20 Most Recent Dell OptiPlex 360 Desktop Computer - Page 3 Questions & Answers

disk error which generally means your disk has failed. You need to get your data off it if it is not backed up. You will have to replace the disk. A local computer shop might, just might, be able to install it into a second computer and read the data. Restart your computer repeatedly tapping the f8 key to enter safe mode while the screen is black once in safe mode where the only things working will be your keyboard and mouse allowing you to attempt to repair your computer If done properly the user should get to a screen similar to the below screen. Select the option for Safe mode command prompt only Windows Advanced Options Menu Please select an option: Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging Enable VGA mode Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked) Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only) Debugging Mode Start Windows Normally Reboot Return to OS Choices Menu Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice. Select safe mode with command prompt then type in chkdsk/f/r which will scan for and and attempt repair of bad files and bad sectors on hard drive You should have no input while chkdsk utility is in progress any input might further damage your computer

Disk error which generally means your disk has failed. You need to get your data off it if it is not backed up. You will have to replace the disk. A local computer shop might, just might, be able to install it into a second computer and read the data.

Open and check fans for dust. Clean if necessary. May be a bad fan, PSU?

Where is the buzzing originating from? Speakers, case, monitor?

Test your PSU power supply unit or replace it if your power supply units fan is not working your PSU is faulty http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/f/powersupplytest.htm WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Remove the memory modules from their slots. Take the opportunity to clean the slots on the motherboards and the memory module connectors. Use compressed air to blow dust away and clean contacts with a soft cloth. Do not use a metallic vacuum cleaner if it touches any component it may create a short and cause damage to the motherboard or other components. Do not use solvent that may attract dust and never poke things like cotton buds in to slots. lightly rub an alcohol (Methylated Spirits) on a cloth not to hard let the alcohol do the work on the copper gold or silver tabs and r Allow the pins to dry. They will air dry in a matter of minutes. If reseating the memory did not resolve the issue try swapping the location of the memory. If you have only one stick of memory in the computer try moving it to another slot and then boot the computer. Check the memory module and memory slot contacts. They are either copper tin or gold. The colour will tell you which they are. Mixing tin and gold can result in corrosion that prevents proper contact. Look for any sign of physical damage to the memory module, memory slots or the motherboard. Reseat the memory modules. You should hear an audible click when they are in place. Do not use too much force to reseat the memory module in to the slot this can cause damage to the module, slot or motherboard. The hardware that you are trying to access is damaged or failing. The device drivers for the hardware are faulty or incompatible. Could be a problem with the Hard Drive or the Hard drives PCB http://www.onepcbsolution.com/ There is a connection problem such as a bad cable for internal hard drives Test all power and data leads that attach to your hard drive IDE,SATA the leads from your MOTHERBOARD TO THE HARD DRIVE make sure they have a secure dust free connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty if its a flat 40pin ide this will be the first to fail Make sure all leads that are attached to your drives dvd\cd and floppy (If Applicable) have secure connections and are not faulty. or just replace them they could be faulty a computer needs power and data to travel through every working device and continue its cycle and have an end so any faulty leads will end up with a computer error Hope this helps.

Do some basics: Check the switch and see its not stuck in between (I.e.: Its pushes in completely and comes back)Swap Monitor and cabinet power cablesHope this helps!!! Let me know if you need more help-Nadeem

