Dell OptiPlex GX240 User Manual

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX240 Systems

User’s Guide

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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.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the “Glossary.”

____________________

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

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, OptiPlex, and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pent ium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows NT, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation; NetWare and Novell are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Dell Computer Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

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 Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Models: DHS, DHP, and DHM

September 2002 4G172 Rev. A04

Contents

CAUTION: Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

General

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When Using Your Computer

When Working Inside Your Computer

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Ergonomic Computing Habits

Battery Disposal

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1 About Your Computer

Finding Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Front Panel

Front Panel Door

Speaker/Headphone Connector

Power Button

Power Light

Floppy Drive Access Light

Hard Drive Access Light

Back Panel

Connecting Devices

Parallel Connector

Mouse Connector

USB Connectors

Integrated Network Adapter Connector

Network Cable Requirements

Line-In Jack

Line-Out Jack

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Contents 1

Microphone Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Video Connector

Serial Connectors

Keyboard Connector

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Inside Your Computer

System Board Components

2 Advanced Features

LegacySelect Technology Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Manageability

Dell OpenManage™ IT Assistant

Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation

Security

Chassis Intrusion Detection

Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot

Password Protection

System Password

Setup Password

Disabling a Forgotten Password

Computer Settings

Entering System Setup

System Setup Screens

Changing the Boot Sequence During System Setup

Changing the Boot Sequence in System Setup

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2 Contents

Additional System Setup Options

If You Have a Problem

Jumper Settings

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Software Installation and Configuration

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3 Installing Upgrades

Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Opening the Computer Cover

Closing the Computer Cover

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Expansion Cards

Installing an Expansion Card

Removing an Expansion Card

Installing an AGP Graphics Card

Removing an AGP Card

Expansion-Card Cage (Small Desktop Computer Only)

Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage

TAPI

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Installing a TAPI Device

Installing a TAPI Sound Card

Memory

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Installing DIMMs

Removing DIMMs

Microprocessor

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Removing the Heat Sink or Heat-Sink/Blower Assembly

Removing the Microprocessor

Installing the Microprocessor

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Replacing the Heat Sink or Heat-Sink/Blower Assembly

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3 Contents

Front Panel Inserts

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Removing Front Panel Inserts—Small Form-Factor and Small Desktop Computers

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Removing Front Panel Inserts—Small Mini-Tower Computer

Replacing Front Panel Inserts

Internal Drives

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IDE Drive Addressing

Connecting Drives

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Hard Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Detaching Hard Drive Cables

Removing a Hard Drive

Installing a Hard Drive

Reattaching Hard Drive Cables

Adding a Second Hard Drive — Small Mini-Tower Computer

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Floppy Drives

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Detaching Floppy Drive Cables

Removing a Floppy Drive

Installing a Floppy Drive and Reattaching Cables

CD/DVD Drives

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Detaching CD, CD-RW, or DVD Drive Cables

Removing a CD, CD-RW, or DVD Drive

Installing a CD, CD-RW, or DVD Drive and Reattaching Cables

Battery

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Replacing the Battery

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4 Stand

Removing the Computer Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Attaching the Computer Stand

5 Technical Specifications

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143

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6 Solving Problems

Finding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Using the Dell OptiPlex ResourceCD

Power Problems

Video and Monitor Problems

Sound and Speaker Problems

Printer Problems

4 Contents

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Serial or Parallel Device Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Mouse Problems

Keyboard Problems

Floppy Drive Problems

Hard Drive Problems

Battery Problems

Expansion Card Problems

Recovering From a Program That Is Not Responding

Restarting a Computer That Is Not Responding

Repairing a Wet Computer

Repairing a Dropped or Damaged Computer

Hardware Conflicts

Computer Memory Problems

System Board Problems

Resetting a Damaged System Board

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Dell Diagnostics

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When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Features

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Before You Start Testing

Running the Dell Diagnostics

Advanced Testing

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Advanced Testing Help Menu

Messages and Codes

Computer Messages

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Computer Beep Codes

Warning Messages

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Diagnostics Messages

Diagnostic Lights

Front Panel Lights

Back Panel Lights

Software Problems

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Operating System Compatibility

Input Errors

Error Messages

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5 Contents

Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Memory-Resident Programs

Program Conflicts

Memory Address Conflicts

Interrupt Assignment Conflicts

7 Getting Help

Technical Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Online Services

AutoTech Service

Automated Order-Status Service

Technical Support Service

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Problems With Your Order

Product Information

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Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Before You Call

