Dell OptiPlex User’s Guide
W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
September JN460
Contents
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables
General Drive Installation Guidelines
DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P8, and P9
Desktop Computer
General Drive Installation Guidelines 127
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 129
DC Power Connector P5 and P6 160 Contents
127
Small Form Factor Computer Specifications 175
163
About Your Small Form Factor Computer 165
166
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 196
197
199
202
Ultra Small Form Factor Computer Specifications 241
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 248
About Your Ultra Small Form Factor Computer 227
228
Installing a Device When Your Computer Is Turned Off 255
About Smart Cards and Fingerprint Readers 276 Contents
255
258
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password 278
Deleting or Changing an Existing Administrator Password 280
277
278
Configuring Power Management Settings 295
294
295
296
Addressing Memory Configurations 314
313
316
Mini-Tower, Desktop, and Small Form Factor Computers 317
Problems writing to an optical drive 333
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems 334
Troubleshooting Power Problems 339
329
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 359
Undoing the Last System Restore 360
Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore 361
Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 362
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 367
365
366
367
How to set up my computer
Finding Information
Desktop System Software DSS
Support.dell.com
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Warranty information
Dell Product Information Guide
Order status, warranty, and repair information
Updates
Segment, and enter your Service Tag
For your configuration How to use Windows XP
Not ship with your computer
System you ordered
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Turning Off Your Computer
Before You Begin
Mini Tower Computer
About Your Mini Tower Computer
Front View
Mini Tower Computer
Blinking green The computer is in a power-saving mode
Power problem may exist see Power Problems on
21 for more information
No light The computer is turned off
Back View
Address. For more information, see System Setup Options on
Back Panel Connectors
Green a good connection exists between a 10-Mbps network
Cap
Removing the Computer Cover
That came with your computer
Security cable slot Cover release latch Padlock ring
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Inside Your Computer
Removing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Resetting the Chassis Intrusion Detector
System Board Components
SATA3
Mini Tower Computer
Mini Tower Computer Specifications
Connectors
Connector size
Connector data width
Maximum PCI Express Connectors
Drives
Two Sata Serial ATA hard drives
One3.5-inch floppy drive or media reader
Two Sata optical drives
AC power source Wattage
Controls and Lights
Heat dissipation
Rating Voltage
Weight
Physical Height
Width
Depth
Mini Tower Specifications
Cards
Installing a PCI or PCI Express Card
Cards
Cards
Cards
Cards
Removing a PCI or PCI Express Card
Card-edge connector Card connector
Card retention latch Alignment guide
PS/2 Serial Port Adapter
Card retention latch
Card fully seated Card not fully seated Bracket within slot
Cards
Card retention latch Alignment guide
Installing eSATA
Cards
General Drive Installation Guidelines
Drives
Power Cable Connectors
Sata Connector
Hard Drive
Data cable Hard drive system board Power cable Connector
Hard drive Release tabs
Snap the bracket onto the new drive
Drives
Drives
Hard drive Hard drive bracket Pins
Drives
Floppy Drive
Floppy drive Drive release latch
Floppy drive Shoulder screws Shoulder screw slots
Media Card Reader
Media card reader Drive release latch
Media card Shoulder screws Shoulder screw slots Reader
Optical Drive
Optical drive Drive release latch
Optical drive Shoulder screws Shoulder screw slots
Power cable Data cable Sata optical drive connector
Removing the Processor
Processor
Processor
Installing the Processor
Processor
Processor
Removing the I/O Panel
Panel
Panel
Replacing the I/O Panel
Replacing the Power Supply
Power Supply
Power Supply
Release button Power supply Screws AC power connector
DC Power Connectors
DC Power Connector P1
Pin Number Signal name AWG Wire
DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P8, and P9
DC Power Connector P2
Pin Number Signal Name
