Dell OptiPlex GX150 - Manual (Page 73)

Basic Checks:
l
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound when a drive is accessed, there could be a hardware malfunction. Contact Dell for
technical assistance.
l When you turn on the computer, you can hear drive activity during the boot routine. If your computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical
assistance.
l If you are trying to copy data to the diskette, make sure that it is not write-protected.
l Try a different diskette in the drive. If the new diskette works, the original one may be defective.
l Test the diskette drive access indicator by using one of the following methods:
l Using MS-DOS ®, insert a diskette into the drive, type dir a: at the DOS prompt, and press <Enter>.
l Using Microsoft ® Windows® or Windows NT®, insert a diskette into the drive, open My Computer from the desktop, and
double-click the diskette drive icon.
l Check the settings in system setup.
l
Clean the drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You may accidentally misalign the heads, rendering the drive inoperable.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the following steps.
1. Run the Diskette device group in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did any of the tests fail?
Yes. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Turn off the computer and peripherals, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then open the computer
cover.
3. Remove and reinstall the diskette drive.
4. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Does the diskette-drive access light blink during the boot routine?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Does the computer display a drive error message?
Yes. See " System Messages " for an explanation of the message, and then go to step 5.
No. The problem is resolved.
5. Insert a bootable diskette into the diskette drive and reboot the computer.
Does the drive boot the operating system?
Yes. The problem is probably resolved. If you continue to experience trouble, contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Hard Drive Problems
Basic Checks:
l If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound when a drive is accessed, there could be a hardware malfunction. Contact Dell for
technical assistance.
l
When you turn on the computer, you can hear drive activity during the boot routine. If your computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical
assistance.
l Test the hard drive by using one of the following methods:
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see " Safety Information ."