Contacting Dell

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8 Additional Information

Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

FCC Notices (U.S. Only)

IC Notice (Canada Only)

CE Notice (European Union)

ENERGY STAR

Simplified Chinese Class A Warning Notice (China Only)

EN 55022 Compliance (Czech Republic Only)

VCCI Notice (Japan Only)

MIC Notice (Republic of Korea Only)

Polish Center for Testing and Certification Notice

BSMI Notice (Taiwan Only)

Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

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6 Contents

NOM Information (Mexico Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Warranty and Return Policy

Ergonomic Computing Habits

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9 Microsoft® Windows® XP Features

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Help and Support Center

New User Interface

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Switching to Classic View

Clean Desktop Wizard

Taskbar Grouping

Notification Area Cleanup

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

Application and Device Compatibility

Program Compatibility Wizard

System Restore

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Using System Restore

Restore Process

Driver Rollback

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User Accounts and Fast User Switching

How to Use Fast User Switching

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What Happens When a Fast User Switch Occurs?

Special Considerations With Fast User Switching

How to Turn Off Fast User Switching

How to Add Users

Home and Small Office Networking

Network Setup Wizard

Internet Connection Firewall

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Contents 7

8 Contents

CAUTION: Safety Instructions

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

General

• Do not attempt to service the computer yourself unless you are a trained service technician. Always follow installation instructions closely.

• To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and device power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not use your computer during an electrical storm.

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical storm.

• If your computer includes a modem, the cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCCcompliant RJ-11 modular plug.

• Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.

• To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from the computer.

CAUTION: Safety Instructions (continued)

• To avoid shorting out your computer when disconnecting a network cable, first unplug the cable from the network adapter on the back of your computer, and then from the network jack. When reconnecting a network cable to your computer, first plug the cable into the network jack, and then into the network adapter.

• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

• Ensure that nothing rests on your computer’s cables and that the cables are not located

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where they can be stepped on or tripped over.

• Do not push any objects into the openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

• Keep your computer away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling vents. Avoid placing loose papers underneath your computer; do not place your computer in a closed-in wall unit or on a bed, sofa, or rug.

• Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the computer gets wet, consult

"Repairing a Wet Computer."

• Do not use your computer during an electrical storm unless the AC adapter cable has been disconnected from the electrical outlet.

• When you use the AC adapter to run the computer or to charge the battery, place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the floor.

• The AC adapter may become hot during normal operation of your computer. Use care when handling the adapter during or immediately after operation.

When Using Your Computer

As you use your computer, observe the following safe-handling guidelines.

CAUTION: Do not operate your computer with any cover(s) (including computer

covers, bezels, filler brackets, front-panel inserts, and so on) removed.

• Your computer is equipped with one of the following:

– A fixed-voltage power supply — Computers with a fixed-voltage power supply do not

have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and operate at only one voltage (see the regulatory label on the outside of the computer for its operating voltage).

– An auto-sensing voltage circuit — Computers with an auto-sensing voltage circuit do

not have a voltage selection switch on the back panel and automatically detect the correct operating voltage.

– A manual voltage selection switch — Computers with a voltage selection switch on

the back panel must be manually set to operate at the correct operating voltage.

NOTICE: To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage selection switch, set the

switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location. For Japan, the voltage selection switch must be set to the 115-V position even though the AC power available in Japan is 100 V. Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in your location.

• Before working inside the computer, unplug the computer to help prevent electric shock or system board damage. Certain system board components continue to receive power any time the computer is connected to AC power.

When Using Your Computer (continued)

When Working Inside Your Computer

Before you open the computer cover, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in

your online Dell™ documentation or in instructions otherwise provided to you by Dell. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.

NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the

computer before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer.

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Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.

2 Turn off your computer and any devices connected to the computer.

3 Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the chassis, such as the metal

around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer, before touching anything inside your computer.

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

4 Disconnect your computer and devices, including the monitor, from their electrical

outlets. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.

In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before disconnecting 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.

When Using Your Computer (continued)

• 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 microprocessor chip by its edges, not by its pins.

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed.

Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent static damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s electronic components, such as the microprocessor. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated.

You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD):

• Do not remove components from their antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, discharge static electricity from your body.

