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Before You Begin

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX260 Service Manual

  Getting Started

  Recommended Tools

  Precautionary Measures

  Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Getting Started

This section provides procedures for removing and replacing the components, assemblies, and subassemblies in the Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX260 small form-factor, small desktop, and small mini-tower computers. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:

• You have performed the steps in "Precautionary Measures."
  
  
• You have opened the computer cover.
  
  

Recommended Tools

The GX260 computer is primarily a tool-less one, but certain procedures (such as removing the heat-sink blower or the control panel) require the use of one or more of the following tools:

• Small flat-blade screwdriver
  
  
• #1 and #2 Phillips-head screwdrivers
  
  
• An 8-inch, #2 Phillips-head screwdriver
  
  

Also, Dell recommends that you use a wrist grounding strap as explained in "Precautionary Measures."

Precautionary Measures

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to ensure your own personal safety.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to service the computer yourself, except as explained in your online Dell documentation or otherwise provided to you. Always follow installation and service instructions closely.

NOTICE: To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds (or wait until the standby light is extinguished) after turning off the computer and unplugging the power cord before removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a device from the computer.

Before you start to work on the computer, perform the following steps in the sequence listed:

1. Perform an orderly computer shutdown using the operating system menu.
   
   
2. Turn off the computer and all attached devices.
   
   
3. 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.

4. 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.
  
  

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

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.
  
  

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