR2 533-MHz) and PC2-5300 (DDR2 667-MHz) 
memory, the modules function at the speed of the slowest module installed.
 Be sure to install a single memory module in DIMM connector 1, the connector closest to the 
processor, before you install modules in the other connectors.
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 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. You should install your original memory modules in pairs either in DIMM 
connectors 1 and 2 or DIMM connectors 3 and 4.
 
NOTE: Memory purchased from Dell is covered under your computer warranty.
Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations
Your computer supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory when you use four 2-GB DIMMs. 
Current operating systems, such as Microsoft® Windows® XP, can only use a maximum of 4 GB 
of address space; however, the amount of memory available to the operating system is less than 
4 GB. Certain components within the computer require address space in the 4-GB range. Any 
address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer memory.
Installing Memory
 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.
1Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page 69.
2Lay the computer on its side so that the system board is on the bottom of the inside of the 
computer.
matched pair of modules in DIMM 
connectors 1 and 2 (white securing clips)matched pair of memory modules in DIMM 
connectors 3 and 4 (black securing clips)
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3Press out the securing clip at each end of the memory module connector.
4Align the notch on the bottom of the module with the crossbar in the connector.
 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.
5Insert 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.
securing clips (2)
connector
memory connector 
closest to processor
notch
memory module
cutouts (2)
crossbar
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