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Setup and Operation: Dell OptiPlex GC System User's Guide
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Setup and Operation: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GC System User's
Guide
If you need to set up your computer system yourself (rather than
having it set up by a network administrator), see "Getting Started" in the System
Information Guide that accompanied your system for instructions on connecting cables
and turning on your system for the first time.
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CAUTION: Your system is designed to work only in a vertical
orientation using the stand shipped with the computer. Do not attempt to operate the
system lying flat on a desktop, and do not set heavy objects such as a monitor on top of
the computer. |
After you correctly connect all the cables to your system and turn
it on, see the setup guide for your operating system to complete its installation. When
the operating system is installed, you can connect peripheral devices, such as a printer,
or install application programs not already installed by Dell.
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CAUTION: When you insert a CD in the CD-ROM drive, make
sure that the CD snaps firmly on to the CD-ROM drive spindle. Failure to securely attach
the CD to the CD-ROM drive spindle can damage the CD and the CD-ROM drive. |
Figure 1 shows the connectors on the back of your computer for
attaching external devices.
Figure 1. I/O
Ports, Connectors, and Indicators
When you connect external devices to your computer's back panel,
follow these guidelines:
- Check the documentation that accompanied the device for specific
installation and configuration instructions.
For example, you must connect most devices to a particular
input/output (I/O) port or connector in order for them to operate properly. Also, external
devices like a mouse or printer usually require you to load device drivers into system
memory before they will work.
- Always attach external devices while your computer is turned off.
Then turn on the computer before turning on any external devices, unless the
documentation for the device specifies otherwise. (If the computer does not seem to
recognize the device, try turning on the device before turning on the computer.)
NOTICE: When you disconnect external devices from the back
of the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before you disconnect any
devices to avoid possible damage to the system board.
NOTICE: Setting the voltage selection switch incorrectly can
damage your system.
Even though the AC power available in Japan is 100 volts (V), the
voltage selection switch must be set to the 115V position.
This receptacle is used to attach the computer power cord, which
provides power to the computer from a wall outlet. Be sure to use only the three-prong,
grounded power cord provided with your system.
Your system uses a Personal System/2 (PS/2)-compatible mouse. The
mouse cable attaches to a 6-pin miniature Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN) connector on the
back panel of your computer. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals before
connecting a mouse to the computer.
Your system uses a PS/2-style keyboard. The keyboard cable attaches
to a 6-pin miniature DIN connector on the back panel of your computer.
The serial port uses a 9-pin D-subminiature connector on the back
panel. This port supports devices such as external modems or plotters that require serial
transmission (sending one bit of data at a time over one line).
The default designation for this integrated serial port is COM1.
Port designations are used in software installation procedures to identify the port used
by a device—for example, to specify the port used by a modem when you install
communications software. For information on setting the base I/O address and interrupt
request (IRQ) line for the port, see "Serial Port."
The integrated parallel port uses a 25-pin D-subminiature connector
on the computer's back panel.
This I/O port sends data in parallel format (where eight data bits,
or one byte, are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines in a single cable). The
parallel port is used primarily for printers.
The default designation of your computer's integrated parallel port
is LPT1. Port designations are used, for example, in software installation procedures to
identify the port to which your printer is attached, thus telling your software where to
send its output. (An incorrect designation prevents the printer from printing or causes
scrambled print.)
The system uses a 15-pin, high-density, D-subminiature connector on
the back panel for attaching a video graphics array (VGA)-compatible monitor to your
system.
Your system contains two Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors for
attaching USB-compliant devices—one on the front of the computer and one on the back.
USB-compliant devices are typically peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, and
computer speakers.
The line-out jack can be used to attach most computer speakers.
Connect the audio cable from the speakers to this jack.
Figure 2 shows the controls and indicators on the front panel of
your computer.
Figure 2.
Controls and Indicators
Your system contains two USB connectors for attaching USB-compliant
devices—one on the front of the computer and one on the back. USB-compliant devices
are typically peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, and computer speakers.
The headphone jack can be used to attach a standard set of
commercially available stereo headphones.
The microphone jack can be used to attach a standard personal
computer microphone. Connect the audio cable from the microphone to the microphone jack.
The microphone input is a monaural source with maximum signal levels of 89 millivolts root
mean squared (mVrms).
The hard-disk drive access indicator lights up when a hard-disk
drive is reading data from or writing data to the drive.
The power button controls the system's AC input power and operates
as follows:
- When the computer is turned off, pushing the power button turns on
the computer.
- When the computer is turned on, pushing the power button and holding
it for more than 6 seconds turns off the computer.
The Microsoft® Windows® 98 SE operating system (OS) also lets you
configure the function of the power button through the Advanced Power Management dialog
box. The Windows 2000 OS lets you configure the function of the power button through the Power
Options Properties dialog box.
If the system does not turn off when you press the power button, the
system may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the system turns off completely
(this process may take several seconds). If the system 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, plug in the AC power cable, and if it the system does not
restart, press the power button to restart the system.
On the back of the computer is a padlock ring (see Figure 3) for attaching a
commercially available theft-deterrent device. The padlock ring 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 ring, insert a commercially available padlock through
the ring, and then lock the padlock.
Figure 3. Padlock Ring
NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of
security for the data on your system. However, they are not foolproof. If your data
requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of
protection, such as data encryption programs.
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system password
feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate your system only with password
protection.
You can assign a user password or a supervisor password through
System Setup on the System Security screen.
To use the password features, you must also have a jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 of the JP6 jumper on the system board.
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