Dell Vostro A100 Setup And Quick Reference Manual
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Dell Vostro A100 Setup And Quick Reference Manual

Dell Vostro A100 Setup And Quick Reference Manual

Dell desktop computer setup and quick reference guide
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Download this manual See also: Service Manual
Dell™ Vostro™ A100/A180
Setup and
Quick Reference Guide
This guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick setup,
software, and troubleshooting information for your computer. For more
information about your operating system, devices, and technologies, see
Dell Technology Guide
the
at support.dell.com.

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Summary of Contents for Dell Vostro A100

  • Page 1 Dell™ Vostro™ A100/A180 Setup and Quick Reference Guide This guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick setup, software, and troubleshooting information for your computer. For more information about your operating system, devices, and technologies, see Dell Technology Guide at support.dell.com.
  • Page 2 Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    ....Back Panel Connectors ..Vostro A100 ....Vostro A180 .
  • Page 4 ..Lockups and Software Problems ....Dell Technical Update Service Reinstalling Software ..Drivers .
  • Page 5 ... Before You Call ... . Contacting Dell ... . Index .
  • Page 6 Contents...

  • Page 7: About Your Computer

    About Your Computer Front View optical drive optional optical drive microphone connector power button, power light optical-drive eject button USB 2.0 connectors (2) headphone connector drive-activity light...

  • Page 8: Back View

    Back View power connector power supply light expansion card slots 6 NOTE: The serial and parallel connectors are available only in Vostro™ A180. voltage selector switch (optional) back-panel connectors padlock ring...

  • Page 9: Back Panel Connectors

    Back Panel Connectors Vostro A100 mouse connector network adapter connector line-in connector microphone connector VGA video connector link-integrity light network-activity light front line-out connector USB 2.0 connectors (4) 10 keyboard connector...

  • Page 10: Vostro A180

    Vostro A180 mouse connector network activity light link-integrity light front line-out connector USB 2.0 connectors (4) 10 VGA video connector 11 serial connector parallel connector network adapter connector line-in connector microphone connector 12 keyboard connector...

  • Page 11: Setting Up Your Computer

    Setting Up Your Computer Quick Setup CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer. NOTE: Some devices may not be included if you did not order them. Connect the monitor using only one of the following cables: the dual monitor Y-adapter cable, the white DVI cable, or the blue VGA cable.
  • Page 12 Connect a USB device, such as a keyboard or mouse. Connect the network cable. Connect the modem. Connect the power cable(s).
  • Page 13 Press the power buttons on the monitor and the computer. Connect to your network. Internet service wireless router desktop computer with USB wireless adapter cable or DSL modem desktop computer with network adapter USB wireless adapter...

  • Page 14: Installing Your Computer In An Enclosure

    Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Installing your computer in an enclosure can restrict the airflow and impact your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. Follow the guidelines below when installing your computer in an enclosure. CAUTION: Before installing your computer in an enclosure, read the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

  • Page 15: Connecting To The Internet

    • If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1-cm (2-inch) clearance from the back of the computer to the wall to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation. Connecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.

  • Page 16: Setting Up Your Internet Connection

    NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet, see the Dell Technology Guide available on your hard drive or on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. If you have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.

  • Page 17: Transferring Information To A New Computer

    In the Connect to the Internet window, click either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up, depending on how you want to connect: Choose Broadband if you will use a • DSL, satellite modem, cable TV modem, ® or Bluetooth wireless technology connection. Chose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up •...
  • Page 18 Setting Up Your Computer...

