Dell OptiPlex 745c User manual

Dell™OptiPlex™745cUser'sGuide
Finding Information
Before You Begin
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Mini Tower Computer
Drives
Expansion Cards
Advanced Features
Battery
Replacing the System Board
Memory
Replacing the Computer Cover
Cleaning Your Computer
Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating System
Solving Problems
Microsoft®Windows®XP and Windows®Vista™Features
Troubleshooting Tools and Utilities
Getting Help
Warranty
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)
Glossary
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
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.
©2007DellInc.Allrightsreserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, OptiPlex, Inspiron, Dimension, Latitude, Dell Precision, DellNet, TravelLite, Dell OpenManage, PowerVault, Axim, PowerEdge, PowerConnect,
and PowerApp are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel, Pentium, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS, Vista, and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation; ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Dell Inc. has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
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.
Model DCSM
January 2007 TJ022 Rev. A00
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.

Back to Contents Page
Advanced Features
Dell™OptiPlex™745cUser'sGuide
LegacySelect Technology Control
Manageability
Physical Security
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Security Management Software
Computer Tracking Software
About Smart Cards and Fingerprint Readers
Password Protection
System Setup
Booting to a USB Device
Jumper Settings
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Clearing CMOS Settings
Hyper-Threading and Dual-Core Technology
Power Management
LegacySelect Technology Control
LegacySelect technology control offers legacy-full, legacy-reduced, or legacy-free solutions based on common platforms, hard-drive images, and help desk
procedures.Controlisprovidedtotheadministratorthroughsystemsetup,DellOpenManage™ITAssistant,orDellcustom-factory integration.
LegacySelect allows administrators to electronically activate or deactivate connectors and media devices that include serial and USB connectors, a parallel
connector, a floppy drive, PCI slots, and a PS/2 mouse. Connectors and media devices that are deactivated make resources available. You must restart the
computer to effect the changes.
Manageability

DellOpenManage™Applications
You can manage your system via IT Assistant, or Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation (OMCI).
IT Assistant configures, manages, and monitors computers and other devices on a corporate network. IT Assistant manages assets, configurations, events
(alerts), and security for computers equipped with industry-standard management software. It supports instrumentation that conforms to CIM industry
standards.
For information on IT Assistant, see the Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation is a software that enables CIM aware, remote management programs such as IT Assistant to do the following:
lAccess information about your computer, such as how many processors it has and what operating system it is running.
lMonitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices.
A system that has Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation set up on a network that uses IT Assistant is a managed system. For information about Dell
OpenManage Client Instrumentation, see the Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

Dell Client Manager (DCM)

Dell Client Manager (DCM) Console
The Dell Client Manager (DCM) console allows you to configure, manage, and monitor Dell computers on a corporate network via a simple GUI interface.
Through the DCM console you can manage assets, configurations, events (alerts), status, and security for computers equipped with industry-standard
management software. For information about standards supported by DCM, see www.dell.com/openmanage.
For information about the DCM console, see www.dell.com.
NOTE: EitherDellOpenManage™applicationsorDell™ClientManager(DCM)isavailableforyourcomputertohelpmeetyoursystemmanagement
needs. See Dell Client Manager (DCM) for information about DCM.
NOTE: EitherDell™ClientManager(DCM)orDellOpenManage™applicationsareavailableforyourcomputertohelpmeetyoursystemmanagement
needs. See DellOpenManage™Applications for information about Dell OpenManage products.

The DCM console also allows you to:
lAccess information about your computer, such as how many processors it has and what operating system it is running.
lMonitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices.
lChange the state of your computer by updating its BIOS, configuring BIOS settings, or shutting it down remotely.
With Dell Client Manager installed on a console and its client software installed on client computers, you have a managed system. For information about DCM,
see the Dell website at www.dell.com/openmanage.

Active Management Technology
Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT), part of Intel's vPro Technology, is intended to deliver more secure systems management capabilities that reduce
IT costs, allows better discovery, healing, and protection of networked computing assets. With iAMT, PCs can be managed whether the system is on, off, or
the operating system is hung.
Key benefits of iAMT are:
lReduced desk-side visits
lAutomation of more management functionality through enablement of systems management console software
lImproved security

iAMT Features

Basic Functionality
lAbility to discover, track, and inventory assets in the presence or absence of the operating systems. The system must have the power cord connected
and must be connected to the network.
lAbility to power on and power off the system remotely whatever the state of the operating system.

