Back to Contents Page

Cards and Adapters

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX260 Service Manual

  Small Form-Factor Computer

  Small Desktop Computer

  Small Mini-Tower Computer

Your computer provides slots for the following cards:

• In the small form-factor computer, one low-profile, 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI card or serial port adapter; one DVI adapter card or one 32-bit, low-profile AGP 4x card operating at 1.5 V.
  
  
• In the small desktop computer, two 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI cards or one PCI card and one serial port adapter; one DVI adapter card or one 32-bit, low-profile AGP 4x card operating at 1.5 V.
  
  
• In the small mini-tower computer, four 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI cards or three PCI cards and one serial port adapter; one DVI adapter card or one 32-bit, AGP 4x card operating at 1.5 V.
  
  

NOTE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer or removing a component from the system board, verify that the auxiliary power light on the system board is off. For the location of this light, see "System Board."

Small Form-Factor Computer

  PCI Cards

  Serial Port Adapters

  AGP and DVI Adapter Cards

PCI Cards

Installing a PCI Card

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

1. If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
   
   
2. Raise the retention arm.
   
   

Raising the Retention Arm

1	edge connector
2	card
3	retention arm
4	card connector
5	filler bracket

3. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot opening, then continue with step 5.
   
   
4. If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card (see "Removing a PCI Card").
   
   

If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.

5. Prepare the card for installation.
   
   

See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.

CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards. Verify that the standby power light on the system board is off. To locate this light, see "System Board."

6. Place the card on the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
   
   

If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the system board.

Card Connection

1	bracket caught outside of slot
2	bracket within slot
3	fully seated card
4	not fully seated card

7. Before you lower the retention arm, ensure that:
   
   
   • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
     
     
   • The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
     
     

Press the arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.

Closing the Retention Arm

1	alignment guide
2	alignment bar
3	retention arm
4	filler bracket

NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.

8. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
   
   
9. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
   
   

Removing a PCI Card

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

1. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
2. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
3. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
   
   
4. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
   
   

If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell.

NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.

5. Lower the retention arm and press it into place.
   
   
6. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
   
   

Serial Port Adapters

Installing a Serial Port Adapter

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

1. Lift the tab on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm (see "Raising the Retention Arm").
   
   
2. Remove the filler bracket.
   
   
3. Slide the card bracket down over the card-slot opening, and ensure that the top of the card bracket is flush with the alignment bar and the notch in the top of the card bracket fits around the alignment guide (see "Closing the Retention Arm").
   
   
4. Attach the serial card cable to the connector on the system board (labeled SER2).
   
   

Installing a Serial Port Adapter

1	SER2 system board connector
2	card bracket
3	serial card cable
4	card-slot opening

5. Lower the retention arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer (see "Closing the Retention Arm").
   
   

Removing a Serial Port Adapter

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

1. Raise the retention arm.
   
   
2. Disconnect the cable from the system board connector.
   
   
3. Lift and remove the card bracket.
   
   
4. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card-slot opening.
   
   

If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell.

NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.

5. Lower the retention arm and press it into place.
   
   

AGP and DVI Adapter Cards

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "Precautionary Measures."

Removing an AGP or DVI Adapter Card

1. Remove the filler bracket by raising the hinged lever and sliding the filler bracket up.
   
   

Filler Bracket Removal

1	hinged lever
2	filler bracket

2. On the card clip, press the card-clip lever toward the card slot.
   
   
3. Pull the card up and out of the card clip.
   
   

Removing the Card

1	card notch
2	card-clip lever
3	card-clip tab
4	card clip
5	card slot

Installing an AGP or DVI Adapter Card

1. To add or replace the card, press the card-clip lever toward the card slot and gently press the card into the slot connector until it clicks into place.
   
   
2. Release the card-clip lever, ensuring that the tab on the card-clip lever fits into the notch on the front end of the card.
   
   
3. Secure the card by lowering the hinged lever on the back panel.
   
   
4. Close the computer cover.
   
   
5. Attach the computer stand (optional).
   
   

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack, and then plug it into the computer.

6. Connect the monitor cable to the card's video connector.
   
   
7. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

Back to Contents Page