Dell OptiPlex 330 Quick Reference Guide

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 330

Quick Reference Guide

Model DCSM and DCNE

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

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.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Dimension, OptiPlex,

Latitude, PowerEdge, PowerVault, PowerApp, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; 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 DCSM and DCNE

September 2007 P/N KP289 Rev. A00

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Before You Begin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Adding and Replacing Parts

Setting Up Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup

Connecting to the Internet

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Moving Information to a New Computer

Setting Up a Printer

Connecting Two Monitors

Power Protection Devices

Desktop Computer

Front View Back View Back Panel Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

. . . . . . . 10

. . . . . 13

. . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . 19

Removing the Computer Cover

Inside View of Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Contents 3

System Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Replacing the Computer Cover

Mini Tower Computer

Front View Back View

Back Panel Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Removing the Computer Cover

Inside View of Your Computer

System Board Components

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Replacing the Computer Cover

Solving Problems

Dell Diagnostics

Power Lights

Beep Codes

System Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

4 Contents

Diagnostic Lights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Clearing CMOS Settings

Flashing the BIOS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your

computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

• Drivers for my computer

• Desktop System Software (DSS)

Drivers and Utilities Media

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may be

optional and may not ship with your computer.

Drivers are already installed on your computer. You can use the media to reinstall drivers (see the online User’s Guide), to run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 48).

Readme files may be included on your media to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical-reference material for technicians or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates can

be found at support.dell.com.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Basic troubleshooting information

• How to run the Dell Diagnostics

• Tools and utilities

• How to set up a printer

Quick Reference Guide

NOTE: This document may be optional and may

not ship with your computer.

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF at

support.dell.com.

• Warranty information

• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)

• Safety instructions

• Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• How to remove and replace parts

• Specifications

• How to configure system settings

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

6 Quick Reference Guide

Dell OptiPlex™ 330 User’s Guide

Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center

Click the Windows Vista

Help and Support→ Dell User and System

→ System Guides

Guides

Click the

User’s Guide

Start button→

for your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• 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 contact support.

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support.

NOTE: As an increased security measure, the

newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a missing portion or "hole" to discourage removal of the label.

support.dell.com

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, and online courses, frequently asked questions

• 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, service call and order status, warranty, and repair information

• Service and support — Service call status and support history, service contract, online discussions with technical support

• Dell Technical Update Service — Proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer

• Reference — Computer documentation, details on my computer configuration, product specifications, and white papers

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and software updates

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

NOTE: Select your region or business segment

to view the appropriate support site.

8 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Desktop System Software (DSS) — If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the DSS utility. DSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for processors, optical drives, USB devices, and so on. DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.

To download Desktop System Software:

Go to

support.dell.com

or business segment, and enter your Service Tag.

Select

Click your operating system and search for the keyword

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface may

vary depending on your selections.

The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration.

• How to use Windows

• How to work with programs and files

• How to personalize my desktop

Windows Help and Support Center

To access Windows Help and Support:

• In Windows XP, click

and Support

• In Windows Vista™, click the Windows Vista

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 Media

NOTE: The Operating System media may be

optional and may not ship with your computer.

, select your region

Drivers & Downloads

Desktop System Software

Start

tart button

→

and click Go.

and click

Help and

Help

Quick Reference Guide 9

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating System disc, and see the online User’s Guide.

After you reinstall your operating system, use the Drivers and Utilities disc to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer.

Your operating system product key label is located on your computer.

NOTE: The color of your disc varies based on

the operating system you ordered.

Before You Begin

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

NOTICE: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components

or contacts on a card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins.

10 Quick Reference Guide

NOTICE: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your

computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.

NOTICE: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not

on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer, perform the following steps before you

begin working inside the computer.

Turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 12).

CAUTION: Never apply power to the computer when the cover has been removed.

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer

and then unplug the cable from the network device.

Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the computer.

Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.

Press the power button to ground the system board.

NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by

touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could harm internal components.

Adding and Replacing Parts

This section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:

• You have performed the steps in "Turning Off Your Computer" on page 12 and "Before Working Inside Your Computer" on page 10.

• You have read the safety information in the Dell™

Guide

• A component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.

Quick Reference Guide 11

Product Information

Recommended Tools

The procedures in this document may require the following tools:

• Small flat-blade screwdriver

• Small Phillips screwdriver

• Small plastic scribe

Turning Off Your Computer

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open

programs before you turn off your computer.

Shut down the operating system:

Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.

In the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system

→ Shut down

Down

, click

Start→

Shut

In Microsoft® Windows Vista™

, click the Windows Vista Start button

, in the lower-left corner of the desktop, click the arrow in the

lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click

Shut Down

The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process is complete.

Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold the power button for about 4 seconds to turn them off.

12 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Computer

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Installing your computer in an enclosure can restrict the airflow and impact your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. Follow the guidelines below when installing your computer in an enclosure:

NOTICE: The operating temperature specifications indicated in this manual

reflects the maximum ambient operating temperature. The room ambient temperature needs to be a consideration when installing your computer in an enclosure. For example, if the ambient room temperature is at 25°C (77°F), depending on your computer’s specifications, you only have 5° to 10°C (9° to 18°F) temperature margin before you reach your computer’s maximum operating temperature. For details about your computer’s specifications, see the online User’s Guide.

• Leave a 10.2 cm (4 in) minimum clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

• If your enclosure has doors, they need to be of a type that allows at least 30 percent airflow through the enclosure (front and back).

Quick Reference Guide 13

• If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1 cm (2 in) clearance from the back of the computer to the wall to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

NOTICE: Do not install your computer in an enclosure that does not allow airflow.

Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat.

14 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up a Home and Office Network

Connecting to a Network Adapter

To connect a network cable:

NOTE: Plug the network cable into the network adapter connector on the

computer. Do not plug the network cable into the modem connector on the computer. Do not plug a network cable into a telephone wall jack.

Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer.

Insert the cable until it clicks into place, and then gently pull it to ensure that it is secure.

Connect the other end of the network cable to a network device.

Quick Reference Guide 15

network adapter connector

network device

network adapter connector on computer

network cable

Network Setup

Windows XP

The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a home or small office.

Click the

Communications

On the

Click

NOTE: Selecting the connection method This computer connects directly to the

Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 1

(SP1) or later.

Complete the checklist and required preparations.

Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.

Start

button, point to

, and then click

Network Setup Wizard

All Programs→ Accessories→

Network Setup Wizard

welcome screen, click

Checklist for creating a network

16 Quick Reference Guide

Windows Vista

To make changes to your network setup in Microsoft® Windows Vista™:

Click the Windows Vista Start button, , and then click

Network and Sharing Center

Click

Set up a connection or network

Select the type of network connection you want to make and follow the instructions on the screen.

When finished, close the Network and Sharing Center.

Network→

Connecting to the Internet

NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.

To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP will offer one or more of the following Internet connection options:

• DSL connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your existing telephone line or cellular telephone service. With a DSL connection, you can access the Internet and use your telephone on the same line simultaneously.

• Cable modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through your local cable TV line.

• Satellite modem connections that provide high-speed Internet access through a satellite television system.

• Dial-up connections that provide Internet access through a telephone line. Dial-up connections are considerably slower than DSL and cable (or satellite) modem connections.

• Wireless LAN connections that provide Internet access using Bluetooth wireless technology.

If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall jack before you set up your Internet connection. If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular telephone service for setup instructions.

Quick Reference Guide 17

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut:

Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft® Windows® desktop.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP, perform the steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using.

NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the Internet, see "Setting Up a

Home and Office Network" on page 15. If you cannot connect to the Internet but have successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.

Windows XP

Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

Click

Start→

The

New Connection Wizard

Click

Connect to the Internet

In the next window, click the appropriate option:

• If you do not have an ISP and want to select one, click

list of Internet service providers (ISPs)

Internet Explorer

appears.

Choose from a

• If you have already obtained setup information from your ISP but you did not receive a setup CD, click

• If you have a CD, click

Click

If you selected

Set up my connection manually

Use the CD I got from an ISP

Set up my connection manually

, continue to step 6.

Otherwise, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, contact your ISP.

Click the appropriate option under

Internet?

Use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

, and then click

How do you want to connect to the

18 Quick Reference Guide

Windows Vista™

NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If you do not have an ISP, the Connect to

the Internet wizard can help you get one.

Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

Under

The

Click either

Network and Internet

Connect to the Internet

Broadband (PPPoE)

, click

Connect to the Internet

window appears.

Dial-up

, depending on how you want

Control Panel

to connect:

•Choose

Broadband

if you will use a DSL, satellite modem, cable TV

modem, or Bluetooth wireless technology connection.

• Chose

NOTE: If you do not know which type of connection to select, click Help me choose

or contact your ISP.

Follow the instructions on the screen and use the setup information

Dial-up

if you will use a dial-up modem or ISDN.

provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

Moving Information to a New Computer

You can use your operating system "wizards" to help you transfer files and other data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to the operating system that your computer is running.

