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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 supports a serial adapter and provides the following connectors for PCI and PCI Express cards.

• two 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

Installing a PCI Card

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The latch will remain in the open position.
   
   
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.
   
   
5. Prepare the new card for installation.
   
   

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

1	card retention latch	4	card edge connector
2	alignment guide	5	card connector
3	card

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

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

7. Before you lower the retention latch, 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.
     
     
8. Close the retention latch into place by snapping it into place to secure 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.

9. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
   
   

NOTE: 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.

10. 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.
       
       
11. 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.
       
       
12. 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. Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The latch will remain in the open position.
   
   
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. Close the card retention latch by snapping 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. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   
8. Uninstall the card's driver.
   
   
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.
       
       

PCI Express Cards

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

1	PCI Express x16 card	3	PCI Express x1 card slot
2	PCI Express x1 card	4	PCI Express x16 card slot

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, uninstall the driver for the old card.

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. Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. The latch will remain in the open position.
   
   
3. Remove the card retention mechanism:
   
   
   1. Place your thumb on the top of the card retention mechanism and grip the bottom of the retention mechanism with your fingers.
      
      
   2. With your free hand, gently squeeze the sides of the retention mechanism to release it from the tab slots holding it in place.
      
      
   3. Pivot the retention mechanism upward to release it from the two tab slots.
      
      
4. If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot opening. Then continue with step 6.
   
   
5. 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.

6. Prepare the new 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.

7. 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.
   
   
8. Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card is fully seated in the slot.
   
   

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

9. If applicable, before replacing the card retention mechanism, 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.
     
     
10. Snap the card retention mechanism into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
    
    

1	card retention latch
2	alignment guide

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.

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

11. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
    
    

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

12. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
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. Gently push the release tab on the card retention latch from the inside to pivot the latch open. Because the latch is captive, it will remain in the open position.
   
   
3. Use the card retention mechanism to secure the card in place from the top:
   
   
   1. Place your thumb on the top of the card retention mechanism and grip the bottom of the retention mechanism with your fingers.
      
      
   2. With your free hand, gently squeeze the sides of the retention mechanism to release it from the tab slots holding it in place.
      
      
   3. Pivot the retention mechanism upward to release it from the two tab slots.
      
      
   4. Set the retention mechanism aside in your work area.
      
      
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. Re-seat the card retention mechanism in the tabs and pivot downward to snap it into place.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 card retention latch by snapping it into place securing the card(s).
   
   
7. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

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 mini-tower computer also includes two PS/2 connectors.

Installing a Serial Port Adapter

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Gently push the release tab on the retention lever.
   
   
3. Remove the filler bracket (if applicable).
   
   

NOTE: See the documentation that came with the serial port adapter for information on configuring the adapter, making internal connections, or customizing it for your computer.

4. Place the serial port adapter bracket in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the adapter is fully seated in the slot.
   
   
5. Gently press down on the retention lever to secure the adapter bracket in place.
   
   

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

6. Connect the adapter cable to the serial port adapter connector (SER2) on the system board.
   
   
7. Connect any cables that should be attached to the serial port adapter.
   
   

NOTE: See the documentation for the serial port adapter for information about the cable connections.

8. 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.

9. 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. Gently push the release tab on the retention lever.
   
   
3. If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the adapter.
   
   
4. Grasp the serial port adapter bracket by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
   
   
5. 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.

6. 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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