Dell OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p mini tower Managed PC systems are high-speed, expandable personal computers designed around the Intel® Pentium® II and Pentium III microprocessors. Each computer system uses a high-performance Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) design that allows you to configure the computer system to your initial requirements and then add Dell-supported upgrades as necessary. These systems also support the Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) bus for older expansion devices.
This section describes the major hardware and software features of your system, provides information about accessing the online documentation, and tells you where to find help if you need it.
Your system offers the following features:
The Intel Pentium II and Pentium III microprocessors include MMX™ technology designed to handle complex multimedia and communications software. This microprocessors incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.
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NOTE: This keyboard command is not available under the Microsoft® Windows NT® and IBM® OS/2® operating systems. |
The system board includes the following integrated features:
Table 1. Video Memory Requirements
| Video Resolution | Maximum Color Depth | Maximum Refresh Rate | Minimum SGRAM Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 640 × 480 | True-color (32 bpp) | 85 Hz | 4 MB |
| 800 × 600 | True-color (32 bpp) | 85 Hz | 4 MB |
| 1024 × 768 | True-color (32 bpp) | 85 Hz | 4 MB |
| 1280 × 1024 | True-color (32 bpp) | 75 Hz | 8 MB |
| 1600 × 1200 | 65,536 colors (16 bpp) | 75 Hz | 8 MB |
2X AGP provides a dedicated bus from the video subsystem to the system chip set. AGP-based video subsystems have two significant performance advantages over PCI-based video subsystems:
- The AGP bus reduces bandwidth requirements of the PCI bus, improving overall system performance.
- The AGP bus allows a 3D video subsystem to execute directly from main memory.
The following software is included with your Dell computer system:
Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 or GX1p Managed PC system incorporates many hardware and software features to improve the manageability of the system. Installed features include the following:
The Dell OpenManage program is the Dell software-management application interface for DMI. It allows you to manage system-level information, such as system configuration information and Management Information Format (MIF) database values (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Dell OpenManage Program
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On systems running Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0, the Dell OpenManage program is available in client and administrator versions. The Dell OpenManage administrator version enables system administrators to view, manage, and inventory remote systems in a Dell DMI client network and incorporates the following manageability features, which are based on the DMI 2.0 specification.
Fault management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:
Configuration management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:
Asset management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:
Security management features of Dell OpenManage include the following:
For more information about Dell OpenManage, refer to the online Dell OpenManage Help that accompanied the software.
The PXE allows a personal computer to be managed by one or more configuration management servers running the LANDesk Configuration Manager (LCM) software, which provides management services for the many Managed PC systems on the network. The LCM allows network administrators to do the following:
For additional information about the Intel LCM, refer to the documentation that accompanied the software.
The Wakeup On LAN feature allows you to remotely turn on a Managed PC system that is in a sleep state. The ability to turn on the Managed PC systems remotely allows you to perform remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when users are not using the systems and network traffic is at a minimum.
To use the Wakeup On LAN feature, each Managed PC system must contain a NIC that supports Wakeup On LAN. You must also enable the Wakeup On LAN option in the System Setup program.
Auto Power On enables you to turn on the computer system automatically on certain days of the week at a preset time. You can set Auto Power On to turn on the system either every day or every Monday through Friday.
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NOTE: This feature does not work if the system is shut off using a power strip or surge protector. |
Your system includes temperature probes to sense when the processor becomes overheated. In such a case, a message appears on the screen when Dell OpenManage is running or at the next system start-up notifying you of the problem.
Your Dell OptiPlex GX1 or GX1p system has the following integrated security features.
A built-in chassis intrusion alarm displays the status of the system chassis intrusion monitor. If the computer cover is removed, the setting changes to Detected and the following message appears during the boot sequence at the next system start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
The field can be cleared using the System Setup program to enable future intrusions to be detected. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."
On the back of the computer are a security cable slot and padlock ring (see Figure 2) for attaching commercially available antitheft devices. Security cables for personal computers usually include a segment of galvanized cable with an attached locking device and key. To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into the security cable slot on the back of your computer, and lock the device with the key provided. Complete instructions for installing this kind of antitheft device are usually included with the device.
