Dell OptiPlex 170L - Manual (Page 125)

Clearing NVRAM and Restoring Default Settings
Drive Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
Floppy drive problems
If you have reinstalled all of the cards and the problem is not resolved, contact Dell.
To clear the computer's non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and restore the computer's system settings to their default values:
1. Turn on or restart your computer.
2. When Press to Enter Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the Microsoft® Windows® logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut
down your computer through the Start menu and try again.
3. Toggle the , , and keys, ensuring that the status lights for all three functions are lit.
NOTE: The key is often on by default, so toggling that key may turn the Num Lock feature off. Before clearing the NVRAM,
ensure that the Num Lock function is on and that the keyboard light displays.
4. Simultaneously press and .
The system emits a beep tone to indicate that the NVRAM has been cleared.
5. Simultaneously press and to restore the computer's original default settings.
NOTE: After restoring the computer's factory settings, ensure that all IDE devices are present and properly enabled. Also, check or reset the
date and time.
6. Press , and then press to save the changes and restart the computer.
Test the drive —
l Insert another disk to eliminate the possibility that the original floppy disk is defective.
l Insert a bootable floppy disk and reboot the computer.
Ensure that the disk is not full or write-protected — Ensure that the disk has available space and that it is not write-protected (locked).
Test the floppy drive light —
MS-DOS®
Insert a floppy disk, type dir a: at the DOS prompt, and then press .
Microsoft® Windows® operating systems
Insert a floppy disk, click the Start button, click My Computer, and then double-click the floppy drive icon.
Run the Dell Diagnostics — If any of the tests fail, contact Dell.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You may accidentally misalign the heads, which can render the drive inoperable.
Clean the drive — Use a commercially available cleaning kit.
CAUTION: Before you begin this procedure, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
Remove and reinstall the floppy drive — See " Floppy Drive " for information on performing this procedure.
If the computer displays a drive error message, see " Error Messages " for an explanation.