Dell OptiPlex 210L User manual

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Dell™ OptiPlex™ 210L
Quick Reference Guide
Models DCSM, DCNE

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.
The
Quick Reference Guide , Drivers and Utilities CD, and operating system media are optional and may not ship
with all computers.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in the User’s Guide .
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2005–2006 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; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel 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.
Models DCSM, DCNE
September 2006 P/N YC815 Rev. A01

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
System Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mini Tower Computer — Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mini Tower Computer — Back View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Desktop Computer — Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Desktop Computer — Back View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Desktop Computer — Back-Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Removing the Computer Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Turning Off Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mini Tower Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Desktop Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mini Tower Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Desktop Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
System Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Diagnostic Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

4Contents

Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or 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
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
• Desktop System Software (DSS)
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as ResourceCD)
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your
computer. You can use the CD to run the
Dell Diagnostics or
access your documentation. (see "Dell Diagnostics" on
page 28).
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: Drivers and documentation
updates can be found at
support.dell.com.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship
with your computer.
• 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
User’s Guide
Microsoft®Windows®XP Help and Support Center
1 Click the Start button, then click Help and Support.
2 Click Dell User and System Guides, then click System Guides.
3 Click Dell Optiplex User's Guide.
The User’s Guide is also available on the optional Drivers and
Utilities
CD ( Resource CD) .

6Quick Reference Guide
• 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.
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips,
articles from technicians, online courses, and
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, and online
discussions with technical support
• Reference — Computer documentation, details
on my computer configuration, product
specifications, and white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches, and
software updates
• 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 Dell 3.5-inch USB floppy
drives, Intel
®
Pentium
®
M processors, optical
drives, and USB devices. DSS is necessary for
correct operation of your Dell computer. The
software automatically detects your computer
and operating system and installs the updates
appropriate for your configuration.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site.
NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers can
also use the customized Dell Premier Support website at
premier.support.dell.com.The 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 "Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP" on page 37 for
instructions).
After you reinstall your operating
system, use the optional Drivers
and Utilities CD (ResourceCD) 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 CD varies
based on the operating system you
ordered.
NOTE: The Operating System CD is optional and may not ship with
your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

8Quick Reference Guide
System Views
Mini Tower Computer — Front View
1234
3
8
6
7
2
1
5
4

Quick Reference Guide 9
1CD/DVD drive Insert a CD or DVD (if applicable) into this drive.
2floppy drive Insert a floppy disk into this drive.
3hard-drive activity light This light flickers when the hard drive is in use.
4USB 2.0 connectors (2) Use the USB connectors on the front of the computer for devices that you
connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices.
It is recommended that you use the USB connectors on the back of the computer
for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
5diagnostic lights
Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic
code (for more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 32).
6power button Press this button to turn on the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not turn off the computer by pressing the
power button for 6 seconds or longer. Instead, perform an operating system
shutdown.
NOTICE: If your operating system has ACPI enabled, when you press the
power button the computer will perform an operating system shutdown.
7power 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 — The computer is receiving electrical power, but an
internal power problem might exist. See "Power Problems" in your online
User’s Guide.
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 your online User’s Guide.
For a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your
computer, see "System Lights" on page 31.
8headphone connector Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

10 Quick Reference Guide
Mini Tower Computer — Back View
1 cover release latch This latch allows you to open the computer cover.
2 padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover.
3voltage selection
switch
Your computer is equipped with a manual voltage-selection switch.
To avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage-selection switch, set the
switch to the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your
location.
NOTICE: In Japan, the voltage-selection switch must be set to 115-V.
Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to operate
with the AC power available in your location.
4
3
5
6
2
1