DC Power Connector P7
DC Power Connector P10
Speakers
Installing a Speaker
Speakers
Removing a Speaker
Desktop Computer
About Your Desktop Computer
Your Computer on page 21 for more information
Desktop Computer
Blinking or solid amber See Power Problems on
Power Management for Windows XP and Windows Vista on
Position
Removing the Computer Cover
Inside Your Computer
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Replacing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
Removing the Heat Sink Assembly
System Board Components
Desktop Computer
Desktop Computer Specifications
Desktop Computer Specifications
PCI without riser-card cage Connectors
Maximum PCI Express without riser-card Cage Connectors
Board
Card or a DVI graphics card for dual-monitor support
Maximum ESATA Desktop Computer Specifications
Expansion Bus Connector size
Maximum
100
One3.5-inch floppy drive or media card reader
One Sata optical drive
Port adapter
Power source Wattage
101
102
Power Heat dissipation
Rating
103
PCI Cards
Expansion Cards
Expansion Cards
105
Expansion Cards
107
Expansion Cards
109
Expansion Cards
111
112
113
Press in on the tab to raise the card-retention latch 114
115
PS/2 Serial Port Adapter
117
Expansion Cards
119
Riser-card cage Handle Riser cards
121
Expansion Cards
ESATA
123
Expansion Cards
125
Replace the riser
127
128
Drive Inserts
129
130
131
Drive release latch Optical drive
133
134
135
Drive insert
137
Information Guide Drives
Drive release latch Media card reader
139
Drive insert
141
Hard Drive
143
Hard drive Release tabs Plastic hard drive bracket
145
Drives
147
Data cable Hard drive system board Connector
149
Installing the Processor
151
Processor
153
Replacing the I/O Panel
155
Release button Power supply Screws AC power connector
157
Pin Signal name 18-AWG Number Wire
158
159
DC Power Connector P3
DC Power Connector P4
DC Power Connector P5 and P6
160
161
162
163
164
Small Form Factor Computer
About Your Small Form Factor Computer
165
Small Form Factor Computer
166
167
Removing the Computer Cover
169
170
171
172
173
174
Small Form Factor Computer Specifications
Small Form Factor Computer Specifications
175
Maximum PCI Express Connector
Connector
176
177
Port adapter Video
178
179
180
181
Expansion Cards
183
184
PCI Express and DVI Cards
185
186
187
Expansion Cards
189
Expansion Cards
191
PS2/SERIAL2
193
Expansion Cards
General Installation Guidelines
195
Serial ATA Sata Connector
197
Securing tabs Hard drive
199
Release tabs Hard drive Hard drive bracket
201
Replacing a Hard Drive Fan
203
Optical Drive
205
Floppy Drive
207
Installing a Floppy Drive
209
Media card reader data cable
Replacing a Media Card Reader
211
Drives
213
Installing the Processor
215
Processor
217
Replacing the I/O Panel
219
Mounting screw
Pin Signal Name Number
221
222
Pin Signal 18-AWG Number Name Wire
DC Power Connectors P3
223
DC Power Connector P6
DC Power Connector P5
224
225
226
Ultra Small Form Factor Computer
About Your Ultra Small Form Factor Computer
227
3 4
Blinking or solid yellow See Power Problems on
Side View
228
Management for Windows XP and Windows Vista on
229
Network controller is turned off in system setup
Connecting Two Monitors
231
232
233
Removing the Chassis Intrusion Switch
235
236
Cable Cover Optional
237
Connecting the AC Power Adapter
Information Guide
Dell Badge
239
240
Ultra Small Form Factor Computer Specifications
241
Ultra Small Form Factor Computer Specifications
242
243
244
AC power source
Physical
245
246
Your computer supports One Sata serial ATA hard drive
247
248
249
Drives
251
Drives
253
Drives
Installing a Device When Your Computer Is Turned Off
Module Bay
255
Module Bay
Bottom of computer Security screw
257
Latch release
Securing a Device in the Module Bay
259
260
261
Top of heat sink Heat sink Retention base Release tab
263
Processor
265
266
267
Removing a Speaker
Advanced Features
Advanced Features
LegacySelect Technology Control
Manageability
Error Message Description
Active Management Technology
270
Advanced Functionality
271
Dell OpenManage Applications
Alert Standard Format
Alert Description
Dell Client Manager DCM
273
Option Settings
Physical Security
Chassis Intrusion Detection
Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot
Trusted Platform Module TPM
Enabling the TPM Feature
275
Security Management Software
Computer Tracking Software
About Smart Cards and Fingerprint Readers
276
System Password
Password Protection
277
Type the password and press Enter
Administrator Password
279
System Setup
Disabling a Forgotten Password and Setting a New Password
