Backing Up Your Files; Basic Checks; Checking Connections And Switches - Dell OptiPlex GX300 User Manual

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Basic Checks: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX300 System User's Guide
Overview

Backing Up Your Files

Basic Checks

Overview
If your Dell computer system is not working as expected, and if you are not sure what to do, start your troubleshooting with the procedures in this
section. This section guides you through basic steps to solve basic computer problems. It also directs you to further detailed troubleshooting
information and procedures to solve more complex problems.
Backing Up Your Files
If your system is behaving erratically, back up your files immediately. If your system has a tape drive installed, see the documentation that came
with the tape backup software for instructions on performing a backup operation. Otherwise, see your operating system documentation for
information on backing up data files.
Basic Checks
See the following sections in the order indicated until the problem is resolved:
If your computer is wet or damaged, see
l
Perform the steps in "Checking Connections and
l
Perform the steps in "Look and
l
If your system did not complete the boot (start-up) routine, see
l
NOTE: The boot routine is the operating system's attempt to load its files into memory from the boot-up sector on the hard-disk
drive or another bootable device.
If your system displayed a message or emitted a beep code, see
l
Verify the settings in System
l
Run the Dell Diagnostics.
l

Checking Connections and Switches

Improperly set switches and controls and loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for your computer, monitor,
or other peripheral (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external equipment).
NOTE: See "Controls and
and switches.
Complete the following steps in the order indicated to check all the connections and switches:
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals (such as the monitor, keyboard, printer, external drives, scanners, or plotters).
Disconnect all the AC power cables from their electrical outlets.
2. If your computer is connected to a power strip, turn the power strip off and then on again. If the problem is not resolved, try another power
strip or connect the system directly to an electrical outlet to see if the original power strip is faulty.
3. Connect the system to a different electrical outlet.
If doing so corrects the problem, the original outlet is faulty.
"Troubleshooting a Wet
Switches."
Listen."
Setup.
Indicators" and "Connecting Peripheral
Checking Connections and Switches
Look and Listen
System Setup
Computer" or "Troubleshooting a Damaged
"Getting Help."
"Messages and Codes."
Devices" for the location of your computer's external connections
Computer."