Back to Contents Page

PCI and PCI Express Cards and Serial Port Adapters

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX280 Systems User's Guide

  PCI Cards

  PCI Express Cards

  Serial Port Adapters

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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.

Depending on your purchase, your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards or a serial port adapter:

• two PCI card slots and one PCI Express x16 card slot, or
  
  
• one PCI card slot, one PCI Express x1 card slot, and one PCI Express x16 card slot
  
  

NOTE: Your Dell computer uses only PCI and PCI Express slots. ISA cards are not supported.

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 card, skip to "Removing a PCI Card."

If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.

Installing a PCI Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the card cage:
   
   
   1. Check any cables connected to cards through the back-panel openings. Disconnect any cables that will not reach the card cage once they are removed from the computer.
      
      
   2. Gently pull on the handle and lift the card cage up and away from the computer.

3. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot opening.
   
   

If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.

4. 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.

5. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
6. Insert the card into the card connector.
   
   

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 riser board.

7. Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
   
   
8. Replace the card cage:
   
   
   1. Align the tabs in the side of the card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide the card cage down into place.
      
      
   2. Ensure that the riser board is fully seated in the connector on the system board.

9. Reconnect any cables that you removed in step 2.
   
   
10. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
    
    

See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.

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.

11. Close the computer cover.
    
    
12. 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.

13. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

14. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

15. If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel.
       
       
16. If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. 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.
       
       
17. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
    
    

Removing a PCI Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the card cage (see step 2 of the previous procedure).
   
   
3. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
4. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
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 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.

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

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

8. Replace the card cage (see step 8 of the previous procedure).
   
   
9. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

10. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

11. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
    
    
12. If you removed a sound card:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to On.
       
       
    2. Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
       
       
13. If you removed an add-in network connector:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On.
       
       
    2. Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the computer back panel.
       
       

PCI Express Cards

Depending on your purchase, your computer supports one PCI Express x16 card and may support one PCI Express x1 card.

If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express x16 card, see "Installing a PCI Express x16 Card," or if you are removing the card, see "Removing a PCI Express x16 Card."

If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express x1 card, see "Installing a PCI Express x1 Card," or if you are removing the card, see "" Removing a PCI Express x1 Card."

If you are replacing either type of PCI Express card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.

Installing a PCI Express x16 Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. If you replacing a PCI Express x16 card, remove the installed card:
   
   
   1. Press the indented tab on the hinged lever with your thumb until you release the tab. Continue holding the lever and pull the lever up.

2. Press on the card lever away from the card connector.
   
   
3. Pull the card up and out of the card clip.

3. 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.

4. Position the card so the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab, and press the card lever away from the card connector.
   
   
5. Place the card in 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.

6. Release the card lever, ensuring that the tab fits into the notch on the front end of the card.
   
   
7. Secure the card by lowering the hinged lever on the back panel.
   
   
8. Close the computer cover.
   
   
9. 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.

10. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

11. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

12. If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel.
       
       
13. If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. 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.
       
       
14. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
    
    

Removing a PCI Express x16 Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
3. Remove the card as instructed in step 2 in the preceding section.
   
   
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.
   
   

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

6. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

7. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
   
   

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

8. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
   
   
9. If you removed a sound card:
   
   
   1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to On.
      
      
   2. Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
      
      
10. If you removed an add-in network connector:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On.
       
       
    2. Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the computer back panel.
       
       

Installing a PCI Express x1 Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the card cage:
   
   
   1. Check any cables connected to cards through the back-panel openings. Disconnect any cables that will not reach the card cage once they are removed from the computer.
      
      
   2. Gently pull on the handle and lift the card cage up and away from the computer.

3. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create an empty card-slot opening.
   
   

If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove the card. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.

4. 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.

5. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
6. Insert the card into the card connector.
   
   

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 riser board.

7. Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card into the card connector.
   
   
8. Replace the card cage:
   
   
   1. Align the tabs in the side of the card cage with the slots on the side of the computer, and slide the card cage down into place.
      
      
   2. Ensure that the riser board is fully seated in the connector on the system board.

9. Reconnect any cables that you removed in step 2.
   
   
10. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
    
    

See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.

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.

11. Close the computer cover.
    
    
12. 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.

13. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

14. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

15. If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel.
       
       
16. If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to turn off the integrated network adapter:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller and change the setting to Off.
       
       
    2. 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.
       
       
17. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
    
    

Removing a PCI Express x1 Card

1. Remove the card cage (see step 2 of the previous procedure).
   
   
2. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
3. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
4. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
   
   
5. 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.

6. Lower the retention arm and press it into place.
   
   
7. Replace the card cage as described in step 8 the preceding section.
   
   

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

8. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
   
   
9. If you removed a sound card:
   
   
   1. Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to On.
      
      
   2. Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
      
      
10. If you removed an add-in network connector:
    
    
    1. Enter system setup, select Network Controller, and change the setting to On.
       
       
    2. Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the computer back panel.
       
       

Serial Port Adapters

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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.

NOTE: The serial port adapter for your small-desktop computer also includes two PS/2 connectors.

Installing a Serial Port Adapter

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the card cage (see "Installing a PCI Card").
   
   
3. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm.

4. Remove the filler bracket.
   
   
5. Slide the adapter card bracket down over the card slot opening, and lower the retention arm, securing the bracket.
   
   
6. Remove the processor heat sink as explained in "Processor."
   
   
7. Route the serial adapter cable over the card cage, and attach the cable to the connector on the system board (labeled SER_PS2).
   
   
8. Reinstall the processor heat sink as explained in "Processor."

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

9. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

10. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Removing a Serial Port Adapter

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the processor heat sink as explained in "Processor."
   
   
3. Disconnect the serial adapter cable from the connector on the system board.
   
   
4. Reinstall the processor heat sink as explained in "Processor."
   
   
5. Remove the card cage (see "Installing a PCI Card").
   
   
6. Press the lever on the retention arm and raise the retention arm (see step 3 in the previous procedure).
   
   
7. Lift and remove the adapter card bracket.
   
   
8. If you are removing the adapter 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.

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

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

10. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

11. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Back to Contents Page