|
Help Overview: Dell OptiPlex GC System User's Guide
Back to Contents Page
Help Overview: Dell OptiPlex GC System User's Guide
If you need assistance with a technical problem, perform the
following steps:
- Run the Dell Diagnostics.
- Make a copy of the Diagnostics
Checklist and fill it out.
- Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell's
World Wide Web site (http://www.dell.com) for help with installation and
troubleshooting procedures.
- If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, call Dell for
technical assistance.
When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your
Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do
not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder,
double-click the Express Service Code icon, and follow the directions.
 |
NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not
be available in all countries. |
For instructions on using the technical support service, see "Technical Support Service" and "Before You Call."
Dell provides a number of tools to assist you. These tools are
described in the following sections.
 |
NOTE: Some of the following tools are not always
available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Please call your local Dell
representative for information on availability. |
World Wide Web
The Internet is your most powerful tool for obtaining
information about your computer and other Dell products. Through the Internet, you can
access most of the services described in this section, including AutoTech, TechFax, order
status, technical support, and product information.
You can access Dells support Web site at http://support.dell.com.
To select your country, click the map that appears. The Welcome to
support.dell.com page opens. Enter your system information to access help tools
and information.
You can contact Dell electronically by using the
following addresses:
http://www.dell.com/
http://www.dell.com/ap/ (for
Asian/Pacific countries only)
http://www.euro.dell.com (for Europe
only)
http://www.dell.com/la/ (for Latin
American countries)
- Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP)
ftp.dell.com/
Log in as user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your
password.
- Electronic Support Service
support@us.dell.com
apsupport@dell.com (for Asian/Pacific countries
only)
support.euro.dell.com (for Europe only)
sales@dell.com
apmarketing@dell.com (for Asian/Pacific countries
only)
- Electronic Information Service
info@dell.com
AutoTech Service
Dell's automated technical support
serviceAutoTechprovides recorded answers to the questions most frequently
asked by Dell customers.
When you call AutoTech, you use your touch-tone telephone to select
the subjects that correspond to your questions. You can even interrupt an AutoTech session
and continue the session later. The code number that the AutoTech service gives you allows
you to continue your session where you ended it.
The AutoTech service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can also access this service through the technical support service. For the telephone
number to call, see the contact numbers for your region.
TechFax Service
Dell takes full advantage of fax technology to serve you better.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, you can call the Dell TechFax line toll-free
for all kinds of technical information.
Using a touch-tone phone, you can select from a full directory of
topics. The technical information you request is sent within minutes to the fax number you
designate. For the TechFax telephone number to call, see the contact
numbers for your region.
TechConnect BBS
Use your modem to access Dell's TechConnect bulletin board service
(BBS) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is menu-driven and fully interactive.
The protocol parameters for the BBS are 1200 to 19.2K baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop
bit.
Automated Order-Status System
You can call this automated service to check on the status of any
Dell products that you have ordered. A recording prompts you for the information needed to
locate and report on your order. For the telephone number to call, see the contact numbers for your region.
Dell's industry-leading hardware technical support service is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions about Dell hardware.
Our technical support staff pride themselves on their track record:
more than 90 percent of all problems and questions are taken care of in just one toll-free
call, usually in less than 10 minutes. When you call, our experts can refer to records
kept on your Dell system to better understand your particular question. Our technical
support staff uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers to
questions.
To contact Dell's technical support service, see "Before You Call" and then call the number for your
country as listed in "Contacting Dell."
If you have a problem with your order, such as missing parts, wrong
parts, or incorrect billing, contact Dell for customer assistance. Have your invoice or
packing slip handy when you call. For the telephone number to call, see the contact numbers for your region.
If you need information about additional products available from
Dell, or if you would like to place an order, visit Dell's World Wide Web site at http://www.dell.com.
For the telephone number to call to speak to a sales specialist, see "Contacting Dell."
Prepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as
follows:
- Call Dell to obtain an authorization number, and write it clearly and
prominently on the outside of the box.
For the telephone number to call, see the contact numbers for
your region.
- Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for
the return.
- Include a copy of the Diagnostics
Checklist indicating the tests you have run and any error messages reported by the
Dell Diagnostics.
- Include any accessories that belong with the item(s) being returned
(power cables, software diskettes, guides, and so on) if the return is for credit.
- Pack the equipment to be returned in the original (or equivalent)
packing materials.
You are responsible for paying shipping expenses. You are also
responsible for insuring any product returned, and you assume the risk of loss during
shipment to Dell. Collect On Delivery (C.O.D.) packages are not accepted.
Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be
refused at our receiving dock and returned to you.
 |
NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when
you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system direct your call more
efficiently. |
Remember to fill out the Diagnostics
Checklist. If possible, turn on your system before you call Dell for technical
assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer. You may be asked to type
some commands at the keyboard, relay detailed information during operations, or try other
troubleshooting steps possible only at the computer system itself. Make sure the system
documentation is available.
 |
CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer
covers, be sure to first disconnect the computer system's power and modem cables from all
electrical outlets. |
| Date: |
| Name: |
| Address: |
| Phone number: |
| Service tag (bar code on the back of the computer): |
| Express Service Code: |
| Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support
technician): |
| Operating system and version: |
| Peripherals: |
| Expansion cards: |
| Are you connected to a network? Yes No |
| Network, version, and network card: |
| Programs and versions: |
| Refer to your operating system documentation to determine the
contents of the systems start-up files. If the computer is connected to a printer,
print each file. Otherwise, record the contents of each file before calling Dell. |
| Error message, beep code, or diagnostic code: |
| Description of problem and troubleshooting procedures you
performed: |
Back to Contents Page
|