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Working on Your Computer

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 380 Service Manual—Mini-Tower

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Recommended Tools

Turning Off Your Computer

After Working Inside Your Computer

Before Working Inside Your Computer

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help to ensure your personal safety. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure included in this document assumes that the following conditions exist:

•You have performed the steps in Working on Your Computer.

•You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.

•A component can be replaced or—purchased separately—installed by performing the removal procedure in reverse order.

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.

CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface, such as a connector on the back of the computer.

CAUTION: 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 processor by its edges, not by its pins.

CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document.

To avoid damaging your computer, perform the following steps before you begin working inside the computer.

1.Ensure that your work surface is flat and clean to prevent the cover from being scratched.

2.Turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer).

CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from the network device.

3.Disconnect all network cables from the computer.

4.Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.

5.Press and hold the power button while the computer is unplugged to ground the system board.

6.Remove the cover.

CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate static electricity, which could harm internal components.

Recommended Tools

The procedures in this document may require the following tools:

•Small flat-blade screwdriver

•Phillips screwdriver

•Small plastic scribe

•Flash BIOS update program media

Turning Off Your Computer

CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your computer.

1.Shut down the operating system: • In Windows Vista®:

Click Start , then click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the Start menu as shown below, and then click Shut Down.

•In Windows® XP:

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Dell 380 Working on Your Computer, Before Working Inside Your Computer, Turning Off Your Computer, Windows XP
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380 specifications

The Dell PowerEdge 380, also known as the K8642, is a robust and versatile rack-mounted server that caters to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses. With a design aimed at maximizing efficiency and performance, the PowerEdge 380 is equipped with essential features that make it an ideal choice for various applications, including file sharing, web hosting, and virtualization.

One of the standout features of the Dell 380 is its scalability. The server can be configured with a range of Intel processors, allowing businesses to choose the level of performance that suits their specific requirements. Whether utilizing the entry-level processors for basic tasks or opting for more advanced models for heavy workloads, the PowerEdge 380 provides flexibility in terms of processing power.

The server supports up to 32 GB of RAM, which enhances its ability to handle multiple applications and workloads concurrently. This memory capacity is critical for businesses that rely on multitasking and require efficient data processing. Additionally, the PowerEdge 380 allows for hot-swappable components, such as hard drives and power supplies, thereby minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation.

In terms of storage, the Dell PowerEdge 380 can accommodate multiple hard drives, with support for both SATA and SAS drives. This dual compatibility enables organizations to balance performance and storage capacity effectively, tailoring their setup based on specific needs. Furthermore, with RAID support, data redundancy and performance optimization are achievable, empowering businesses to safeguard vital information.

The PowerEdge 380 is designed with a focus on energy efficiency. Its innovative technologies help optimize power consumption while maintaining high performance levels. This aspect not only reduces operational costs but also contributes to environmental sustainability, a key consideration for many organizations today.

Dell’s management tools, such as the OpenManage suite, further enhance the PowerEdge 380's ease of use. These tools facilitate monitoring and managing server health, updates, and configurations seamlessly, allowing IT administrators to focus on strategic tasks rather than routine maintenance.

In conclusion, the Dell PowerEdge 380 (K8642) stands out in the market of entry to mid-range servers with its impressive set of features, technologies, and characteristics. Its scalability, memory capacity, robust storage options, energy efficiency, and exceptional management tools make it a reliable choice for businesses looking to enhance their IT infrastructure. The PowerEdge 380 serves as a testament to Dell's commitment to delivering high-performance solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses in a competitive landscape.
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