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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 located 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.

Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards or a serial port adapter:

• three PCI card slots
  
  
• one PCI Express x16 card slot
  
  
• one PCI Express x1 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, see "Removing a PCI Card."

1. If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
   
   
2. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   

Installing a PCI Card

1. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.

2. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 4.
   
   
3. 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. 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. 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.
     
     
7. Press the retention arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
   

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.
   
   

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

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.

11. If you installed a sound card:
    
    
    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.
       
       
12. 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.
       
       
13. 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. Press the lever on the card 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.
   
   

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
   
   
10. 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.
       
       
11. 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

Your computer supports one PCI Express x16 card and one PCI Express x1 card.

If you are installing or replacing a PCI Express card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a PCI Express 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 card, see "Installing a PCI Card."

Installing a PCI Express Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   

1	securing slot (not all cards)	7	filler bracket
2	edge connector	8	retention arm
3	card connector	9	lever
4	x1 card	10	x16 card
5	edge connector	11	securing tab
6	x1 card connector

3. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a 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.
   
   

If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. If your card includes a card retention bar, remove the bar. Gently pull the securing tab, 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.

6. If you are installing the card into the x1 card connector, proceed to the next step. If you are installing the card into the x16 card connector, position the card so the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab, and gently pull the securing tab.
   
   
7. 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.

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

8. 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.
     
     
9. Press the retention arm into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
   
   

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

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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. If you installed a sound card:
    
    
    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.
       
       
14. 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.
       
       
15. Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
    
    

Removing a PCI Express Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Press the lever on the card retention arm and raise the retention arm.
   
   
3. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card.
   
   
4. Gently pull back the securing tab, 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.
   
   

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

Serial Port Adapters

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located 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 mini-tower computer also includes two PS/2 connectors.

Installing a Serial Port Adapter

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Raise the retention arm.
   
   
3. Remove the filler bracket.
   
   
4. Slide the adapter bracket down over the card-slot opening, and lower the retention arm, ensuring that:
   
   
   • The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
     
     
   • The notch in the top of the adapter or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
     
     
5. Press the retention arm into place, securing the adapter in the computer.
   
   

1	serial port system board connector (SER_PS2)
2	serial adapter cable
3	adapter bracket
4	retention arm

6. Attach the serial adapter cable to the connector labeled "SER_PS2" on the system board.
   
   
7. Continue with step 7 in the next procedure.
   
   

Removing a Serial Port Adapter

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Disconnect the serial adapter cable from the connector on the system board.
   
   
3. Raise the retention arm.
   
   
4. Lift and remove the adapter bracket.
   
   
5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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