Dell OptiPlex SX280 User manual
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ OptiPlex™ SX280
Quick Reference Guide
Model DCTR
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid
the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, OptiPlex, and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.
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. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DCTR
April 2004 P/N G3630 Rev. A00
Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Side View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cable Cover and Power Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Determining Placement and Orientation of the Computer . . . . . . . . 10
Installing a Device in the Module Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connecting External Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Installing a Hard Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Attaching the Optional Cable Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Removing the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Inside View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Replacing the Computer Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Power Supply Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
System Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Diagnostic Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Running the Dell™ IDE Hard Drive Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . 27
Using Microsoft®Windows®XP System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Reinstalling Microsoft®Windows®XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4Contents
Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
• Desktop System Software (DSS)
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD)
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your
computer. You can use the CD to reinstall drivers, run the
Dell Diagnostics, or access your documentation.
Readme files may be
included on your CD
to provide last-minute
updates about technical
changes to your
computer or advanced
technical-reference
material for technicians
or experienced users.
NOTE: The latest drivers
and documentation
updates can be found at support.dell.com.
• OS updates and patches
Desktop System Software (DSS)
Located on the Drivers and Utilities CD and at
support.dell.com.
• Warranty information
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at
support.dell.com.
• How to remove and replace parts
• Technical specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve problems
Dell OptiPlex™ User’s Guide
Microsoft®Windows®XP Help and Support Center
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support.
2
Click
User’s and system guides
and click
User’s guides
.
The User’s Guide is also available on the
Drivers and
Utilities
CD
.
6Quick Reference Guide
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
These labels are located on your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to
identify your
computer when you
use
support.dell.com
or contact technical
support.
• Enter the Express
Service Code to direct your call when contacting
technical support. The Express Service Code is not
available in all countries.
• Latest drivers for my computer
• Answers to technical service and support questions
• Online discussions with other users and technical
support
• Documentation for my computer
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support
site.
The Dell Support website provides several online tools,
including:
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles
from technicians, and online courses
• Community — Online discussion with other Dell
customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for components, such
as memory, the hard drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact information, order status,
warranty, and repair information
• Downloads — Drivers, patches, and software updates
• Reference — Computer documentation, product
specifications, and white papers
• Service call status and support history
• Top technical issues for my computer
• Frequently asked questions
• File downloads
• Details on my computer configuration
• Service contract for my computer
Dell Premier Support Website — premiersupport.dell.com
The Dell Premier Support website is customized for
corporate, government, and education customers. This
website may not be available in all regions.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Quick Reference Guide 7
• How to use Windows XP
• Documentation for my computer
• Documentation for devices (such as a modem)
Windows Help and Support Center
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem
and click the arrow icon.
3
Click the topic that describes your problem.
4
Follow the instructions on the screen.
• How to reinstall my operating system
Operating System CD
The operating system is already installed on your
computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the
Operating System CD. See your OptiPlex User’s Guide
for instructions.
After you reinstall your
operating system, use the
Drivers and Utilities CD
to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with
your computer.
Your operating system
product key
is located on
your Windows License
label attached to your
computer.
NOTE: The color of your CD varies based on the operating
system you ordered.
• Regulatory Model Number
DCTR
• Chassis Type
Ultra-Small Form-Factor (USFF) chassis
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
8Quick Reference Guide
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
About Your Computer
NOTE: If you want to orient your computer under a desk top or on a wall surface, use the optional wall-
mount bracket. To order the bracket, contact Dell. For information on contacting Dell, see your online
User’s Guide.
NOTE: To ensure proper ventilation, do not block the cooling vents.
Front View
Side View
USB connectors (2)
microphone connector power light
power button
module bay
hard-drive access light
headphone connector vents (do not block)
vents (do not block)
mounting holes (2)
Quick Reference Guide 9
Back View
Cable Cover and Power Adapter
cover release knob
parallel
connector
diagnostic lights
USB connectors (5)
line-out connector
line-in connector
video connector
serial connector
power connector
network activity
light
network adapter
link integrity light
vents (do not block)
10 Quick Reference Guide
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Setting Up Your Computer
NOTICE: When setting up your computer, secure all cables toward the back of your work area
to prevent the cables from being pulled, tangled, or stepped on.
NOTICE: To prevent the computer from overheating and shutting down, do not place the computer
in a poorly ventilated area.
NOTE: If you have ordered a computer without a hard drive, you can install a drive by using the drive
rails that are included inside your computer (see "Installing a Hard Drive" on page 15).
Determining Placement and Orientation of the Computer
NOTICE: Do not place your monitor on top of the computer. Use a monitor stand.
NOTICE: Do not position your computer upside down.
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