Use the following safety guidelines to help
protect your computer from potential damage and to ensure your own personal
safety. These safety guidelines are also available in the Setup and Quick
Reference Guide that came with 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.
To help avoid damaging your computer, be sure the
voltage selection switch on the power supply is set to match the AC power
available at your location.
NOTE: Auto-select power supplies
do not require a voltage selection switch. Your power supply may not
have this switch.
115 volts (V)/60 hertz (Hz) in most of North and
South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and
Taiwan
100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in
western Japan
NOTE: The voltage selection
switch must be set to the 115-V position even though the AC supply
in Japan is 100 V.
230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and
the Far East
Also be sure 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.
To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait
5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting a device from
the computer.
To help prevent electric shock, plug the computer and
device power cables into properly grounded power sources. These cables are
equipped with three-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 three-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.
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).
Be sure nothing rests on your computer�s cables and
that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped
over.
Do not spill food or liquids on your computer. If the
computer gets wet, consult your User's Guide.
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.
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
following ergonomic guidelines when setting up and using your computer:
Position your computer so that the monitor and keyboard
are directly in front of you as you work. Special shelves are available
(from Dell and other sources) to help you correctly position your keyboard.
Set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance
(usually 510 to 610 millimeters [20 to 24 inches] from your eyes).
Make sure the monitor screen is at eye level or
slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.
Adjust the tilt of the monitor, its contrast and
brightness settings, and the lighting around you (such as overhead lights,
desk lamps, and the curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize
reflections and glare on the monitor screen.
Use a chair that provides good lower back support.
Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a
neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard or mouse.
Always leave space to rest your hands while using the
keyboard or mouse.
Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.
Sit erect, with your feet resting on the floor and your
thighs level.
When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on
your feet and not on the front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair's
height or use a footrest, if necessary, to maintain proper posture.
Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so
that you do not have to type for extended periods of time. When you stop
typing, try to do things that use both hands.
1
Monitor screen
at or below eye level
2
Wrists relaxed
and flat
3
Arms at desk
level
4
Feet flat on
the floor
5
Monitor and
keyboard positioned directly in front of user
Before you remove the computer cover, perform
the following steps in the sequence indicated.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to
service the computer yourself, except as explained in this guide and
elsewhere in Dell documentation. 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.
Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.
Turn off your computer and any devices.
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.
Disconnect your computer and devices from their power sources. 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, make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
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.
Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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):
When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do
not remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are
ready to install the component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the
antistatic packaging, be sure to discharge static electricity from your
body.
When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic
container or packaging.
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use
antistatic floor pads and workbench pads.
The following notice may appear throughout this document to
remind you of these precautions:
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against
Electrostatic Discharge."
