Dell OptiPlex X2956 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.

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 X2956 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

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support.

Click

User’s and system guides

and click

User’s guides

The User’s Guide is also available on the

Drivers and

Utilities

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

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem

and click the arrow icon.

Click the topic that describes your problem.

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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