Back to Content Page
Installing System
Board Options: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2300
Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
This section
describes how to install the following options :
- Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) and
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion cards
- Memory upgrades
- Microprocessor upgrades
This section
also includes instructions for replacing the system battery, if necessary.
Use Figure
8-1 to locate the system board features mentioned in this chapter and elsewhere.
 |
WARNING: Before you perform the procedures in this chapter, you must turn off the
computer and disconnect it from its AC power source. For more information, refer to Safety
First--For You and Your Computer.
|
Figure 1. System Board Features
The
computer's six expansion-card slots can accommodate a mix of 32-bit PCI cards and 8- and
16-bit ISA cards. Figure 2 shows examples of the different types of
expansion cards.
The system
board contains six PCI expansion-card connectors and two ISA expansion-card connectors
(see Figure 3).
Figure 2. Expansion Cards
Two
expansion slots are shared by one PCI expansion-card connector and one ISA expansion-card
connector, so a maximum of six expansion cards can be installed. Connectors PCI1 through
PCI6 support 32-bit PCI cards (see Figure 3). Connectors ISA5 and
ISA6 support 8- and 16-bit ISA cards.
Choosing an Expansion Slot
Follow these
guidelines when adding an expansion card:
- PCI video expansion cards should be installed
in one of the four primary PCI slots (PCI1 through PCI4).
- You can install full-length expansion cards
in PCI slots PCI3 through PCI6 and ISA slots ISA5 and ISA6. PCI slots PCI1 and PCI2
support half-length expansion cards.
- If you are installing one or more SCSI host
adapter cards, the boot order is influenced by the particular expansion slot in which the
card is installed. In descending order of precedence, the system boot order is as follows:
CD-ROM, diskette, PCI1, PCI2, PCI3, PCI4, PCI5, PCI6, and built-in SCSI host adapter
(internal drives).
Figure 3. Expansion-Card Connectors
Follow this
general installation procedure:
1. If you
are installing an ISA expansion card, start the Resource Configuration Utility, and add
the new expansion card to the configuration information.
 |
CAUTION:
You must use the Resource Configuration Utility when you add an ISA expansion card to your
computer. Failure to do so may cause resource conflicts between PCI devices (such as PCI
expansion cards, the built-in video controller, or the built-in small computer system
interface [SCSI] host adapter). |
See Chapter 5,
"Using the Resource Configuration Utility," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300
Systems User's Guide for instructions.
NOTE: If you are installing a PCI
expansion card, your system automatically performs any required PCI configuration tasks
during the boot routine.
2. Prepare
the expansion card for installation, and remove the right-side computer cover.
See Removing the Computer
Covers.
See the
documentation that came with the expansion card for information on configuring the card,
making internal connections, or otherwise customizing the card for the system.
3. Select
the expansion slot that you will install the new expansion card in.
4. To
release the expansion slot filler bracket, press the release tab on the plastic expansion
card latch.
Open the
expansion card latch and remove the filler bracket.
5. Insert
the card-edge connector firmly into the expansion-card connector on the chassis.
6. When
the card is firmly seated in the connector and the card-mounting bracket is aligned with
the brackets on either side of it, close the expansion card latch.
7. Connect
any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the
documentation that came with the card for information about cable connections.
8. Replace
the right-side computer cover, and then reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC
power sources and turn them on.
9. Run the
Resource Configuration Utility and add the new expansion card to the configuration.
See Chapter 5,
"Using the Resource Configuration Utility," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300
Systems User's Guide for instructions.
NOTE: If you installed a PCI expansion
card, the system automatically performs any required PCI configuration tasks during the
boot routine.
Follow this
procedure to remove an expansion card:
1. If you
are relocating or removing an ISA expansion card permanently, run the Resource
Configuration Utility and delete the expansion card from the configuration.
See Chapter 5,
"Using the Resource Configuration Utility," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300
Systems User's Guide for instructions.
2. Remove
the right-side computer cover.
See Removing the Computer
Covers.
3.
Disconnect any cables connected to the card.
4. Press
the release tab on the plastic expansion-card latch, and open the latch.
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 metal filler bracket over the empty card-slot
opening.
|
NOTE: Installing a filler
bracket over an empty expansion slot is necessary to maintain Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of
the computer and aid in proper cooling and airflow inside the computer. |
7. Replace
the right-side computer cover, and then reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC
power sources and turn them on.
8. If you
are relocating or removing an ISA expansion card, run the Resource Configuration Utility,
and delete the expansion card from the configuration information.
See Chapter 5,
"Using the Resource Configuration Utility," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300
Systems User's Guide for instructions.
NOTE: If you removed a PCI expansion
card, the system automatically performs any required re-configuration tasks during the
boot routine.
The four dual
in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets on the system board can accommodate 64 megabytes (MB)
to 1 gigabyte (GB) of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) (when 256-MB DIMMs are
available). Dell PowerEdge 2300 systems use 72-bit DIMMs in these 168-pin sockets. The DIMM sockets are located near the back edge of the system
board (see Figure 1).