  • Page 19: Specifications

    Intel Celeron Intel Celeron processor Level 2 (L2) cache 512 KB for Intel Atom, Intel Celeron Dual-Core, and Intel Celeron processors 1 MB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor System Information Vostro A100 Chipset Intel 945GC and ICH7 DMA channels seven ®...
  • Page 20 System Information (Continued) Vostro A100 Interrupt levels BIOS chip (NVRAM) 4 Mb integrated network interface capable of 10/100 communication Memory Vostro A100 Type 533 MHz Memory connectors Memory capacities 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB Minimum memory 512 MB...
  • Page 21 Video Vostro A100 Type: Integrated Intel integrated video GMA 950 up to 256-MB video memory (shared) at total system memory of greater than 512 MB Discrete Audio Type Intel High Definition Audio Vostro A180 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 optional PCI Express x16 graphics...
  • Page 22 Expansion Bus Vostro A100 Bus type PCI 2.3 SATA 1.0 and 2.0 USB 2.0 Bus speed 133 MB/s (PCI) 1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps (SATA) 480-Mbps high speed, 12-Mbps full speed, 1.2-Mbps low speed (USB) connector size 124 pins connector data width...
  • Page 23 Expansion Bus (Continued) Vostro A100 PCI Express x1 connector size connector data width (maximum) PCI Express x16 connector size connector data width (maximum) Drives Vostro A100 Externally accessible: two 3.5-inch drive bays Internally accessible four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays Vostro A180...
  • Page 24 Drives (Continued) Vostro A100 Available devices • up to two 3.5-inch SATA hard drives • two 5.25-inch optical disc drive bays Connectors Vostro A100 External connectors: Video 15-hole connector Network adapter RJ45 connector Serial Parallel two front-panel, and four back-panel USB 2.0-compliant connectors...
  • Page 25 Connectors (Continued) Vostro A100 System board connectors: Serial ATA two 7-pin connectors Floppy drive Processor fan Chassis fan one 4-pin connector PCI 2.3 one 124-pin connector PCI Express x1 PCI Express x16 Front panel control one 10-pin connector Front panel USB...
  • Page 26 Connectors (Continued) Vostro A100 Power 12V one 4-pin connector Power one 24-pin connector Controls and Lights Vostro A100 Front of computer: Power button push button Power light blue light — Power on state blinking blue light— Standby state off (no light) — Power off state Drive activity light blue light —...
  • Page 27 Controls and Lights (Continued) Vostro A100 Rear of computer: Link integrity light (on the green light — A good connection integrated network adapter) exists between the network and the computer. off (no light) — The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network.
  • Page 28 Power DC power supply: Wattage Maximum heat dissipation (MHD) Voltage (see the safety information that shipped with your computer for important voltage setting information) Coin-cell battery NOTE: Vostro A180 can support discrete graphic cards up to 25W or additional peripherals up to 25W. If greater power capabilities are required, the power supply unit must be upgraded.
  • Page 29 Physical (Continued) Depth Weight Environmental Temperature: Operating Storage Relative humidity Maximum vibration: Storage Maximum shock: Operating Storage 45.0 cm (17.7 inches) 12.7 kg (28.0 lb) 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F) –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F) 20% to 80% (noncondensing) 5~500 Hz, 2.2 Grms, 15 mins per side 40 G +/- 5%, 2 ms +/- 10%, half sine wave 105 G +/-5%, 2 ms +/- 10%, half sine wave...
  • Page 30 Environmental (Continued) Altitude: Operating Storage Airborne contaminant level –15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft) –15.2 to 10,668 m (–50 to 35,000 ft) G2 or lower as defined by ISA-S71.04-1985...

  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting CAUTION: To guard against the likelihood of electric shock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other expected injuries, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.
  • Page 32 If your computer beeps during start-up: Write down the beep code. Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). Code Description (repetitive short beeps) BIOS checksum failure. Possible system board failure No memory modules are...
  • Page 33 Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see your Service Manual at support.dell.com). If the problem persists, contact Dell. Replace the battery (see your Service Manual at support.dell.com). If the problem persists, contact Dell.

  • Page 34: Operating System

    Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. See your Service Manual at support.dell.com for more information. I S K hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" — Ensure on page 42). —...
  • Page 35 CD. Then, shut down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). : \ / : * ? “ <...
  • Page 36 CD. Then, shut down the computer, reinstall the hard drive, and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another drive. Run the Hard Disk Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). —...
  • Page 37 Restart the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or keys during the boot routine. Run the Stuck Key test in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). I C E N S E D C O N T E N T I S N O T A C C E S S I B L E I N —...
  • Page 38 O T I M E R T I C K I N T E R R U P T system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). O T E N O U G H M E M O R Y O R R E S O U R C E S X I T S O M E P R O G R A M S A N D T R Y —...
  • Page 39 H U T D O W N F A I L U R E board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). →...

  • Page 40: System Messages

    F A I L E D on the system board may be malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). N E X P E C T E D I N T E R R U P T I N P R O T E C T E D —...
  • Page 41 A R D D I S K D R I V E F A I L U R E drive failure during hard drive POST. Check cables, swap hard disks, or see "Contacting Dell" on page 69 for assistance. A R D...

  • Page 42: Troubleshooting Software And Hardware Problems

    — In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps. Dell Diagnostics CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your...

  • Page 43: Hard Drive

    If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in Lockups and Software Problems (see "Lockups and Software Problems" on page 47) and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

  • Page 44: Drivers And Utilities Media

    Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities media. Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive, and follow the instructions on the screen.

  • Page 45: Troubleshooting Tips

    NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view. Power Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the...

  • Page 46: Memory Problems

    • See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements. If necessary, install additional memory (see your Service Manual at support.dell.com). Some possible Reseat the memory modules (see your • Service Manual at support.dell.com) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.

  • Page 47: Lockups And Software Problems

    • Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 42). F Y O U E X P E R I E N C E O T H E R M E M O R Y — P R O B L E M S Reseat the memory modules (see your •...

  • Page 48: A Program Crashes Repeatedly

    A program stops responding — N D T H E P R O G R A M Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously to access the Task Manager, and click the Applications tab. Click to select the program that is no longer responding, and click End Task. A program crashes repeatedly NOTE: Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a...

