Dell OptiPlex SX280 User manual

Dell™OptiPlex™SX280User'sGuide

Notes, Notices, and Cautions





Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the "Glossary."

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.
Documentation for Your
Computer
Finding Information for Your Computer
Technical Specifications
System Board Components
Cleaning Your Computer
About Your Computer
Front View
Side View
Back View
Back-Panel Connectors
Connecting a VGA Monitor
Connecting Two Monitors
Inside Your Computer
Cable Cover (Optional)
Connecting the Power Adapter
Badge
Advanced Features
Hyper-Threading
Jumper Settings
LegacySelect Technology Control
Manageability
Password Protection
Power Management
Security
System Setup
Adding and Removing Parts
Before You Begin
Removing the Computer Cover
Battery
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Chassis Speaker
Hard Drive
Memory
Module Bay
Processor
Replacing the Computer Cover
Troubleshooting Tools and
Utilities
Dell Diagnostics
Power Adapter Light
System Lights
Diagnostic Lights
Beep Codes
Error Messages
Resolving Software and Hardware
Incompatibilities
Solving Problems
Battery Problems
Power Problems
Drive Problems
Printer Problems
Keyboard Problems
Restoring Default Settings
Lockups and Software Problems
Serial or Parallel Device Problems
Memory Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
Mouse Problems
Video and Monitor Problems
Network Problems
Reinstalling Drivers and the
Operating System
Drivers
Using Microsoft®Windows®XP System Restore
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP
Additional Information
Microsoft®Windows®XP Features
Getting Help
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)
Glossary
Warranty
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.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, OptiPlex, Inspiron, Dimension, Latitude, Dell Precision, DellNet, Dell Travellite, PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, PowerVault, Axim,
and Dell OpenManage are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows NT, MS-DOS, and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell Inc. under license. ENERGY STAR is a registered
trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Dell Inc. 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 Inc. disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model DCTR
April2004P/NF3287Rev.A00


Back to Contents Page

About Your Computer
Dell™OptiPlex™SX280User'sGuide




Front View



Front View
Connecting Two Monitors
Side View
Inside Your Computer
Back View
Cable Cover (Optional)
Back-Panel Connectors
Connecting the Power Adapter
Connecting a VGA Monitor
Badge
NOTICE: To ensure proper ventilation, do not block the cooling vents.
NOTICE: When setting up your computer, ensure that the computer has at least 6 cm (2 in) of airflow space around the front and back
of the computer.
NOTICE: Do not place your monitor on the computer. Use a monitor stand.
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.
NOTE: If you want to orient your computer under a desktop or on a wall surface, use the optional wall-mount bracket. To order this bracket, contact
Dell.
1
USB connectors
(2)
Connect USB devices such as a mouse, keyboard, memory key, printer, joystick, and computer speakers into either of the USB
connectors.
2
microphone
connector
Attach a microphone to this connector.
3
headphone
connector
Attach headphones to this connector.
4
power light
The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
lNo light —The computer is turned off (S4, S5, or mechanical OFF).
lSteady green —The computer is in a normal operating state.
lBlinking green —The computer is in a power-saving state (S1 or S3).
lBlinking or solid yellow—See "Power Problems."
To exit from a power-saving state, 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 states and exiting from a power-saving state, see "Power
Management."
See "Diagnostic Lights" for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
5
power button
Press this button to turn on the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform a Microsoft®Windows®
shutdown.
6
vents
The vents allow air to flow through your computer. To ensure proper ventilation, do not block these cooling vents.
7
module bay
Install a D-module CD/DVD drive, second hard drive, or floppy drive in the module bay.
8
hard-drive
access light
The hard-drive access light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when
devices such as your CD player are operating.
9
vents
The vents allow air to flow through your computer. To ensure proper ventilation, do not block these cooling vents.

Side View



Back View



Back-Panel Connectors


1
vents
The vents, which are on each side of the computer, allow air to flow through your computer. To ensure proper ventilation, do not block these
cooling vents.
1
diagnostic lights
See "Diagnostic Lights" for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
2
computer cover release knob
Rotate this knob in a clockwise direction to remove the cover.
3
back-panel connectors
The connectors for your computer.
4
power connector
The connector for the power adapter.
5
vents
The vents allow air to flow through your computer. To ensure proper ventilation, do not block these cooling vents.
1
parallel
connector
Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel connector. If you have a USB printer, plug it into a USB connector.
2
link integrity
light
lGreen —A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network and the computer.
lOrange —A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps network and the computer.
lYellow —A good connection exists between a 1000-Mbps (1-Gbps) network and the computer.
lOff —The computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network or the Network Controller is turned off in system
setup.
3
network
adapter
Attach the UTP cable to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port on a UTP concentrator or hub and press the other end of the UTP
cable into the network adapter connector until the cable snaps securely into place.


Connecting a VGA Monitor

If you have a VGA-compatible monitor, use the adapter cable to connect the cable from your monitor to the white DVI display connector on the back panel.



Connecting Two Monitors

Use the adapter cable to connect both a VGA monitor and a DVI monitor to the white DVI display connector on the back panel.