Microsoft® Windows® XP (Optional)

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer. You can transfer data, such as:

• E-mail messages

• Toolbar settings

• Window sizes

• Internet bookmarks

Quick Reference Guide 19

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD, for transfer to the new computer.

NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by

directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host computer and the guest computer.

For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This information may not be available in certain countries.

For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System media for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media

NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional

and may not be included with certain computers.

To prepare a new computer for the file transfer:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Accessories→ System Tools→

When the click

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

from the Windows XP CD

When the source computer. Do

Now go to your old computer

not

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

screen, click

→ Next

screen appears, go to your old or

click

at this time.

Start→

All Programs→

welcome screen appears,

New Computer→

I will use the wizard

20 Quick Reference Guide

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the Windows XP

On the

additional tasks

Under

On the

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

What do you want to do?

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

, click

screen, click

screen, click the transfer method you

Operating System

screen, click

Perform

Transfer files and settings→ Next

Old Computer→

prefer.

On the transfer and click

After the information has been copied, the

Phase

Click

What do you want to transfer?

screen appears.

Finish

screen, select the items you want to

Completing the Collection

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the

On the chose for transferring your settings and files and click

Now go to your old computer

Where are the files and settings?

screen on the new computer, click

screen, select the method you

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

media.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

screen

appears.

Click

Finished

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media

and restart the new computer.

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System media, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup image file to removable media.

To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and perform the following steps:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Accessories→ System Tools→

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Quick Reference Guide 21

Start→

All Programs→

When the click

On the

Wizard Disk in the following drive

Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click OK.

When the disk creation completes and the

computer

Go to the old computer.

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.

1 2

Click

In the the appropriate removable media) and click

On the

On the prefer.

On the transfer and click

After the information has been copied, the

Phase

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

message appears,

Start→

screen appears.

Run

Open

field on the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Which computer is this?

Select a transfer method

What do you want to transfer?

screen, click

→

do not

Run

window, browse to the path for

screen, click

screen, click the transfer method you

welcome screen appears,

New Computer→

screen, click

Now go to your old

click

welcome screen, click

Old Computer→

screen, select the items you want to

Completing the Collection

I want to create a

fastwiz

(on

Click

Finish

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the

On the chose for transferring your settings and files and click instructions on the screen.

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your new computer.

22 Quick Reference Guide

Now go to your old computer

Where are the files and settings?

screen on the new computer, click

screen, select the method you

. Follow the

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

screen

appears.

Click

Finished

NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for

document #154781 (What Are The Different Methods To Transfer Files From My Old

Computer To My New Dell™ Computer Using the Microsoft Operating System?).

NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in

certain countries.

Microsoft Windows Vista™ (Optional)

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and then click

and settings

In the

User Account Control

Click

Start a new transfer

and restart the new computer.

→ Start Windows Easy Transfer

dialog box, click

Continue a transfer in progress

Continue

Windows® XP

Transfer files

Follow the instructions provided on the screen by the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.

Setting Up a Printer

NOTICE: Complete the operating system setup before you connect a printer to the

computer.

See the documentation that came with the printer for setup information, including how to:

• Obtain and install updated drivers.

• Connect the printer to the computer.

• Load paper and install the toner or ink cartridge.

For technical assistance, refer to the printer owner's manual or contact the printer manufacturer.

Quick Reference Guide 23

Printer Cable

Your printer connects to your computer with either a USB cable or a parallel cable. Your printer may not come with a printer cable, so if you purchase a cable separately, ensure that it is compatible with your printer and computer. If you purchased a printer cable at the same time you purchased your computer, the cable may arrive in the computer’s shipping box.

Connecting Two Monitors

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

If you purchased a graphics card that supports dual monitors, follow these instructions to connect and enable your monitors. The instructions tell you how to connect either two monitors (each with a VGA connector), one monitor with a VGA connector and one monitor with a DVI connector, or a TV.

NOTICE: If you are connecting two monitors that have VGA connectors, you must

have the optional DVI adapter to connect the cable. If you are connecting two flat-panel monitors, at least one of them must have a VGA connector. If you are connecting a TV, you may connect only one monitor (VGA or DVI) in addition to the TV.

Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors

Shutdown your system.

NOTE: If your computer has integrated video, do not connect either monitor to the

integrated video connector. If the integrated video connector is covered by a cap, do not remove the cap to connect the monitor or the monitor will not function.

Connect one of the monitors to the VGA (blue) connector on the back of the computer.

Connect the other monitor to the optional DVI adapter and connect the DVI adapter to the DVI (white) connector on the back of the computer.

Restart your system.