• When transporting an electrostatic sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.

• Handle all electrostatic sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.

Ergonomic Computing Habits

CAUTION: Improper or prolonged keyboard use may result in injury.

CAUTION: Viewing the monitor screen for extended periods of time may result in

eye strain.

For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines in "Ergonomic Computing

Habits" when setting up and using your computer.

When Using Your Computer (continued)

Battery Disposal

Your computer uses a lithium battery. The lithium battery is a long-life battery, and it is very possible that you will never need to replace it. However, should you need to replace it, see "Replacing the Battery."

Do not dispose of the battery along with household waste. Contact your local waste disposal

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agency for the address of the nearest battery deposit site.

SECTION 1

About Your Computer

Finding Information and Assistance

Front Panel

Back Panel

Inside Your Computer

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Finding Information and Assistance

The following table lists the resources that Dell provides as support tools. Additional resources may be shipped with your computer system.

Resources and Support Tools

Resources Contents Using the Resource

Dell OptiPlex ResourceCD

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Setup and Quick Reference Guide

• Dell Diagnostics

• Drivers

• Utilities

• Computer and device documentation

• Getting started/setup

• Support tools

• Solving Problems

See the main menu on the ResourceCD that was shipped with your computer. Use the pull-down menu to make selections appropriate for your computer. You can perform the following tasks:

• Diagnose a problem

• Install or reinstall drivers

• Obtain information on your computer and devices

NOTE: User documentation and drivers are already

installed on your computer when shipped from Dell. You can use this CD to access documentation, reinstall drivers, or run diagnostics tools. You must boot your computer from this CD to run the diagnostics, which may require changing your computer’s boot sequence.

For more information on using the ResourceCD, see “Using the Dell OptiPlex ResourceCD.”

See the Setup and Quick Reference Guide for information on the following:

• Setting up your computer

• Finding and using support resources

• Diagnosing a problem

• Using tools and utilities

16 About Your Computer

Resources and Support Tools (continued)

Resources Contents Using the Resource

Service and Registration Labels—located on the front or side of your Dell™ computer.

• Express Service Code and Service Tag Number

• Product Key (also called the Product ID or Certificate of Authenticity [COA])

Operating System CD To reinstall your operating system, use the Operating

Operating system installation guide

The Express Service Code and Service Tag Number are unique identifiers for your Dell computer.

You may need the Product Key (or Product ID) number to complete the operating system setup.

System CD that was shipped with your computer.

NOTE: The operating system CD may not include all the

latest drivers for your computer. If you reinstall your operating system, use the Res ou rc eCD to reinstall drivers for the devices shipped with your computer.

For more information about reinstalling your operating system, see the operating system installation documentation that was shipped with your computer.

See the operating system installation guide for information on reinstalling and configuring your operating system.

Click the Start button and select Help or Help and Support, depending on your operating system, to obtain more information on your operating system.

About Your Computer 17

Resources and Support Tools (continued)

Resources Contents Using the Resource

User’s guides for your computer and devices

Depending on your operating system, double-click the User’s Guides icon on your desktop or click the Start button and then select Help and Support to access the electronic documentation stored on your hard drive. Obtain information on the following:

• Using your computer

User’s Guides

• Configuring system settings

• Removing and installing parts

• Installing and configuring software

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• Diagnosing a problem

• Technical specifications

• Device documentation (on selected operating systems)

• Getting technical assistance

Dell Support website

• Technical support and information

• Downloads for your computer

• Order or delivery status

• Hints and tips, technology papers, service information

Go to Dell Support website at support.dell.com and complete the one-time registration.

• Get help with general usage, installation, and troubleshooting questions

• Obtain answers to technical service and support questions

• Get the latest versions of the drivers for your computer

• Access documentation about your computer and devices

• Join online discussions with other Dell customers and Dell technical professionals

• Explore a list of online links to Dell's primary vendors

Dell Premier Support website

• Service call status

• Top technical issues by product

Go to premiersupport.dell.com:

The Dell Premier Support website is customized for corporate, government, and education customers.

This site may not be available in all regions.

• Frequently asked questions by product number

• Customized service tags

• System configuration detail

18 About Your Computer

Front Panel

The following figures show the controls, lights, and features located on the front panel of the small form-factor, small desktop, and small mini-tower computers.