Advanced Functionality
lAbility to do remote issues remediation (1-to-1) via text-based console redirection (Serial-over-LAN) and IDE redirection.
lHardened security via agent presence (enables detection of removed agents) and network access control (Circuit breaker) and software version control
Your system aids in troubleshooting iAMT by providing the following iAMT related error messages:

Out of Band Management
Out of Band term refers to the ability to manage the system in the absence of an operating system or with the operating system in an unusable state, or with
the system powered off. The only requirement for managing such a system is the AMT capability as well as power and a network cord plugged in.

Accessing iAMT setup
Intel's Management Engine BIOS Extension (MEBx) interface controls the OptiPlex 745c iAMT features and setup options. MEBx is used to:
lTurn on or off iAMT
lSet iAMT modes
NOTE: iAMTcanbeconfiguredusingDellClientManager™(DCM)2.1.ForcompleteinformationonhowtoconfigureiAMT,seetheDellClientManager2.1
documentation on www.dell.com\openmanage. For more information about Dell's iAMT implementation, see the AMT Administrator's Guide available on
the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
NOTE: Additional management software is required for the following features.

Error Message

Description
AMT mode: Set manageability mode to AMT or none
ASF mode is enabled instead of AMT. Set manageability mode to AMT or none in the MEBx setup.
MFG_MODE jumper: The security override jumper is
installed
Do not populate the MFG_MODE jumper. AMT will not function properly. Only manufacturing uses
this jumper.
MEMORY: Unsupported memory configuration. Populate
DIMM1.
Unable to launch ME. AMT functionality is broken when DIMM1 is not populated.
NOTE: Power is supplied to the DIMMs even when the system is turned off.

lSet iAMT configuration modes
To view the MEBx setup screen, press <Ctrl-P>during system post or system boot. Your default MEBx password is admin.

Turning off iAMT
iAMT is enabled in the Management Engine (ME) firmware by default. However, you may choose to turn off the iAMT feature.
To turn off iAMT:

1. Press <Ctrl-P> to enter the MEBx setup and enter your password.

2. Select Intel®ME Configuration®Intel ME Features Control ®Manageability Feature Selection

3. Select None.

4. Select Return to Previous Menu twice.
Changes are applied and the system reboots.

USB Provisioning
iAMT can be provisioned using a USB key and Dell Client Manager. The USB key must:
lBe formatted using the FAT16 file system with no system files
lContain only the setup.bin file
To provision AMT using a USB key, plug the USB key into a USB port prior to boot. During POST, the BIOS displays a message stating that the system is being
provisioned.

Unsupported AMT Features
Your system does not support all Intel iAMT chipset features.
The features not supported are:
lRemote Firmware Update
lAlert Standard Format (ASF)
lWake from ME
You can update your ME firmware using the updates available at http://support.dell.com.
Physical Security

Chassis Intrusion Detection
This feature detects that the chassis was opened and alerts the user. To change the Chassis Intrusion setting:

1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup).

2. Press the down-arrow keys to move to the System Security option.

3. Press <Enter> to access the System Security option's pop-up menu.

NOTE: To make configuration setting changes, the default MEBx password must be changed.
NOTE: The key should not be bootable.
NOTE: Idle Timeout must always be set to 0x0.
NOTE: You can select the Remote Firmware Update option and the Enable ASF option. But, these options are not functional.
NOTE: When the administrator password is enabled, you must know the administrator password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion setting.


4. Press the down-arrow key to move to the Chassis Intrusion setting.

5. Press <Enter> to select an option setting.

6. Press <Enter> again after you update the option setting.

7. Exit and save system setup.

Option Settings
lOn —If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected, and the following alert message displays during the boot routine at the next
computer start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
To reset the Detected setting, enter system setup (see Entering System Setup). In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left-or right-arrow key to
select Reset, and then choose On,On-Silent, or Off.
lOn-Silent (default setting) —If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected. No alert message appears during the boot sequence
at the next computer start-up.
lOff —No intrusion monitoring occurs and no messages appear.

Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot
Use one of the following methods to secure your computer:
lUse a padlock alone or a padlock and looped security cable with the padlock ring.
A padlock alone prevents the computer from being opened.
A security cable looped around a stationary object is used in conjunction with a padlock to prevent unauthorized movement of the computer.
lAttach a commercially available antitheft device to the security cable slot on the back of the computer.
Antitheft devices usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and key. The documentation that comes with the
device contains instructions for installing it.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and manage computer-generated encryption keys. When combined with security
software, the TPM enhances existing network and computer security by enabling features such as file protection capabilities and protected e-mail. The TPM
feature is enabled through a system setup option.

Enabling the TPM Feature

1. Enable the TPM software:
a. Restartthecomputerandpress<F2>duringthePowerOnSelfTesttoenterthesystemsetupprogram.
b. Select Security®TPM Security and press <Enter>.
c. Under TPM Security, select On.
d. Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
e. If prompted, click Save/Exit.

2. Activate the TPM setup program:
a. Restartthecomputerandpress<F2>duringthePowerOnSelfTesttoenterthesystemsetupprogram.
b. Select Security®TPM Activation and press <Enter>.
c. Under TPM Activation, select Activate and press <Enter>.
NOTE: Before you purchase an antitheft device, make sure that it works with the security cable slot on your computer.
NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports TPM. For more information, see the TPM software documentation and
the help files that came with the software.
NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup procedures documented in the Archive and Restore section of the EMBASSY
Security Center help file. In the event of these backups being incomplete, lost, or damaged, Dell will be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted
data.

d. Once the process is complete, the computer either restarts automatically or prompts you to restart your computer.
Security Management Software
The security management software is designed to utilize four different features to help you secure your computer:
lLog-in management
lPre-boot authentication (using a fingerprint reader, smart card, or password)
lEncryption
lPrivate information management
For information about how to use the software and the different security features, see the Getting Started Guide for the software:
Click Start®All Programs®Wave Systems Corp®Getting Started Guide.
Computer Tracking Software
Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen. The software is optional and may be purchased when you order your
Dell™computer,oryoucancontactyourDellsalesrepresentativeforinformationaboutthissecurityfeature.
About Smart Cards and Fingerprint Readers
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded
processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and
special programs. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should
know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone.
ThefingerprintreaderisadevicethatyoucanusetohelpkeepyourDell™computersecure.Thereaderisastripsensorlocatedonaperipheraldevicefor
your computer. When you slide your finger over the reader, it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity.
Password Protection

System Password

Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed:
lSet —A system password is assigned.
lDisabled —The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:
lNot Set —No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default setting).

Assigning a System Password
NOTE: You only need to activate TPM once.
NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen, you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to
report the missing computer.
NOTE: The smart card feature or fingerprint reader may not be available on your computer.
NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your
responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.
NOTICE: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so
that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive.

To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move to another field, or press <Esc> at
any time before you complete step 5.

1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.

2. Highlight System Password, and then press the left-or right-arrow key.
The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.

3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key. The password is not
case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.

4. Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Verify Password,
followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.

5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Set.

6. Exit system setup.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.

Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, the following prompt appears on the screen.
If Password Status is set to Locked:
Type the password and press <Enter>.
If you have assigned an administrator password, the computer accepts your administrator password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an
incorrect or incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup).

2. Highlight System Password and press <Enter>.

3. When prompted, type the system password.

4. Press <Enter> twice to clear the existing system password. The setting changes to Not Set.
If Not Set is displayed, the system password is deleted. If Not Set is not displayed, press <Alt><b> to restart the computer, and then repeat steps 3
and 4.

5. To assign a new password, follow the procedure in Assigning a System Password.

6. Exit system setup.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized
changes.


Administrator Password

Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new administrator password if either of the following two options is displayed:
lSet —An administrator password is assigned.
lDisabled —The administrator password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign an administrator password when the following option is displayed:
lNot Set —No administrator password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default setting).

Assigning an Administrator Password
The administrator password can be the same as the system password.

1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) and verify that Admin Password is set to Not Set.

2. Highlight Admin Password and press the left-or right-arrow key.
The computer prompts you to type and verify the password. If a character is not permitted, the computer emits a beep.

3. Type and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Admin Password setting changes to Set. The next time you enter system setup, the computer prompts you for the
administrator password.

4. Exit system setup.
A change to Admin Password becomes effective immediately (no need to restart the computer).

Operating Your Computer With an Administrator Password Enabled
When you enter system setup, the Admin Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not type the correct password, the computer lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Administrator Password
To change an existing administrator password, you must know the administrator password.

1. Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup).

