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Dell E521 Owner's Manual - Page 29

About RAID Configurations, RAID Level 1 Configuration - hard drive replacement

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About RAID Configurations This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration you may have selected when you purchased your computer. Your computer supports RAID level 1. A RAID level 1 is recommended for users that desire a high level of data integrity. The drives in a RAID configuration should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space. RAID Level 1 Configuration RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as mirroring to enhance data integrity. When data is written to the primary drive, the data is also duplicated, or mirrored, on the second drive in the configuration. A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data-access rates for its data redundancy advantages. serial ATA RAID configured for RAID level 1 segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4 segment 5 segment 6 hard drive 1 segment 1 duplicated segment 2 duplicated segment 3 duplicated segment 4 duplicated segment 5 duplicated segment 6 duplicated hard drive 2 If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive. NOTE: In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the configuration is equal to the size of the smallest drive in the configuration. Setting Up and Using Your Computer 29

Section	Page
Owner’s Manual	1
Contents	3
Finding Information	9
Setting Up and Using Your Computer	11
Front View of the Computer	11
Back View of the Computer	13
Back Panel Connectors	14
Setting Up a Printer	15
Printer Cable	15
Connecting a Printer	15
Connecting to the Internet	16
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	17
Playing CDs and DVDs	18
Adjusting the Volume	19
Adjusting the Picture	19
Copying CDs and DVDs	20
How to Copy a CD or DVD	20
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	20
Helpful Tips	21
Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)	22
Connecting Two Monitors	23
Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors	23
Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector	24
Connecting a TV	24
Changing the Display Settings	25
Setting Up a Home and Office Network	25
Connecting to a Network Adapter	25
Network Setup Wizard	26
Power Management	26
Standby Mode	26
Hibernate Mode	27
Power Options Properties	27
Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet™ Technology	28
About RAID Configurations	29
RAID Level 1 Configuration	29
Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID	30
Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility	30
Using Nvidia MediaShield	31
Solving Problems	33
Troubleshooting Tips	33
Battery Problems	33
Drive Problems	34
CD and DVD drive problems	34
Hard drive problems	35
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	35
Error Messages	36
Keyboard Problems	37
Lockups and Software Problems	38
The computer does not start up	38
The computer stops responding	38
A program stops responding	38
A program crashes repeatedly	39
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	39
A solid blue screen appears	39
Other software problems	39
Media Card Reader Problems	40
Memory Problems	41
Mouse Problems	41
Network Problems	42
Power Problems	43
Printer Problems	44
Scanner Problems	45
Sound and Speaker Problems	46
No sound from speakers	46
No sound from headphones	47
Video and Monitor Problems	47
If the screen is blank	47
If the screen is difficult to read	48
Troubleshooting Tools	49
Diagnostic Lights	49
Dell Diagnostics	52
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	52
Drivers	53
What Is a Driver?	53
Identifying Drivers	53
Reinstalling Drivers	54
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	55
Restoring Your Operating System	55
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore	56
Using Dell PC Restore	57
Using the Operating System CD	59
Removing and Installing Parts	61
Before You Begin	61
Recommended Tools	61
Turning Off Your Computer	61
Before Working Inside Your Computer	62
Removing the Computer Cover	63
Inside View of Your Computer	64
System Board Components	65
Memory	66
Memory Installation Guidelines	66
Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations	67
Installing Memory	68
Removing Memory	69
Cards	70
PCI Cards	70
PCI Express Cards	76
Drive Panel	81
Removing the Drive Panel	81
Removing the Drive-Panel Insert	83
Replacing the Drive-Panel Insert	83
Replacing the Drive Panel	84
Drives	85
Recommended Drive Cable Connections	85
Connecting Drive Cables	86
Drive Interface Connectors	86
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables	86
Hard Drives	87
Removing a Hard Drive	87
Installing a Hard Drive	88
Adding a Second Hard Drive	91
Floppy Drive	92
Removing a Floppy Drive	92
Installing a Floppy Drive	94
Media Card Reader	96
Removing a Media Card Reader	96
Installing a Media Card Reader	98
CD/DVD Drive	100
Removing a CD/DVD Drive	100
Installing a CD/DVD Drive	102
Battery	104
Replacing the Battery	104
Replacing the Computer Cover	105
Appendix	107
Specifications	107
System Setup	111
Overview	111
Entering System Setup	111
System Setup Options	112
Boot Sequence	116
Clearing Forgotten Passwords	118
Clearing CMOS Settings	119
Cleaning Your Computer	119
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor	119
Mouse	120
Floppy Drive	120
CDs and DVDs	120
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	120
Definition of \	121
Definition of \	121
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	121
FCC Class B	121
Contacting Dell	122
Glossary	145

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Setting Up and Using Your Computer

About RAID Configurations

This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration you may have selected when you purchased

your computer. Your computer supports RAID level 1. A RAID level 1 is recommended for users that

desire a high level of data integrity.

The drives in a RAID configuration should be the same size in order to ensure that the larger drive does

not contain unallocated (and therefore unusable) space.

RAID Level 1 Configuration

RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as mirroring to enhance data integrity.

When data is written to the primary drive, the data is also duplicated, or mirrored, on the second drive in

the configuration. A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data-access rates for its data redundancy

advantages.

If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A

replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive.

NOTE:

In a RAID level 1 configuration, the size of the configuration is equal to the size of the smallest drive in the

configuration.

hard drive 1

segment 1

segment 2

segment 3

hard drive 2

segment 4

segment 5

segment 6

segment 1 duplicated

segment 2 duplicated

segment 3 duplicated

segment 4 duplicated

segment 5 duplicated

segment 6 duplicated

serial ATA RAID

configured for

RAID level 1