Dell OptiPlex 740 DCSM User manual

www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ OptiPlex™ 740
Quick Reference Guide
Models DCSM, DCNE, DCCY

Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data
and tells you how to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury,
or death.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to
Microsoft
®
Windows
®
operating systems are not applicable.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly
forbidden.
Trademarksusedinthistext:Dell,OptiPlex,andtheDELLlogoaretrademarksofDellInc.;Microsoft,
Windows,Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista Start Button are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
Models DCSM, DCNE, DCCY
January 2008 P/N HX166 Rev. A01

Contents 3
Contents
Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
System Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Mini Tower Computer — Front View . . . . . . . . 14
Mini Tower Computer — Back View . . . . . . . . 17
Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Desktop Computer — Front View . . . . . . . . . 21
Desktop Computer — Back View . . . . . . . . . 23
Desktop Computer — Back-Panel
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Small Form Factor Computer — Front View . . . . 26
Small Form Factor Computer — Back View . . . . 29
Small Form Factor Computer — Back-Panel
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Removing the Computer Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Mini Tower Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Desktop Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Small Form Factor Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Inside Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Mini Tower Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Desktop Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Small Form Factor Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4Contents
Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
System Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Diagnostic Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Resolving Software and Hardware
Incompatibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Restoring Your Operating System. . . . . . . . . . 61
Reinstalling Your Microsoft Windows
Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Using the Drivers and Utilities Media. . . . . . . . 67
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Quick Reference Guide 5
Finding Information
NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your
computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
• A diagnostic program for my computer
• Drivers for my computer
• My computer documentation
• My device documentation
• Desktop System Software (DSS)
Drivers and Utilities Media
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may
be optional and may not ship with your
computer.
Documentation and drivers are already
installed on your computer. You can use
the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall
drivers (see "Using the Drivers and
Utilities Media" on page 67), to run the
Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics"
on page 51), or to access your
documentation.
Readme files may be included on your
media (CD or DVD) to provide the most
current updates about technical changes
to your computer or advanced technical-
reference material for technicians or
experienced users.
NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates
can be found at support.dell.com.

6Quick Reference Guide
• Warranty information
• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)
• Safety instructions
• Regulatory information
• Ergonomics information
• End User License Agreement
Dell™ Product Information Guide
• How to remove and replace parts
• Specifications
• How to configure system settings
• How to troubleshoot and solve
problems
Dell™ OptiPlex™ User’s Guide
Microsoft Windows Help and Support
Center
1 Click Start → Help and Support →
Dell User and System Guides
→ System
Guides
.
2 Click the User’s Guide for your
computer.
The User’s Guide is also available on the
optional Drivers and Utilities media.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 7
• Service Tag and Express Service Code
• Microsoft Windows License Label
Service Tag and Microsoft®Windows®
License
These labels are located on your
computer.
• Use the Service Tag to identify your
computer when you use
support.dell.com or contact support.
• Enter the Express Service Code to direct
your call when contacting support.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

8Quick Reference Guide
• How to reinstall my operating system Operating System Media
NOTE: The Operating System media may
be optional and may not ship with your
computer.
The operating system is already installed
on your computer. To reinstall your
operating system, use the Operating
System media. See "Reinstalling Your
Microsoft Windows Operating System"
on page 63.
After you reinstall your operating system,
you can use the optional Drivers and
Utilities media to reinstall drivers for the
devices that came with your computer.
Your operating system product key label is
located on your computer.
NOTE: The color of your media varies
based on the operating system you ordered.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 9
• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and
tips, articles from technicians,
frequently asked questions, and online
courses
• Community — Online discussion with
other Dell customers
• Upgrades — Upgrade information for
components, such as memory, the hard
drive, and the operating system
• Customer Care — Contact
information, service call and order
status, warranty, and repair information
• Service and support — Service call
status and support history, service
contract, online discussions with
technical support
• Reference — Computer
documentation, details on my
computer configuration, product
specifications, and white papers
• Downloads — Certified drivers,
patches, and software updates
• Desktop System Software (DSS) — If
you reinstall the operating system for
your computer, you should also reinstall
the DSS utility. DSS provides critical
updates for your operating system and
support for Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy
drives, processors, optical drives, and
USB devices. DSS is necessary for
correct operation of your Dell
computer. The software automatically
detects your computer and operating
system and installs the updates
appropriate for your configuration.
Dell Support Website — support.dell.com
NOTE: Select your region or business
segment to view the appropriate support
site.
To download Desktop System Software:
1 Go to support.dell.com , select your
region or business segment, and enter
your Service Tag.
2 Select Drivers & Downloads and
click
Go .
3 Click your operating system and search
for the keyword
Desktop System
Software
.
NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface
may vary dependent upon your selections.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

