About Your Computer: Dell OptiPlex GX270 Systems
User's Guide
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Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX270 Systems
User's Guide
Front View
Back View
Inside Your Computer
System Board Components
Attaching and Removing the Computer Stand
1
USB 2.0 connectors (2)
Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see
System Setup for more information on booting to a USB device).
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
2
CD/DVD drive-activity light
The drive activity light is on when the computer reads data from the CD or DVD drive.
3
CD/DVD drive eject button
Press to eject a CD/DVD from the drive.
4
floppy-drive eject button
Press to eject a floppy disk from the floppy drive.
5
power button
Press 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.
NOTE: If your operating system has ACPI enabled, when you press the power
button the computer will perform an operating system shutdown.
6
power light
The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
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.
7
hard-drive activity light
The hard drive light is on when the computer reads data from or writes data to the hard drive. The light might also be on when a device such as your CD player is operating.
8
headphone connector
Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.
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.
NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically disabled if the
computer detects an installed card containing a parallel connector configured to
the same address. For more information, see "System Setup Options ."
2
mouse connector
Plug a standard mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off the computer and any attached devices before you connect a mouse to the computer. If you have a USB mouse, plug it into a USB connector.
If your computer is running the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or Windows XP operating system, the necessary mouse drivers have been installed on your hard drive.
3
link integrity light
4
network adapter connector
To attach your computer to a network or broadband modem, connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack or your network device. Connect the other end of the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back panel of your computer. A click indicates that the network cable has been securely attached.
On computers with a network connector card, use the connector on the card.
It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3 wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure reliable operation.
5
network activity light
Flashes a yellow light 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.
6
line-in connector
Use the blue line-in connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
7
line-out connector
Use the green line-out connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach headphones and most speakers with integrated amplifiers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
8
microphone connector
Use the pink microphone connector (available on computers with integrated sound) to attach a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.
On computers with a sound card, the microphone connector is on the card.
9
USB 2.0 connectors (6)
Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards, and for bootable USB devices.
10
keyboard connector
If you have a standard keyboard, plug it into the purple keyboard connector. If you have a USB keyboard, plug it into a USB connector.
11
diagnostic lights
Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see " Diagnostic
Lights ."
12
video connector
Plug the cable from your VGA-compatible monitor into the blue connector.
NOTE: If your computer shipped with a video card installed, this connector will
have a cap on it. Plug the monitor cable into the connector on the card.
NOTE: If you are using a video card that supports dual monitors, use the y-cable
that came with your computer.
13
serial connector
Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. In system setup, the default designation is COM1.
For more information, see " System Setup Options ."
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in "Safety Instructions ."
CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do
not disconnect cables from the system board.
Cable Colors
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