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Dell Dimension 2350 Series
Each time you turn on or restart your computer, the computer compares the hardware installed in the computer to the hardware listed in the configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board. If the computer detects a discrepancy between the two, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The computer then prompts you to enter the system setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the system setup program to perform the following tasks:
- To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
- To set or change user-selectable options, such as the user password
Dell recommends that you write down the system setup program screen information for future reference.
The system setup screens are organized as follows:
- The top of the screen has a menu bar for accessing the main program screens.
- The box on the left side of each screen lists options that define the hardware installed in the computer. Fields beside the options contain settings or values. You can change the settings or values that are enclosed in brackets. Values that are grayed out contain status information reported by the computer.
- The box on the right side of each screen displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field.
- The lower area of the screen lists keys and their functions for the currently displayed screen.
The menu bar provides access to the following screens:
- Main screen Provides settings for the basic computer configuration
- Advanced screen Provides detailed settings for some computer features
- Security screen Provides indications and settings for system password and setup password
- Power screen Provides settings for system power management features
- Boot screen Provides information about which device boots the computer
- Exit screen Provides selections for saving and loading the configurations and options
In addition to these screens, options identified by a right arrow provide access to submenus.
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NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, don't change the settings in
the system setup program. Certain changes might make your computer work
incorrectly.
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- Turn on (or restart) your computer.
- When the blue DELL logo appears, press <F2>.
If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the computer complete the load operation. Then shut down the computer and try again.
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Option
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Function
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Date | Resets the time on the computer's internal calendar. |
Time | Resets the time on the computer's internal clock. |
BIOS Version | Displays the version of the BIOS being used. |
Processor Type | Displays the type of microprocessor installed. |
Processor Speed | Displays the internal speed of the microprocessor. |
System Bus Speed | Displays the external speed of the microprocessor. |
Cache RAM | Displays the microprocessor's cache RAM size. |
Service Tag | Displays the computer's service tag number. |
Total Memory | Displays the total computer memory. |
Memory Bank 0 | Displays the memory size installed in memory bank 0. |
Memory Bank 1 | Displays the memory size installed in memory bank 1. |
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Option
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Function
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Reset Configuration Data | Options are Disabled (default) and Enabled. Select Enabled to reset ESCD when you exit the system setup program if you have installed a new device and the system reconfiguration has caused such a serious conflict that the operating system cannot start. |
NumLock | Selects power-on state for Numlock. Options are On (default) and Off. |
Peripheral Configuration | Displays the Peripheral Configuration submenu. |
IDE Configuration | Displays the IDE Configuration submenu. |
Diskette Configuration | Displays the Diskette Configuration submenu. |
Event Log Configuration | Displays the Event Log Configuration submenu. |
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Option
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Function
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USB Controller | Sets the USB controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
Legacy USB Support | Set to Disabled if legacy USB support is not desired. Enabled (default) allows support for legacy USB. |
Integrated Audio | Sets the integrated audio controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
Integrated Network Adapter | Sets the integrated network controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
Serial Port | Sets the integrated serial port setting to Auto, (default) 2E8/IRQ3, 3E8/IRQ4, 2F8/IRQ3, 3F8/IRQ4, or Disabled. |
Parallel Port | Sets the integrated parallel port setting to Auto, (default) 3BC/IRQ7, 278/IRQ5, 378/IRQ7, or Disabled. |
Parallel Port Mode | Sets the integrated parallel port mode to Bi-directional (default), Output Only, ECP, or EPP. |
ECP Mode Use DMA | If the Parallel Port Mode option is set to ECP, this setting selects the ECP DMA mode. The options are 3 (default) and 1. |
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Option
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Function
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Primary IDE Controller | Configures the integrated primary IDE controller as either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
Secondary IDE Controller | Configures the integrated secondary IDE controller as either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
IDE Drive UDMA | Set IDE Drive UDMA mode as either Enabled (default) or Disabled. |
IDE Primary Master | Identifies the first drive attached to the primary IDE interface, usually the boot hard drive. See "IDE Primary Master Submenu." |
IDE Primary Slave | Identifies the second drive attached to the primary IDE interface, usually a second hard drive. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu." |
IDE Secondary Master | Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary IDE interface, if there is one. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu." |
IDE Secondary Slave | Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary IDE interface, if there is one. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu." |
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Option
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Function
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IDE HDD Auto-Detection | Press <Enter> to start auto-detection for the primary IDE hard drive. |
IDE Primary Master | Specifies the type of hard drive. Settings for this option are Auto (default), None, and Manual. |
Capacity | Displays the maximum capacity of the primary IDE device. |
Cylinder, Head, Precoup, Landing Zone, Sector | Displays each setting of the primary IDE device. |
Access Mode | Sets the access mode of the primary IDE device. The options are Auto (default), CHS, LBA, and Large. |
PIO Mode | Sets the PIO mode of the primary IDE device. The options are Auto (default), Mode 0, Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, and Mode 4. |
UDMA Mode | Sets the ultra DMA setting of the primary IDE device as either Auto (default) or Disabled. |
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Option
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Function
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Diskette Controller | Configures the floppy drive interface. Options are Enabled (default) and Disabled. |
Drive A: | Selects the floppy drive type as 1.44M, 3.5 in (default); None; 360K, 5.25 in; 1.2M, 5.25 in; 720K, 3.5 in; or 2.88M, 3.5 in. |
Floppy 3 Mode Support | Selects Floppy 3 mode support for the floppy drive. Options are Disabled (default) and Drive A. |
Diskette Write Protect | Protects a floppy disk from being written to when set to Enabled. When this option is set to Disabled (default), the floppy disk is not protected unless the write-protect tab is in place. |
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Option
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Function