10 Quick Reference Guide
Setting Up Your Computer
CAUTION: Before performing any of the procedures in this section, follow the
safety instructions in Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: If your computer has an expansion card installed (such as a modem
card), connect the appropriate cable to the card, not to the connector on the back
panel.
NOTICE: To help allow the computer to maintain proper operating temperature,
ensure that you do not place the computer too close to a wall or other storage
compartment that might prevent air circulation around the chassis.
NOTE: Before you install any devices or software that did not ship with your
computer, read the documentation that came with the device or software, or
contact the vendor to verify that the device or software is compatible with your
computer and operating system.
• How to use Windows Vista
®
or
Windows
®
XP
• How to work with programs and files
• How to personalize my desktop
Windows Help and Support Center
1 To access Windows Help and Support:
•
In Windows Vista , click Start →
Help and Support
.
•
In Windows XP , click Start → Help
and Support
.
2 Type a word or phrase that describes
your problem and click the arrow icon.
3 Click the topic that describes your
problem.
4 Follow the instructions on the screen.
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

Quick Reference Guide 11
You must complete all the steps to properly set up your computer. See the
appropriate figures that follow the instructions.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to operate a PS/2 mouse and a USB mouse
simultaneously.
1 Connect the keyboard and mouse.
NOTICE: Do not connect a telephone line to the network adapter connector.
Voltage from telephone communications can cause damage to the network adapter.
2 Connect the telephone line or network cable.
Insert the network cable, not the telephone line, into the network
connector. If you have an optional modem, connect the telephone line to
the modem.
3 Connect the monitor using ONLY ONE of the following cables: the white
DVI cable or the blue VGA cable (do not connect both cables to the same
computer).
Align and gently insert the monitor cable to avoid bending connector pins.
Tighten the thumbscrews on the cable connectors.
NOTE: Some monitors have the video connector underneath the back of the
screen. See the documentation that came with your monitor for its connector
locations.

12 Quick Reference Guide
4 Connect the speakers.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging your computer, set the manual voltage-selection
switch (on the back of the computer, if your computer has a voltage selection
switch) for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your
location.
NOTICE: In Japan, the voltage selection switch must be set to the 115-V position
even though the AC power available in Japan is 100 V.
NOTE: Your computer’s power supply may or may not have a voltage selection
switch.
5 Verify that the voltage selection switch is set correctly for your location.
Your computer has a manual voltage-selection switch. Computers with a
voltage selection switch on the back panel must be manually set to operate
at the correct operating voltage.

Quick Reference Guide 13
6 Connect power cables to the computer, monitor, and devices and connect
the other ends of the power cables to electrical outlets.