Entering System Setup
Overview
System Setup Options
System Setup Screens
281
Internal default
282
No Boot setting
283
284
Performance
285
Computrace server
Suspend
286
Event Log
Boot Sequence
287
Booting to a USB Device
Memory Key
Mini Tower and Desktop Small Form Factor Advanced Features
Jumper Settings
289
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Ultra Small Form Factor Computer Jumper Setting Description
Clearing Cmos Settings
291
Hyperthreading and Multi-Core Technology
Power Management for Windows XP and Windows Vista
Options in Windows XP
293
Options in Windows Vista
About RAID Configurations
295
RAID Level
Verifying That RAID Is Working
Segment Hard drive
Configuring Your Computer for RAID
RAID Level 1 Configuration
297
Creating a RAID Level 0 Configuration
Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration
299
Creating a RAID Level 1 Configuration
Migrating to a RAID Level 1 Configuration
Migrating to a RAID Level 0 Configuration
301
Advanced Features
Battery
Replacing the Battery
Battery
303
Battery
305
306
307
Replacing the System Board
Replacing the System Board
Mini Tower System Board Screws
308
Desktop System Board Screws
309
Small Form Factor System Board Screws
310
Ultra Small Form Factor System Board Screws
311
312
DDR2 Memory Overview
Memory
313
Addressing Memory Configurations
Installing Memory
Memory connector closest to Securing clips Processor
315
Cutouts Memory module
Crossbar
Removing Memory
Replacing the Computer Cover
Mini-Tower, Desktop, and Small Form Factor Computers
Ultra Small Form Factor Computers
317
318
Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
319
320
321
Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
Cleaning Your Computer
Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse
Cleaning an Optical Mouse
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor
Floppy Drive
CDs and DVDs
Microsoft Windows Features
Microsoft Windows XP Features
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP Features
Click Finished and restart the new computer
Microsoft Windows Vista
327
Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Connecting to a Network Adapter
Network Setup
Network device Network adapter connector on computer
329
330
Troubleshooting
Battery Problems
Card Problems
Solving Problems
Drive Problems
332
Optical drive problems
Problems writing to an optical drive
Hard drive problems
333
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
334
Click Properties→ Tools→ Check Now
Windows XP Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper
335
Keyboard Problems
Lockups and Software Problems
Other software problems
Program crashes repeatedly
Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
Solid blue screen appears
Mouse Problems
Memory Problems
338
Network Problems
Power Problems
Troubleshooting Power Problems
339
Power Supply Self-Test
340
Printer Problems
341
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from speakers
342
Video and Monitor Problems
No sound from headphones
Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read
343
Power Lights
3D image quality is poor
System Lights
Power Light Problem Description Suggested Resolution
345
Power Light Problem Description
346
Light Pattern Problem Description
Diagnostic Lights
347
Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
348
349
350
Beep Codes
Code Cause
351
System Messages
Message Possible Cause Corrective Action
352
Message Possible Cause
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
353
Product Information Guide
Solving Problems
Option Function
355
Tab Function
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
357
358
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
You can restore your operating system in the following ways
Restoring Your Operating System
To start the Hardware Troubleshooter
Starting System Restore
Using PC Restore
Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore
361
Removing PC Restore
Image Restore
Using the Operating System Media
Click Finish to reboot the computer
Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears
363
Solving Problems
Online Services
Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
365
Automated Order-Status Service
AutoTech Service
Support Service
Before You Call
Problems With Your Order
367
368
Guide
369
Contacting Dell
Warranty
Warranty
371
372
FCC Notices U.S. Only
FCC Class B
373
FCC Notices US Only
374
Glossary
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
Video resolution See resolution
384
385
386