Dell Precision
Dell Precision questions and answers
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Q: How much memory can a Dell Precision 380 workstation recognize?
I would like to upgrade the memory on my Dell Precision 380 workstation. It now has 2 gig but can hold as much as 8 gig. Is it worth buying up to 8 gig? I heard it's wasted because it won't recognize a full 8 gig? Is this true? If so, how much will it recognize?
A: first you can run a 64 bit OS, your processor supports 64 bit instructions. If you want to go to 8 gigs then you need to run a 64 bit OS in order for it use all the available ram.
This is how it works. 32 bit OS has a limit of 4 gigs of ram. That's is because 2^32 is roughly 4 billion. that's where that number comes from
a 64 bit OS has a limit of 16 gig or 2^64, which is roughly 16 billion something.
A 32 bit OS only gives you 4 gigs of memory registers. Remember that all ram gets calculated into that number, system ram, video ram, soundcard memory, raid card, swap space, etc..
So you might have a 2 gigs of system ram, but you also have 256 on your video card. (going with the factory spec vid card). so you really have 2.25 gig of ram plus whatever you have for swap space. (virtual ram).
My recommend is this, if you are using the workstation for any kind of engineering, database, or 3d content program. Increase the amount of ram that you can afford, any of those programs typically scale very well to increase in ram.
Once you install the ram, you will need to reinstall your OS for a 64 bit one. You have to do a complete reinstall, there is no way to upgrade a 32 bit install to a 64 bit one.
I'd recommend windows XP 64bit, over vista. It's much quicker, and stable.
Q: How do I turn of the internal speaker on my Dell Precision 380?
I have a Dell Precision 380 computer with an internal speaker as well as an external speaker sitting on my desk. I would like to be able to have music only coming solely through my external speaker however I have not been able to turn off the internal speaker without turning off sound altogether. How do I control the internal speaker?
A: Try unplugging it. Open up your case, find the speaker and follow the wire. You should see where it plugs into the motherboard.
Q: Has anyone installed an SATA drive on a Dell Precision 360 as the boot drive?
I am contemplating upgrading my Dell Precision 360 with a 1 TB SATA drive. I know I have SATA on the motherboard. But will I be able to configure the new drive (with Windows installed) as the boot? It is not clear to me from playing with the BIOS setup whether this is possible.
A: Unlike IDE ports, it actually doesn't matter which order you connect your devices, because there are no longer Master and Slave devices on the same port. If you go into your BIOS you can set your PC to boot from any of your SATA ports, however, SATA 1 is where the OS expects to find the bootable drive, so it makes sense to plug your hard drive into this one. Hope this helps.
Q: How to rectify the problem of Microphone in my Dell Precision M60 laptop?
The microphone in my Dell Laptop cannot detect any input signal.
Using the Wizard I tested the hardware but its of no use...
There's no movement in the recording meter....
Even Reinstallation of the drivers didnt help me.....
What should I do?
A: Default settings for microphone in windows is set to mute so you have to right click the volume icon in the system tray>open volume control>options>properties>tic the microphone box>click OK. Now you will un-tic the microphone mute and do the wizard.
Q: Is it possible to use Pentium 3 866Mhz and Pentium 3 733Mhz the same time on Dell Precision 220 motherboard?
Is it possible to use Pentium 3 866Mhz and Pentium 3 733Mhz the same time on Dell Precision 220 motherboard?
Will it have any conflicts at all?
A: No, it will not work.
Dual processor motherboards must have two identical CPU's.
Q: How are you supposed to remove a Dell Precision T7400 (70+ lbs) out of the box?
Proper lifting procedure anyone? The thing is a little huge (full server case). I know you are supposed to lift with your legs, but it is almost impossible to lift these without using your lower back (which isn't the right way).
A: carefully open the box, bend the top flaps down to the side of the box (tape them if needed) and then carefully lift one side of the box (with a friend if needed) and then once the box is on its side place one hand on the foam side boards (inside the box) holding the computer in the box while bring the box down (place your hand in the hold in the box design to carry the box. Now bring the box down - so the box will be flipped. Now pick the box up and remove the foam side boards and enjoy your new computer.
Q: If someone has a Dell 690 precision workstation could you help me out?
I'm trying to find out what the pins look like on the second processor socket on my Dell 690 workstation. When i looked at the socket it appears that all the pins have been bent in one direction. I just want to confirm that this is the way they are supposed to be or not. The socket does have a cover for it but i'm trying to figure out why they are bent that way. I don't have any service tag for my computer so i can't get any technical help from Dell. It seems they make such a big issue about it. Thanks.
