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Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual
Before You Begin
About Your Computer
Technical Overview
Specifications
Advanced Troubleshooting
System Setup
Removing and Installing Parts
Model DCSM
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
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 prope
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Back to Contents Page About Your Computer Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual Front View of the Computer Back View of the Computer Back Panel Connectors Front View of the Computer 1 cover latch Use this latch to remove the cover. See Removing the Computer Cover. release 2 location of Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you access the Dell Service Tag Support website or call technical support. 3 CD or DVD Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD dri
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NOTICE: Ensure that there is a minimum of two inches of space between all vents and any object near these vents. NOTICE: Keep the vent area clean and dust-free to ensure that the computer is adequately ventilated. Use only a dry cloth to clean the vent area to avoid water damage to the computer. Back View of the Computer 1 voltage selection See the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide for more switch information. 2 power connector Insert the power cable. 3 back
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network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation. 3 network activity Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or light receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state. 4 surround Use the black surround connector to attach multichannel-capable connector speakers. 5 line-in connector Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. On computer
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Back to Contents Page Advanced Troubleshooting Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual Power Lights Diagnostic Lights Beep Codes System Messages Dell Diagnostics Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Power Lights CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. The power button light located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains so
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Memory modules are detected, but a l If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one memory failure has occurred. module (see Installing Memory), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. l If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Installing Memory). l If the
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A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | — Do not use these characters in filenames. A required .DLL file was not found — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program: 1. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs. 2. Select the program you want to remove. 3. Click the Change or Remove Program icon. 4. See the program documentation fo
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Not enough memory or resources. Close some programs and try again — Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some cases, you might have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run the program that you want to use first. Read fault — Requested sector not found — Reset failed — See "Drive Problems" in your Owner's Manual. Sector not found — l Run the Windows error-checking utility to check the file structure on the flop
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5. After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu. 6. Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer. Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 1. After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want. Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your
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If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver. Windows XP 1. Click the Start button, then 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. Scroll down the list of devices and check for an exclamation point (a circle wit
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10. Click Finish and restart your computer. Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities If a device is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility. To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter: 1. Click Start, then click Help and Support. 2. Type hardware troubleshooter in the Search field, then click the arrow to start the search
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Back to Contents Page Before You Begin Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual Getting Started Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Getting Started This manual provides procedures for removing and replacing 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. l
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NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer, and then unplug it from the network port or device. 2. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. 3. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board. NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at
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Back to Contents Page Removing and Installing Parts Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual Removing the Computer Cover Memory Cards Drive Panel Drives Hard Drive Floppy Drive Media Card Reader CD/DVD Drive Battery Power Supply Processor I/O Panel Processor Fan System Board Installing the Computer Cover This chapter provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each pr
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1 cover latch release 2 computer cover 3 back of computer 4 bottom hinge tabs 4. Locate the three hinge tabs on the bottom edge of the computer. 5. Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up, using the bottom hinge tabs as leverage points. 6. Release the cover from the hinge tabs and set it aside in a secure location. Memory You can increase your computer memory by installing memory modules on the system board. Your computer supports DDR2
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1 Channel A: matched pair of memory 2 Channel B: matched pair of memory modules in connectors DIMM_1 and modules in connectors DIMM_3 and DIMM_2 (white securing clips) DIMM_4 (black securing clips) 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, you
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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. 5. 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. 6. Replace the computer cover. NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the ca
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l One PCI Express x1 card slot (SLOT2 l Two PCI card slots (SLOT3, SLOT4) See System Board Components for card slot location. PCI Cards Your computer supports two PCI cards. If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a PCI card, see Removing a PCI Card. If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system. If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express ca
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1 alignment bar 2 fully seated card 3 not fully seated card 4 alignment guide 5 bracket within slot 6 bracket caught outside of slot 8. Before you close the card retention door, 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. 1 alignment guide 2 alignment bar 3 release tab 4 card retention door 9. Close the card retention door by sna
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14. If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to use only the add-in network adapter, then disable the integrated network adapter: a. Enter system setup (see System Setup), go to Onboard Devices and select Integrated NIC, and then change the setting to Off. b. Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter's connectors. Do not connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel. NOTE: You can use the integrated NIC and add-in NIC adapter at