When you connect two monitors, the driver will detect this connection and activate the multimonitor functionality.


Dell recommends the use of Category 5 wiring and connectors for our customers' networks.
4
network activity
light
The amber light flashes when the computer is transmitting or receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic may make this
light appear to be in a steady "on" state.
5
line-out
connector
Use the green line-out connector to attach an amplified speaker set.
6
line-in connector
Use the blue line-in connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
7
USB connectors
(5)
Connect USB devices such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, joystick, and computer speakers into any of the USB connectors.
8
serial connector
Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial connector.
9
video connector
If you have a DVI-compatible monitor, plug the cable from your monitor into the white DVI display connector on the back panel.
If you have a VGA monitor, see "Connecting a VGA Monitor."
10
power
connector
The connector for the power adapter.
11
diagnostic lights
See "Diagnostic Lights" for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
1
adapter cable
1
adapter cable

Inside Your Computer






Cable Cover (Optional)

Attaching the Cable Cover
1. Ensure that all external device cables are threaded through the hole in the cable cover.
2. Connect all device cables to the connectors on the back of the computer.
3. Hold the cable cover and align the four tabs with the four slots on the computer's back panel.
4. Insert the tabs into the slots and slide the cable cover toward the diagnostic lights (see the illustration) until the cable cover is securely positioned.
5. Install a security device in the security cable slot (optional).



Removing the Cable Cover

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the power adapter before removing the cover.
CAUTION: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of
your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
1
microprocessor heat sink fan shroud
4
hard drive
2
speaker (optional)
5
security cable slot
3
memory modules (2)
6
chassis intrusion switch
1
cable cover
2
security cable slot


1. If a security device is installed in the security cable slot, remove the device.
2. Press on the release button, grasp the cable cover, and slide the cover to the left until it stops, and then lift the cable cover up and away.

Connecting the Power Adapter

1. Connect the power adapter to the connector on the back of the computer. In order for the connection to be secure, verify that the latch engages
completely. (An audible click will be heard or felt.)
2. Connect one end of the AC power cable to the power adapter.

3. If your AC power cable has a green ground wire for connection to an electrical outlet, connect the metal ground connector to the grounding source on
the outlet (see the following illustration):
a. Loosen the grounding source.
b. Slide the metal ground connector behind the grounding source, and then tighten the grounding source.


4. Connect the AC power cable to the outlet.

Badge

1
release button
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
CAUTION: If your power adapter cable has a green grounding wire, do not permit contact between the green ground wire and power leads
because electrical shock, fire, or damage to your computer can occur.
1
grounding source
2
metal ground connector


The badge on the front of your computer can be rotated. To rotate the badge:
1. Remove the computer cover.
2. Pull on the lever to release the notch from the slot.
3. Rotate the badge to the desired position, ensuring that the notch is secured in the slot.

Back to Contents Page

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
1
lever
2
slots

Back to Contents Page
Advanced Features
Dell™OptiPlex™SX280User'sGuide

Hyper-Threading

Hyper-Threading is an Intel®technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical
processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft®Windows®XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or higher
operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-
Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software
manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.

To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:
1. Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click Hardware and click Device Manager.
3. In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper-Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup.

Jumper Settings




To change a jumper setting, pull the plug off its pin(s) and carefully fit it down onto the pin(s) indicated.

Hyper-Threading
Password Protection
Jumper Settings
Power Management
LegacySelect Technology Control
Security
Manageability
System Setup
NOTICE: Ensure that your computer is turned off and unplugged before you change the jumper settings. Otherwise, damage to your computer or
unpredictable results can occur.
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 any static electricity that could harm internal components.
Jumper
Setting
Description
PSWD

(default)

Password features are
enabled.

Password features are
disabled.


Clearing Forgotten Passwords


1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
2. Remove the hard drive.
3. Remove the 2-pin password jumper (PSWD) on the system board.
4. Replace the hard drive.
5. Replace the computer cover.
6. Connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
7. After the Microsoft®Windows®desktop appears on your computer, shut down the computer.
8. Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
9. Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet, and press the power button to ground the system board.
10. Remove the computer cover.
11. Remove the hard drive.
12. Replace the PSWD jumper.
13. Replace the hard drive.
14. Replace the computer cover.

15. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.

16. Assign a new system and/or admin password.

Clearing CMOS Settings

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
2. Remove the hard drive.
3. Reset the current CMOS settings:
a. Locate the password (PSWD) and CLR CMOS jumpers on the system board.
b. Remove the password jumper from its pins.
c. Place the password jumper on the CLR CMOS pins and wait approximately 5 seconds.
d. Remove the jumper from the CLR CMOS pins and place it back on the password pins.
4. Replace the hard drive.
5. Replace the computer cover.

CLR
CMOS

Real-time clock reset
jumpered unjumpered
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: This process erases both the system and admin passwords.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
NOTE: This procedure enables the password feature. When you enter system setup, both system and admin password options appear as Not
Enabled—meaning that the password feature is enabled but no password is assigned.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.