Memory Upgrade Kits
The system
is upgradable to 1 GB by installing combinations of 64- and 128-MB unbuffered DIMMs or
256-MB registered (when available) DIMMs. Memory upgrade kits can be purchased from Dell
as needed.
NOTE: The DIMMs must be rated to run at
100 megahertz (MHz) or faster.
DIMM Installation Guidelines
Starting
with the socket nearest to the system board's back edge, the DIMM sockets are labeled
"DIMM_A" through "DIMM_D" (see Figure 4). When
installing DIMMs, follow these guidelines:
- Install a DIMM in socket DIMM_A before socket
DIMM_B, socket DIMM_B before socket DIMM_C, and so on.
- If you install different sizes of DIMMs,
install them in order of descending capacity, beginning with the highest-capacity DIMM in
socket DIMM_A.
- Unbuffered and registered DIMMs cannot be
mixed. If you install 256-MB registered DIMMs, you must remove any 64- or 128-MB
unbuffered DIMMs from the computer.
- DIMMs need not be installed in pairs.
Figure 4. DIMM Sockets
Table 1 illustrates several sample memory configurations based on these
guidelines.
|
DIMM Sockets
|
Total Desired Memory
|
DIMM_A
|
DIMM_B
|
DIMM_C
|
DIMM_D
|
64 MB |
64 MB |
None |
None |
None |
128 MB |
64 MB |
64 MB |
None |
None |
128 MB |
128 MB |
None |
None |
None |
192 MB |
128 MB |
64 MB |
None |
None |
512 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
None |
None |
512 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
1 GB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
256 MB |
Use the
following procedure to perform a memory upgrade to the system board:
1. Remove
the right-side computer cover.
See Removing the Computer
Covers.
2. Locate
the DIMM sockets in which you will install or replace DIMMs.
Figure 1 shows the relative location of the DIMM sockets on the system
board. Figure 4 shows the labeling of the DIMMs sockets.
3. Install
or replace the DIMMs as necessary to reach the desired memory total.
Follow the
instructions in Installing DIMMs or Removing DIMMs as appropriate.
4. Replace
the right-side computer cover, and then reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC
power sources and turn them on.
After the system
completes the power-on self-test (POST) routine, it runs a memory test that displays the
new memory total, which includes all newly installed memory.
|
NOTE: If the memory total is
incorrect, turn off and disconnect the computer and peripherals from their AC power
sources, remove the right-side computer cover, and check all the installed DIMMs to make
sure they are seated properly in their sockets. Then repeat step 4. |
The system
detects that the new memory does not match the system configuration information, which is
stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). The monitor displays an error message
that ends with the following words:
Press <F1>
to continue; <F2> to enter System Setup, <CTRL><ALT><F10> to enter
Utility Mode.
5. Press
<F2> to enter the System Setup program, and check the System Memory settings in the
system data box on the System Setup screens.
The system
should have already changed the value in the System Memory setting to reflect the newly
installed memory. Verify the new total by adding the Base Memory and Extended Memory
values.
If the total is
incorrect, one or more of the DIMMs may not be installed properly. Repeat this procedure
again, checking to make sure the DIMMs are firmly seated in their sockets.
6. Run the
Resource Configuration Utility. Then save the configuration and exit the utility.
Running the
Resource Configuration Utility and saving the configuration is required for the system to
recognize the newly installed DIMM(s). See Chapter 5, "Using the Resource
Configuration Utility," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300 Systems User's Guide for
instructions on running the utility and saving the configuration.
7. Run the
RAM Test Group in the Dell Diagnostics.
See Running the Dell Diagnostics for
information.
Install DIMMs
starting with socket DIMM_A, located nearest to the system board's back edge, and working
towards DIMM_D. If a DIMM is already installed in the socket, you must remove it. Follow
the instructions in Removing DIMMs, if appropriate.
To install a
DIMM, follow these steps:
1. Press
the ejectors on the DIMM socket down and outward as shown in Figure 5
to allow the DIMM to be inserted in the socket.
2. Align
the DIMM's edge connector with the slot in the center of the DIMM socket, and insert the
DIMM in the socket.
The card-edge
connector on the DIMM is keyed using two notches so that the DIMM can be installed in the
socket in only one way (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Installing a DIMM
3. Press
down on the two outer edges of the DIMM with your thumbs while pulling up on the ejectors
with your index fingers to lock the DIMM into the socket.
When the DIMM
is properly seated in the socket, the ejectors on the DIMM socket should align with the
ejectors on the other sockets with DIMMs installed.
4.
Continue with step 4 of Performing a Memory Upgrade.
Removing DIMMs
To remove a
DIMM, press down and outward on the ejectors on each end of the socket until the DIMM pops
out of the socket (see Figure 6.)