14 Quick Reference Guide
System Views
Mini Tower Computer — Front View
3
10
9
6
7
2
1
85
4

Quick Reference Guide 15
1optical drive
(optional)
Insert an optical drive (if supported) into this bay.
2floppy drive
bay (optional)
Can contain a floppy drive or a optional media card reader.
3USB 2.0
connectors (2)
Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect
occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB
devices (see "System Setup" in your online User’s Guide for
more information on booting to a USB device).
It is recommended that you use the back USB connectors for
devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and
keyboards.
4LAN indicator
light
This light indicates that a local area network (LAN)
connection is established.
5diagnostic
lights
Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem
based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see
"Diagnostic Lights" on page 55.
6power button Press this button to turn on the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not turn off the computer
by pressing the power button. Instead, perform an
operating system shutdown. See "Turning Off Your
Computer" in your online User’s Guide for more
information.
NOTICE: If your operating system has ACPI enabled,
when you press the power button the computer will
perform an operating system shutdown.

16 Quick Reference Guide
7power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to
indicate different operating modes:
• No light — The computer is turned off.
• Steady green — The computer is in a normal operating state.
• Blinking green — The computer is in a power-saving mode.
• Blinking or solid amber — See "Power Problems" in your
online
User’s Guide for instructions.
To exit from a power-saving mode, press the power button or
use the keyboard or the mouse if it is configured as a wake
device in the Windows Device Manager. For more information
about sleep modes and exiting from a power-saving mode, see
"Power Management" in your online User’s Guide for more
information.
See "System Lights" on page 54 for a description of light codes
that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
8hard-drive
activity light
This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.
9headphone
connector
Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most
kinds of speakers.
10 microphone
connector
Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.

Quick Reference Guide 17
Mini Tower Computer — Back View
1cover release
latch
This latch allows you to open the computer cover.
2padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover.
4
3
5
6
2
1

18 Quick Reference Guide
3voltage selection
switch
Your computer may be equipped with a manual voltage-
selection switch.
To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage
selection switch, set the switch for the voltage that most
closely matches the AC power available in your location.
NOTICE: In Japan, the voltage selection switch must be
set to the 115-V position even though the AC power
available in Japan is 100 V.
Also, ensure that your monitor and attached devices are
electrically rated to operate with the AC power available in
your location.
4power connector Insert the power cable.
5back-panel
connectors
Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate
connectors. See "Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel
Connectors" on page 19.
6card slots (4) Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express
cards.

Quick Reference Guide 19
Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel Connectors
1parallel connector Connect a parallel device, such as a printer, to the parallel
connector. If you have a USB printer, plug it into a USB
connector.
NOTE: The integrated parallel connector is automatically
disabled if the computer detects an installed card containing a
parallel connector configured to the same address. For more
information, see "System Setup Program" in your online User’s
Guide for instructions.
2link integrity light
• Green — A good connection exists between a 10-Mbps
network and the computer.
• Orange — A good connection exists between a 100-Mbps
network and the computer.
• Yellow — A good connection exists between a 1-Gbps
(or 1000-Mbps) network and the computer.
• Off — The computer is not detecting a physical
connection to the network.
13
98 7
5
6
24

20 Quick Reference Guide
3network adapter
connector
To attach your computer to a network or broadband device,
connect one end of a network cable to either a network jack
or your network or broadband device. Connect the other
end of the network cable to the network adapter connector
on the back panel of your computer. A click indicates that
the network cable has been securely attached.
NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network
connector.
On computers with a network connector card, use the
connector on the card.
It is recommended that you use Category 5 wiring and
connectors for your network. If you must use Category 3
wiring, force the network speed to 10 Mbps to ensure
reliable operation.
4network activity
light
Flashes a yellow light when the computer is transmitting or
receiving network data. A high volume of network traffic
may make this light appear to be in a steady "on" state.
5line-out
connector
Use the green line-out connector to attach headphones and
most speakers with integrated amplifiers.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the
card.
6line-in connector Use the line-in connector to attach a record/playback device
such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.
On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the
card.
7USB 2.0
connectors (5)
Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically
remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
8video connector Plug the cable from your VGA-compatible monitor into the
blue connector.
NOTE: If you purchased an optional graphics card, this
connector will be covered by a cap. Do not remove the cap.
Connect your monitor to the connector on the graphics card.
NOTE: If you are using a graphics card that supports dual
monitors, use the y-cable that came with your computer.