A: I believe they are configured in such a way as to limit or prevent expanding core options such as processor and other things.
in laymans terms, Dell sucks, and they did it just so u can't add another processor.
or so I'm thinking
Q: What audio driver do I need for a dell precision 650?
The sound card is built into the motherboard.
I download some type of driver before I reformatted my pc which worked.
A: In order to install the Audio Driver you will need to make sure you have the Chipset Driver installed first. Being that your question states that the sound card is integrated with the motherboard the exact driver you will need is located here: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R56339&SystemID=WRK_PNT_P4_650&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=2430&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=67126
The Chipset Driver for this system can be downloaded from here: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R51197&SystemID=WRK_PNT_P4_650&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3268&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=27&fileid=60613 and as per the previous answer the rest of the drivers for this system can be downloaded from here: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=&SystemID=WRK_PNT_P4_650
I hope this helps.
Q: I have an old dell precision 340 it has an scsi hard drive?
my other dell died and it had an ide drive, is there a way that I can transfer my files from the ide to the scsi drive??? what are my options?
A: Check on your board, is there IDE connector to your motherboard? If you have this, then you troubles and not very big ones again. Just connect your hard disk from the 'died computer' and set the BIOS to recognise your hard disk.
If you don't have IDE connector on the motherboard, you may have to get an external hard disk connector or mount where you can mount the hard disk and will be able to access it through the external connector. In some cases you may not need to buy this, find a person with external hard disk and use the External Hard disk mount to mount your previous hard disk and connect to your system. You should be alright.
Q: Does anyone know how to connect a dell precision m70 laptop to a television?
I have RCA jacks and and S-Video adapter, but I don't know how to get it to work.
A: the s-video jack (out) of pc go to the s-video jack (in) on the tv (for display) and the rca jacks of pc goes to rca jack in of tv (audio). then find which port you used in the tv. if still no picture go to display setting of pc select tv or both for display this should fix it
Q: What's a mid grade video card that I can put in my Dell Precision 670 Workstation?
I've tried different kinds but I always have the same problem. I can't get any video at all. The same problem comes no matter Nvidia or ATI. I'm looking to spend up to $200.
A: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130317
Q: How do I reset my Dell Precision M70 to factory settings if I don't have the system restore CD?
A: You save your files on some kind of a media, you format your drive, install windows, install the rest of your programs and then transfer your files in you new settings. And you are ready to go. I hope you have windows!
Q: How Do I Open Up The Dell Precision Workstation 360? It's Got No Screws At All And 2 Lever's That Do Nothing
Well I Usually Do All My Computer Assembly & Installations Myself. But Now I'm Working With A Dell Precision Workstation 360 and It has No Screws At All. I Can't Really Find The Manual So I Can't Get It Off There. If ANyone Knows Anything About How I Could Open Up The Chasis Please Lemme Know! I Know There Are Those Two Lever Like THings On The Top And Bottom, But That Doesn't Really Help At All.
A: PC Magazine article says "Accessing the internal components is a tool-free affair, though the Dell 360's clamshell case is heavier and more cumbersome than the HP xw4100's. You have to tip the unit or place the case on its side to open it and reach the components."
DigitalCad says "Two buttons are located on the top and bottom of the case, and when depressed, you can coax the case open. It isn't as elegant as that of the Mac nor does it open as easily, but no tools or screws are required to open the tower. For security, a built in locking mechanism is included."
The third link below is from the online manual, and gives you an image of the opened case which should help quite a bit, as the case opens in a hinged clamshell way. The last link is the entry page for the online manual.
Good luck!
PS. Even better... I just found the link to "opening the computer cover". It is the last link.
Q: Hard drive problem installing red hat linux enterprise 4 on dell precision 690?
I have a dell precision 690 desktop. I put drivers and everything on a hard drive and got files and everything set up. However i out it in my dell precision 690 and it wont install. It says it can't find a hard drive even though it is connected properly. It asks for drivers which i cannot find. I have searched on dell.com and still got nothing.
When i ignore the message and continue installing. it gets to the part where i choose manually partition with disk druid and an error message comes up telling me that there is nothing i can format or something similar.
any ideas?
To vivek g,
No, I had linux on there last time.
A: This has no connection between Linux partition or windows partition. It is just that its not detecting the hardware part perhaps. We need to investigate on the same. This has been a reluctant issue. We need to watch the steps first. Have a look at dell downloads for RHEL4 for your system and install it.
Let me know if it helps.
Q: Can a Dell Precision M50 use a 70 watt AC cord instead of a 90 watt?
My uncle is really into computers and stuff and he has this laptop that hes gonna give it to me but he lost its power cord so my friend gave me one for a Inspiron Notebook instead and its 20 watts less. I dont want it to blow up or anything like that.
A: Power supply is not really something you want to bargain with.