Small Form-Factor Computer

12 3 4 5

1 USB connectors (2)

2 headphone connector

3 hard drive access lights

4 power button

5power light

About Your Computer 19

Small Desktop Computer

12 3 4 5

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1 front panel door

2 power button

3 power light

4 hard drive access light

5 floppy drive access light

20 About Your Computer

Small Mini-Tower Computer

3 4

1 removable drive panel

2 floppy drive access light

3 removable drive panel

4 hard drive access light

5 power button

6 power light

7 front panel door

About Your Computer 21

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Front Panel Door

Open the front panel door to access two Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors and one headphone connector. This door is removable; if you remove it or accidentally knock it off its hinges, it snaps back in place.

Small Desktop Computer

213

1 USB connectors (2)

2 headphone connector

3 breakaway hinges (2)

22 About Your Computer

Small Mini-Tower Computer

1 breakaway hinges (2)

2 USB connectors (2)

3 headphone connector

Speaker/Headphone Connector

Used to connect computer speakers, headphones, or other audio output devices. This connector is amplified to support headphones.

Power Button

The power button controls the computer's AC input power.

About Your Computer 23

The Microsoft® Windows® 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows 2000, and Windows XP operating systems let you configure the function of the power button through the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) feature, as shown in the following table.

NOTICE: To turn off your computer, perform an orderly computer shutdown

using the operating system menu when possible.

Power Button Functions for Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, and Windows XP with ACPI

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Action Results

Computer Turned On and ACPI Enabled

Press power button

Hold power button for 6 seconds*

*Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the computer may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the computer only if the operating system is not responding.

Power Button Functions for Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, and Windows XP with ACPI Disabled

Action Results

Press power button Computer turns off

Hold power button for 6 seconds*

Computer goes into standby mode or turns off (depending on the operating system setup)

Computer turns off Computer

Computer Turned On and ACPI Disabled

immediately

Computer turns off Computer turns

Computer in Standby Mode

Computer turns on

turns off

Computer in Suspend Mode

Computer turns off immediately

off

Computer Turned Off

Boots and computer turns on

Computer Turned Off

Boots and computer turns on

24 About Your Computer

*Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the computer may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the computer only if the operating system is not responding.

Power Button Functions for Microsoft Windows NT®

Action Results

Computer Turn ed On

Press power button Computer shuts

down

Hold power button for 6 seconds* Computer turns

off

*Pressing or holding the power button to shut down the computer may result in data loss. Use the power button to shut down the computer only if the operating system is not responding.

Computer Turned Off

Boots and computer turns on

If the computer does not turn off when you press the power button, the computer may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (this process may take several seconds). If the computer is hung and the power button fails to function properly, unplug the AC power cable from the computer, wait for it to completely stop running, and plug in the AC power cable. If the computer does not restart, press the power button to restart the computer.

Power Light

The power light illuminates in two colors and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states (normal and nonnormal). The following are normal lights:

• No light — computer is in the off state (S4, S5, or mechanical OFF)

• Steady green — normal operating state

• Blinking green — low-power state (S1 or S3)

About Your Computer 25

NOTE: Your computer

can resume from the S3 state (suspend to RAM) in several ways. Pressing the power button always works. Remote Wake Up also creates an S3 wake event if enabled in system setup and in your operating system. Personal System/2 (PS/2) wake events also vary depending on your

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operating system, but PS/2 mice always wake the computer from S3 with both movement and click. Certain USB devices also wake the computer from S3, and the action required varies by device. Check your device documentation for details.

See “Diagnostic Lights” for a description of nonnormal indications.

Floppy Drive Access Light

The floppy drive access light lights when the drive is reading data from, or writing data to, a floppy disk. Wait until this light turns off before you remove the floppy from the drive.

Hard Drive Access Light

The hard drive access light lights when the computer is reading data from, or writing data to, the drive.

Back Panel

Small Form-Factor Computer

213

26 About Your Computer

1 half-height PCI expansion-card slot

2 AC adapter

3 AC voltage switch

Small Desktop Computer

1 PCI slots (2)

2AC adapter

About Your Computer 27

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Small Mini-Tower Computer

28 About Your Computer

1AC adapter

2 AC voltage switch

3 AGP slot

4 PCI slots (4)

+ 268 hidden pages

Dell OptiPlex GX240 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual