Dell OptiPlex XE3 System Guide

Installation Options:

This section covers the supported Operating System (OS) re-installation options for your system. See the tabs below to find out more information

System Backup and Recovery

This section provides information on the Backup and Recovery options for your system.

Unless you specified Recovery Media in your order, your Windows 10 system will not come with a recovery USB Flash Drive or Discs. For information about creating recovery media for your system in case of catastrophic system failure, follow the link below:

• Create Windows 10 Recovery media for your Dell computer
• Create Windows Installation Media for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

On factory installed Windows 10 systems, WinRE allows you to restore your system back to the original factory state. For more information see the link below:

• Reset or reinstall Windows 10 on your Dell computer

Dell Recovery Image of Microsoft Windows

You can also download a recovery image of Microsoft Windows Operating System customized for your Dell product from the Dell support site.

• Dell Recovery Image of Microsoft Windows

Further general information on recovering Windows can be found in the following article:

• How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer

Dell SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets:

SupportAssist, previously called My Dell, provides system updates, detects issues and sends you alerts based on your device, which makes solving and preventing problems easier than ever. This application gives you access to everything you need to take the guesswork out of maintaining PCs and tablets. For more information and installation instructions see the following link:

• Dell SupportAssist for PCs and tablets

Diagnostics and Error Codes:

This section provides links to articles about diagnostics and the various error messages, beep codes and Diagnostic LED codes that can help to troubleshoot potential hardware and software issues on your system.

• Using the ePSA or PSA Diagnostics and a Guide to Error Codes
• A reference guide to the OptiPlex Diagnostic Indicators
• Understanding Beep Codes on a Dell Desktop PC
• Help With Troubleshooting System Lock Ups or Freezes
• Troubleshoot Slow Performance Issues on a Dell PC
• Identify and Troubleshoot Windows Crashes and Restarts caused by Blue Screen (Crash Screen) errors

You can also use the diagnostics that are on the Dell Support page, this requires Dell System Detect & SupportAssist to be installed on your system. This is performed if you choose to run the diagnostics. You can get to those diagnostics by following the link below:

• Dell Online Diagnostics

Hardware:

The section below provides links to articles that contain information about the different hardware on your system. They can help you to troubleshoot any problems that might be identified by the above diagnostics. There are also general "How to" articles that can help with tasks, for example like updating the BIOS or upgrading a hard drive.

AC Adapter

• How to Troubleshoot AC Adapter Issues on a Dell Laptop

Audio

• A guide to identifying the source of abnormal noises on a Dell PC
• Why is the volume low when I plug my headphones directly into the sound card jack?
• How to fix problems with speakers emitting unwanted noise
• How to Troubleshoot and Resolve a No Audio issue with an OptiPlex PC

BIOS and Motherboard

• What is BIOS and How to Check and Update the System Setup or BIOS on Your Dell System
• How to Perform a BIOS or CMOS Reset and/or Clear the NVRAM on your Dell System
• How to resolve a signed BIOS firmware message on a Dell Latitude, Precision or OptiPlex system

Fan and Overheating Issues

• How to troubleshoot an Overheating, Shutdown or Thermal issue on a Dell PC
• A guide to identifying the source of an Abnormal Noise on a Dell PC

Hard Drive Issues

• Links on How to resolve HDD (Hard drive) issues on your Dell computer
• How to Configure Intel Based RAID on a Dell Computer
• How to Troubleshoot a RAID Hard Drive issue on a Dell Desktop PC

Input Devices Issues

• Keyboard Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
• Mouse Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
• A guide to Input Device Issues on an OptiPlex Desktop PC

Memory

• How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Memory issues with a Dell Desktop PC
• How to identify if your Dell PC supports the Memory DIMM Isolation diagnostics

Networking, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

• Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center
• A list of various "How To" Network and Wi-Fi Troubleshooting articles for Dell computers

No POST, No Power

• No Power, No POST, No Boot or No Video issues with your Dell Computer

Optical Drive

• How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Optical Drive Issues

Ports and Connections

• Troubleshooting Ports on your Dell OptiPlex PC
• A Guide to the External Ports and Connectors on a Dell Computer

Video and Monitor Issues

• Dell Monitors Support Page
• Troubleshooting Multiple Monitor Issues on Dell Systems

Additional Software, Security and Encryption, and Anti-virus:

This section covers the Software that is supported on your system, it also has links to information about Security and Encryption and Anti-Virus.

See the tabs below to find out more information