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NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure it will work with the cable slot on your computer. |
The padlock ring allows you to secure the computer cover to the chassis to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock ring, insert a commercially available padlock through the ring and then lock the padlock.
Figure 2. Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring
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The password feature enables you to set a user-defined password to restrict access to the system. Additional protection is available through the System Setup program. When the Setup Password option is set to Enabled, Password Status allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled at boot time. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."
Figure 3 shows the connectors on the back of your computer for attaching external devices.
Figure 3. I/O Ports, Connectors, and Indicators
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When you connect external devices to your computer's back panel, follow these guidelines:
For example, you must connect most devices to a particular input/output (I/O) port or connector to operate properly. Also, external devices like a mouse or printer usually require you to load device drivers into system memory before they will work.
NOTICE: When you disconnect external devices from the back of the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect any devices to avoid possible damage to the system board.
The integrated parallel port uses a 25-pin D-subminiature connector on the computer's back panel.
This I/O port sends data in parallel format (where 8 data bits, or 1 byte, are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines in a single cable). The parallel port is used primarily for printers.
The default designation of your computer's integrated parallel port is LPT1. Port designations are used, for example, in software installation procedures to identify the port to which your printer is attached, thus telling your software where to send its output. (An incorrect designation prevents the printer from printing or causes scrambled print.)
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NOTE: The integrated parallel port is automatically disabled if the system detects an installed expansion card containing a parallel port configured to the same address as specified in the Parallel Port option in the System Setup Program. |
Your system uses a PS/2-compatible mouse. The mouse cable attaches to a 6-pin miniature Deutsche Inductive Norm (DIN) connector on the back panel of your computer. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals before connecting a mouse to the computer.
A PS/2-compatible mouse works as does an industry-standard serial mouse or bus mouse except that it has its own dedicated connector, which frees up the serial ports and does not require an expansion card. Mouse driver software gives the mouse priority with the microprocessor by issuing interrupt request (IRQ) 12 whenever a new mouse movement is made. The drivers also pass along the mouse data to the application that is in control.
Your system contains two USB connectors for attaching USB-compliant devices. USB-compliant devices are typically peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, and computer speakers.
If you reconfigure your hardware, you may need pin number and signal information for the USB connectors.
Your system has an integrated 10/100-Mbps 3Com PCI 3C905B-TX Ethernet NIC. The NIC provides all the functions of a separate network expansion card and supports both the 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet standards.
The NIC includes a Wakeup On LAN feature that enables the computer to be started by a special local area network (LAN) signal from a server management console. Wakeup On LAN provides remote computer setup, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when LAN traffic is typically at a minimum.
The NIC connector on the computer's back panel has the following indicators:
You can use the microphone jack to attach a standard personal computer microphone. Connect the audio cable from the microphone to the microphone jack. The microphone input is a monaural source with maximum signal levels of 89 millivolts root-mean-squared (mVrms).
You can use the line-out jack to attach most computer speakers. The line-out jack is amplified, so speakers with integrated amplifiers are not required. Connect the audio cable from the speakers to this jack.
You can use the line-in jack to attach record/playback devices such as cassette players, CD players, and VCRs. Connect the line-out cable from any of these devices to the line-in jack on the back of your computer.
The system uses a 15-pin high-density D-subminiature connector on the back panel for attaching a VGA-compatible monitor to your system.
The serial ports use 9-pin D-subminiature connectors on the back panel. These ports support devices such as external modems or plotters that require serial transmission (sending one bit of data at a time over one line).
The default designations for these integrated serial ports are COM1 for serial port 1 and COM2 for serial port 2. Port designations are used in software installation procedures to identify the port used by a device—for example, specifying the port used by a modem when installing communications software.
The system contains a reconfiguration feature to reassign the serial port's designation if you add an expansion card containing a serial port using this designation.
If you set the system’s integrated serial ports to Auto in the System Setup program and add an expansion card containing a serial port configured to a specific designation, the computer automatically maps (assigns) the integrated ports to the appropriate COM setting as necessary.