2. Type the administrator password at the prompt.

3. Highlight Admin Password and press the left-or right-arrow key to delete the existing administrator password.
The setting changes to Not Set.
To assign a new administrator password, perform the steps in Assigning an Administrator Password.

4. Exit system setup.

Disabling a Forgotten Password and Setting a New Password
To reset system and/or administrator passwords, see Clearing Forgotten Passwords.
NOTE: If the two passwords are different, the administrator password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password
cannot be used in place of the administrator password.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Admin Password to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.

System Setup

Overview
Use system setup as follows:
lTo change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
lTo set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
lTo read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.

Entering System Setup

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.

2. WhentheblueDELL™logoappears,press<F2>immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft®Windows®desktop. Then shut down your
computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) and try again.

System Setup Screens
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the
options list, active options field, and key functions.

System Setup Options
Options List —This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a
scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including
installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Scroll up and down the list by using the up and down arrow keys. As an option is highlighted,
the Option Field displays more information about that option and the option's current and
available settings.
Option Field —This field contains information about each
option. In this field you can view your current settings and
make changes to your settings.
Use the right-and left-arrow keys to highlight an option.
Press <Enter> to make that selection active.









Key Functions —This field appears below the Option Field
and lists keys and their functions within the active system
setup field.
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear.
System
System Info
Lists the computer name, BIOS Version, Service Tag, Express Service Code, (if applicable), and the Asset Tag. None of these fields can be
modified.
Processor
Info
Identifies the CPU type, bus speed, clock speed, and L2 cache size. States whether the processor is Hyper-Threading and multiple-core
capable and whether it supports 64-bit technology.
Memory Info
Lists the type, size, speed, and channel mode (dual or single) of installed memory.
PCI Info
Identifies any installed PCI or PCI Express cards.
Date/Time
Displays current date and time settings.

Boot
Sequence
The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list.
Drives
Diskette Drive
(Internal default)
This option enables or disables the floppy drive. The options are Off, Internal, USB, and Read Only.

NOTE: If USB is selected, ensure that USB Controller setup option under Onboard Devices is set to On.
Drive 0 through
Drive n
Identifies and enables and disables the drives attached to the SATA or IDE connectors on the system board and lists the capacities
for the hard drives.

NOTE: These options appear as Drive 0 through Drive 3 for the mini tower.
SATA Operation
(Normal default)
When this option is set to Normal, the SATA controller is configured for native mode. The Legacy option provides compatibility with
older operating systems.
SMART Reporting
(Off default)
This setting determines whether integrated drive errors are reported or not during system startup.
Onboard Devices
Integrated NIC
(On default)
Enables or disables the integrated NIC controller. Settings are On, On w/RPL, or On w/ PXE. When the On w/ PXE or the On w/RPL
setting is active, if a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot
sequence list.
Integrated
Audio
(On default)
Enables or disables the onboard audio controller.
USB Controller
(On default)
Enables or disables the internal USB controller. No Boot enables the controller but disables the ability to boot from a USB device.

NOTE: Operating systems with USB support will recognize USB floppy drives regardless of the No Boot setting.
Front USB
(On default)
Enables or disables the front USB ports.
Rear
Quad/Triad USB
(On default)
Enables or disables the upper USB ports on the back of the computer.
Rear Dual USB
(On default)
Enables or disables the lower USB ports on the back of the computer.
PCI Slots
(On default)
Enables or disables all PCI and PCI Express slots.
LPT Port Mode
(PS/2 default)
Determines the mode of operation of the internal parallel port. Off disables the port. AT configures the port for AT compatibility. PS/2
configures the port for PS/2 compatibility. EPP configures the port for the EPP bidirectional protocol. ECP configures the port for the ECP
bidirectional protocol.

NOTE: If you set the LPT Port Mode to ECP, the LPT Port DMA appears in the option menu.
LPT Port
Address
Determines the address that the built-in parallel port uses.
Serial Port #1
(Auto default)
Determines how the serial port operates.
Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3).
Serial Port #2
(Auto default)
Determines how the serial port operates.
Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM2 or COM4).
Video
Primary Video
(Auto
default)
This setting specifies which video controller is primary, Auto or Onboard/Card. When Auto is selected, the add-in video controller will be
used.

NOTE: A PCI Express graphics card will override the integrated video controller.
Performance
HyperThreading
Determines whether the physical processor appears as one or two logical processors. The performance of some applications