About Your Dell™ Dimension™ 3100/E310 Computer

Dell™ Dimension™ 3100/E310 Service Manual

Front View of Computer

1

cover latch release

Use this latch to remove the cover.

2

CD or DVD activity light

The drive light is on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive.

3

CD or DVD eject button

Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive.

4

FlexBay drive

Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader.

5

USB 2.0 connectors (2)

Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras. It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

6

hard-drive activity light

The hard-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as a CD player is operating.

7

vents

For adequate cooling, do not block any of the vents.

NOTICE: Ensure that there is a minimum of two inches of space between all vents and any object near these vents.

NOTICE: Keep the vent area clean and dust-free to ensure that the system is adequately ventilated. Use only a dry cloth to clean the vent area to avoid water damage to the system.

8

power button

Press to turn on the computer.

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

9

headphone connector

Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

10

diagnostic lights (4)

Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights."

11

Service Tag

Used to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.

Back View of Computer

1

power connector

Insert the power cable.

2

sound card connectors (3)

Line-in connector — Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
Line-out connector — Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers.
Microphone connector — Use the pink microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

3

USB 2.0 connectors (4)

Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras.

4

network adapter connector

To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network or broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.

NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector.

On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card.

It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.

5

VGA video connector

If your monitor has a VGA connector, plug it into the VGA connector on the computer.

6

card slots

Access connectors for any installed PCI cards (two slots) and a x1 PCI Express card.

NOTE: Although your computer has 4 card slot openings, it supports a maximum of 3 cards; the bottom slot cannot be used.

Back to Contents Page

1	cover latch release	Use this latch to remove the cover.
2	CD or DVD activity light	The drive light is on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive.
3	CD or DVD eject button	Press to eject a disk from the CD or DVD drive.
4	FlexBay drive	Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader.
5	USB 2.0 connectors (2)	Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras. It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
6	hard-drive activity light	The hard-drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as a CD player is operating.
7	vents	For adequate cooling, do not block any of the vents. NOTICE: Ensure that there is a minimum of two inches of space between all vents and any object near these vents. NOTICE: Keep the vent area clean and dust-free to ensure that the system is adequately ventilated. Use only a dry cloth to clean the vent area to avoid water damage to the system.
8	power button	Press to turn on the computer. NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.
9	headphone connector	Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.
10	diagnostic lights (4)	Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights."
11	Service Tag	Used to identify your computer when you access the Dell Support website or call technical support.

1	power connector	Insert the power cable.
2	sound card connectors (3)	Line-in connector — Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR. Line-out connector — Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers. Microphone connector — Use the pink microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
3	USB 2.0 connectors (4)	Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards. It is recommended that you use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras.
4	network adapter connector	To attach your computer to a network or broadband device, connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network or broadband device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached. NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network connector. On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card. It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.
5	VGA video connector	If your monitor has a VGA connector, plug it into the VGA connector on the computer.
6	card slots	Access connectors for any installed PCI cards (two slots) and a x1 PCI Express card. NOTE: Although your computer has 4 card slot openings, it supports a maximum of 3 cards; the bottom slot cannot be used.