Figure 6. Removing a DIMM
The
microprocessor is contained within a single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge and heat sink
assembly. The system board has two guide bracket assemblies, which hold the SEC cartridge
and heat sink assemblies. If your system has only one microprocessor, the secondary guide
bracket assembly connector must contain a terminator card. If you are adding a
microprocessor, the secondary microprocessor must have the same operating frequency as
the first. For example, if the system has a 350-MHz primary microprocessor, your secondary
microprocessor must also be a 350-MHz microprocessor.
|
CAUTION:
If you are upgrading a system by installing a secondary microprocessor, you must
order an upgrade kit from Dell. The upgrade kit from Dell contains the correct version of
the microprocessor for use as a secondary microprocessor. |
Removing a Terminator Card
Use the
following procedure, which is illustrated in See
Removing a Terminator Card , to remove a terminator card from a guide bracket
assembly:
1. Unsnap
the retaining clip from the guide bracket assembly and remove the clip.
Using the thumb
and forefinger of each hand, pinch the vertical tabs at each end of the retaining clip and
lift the clip straight up.
2. Slide
the terminator card up and out of the guide bracket assembly.
Figure 7. Removing a Terminator Card
Installing a Terminator Card
Use the
following procedure to install a terminator card in a guide bracket assembly:
1. Align
the notch on the terminator card with the socket on the guide bracket assembly (see Figure 7), and guide the card into the empty guide bracket assembly.
2. Snap
the retaining clip onto the guide bracket assembly on top of the terminator card.
Removing the SEC Cartridge and Heat Sink Assembly
Use the
following procedure to remove the SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly.
|
WARNINGS:
The SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly can get extremely hot during system operation. Be
sure the assembly has had sufficient time to cool before you touch it. When handling the SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly, take care to
avoid sharp edges on the heat sink. |
1. Press
the SEC cartridge release latches toward the cartridge until they snap into position, as
shown in See SEC Cartridge Release Latches .
Figure 8. SEC Cartridge Release Latches
2. Remove
the two retention pins from the SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly (see See Removing an SEC Cartridge and Heat Sink ).
3. Grasp
the SEC cartridge firmly, and pull straight up on the cartridge to remove it from the
guide bracket assembly.
Moderate force
may be required to disengage the SEC cartridge from the guide bracket assembly connector.
4. Pull
out the cartridge release latches until they snap into place.
Figure 9. Removing an SEC Cartridge and Heat Sink
Replacing the SEC Cartridge and Heat Sink Assembly
Use the
following procedure to install the replacement SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly:
1. Remove
the terminator card or old SEC cartridge from the guide bracket assembly.
Follow the
instructions in See Removing a Terminator Card
or See Removing the SEC Cartridge and Heat Sink
Assembly found earlier in this chapter, as appropriate.
2. With
the heat sink facing toward the other microprocessor socket, slide the SEC cartridge into
the guide bracket assembly, and firmly seat the assembly (see Figure 10).
3.
Reinstall the two retention pins to secure the SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly.
4. Verify
that the cartridge release latches on the guide bracket assembly are pulled out.
Figure 10. Installing an SEC Cartridge and Heat
Sink Assembly
The system
battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of
memory when the system is turned off.
The operating
life of the battery ranges from two to five years, depending on how the system is used
(for example, if the system is on most of the time, the battery gets little use and thus
lasts longer). The battery may need replacing if an incorrect time or date is displayed
during the boot routine along with a message such as the following:
Time-of-day not set -- please run
SETUP program
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to
run the setup utility
or
System CMOS checksum bad -- Run SETUP
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to
run the setup utility
or
Invalid configuration information --
please run SETUP program
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to
run the setup utility
To determine
if the battery needs replacing, reenter the time and date through the System Setup
program. Turn off the system for a few hours, and then turn it on again. Enter the System
Setup program. If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace
the battery.
|
NOTES: Some software may
cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the system seems to operate normally
except for the time kept in the System Setup program, the problem may be caused by
software rather than by a defective battery. If
the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the NVRAM may
lose its system configuration information. This situation is not caused by a defective
battery. |
The system
can be operated without a battery; however, the system configuration information
maintained by the battery in NVRAM is erased each time the computer is turned off.
Therefore, the system configuration information must be reentered and the options reset
each time the system boots until the battery is replaced.
The battery
is a 3.0-volt (V), coin-cell CR2032-type battery. To remove the battery, follow these
steps.
|
WARNING: There is a danger of a new battery
exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
|
1. If
possible, enter the System Setup program and make a printed copy of the System Setup
screens.
See Chapter 4,
"Using the System Setup Program," in the Dell PowerEdge 2300 Systems User's
Guide for instructions.
2. Remove
the right-side computer cover.
See Removing the Computer Covers.
3. Remove
the battery.
Pry the battery
out of its socket with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive object such as a
plastic screwdriver.
4. Install
the new battery with the "+" side facing up (see See Installing the Battery ).
5. Replace
the right-side computer cover, reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC power
sources, and turn on the system.
6. Enter
the System Setup program to confirm that the battery is operating properly.
Enter the
correct time and date through the System Setup program's Time and Date settings. Also
reenter any system configuration information that is no longer displayed on the System
Setup screens, and then exit the System Setup program.
Figure 11. Installing the Battery
7. Turn the
computer and peripherals off, and leave them off for at least an hour.
8. After an
hour, turn on the system and enter the System Setup program. If the time and date are
still incorrect, see Getting Help
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Back to Content Page