Before you add a card with a serial port, check the documentation that accompanied your software to make sure that the software can be mapped to the new COM port designation.
Your system uses a PS/2-style keyboard. The keyboard cable attaches to a 6-pin miniature DIN connector on the back panel of your computer.
Your computer's NIC connector (an RJ45 connector located on the back panel) is designed for attaching an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable. Press one end of the UTP cable into the NIC connector until the cable snaps securely into place.
Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port on a UTP concentrator or hub, depending on your network configuration.
The power button controls the system's AC input power.
The Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition (SE) operating systems let you configure the function of the power button through the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) feature (see Table 2).
NOTICE: When you turn off your computer system, perform an orderly system shutdown using the operating system menu when possible.
Table 2. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE Operating Systems With ACPI
Action |
Results |
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System
Turned On |
System in Standby Mode |
System Turned Off |
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Press power button |
System goes into standby mode or turns off (depending on the operating system setup) |
System turns on |
Boots and system turns on |
Hold power
button |
System turns off immediately |
System turns off immediately |
Boots and system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.
Microsoft Windows 95 does not support ACPI. Table 3 shows power button functions for Windows 95 operating systems and for Windows 98 operating systems that have the ACPI feature disabled.
Table 3. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98 (With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)
Action |
Results |
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System Turned On |
System in Suspend Mode |
System Turned Off |
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Press power button |
System turns off |
System turns off |
Boots and system turns on |
Hold power button for 6 seconds* |
System turns off immediately |
System turns off immediately |
Boots and system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.
Table 4 shows power button functions for Microsoft Windows NT operating systems.
Table 4. Power Button Behavior Under Microsoft Windows NT (With Dell AutoShutdown Loaded)
Action |
Results |
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System Turned On |
System Turned Off |
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Press power button |
System shuts down |
Boots and system turns on |
Hold power button for 6 seconds* |
System turns off immediately |
Boots and system turns on |
* Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the system may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the system only if the operating system is not responding.
If the system does not turn off when you press the power button, the system may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the system turns off completely (this process may take several seconds). Alternatively, press the reset button to reset the system and reboot. If the system is hung and both buttons fail to function properly, unplug the AC power cable from the computer, wait for it to completely stop running, plug in the AC power cable, and if it the system does not restart, press the power button to restart the system.
Certain configurations of Dell computer systems comply with the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for energy-efficient computers. If the front panel of your computer bears the ENERGY STAR® Emblem (see Figure 4), your original configuration complied with these requirements and all ENERGY STAR power management features of the computer are enabled. To disable or change the operation of these features, you must change the setting for the Power Management option in the System Setup program. For instructions, see "Using the System Setup Program."
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NOTES: As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. |
| Any Dell computer bearing the ENERGY STAR® Emblem is certified to comply with EPA Energy Star requirements as configured when shipped by Dell. Any changes you make to this configuration (such as installing additional expansion cards or drives) may increase the system's power consumption beyond the limits set by the EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program. |
Figure 4. ENERGY STAR® Emblem
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The EPA's ENERGY STAR® Computers program is a joint effort between the EPA and computer manufacturers to reduce air pollution by promoting energy-efficient computer products. The EPA estimates that use of ENERGY STAR® computer products can save computer users up to two billion dollars annually in electricity costs. In turn, this reduction in electricity usage can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the gas primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are the two primary causes of acid rain.
Computer users can also help to reduce electricity usage and its side effects by turning off their computer systems when they are not in use for extended periods of time — particularly at night and on weekends.
The online System User's Guide installed on your hard-disk drive contains information on the following topics:
The guide also contains a glossary of commonly used terms and abbreviations.
The System User's Guide is located in the Dell Accessories folder.
To print any of the topics from this guide, display the topic you want on your screen and select Print Topic from the File menu.
Dell provides a number of tools to help you if you don't understand a procedure described in this guide or if your system does not perform as expected. For information on these help tools, see the chapter titled "Getting Help" in your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide or the "Contacting Dell" section in the online System User's Guide.