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Event Logging | The event log function is activated when set to Enabled (default). Disabled deactivates the event log function. |
Clear Event Log | Clears the event log when the computer restarts if set to Yes. Retains the event log information if set to No (default). |
View Event Log | Press <Enter> to view the event log. |
Mark Events As Read | Press <Enter>, and then select Yes or No to mark DMI events as either read or unread. |
Event Log Capacity | Displays the space available for the event log. |
Event Log Validity | Displays the validity of the event log. |
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Option
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Function
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Supervisor Password Is | Indicates whether a supervisor password has been assigned. |
User Password Is | Indicates whether a user password has been assigned. |
Set Supervisor Password | Press <Enter> to set and confirm a supervisor password. Pressing <Enter> twice resets a supervisor password. |
Set User Password | Press <Enter> to set and confirm a user password. Pressing <Enter> twice resets a user password. |
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Option
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Function
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ACPI Suspend Type | Determines the ACPI suspend type. Options are S3 (default) and S1. |
Wake-Up by PCI Device | Allows a PCI device to wake up the computer. The options are Enabled (default) and Disabled. |
A/C Power Recovery | Determines what state the computer enters when AC power is restored after a power loss. Settings are as follows:
- Last State
Computer returns to the state it was in when power was lost. - Off (default)
Computer stays off when power is restored; you must press the power button to turn on the computer. - On
Computer turns on when power is restored.
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Resume by Alarm | Sets Resume by Alarm mode. Options are Enabled and Disabled (default). When Enabled, alarm date and time can be set. |
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Option
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Function
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Quiet Boot | Enabled (default) displays the DELL logo during POST. Disabled displays the normal POST messages. |
Quick Boot | When set to Enabled, this option shortens POST by eliminating some tests. If set to Disabled (default), all POST tests occur. |
1st Boot Device through 4th Boot Device | Sets the boot device sequence. Only the bootable devices that are connected to the computer are listed as options. |
Hard Disk Boot Priority | Sets the hard drive boot priority. Options are Pri.M (device name) (default) and Bootable Add-in Cards. |
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Option
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Function
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Exit Saving Changes | Saves any changes you have made, exits the system setup program, and restarts the computer. |
Exit Discarding Changes | Discards any changes you have made, exits the system setup program, and restarts the computer. |
Load Setup Defaults | Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their defaults, but does not exit the system setup program. |
Load Custom Defaults | Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their defaults, but does not exit the system setup program. |
Save Custom Defaults | Saves any changes you have made, but does not exit the system setup program. |
Discard Changes | Discards any changes you have made and reverts all options to their last saved settings, but does not exit the system setup program. |
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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. |
If you forget your supervisor or setup password, you cannot operate your computer or change settings in the system setup program until you clear the forgotten password(s).
- Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
- Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your
computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when
you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
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NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
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- Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
- Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their
electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the
system board.
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CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. |
- Remove the computer cover.
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NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by
touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the
computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to
dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
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- Locate the 2-pin password jumper on the system board, and then
attach the jumper to both pins.
The jumper is attached to only one pin for shipping.
- Replace the computer cover.
- Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn
them on.
- If you are prompted to press <F1> to continue, press <F1>.
- After the Microsoft® Windows® desktop appears on your screen, shut
down the computer.
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NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
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- Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their
electrical outlets.
- Disconnect the power cable from your computer, and then press the
power button to ground the system board.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the password jumper.
Attach the jumper to only one pin so that you do not lose it.
- Replace the computer cover.
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NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
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- Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn
them on.
- If you are prompted to press <F1> to continue, press <F1>.
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CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual. |
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NOTICE: The following procedure resets all standard settings for your
computer. Before proceeding, record all current settings so that you can
restore them when you finish this procedure.
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To clear the computer's CMOS:
- Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
- Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your
computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when
you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
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NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
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- Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
- Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their
electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the
system board.
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CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. |
- Remove the computer cover.
 |
NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by
touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the
computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to
dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
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- Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper on the system board. The jumper is
on the first two jumper pins nearest the back of the computer. Move
the jumper to the two pins nearest the front of the computer, wait
approximately 5 seconds, and then move the jumper back to its
original position.
- Replace the computer cover.
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NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
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- Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn
them on.
- If you are prompted to press <F1> to continue, press <F1>.
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