  • Page 49: Dell Technical Update Service

    The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer. The service is free and can be customized for content, format, and how frequently you receive notifications. To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to support.dell.com/technicalupdate.
  • Page 50 Troubleshooting...

  • Page 51: Reinstalling Software

    (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 51). Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

  • Page 52: Using The Drivers And Utilities Media

    Click Properties→ Device Manager. NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager. Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties. Click the Drivers tab→...

  • Page 53: Manually Reinstalling Drivers

    At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next. NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities program displays drivers only for hardware that came installed in your computer. If you installed additional hardware, the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed. If those drivers are not displayed, exit the Drivers and Utilities program.

  • Page 54: Restoring Your Operating System

    The program permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs installed after you received the computer. Use Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
  • Page 55 NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view. NOTE: Set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.

  • Page 56: Using Dell™ Factory Image Restore

    Factory Image Restore. Dell Factory Image Restore (Windows Vista Only) Turn on the computer. When the Dell logo appears, press <F8> several times to access the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window. Select Repair Your Computer.

  • Page 57: Using The Operating System Media

    For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer. To reinstall Windows, you need the Dell™ Operating System media and the Dell Drivers and Utilities media.

  • Page 58: Reinstalling Windows

    NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer. Use the Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer, or...

  • Page 59: Finding Information

    NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer. Contents • Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support.dell.com or contact support. • Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support. NOTE: Your Service Tag/Express Service Code is located on your computer.
  • Page 60 Safety, Regulatory, Warranty, and Support Documentation This type of information may have shipped with your computer. For additional regulatory information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on www.dell.com at the following location: www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. Contents • A diagnostic program for your computer •...
  • Page 61 Document/Media/Label (Continued) Service Manual The Service Manual for your computer can be found at support.dell.com. Dell Technology Guide The Dell Technology Guide is available on your hard drive and on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. ® ® Microsoft Windows...
  • Page 62 Finding Information...

  • Page 63: Getting Help

    Dell Support (support.dell.com) for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures. See "Online Services" on page 64 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online. If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting Dell" on page 69.

  • Page 64: Technical Support And Customer Service

    To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page 67, and then see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com. Online Services You can learn about Dell products and services at the following websites: www.dell.com www.dell.com/ap (Asian/Pacific countries only) www.dell.com/jp (Japan only) www.euro.dell.com (Europe only)

  • Page 65: Autotech Service

    For the telephone number to call for your region, see "Contacting Dell" on page 69. Automated Order-Status Service To check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered, you can go to support.dell.com, or you can call the automated order-status service. A recording prompts you for the information needed to locate and report on your order.

  • Page 66: Problems With Your Order

    "Contacting Dell" on page 69. Product Information If you need information about additional products available from Dell, or if you would like to place an order, visit the Dell website at www.dell.com. For the telephone number to call for your region or to speak to a sales specialist, see "Contacting Dell"...

  • Page 67: Before You Call

    Before You Call NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s automated-support telephone system direct your call more efficiently. You may also be asked for your Service Tag (located on the back or bottom of your computer).
  • Page 68 Address: Phone number: Service Tag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer): Express Service Code: Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support technician): Operating system and version: Devices: Expansion cards: Are you connected to a network? Yes No...

  • Page 69: Contacting Dell

    Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: Visit support.dell.com, and verify your...
  • Page 70 Getting Help...

  • Page 71: Index

    64 Technical Update Service, 49 Dell Diagnostics, 42 starting from the Drivers and Utilities media, 44 starting from your hard drive, 43 Dell Factory Image Restore, 56 Dell Technology Guide, 61 Desktop System Software, 60 diagnostics beep codes, 31...
  • Page 72 59 Dell Technology Guide, 61 Service Manual, 61 drivers, 51 Drivers and Utilities media, 60 identifying, 51 reinstalling, 51 returning to a previous version, 51 Drivers and Utilities media, 52, 60 Dell Diagnostics, 42 End User License Agreement (EULA), 60...
  • Page 73 46 networks, 13 connecting, 13 operating system Dell Factory Image Restore, 56 media, 57 reinstalling, 59 System Restore, 54 Operating System media, 59 operating system product key, 61 phone numbers, 69 power power light conditions, 45 troubleshooting, 45...
  • Page 74 28 specifications (continued) power, 28 processor, 19 system information, 19 video, 21 support, 63 contacting Dell, 69 online services, 64 regional, 64 technical support and customer service, 64 support information, 60 System Restore, 54 Terms and Conditions, 60 transferring information to a new computer, 17...
  • Page 75 49 warranty information, 60 Windows License label, 61 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore, 56 Device Driver Rollback, 51 Program Compatibility wizard, 48 reinstalling, 59 returning to a previous device driver version, 51 System Restore, 54...
  • Page 76 Index...

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Vostro a180

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