Ummm, you don't.Just the name they use to identify the audio portion of the computer.(Dell / Microsoft)To explain;Chip and Chipset are slang terms for I.C.Integrated Circuit,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_CircuitThe Chip, or Chipset (You can use either word), for sound; is the audio chipset.If the audio chipset is mounted (Soldered) to a Printed Circuit Board, or also known as Card; it is a Soundcard.Removable, therefore replaceable.If the audio chipset is soldered directly to the motherboard; it is Integrated Audio, and not replaceable. (At least not easily)The Dell Optiplex 360 Desktop PC uses Integrated Audio.If indeed you do have a Soundcard installed, it would be mounted in a PCI slot on the motherboard, and it's outside bracket would be in an expansion slot, in the metal framework of the computer case.http://www.redplanettrading.com/ebay/cases/optiplex360/empty/smt/opti360-back-800.jpgThere are four such slots shown, in the empty Dell Optiplex 360 Small Mini, computer case shown above. They are at the bottom.This is an example of a Soundcard,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_adapterPerhaps you had no audio, went into Device Manager, and saw NO Device, listed.This means Windoze lost the Drivers for the audio chipset.Driver: Small piece of software that allows the Operating System to communicate with a deviceDo not know what the O/S is.The audio chipset is the device.Post what version of Windows you are using.In the meantime I'll use Windows Vista 32-bit as an example, as this is what the computer was supposed to come out with;Dell Support > Optiplex 360 > Drivers & Downloads page,http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/optiplex-360The page automatically comes up with Windows Vista 32-bit, drivers; listed.If you use a different O/S, click on the blue Down Arrow, to the right side of the box that has Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit, in it.(Under the blue Operating System subheading)Here we see only 1 Audio file listed.Click on the blue down arrow to the left of - Audio (1)Click right on the blue name - Analog Devices - DriverNow click on the blue - Download File - to the left of -Update package for Microsoft WindowsMake sure there is a Green dot in the small circle, to the left of -Download and save the file.Then click on Continue in the blue oval.[If there isn't a green dot, click in the empty circle ](Suggest install it yourself. Automatic features have a tendency to scr-ew up)Green dot needs to be in small circle to the left of -Single-file download.Click on Continue.A small window will come up on the right -Opening DRVR_WIN_R216290.EXEClick on Save FileAnother small window will come up on the left.Allow the file to download all the way, then DOUBLE-click right on the file name.(If somehow a Microsoft 'squawk box' comes up, ignore it."Warning this software does not have a digital certificate, ya-da, ya-da. Just click on OK. It is Okay.At the bottom of the next 3 small windows, click on Next, Next, and Finish.Close all windows,restart your computer if not asked to do so.For additional questions please post in a Comment.Regards,joecoolvette

There are many tricks to reset Windows login password but these tricks depend upon the Operating System and availability of resources (such as password reset disk, bootable disc, access to admin account or user account). So kindly give me more details about OS and resources available to you?

Two items on a single IDE ribbon cable require a master and a slave. The next step is to let BIOS know of the drive. Press F2 during boot and check. Look for it were other drives are, and there maybe a auto select / discovery option. It must show in BIOS, or there is no going forward.If BIOS sees it and XP does not. Check Device Manager in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during boot. Right click My Computer > Manage. Select Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices. Now delete all DVD/CD-ROMs and reboot. Windows will say "New Hardware Found" and install. Walla CD-ROM in the house.If none of this works. Test another cable, CD-ROM, or computer. Oh yea, virus protection. Do a thorough scan. This was a common problem back in the day.

Here is the page -- http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/optiplex-360 you will have to select the Operating System, (it is showing Vista by default.)Tallon41

First thing you do is try reseating the ATX Connector (the 20pin white connector that gives power to the motherboard from power supply)

If this does not fix the issue, then disconnect all the components (strip the system to MPP i.e. motherboard, psu & proc) and then switch on the pc to check if there is a green light.

If there is then switch off the pc, add a component & restart to check the green light exists. Do this for the remaining components one by one to check which component is causing the issue.

If there is still orange light then check if the psu fan is moving.

If it does not move at all, replace psu. If if moves a little bit, connect just the dvd drive & check if it ejects.

If it does then replace motherboard. If you are replacing motherboard or psu, replace the front i/o panel assembly (the power switch assembly) for safety reasons.

Its inexpensive.

hope this helps

To reset your Bios I suggest you remove you cmos battery for three seconds. This will reset the HDD password.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how%20to%20removve%20cmos%20battery%20on%20a%20dell%20optiplex%20360%20desktop&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CE4QtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dao866I9XpTo&ei=moA7UNmjE9O66AHRtIDoAQ&usg=AFQjCNEdPqXRtHeBYECGY6DoDF2iV6MU2Ahttp://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6932271_replace-cmos-battery-dell-sx280.htmlGood Look!

Check to see if the power supply cable did not come loose

i would guess its probably the power supply but heres the diagnostic page for dell similar model with same fault.http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4700/sm/adtshoot.htm

Can the disk viewed in disk management?Right Click 'My Computer'-->Manage-->storage-->Disk ManagementDisk 0 usually for windos partition (your 80GB HD)If Disk 1 (your TB HDD) show unallocated, you need to format it to NTFS.Right Click and select 'Format'.!!!!Make sure it is your TB HDD!!!!!!!

Go into the Audio Properties and set the mic as a recording device. Click Start/Control Panel and look for Audio or Sound. Go through and find where you set the microphone as a recording device and put a check by it. You can also click on the megaphone at the bottom right near the time to get into the Audio Sound Properties.