24 Quick Reference Guide

1 optional DVI adapter 2 DVI (white) connector 3 TV-OUT connector 4 VGA (blue) connector

Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector

Shutdown your system.

Connect the VGA connector on the monitor to the VGA (blue) connector

on the back of the computer.

Connect the DVI connector on the other monitor to the DVI (white) connector on the back of the computer.

Restart your system.

Quick Reference Guide 25

Connecting a TV

NOTE: You must purchase an S-video cable, available at most consumer electronics

stores, to connect a TV to your computer. It is not included with your computer.

Shutdown your system.

Connect one end of the S-video cable to the optional TV-OUT connector on the back of the computer.

Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video input connector on your TV.

Connect the VGA or DVI monitor.

Restart your system.

Changing the Display Settings

After you connect the monitor(s) or TV, turn on the computer.

The Microsoft

Enable extended desktop mode in the display settings. In extended desktop mode, you can drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space.

Windows® desktop displays on the primary monitor.

Power Protection Devices

Several devices are available to protect against power fluctuations and failures:

• Surge protectors

• Line conditioners

• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

Surge Protectors

Surge protectors and power strips equipped with surge protection help prevent damage to your computer from voltage spikes that can occur during electrical storms or after power interruptions. Some surge protector manufacturers include warranty coverage for certain types of damage. Carefully read the device warranty when choosing a surge protector. A device with a higher joule rating offers more protection. Compare joule ratings to determine the relative effectiveness of different devices.

26 Quick Reference Guide

NOTICE: Most surge protectors do not protect against power fluctuations or

power interruptions caused by nearby lightning strikes. When lightning occurs in your area, disconnect the telephone line from the telephone wall jack and disconnect your computer from the electrical outlet.

Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. See the surge protector documentation for modem connection instructions.

NOTICE: Not all surge protectors offer network adapter protection. Disconnect the

network cable from the network wall jack during electrical storms.

Line Conditioners

NOTICE: Line conditioners do not protect against power interruptions.

Line conditioners are designed to maintain AC voltage at a fairly constant level.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

NOTICE: Loss of power while data is being saved to the hard drive may result in

data loss or file damage.

NOTE: To ensure maximum battery operating time, connect only your computer to

a UPS. Connect other devices, such as a printer, to a separate power strip that provides surge protection.

A UPS protects against power fluctuations and interruptions. UPS devices contain a battery that provides temporary power to connected devices when AC power is interrupted. The battery charges while AC power is available. See the UPS manufacturer documentation for information on battery operating time and to ensure that the device is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Quick Reference Guide 27

Desktop Computer

Front View

11 7

1 USB 2.0 connectors

(2)

2 drive activity light The drive activity light is on when the computer reads

3 power button,

power light

Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Options in the online User’s Guide for more information on booting to a USB device). It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as an optical drive is operating.

Press the power button to turn on the computer. The light in the center of this button indicates power state.

4610

28 Quick Reference Guide

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the

power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown.

4 Dell badge This badge can be rotated to match the orientation of

your computer. To rotate the badge, place your fingers around the outside of the badge, press firmly, and turn the badge. You can also rotate the badge using the slot provided near the bottom of the badge.

5 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid

to indicate different operating states:

• No light — The computer is turned off.

• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.

• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving mode.

• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in the online

To exit from a power-saving mode, press the power button or use the keyboard or the mouse if it is configured as a wake device in the Windows Device Manager. For more information about sleep modes and exiting from a power-saving mode, see the online User’s Guide.

See"Diagnostic Lights" on page 56" for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

6 diagnostic lights Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer

problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 56.

7 LAN indicator light This light indicates that a LAN (local area network)

connection is established.

8 headphone and

microphone connectors

9 floppy drive Can contain an optional floppy drive. 10 optical drive Use the optical drive to play a CD/DVD. 11 Service Tag Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you

Use the microphone connector to attach a personal computer microphone. On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.

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

access the Dell Support website or call Support.

User’s Guide

Quick Reference Guide 29

Back View

1 card slots Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards. 2 back panel

connectors

3 power connector Insert the power cable. 4 voltage selector

switch

5 padlock rings Padlock rings are for attaching a commercially available

6 cover release latch Use this latch to open the computer cover.

2 3 4 6

Plug USB, audio, and other devices into the appropriate connector (see "Back Panel Connectors" on page 31 for more information).

For selecting voltage rating.

antitheft device. The padlock rings allows you to secure the computer cover to the chassis with a padlock to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock rings, insert a commercially available padlock through the rings, and then lock the padlock.

CAUTION: Ensure that none of the system air vents are blocked. Blocking them

would cause serious thermal problems.

30 Quick Reference Guide

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