Dell 740 User Manual

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 740

Quick Reference Guide

Models DCSM, DCNE, DCCY

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

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.

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, OptiPlex, and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; 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 NX484 Rev. A01

Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Up Your Computer

System Views

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Mini Tower Computer — Front View Mini Tower Computer — Back View Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel

Connectors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Desktop Computer — Front View Desktop Computer — Back View Desktop Computer — Back-Panel Connectors Small Form Factor Computer — Front View Small Form Factor Computer — Back View Small Form Factor Computer — Back-Panel

Connectors

Removing the Computer Cover

Before You Begin Mini Tower Computer Desktop Computer Small Form Factor Computer

Inside Your Computer

Mini Tower Computer Desktop Computer Small Form Factor Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . 38

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

. . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . 17

. . . . . . . . . 21

. . . . . . . . . 23

. . 24

. . . . 26

. . . . 29

Contents 3

Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Dell Diagnostics System Lights

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Diagnostic Lights

Beep Codes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Restoring Your Operating System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . 61

Reinstalling Your Microsoft Windows Operating System

Using the Drivers and Utilities Media

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . 67

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

4 Contents

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 technicalreference material for technicians or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates

can be found at support.dell.com.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• 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

Click

Start Dell User and System Guides Guides

Click the computer.

The User’s Guide is also available on the optional Drivers and Utilities media.

→

Help and Support→

User’s Guide

→

for your

System

6 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• 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

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support.

or contact support.

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• 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.

8 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from technicians, frequently asked questions, and online courses

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

NOTE: Select your region or business

segment to view the appropriate support site.

• 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.

To download Desktop System Software:

Go to

support.dell.com

region or business segment, and enter your Service Tag.

Select click

Click your operating system and search for the keyword

Software

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface

may vary dependent upon your selections.

, select your

Drivers & Downloads

Desktop System

and

Quick Reference Guide 9

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to use Windows Vista® or Windows

• How to work with programs and files

• How to personalize my desktop

Windows Help and Support Center

To access Windows Help and Support:

•

In Windows Vista

Help and Support

In Windows XP

•

and Support

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow icon.

Click the topic that describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

, click Start →

, click

Start

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.

→ Help

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.

10 Quick Reference Guide

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quick Reference Guide 11

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.

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.

12 Quick Reference Guide

Connect power cables to the computer, monitor, and devices and connect the other ends of the power cables to electrical outlets.

Quick Reference Guide 13

System Views

Mini Tower Computer — Front View

9 8

4 5 6

14 Quick Reference Guide

1 optical drive

(optional)

2 floppy drive

bay (optional)

3 USB 2.0

connectors (2)

4 LAN indicator

light

5 diagnostic

lights

6 power button Press this button to turn on the computer.

Insert an optical drive (if supported) into this bay.

Can contain a floppy drive or a optional media card reader.

Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices ( 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.

This light indicates that a local area network (LAN) connection is established.

Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55.

see "System Setup" in your online User’s Guide for

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.

Quick Reference Guide 15

7 power 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

8 hard-drive

activity light

9 headphone

connector

10 microphone

connector

User’s Guide

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.

This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.

Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.

for instructions.

16 Quick Reference Guide

Mini Tower Computer — Back View

2 3

1 cover release

latch

2 padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover.

This latch allows you to open the computer cover.

Quick Reference Guide 17

3 voltage selection

switch

4 power connector Insert the power cable. 5 back-panel

connectors

6 card slots (4) Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express

Your computer may be equipped with a manual voltageselection 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.

Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connectors. See "Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel Connectors" on page 19.

cards.

18 Quick Reference Guide

Mini Tower Computer — Back-Panel Connectors

98 7

1 parallel 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.

2 link 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.

Quick Reference Guide 19

3 network 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.

4 network activity

light

5 line-out

connector

6 line-in connector Use the line-in connector to attach a record/playback device

7 USB 2.0

connectors (5)

8 video connector Plug the cable from your VGA-compatible monitor into the

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.

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.

such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.

On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.

Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

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.

20 Quick Reference Guide

9 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the

serial port. The default designations are COM1 for serial connector 1 and COM2 for serial connector 2.

For more information, see "System Setup Program" in your online User’s Guide.

Desktop Computer — Front View

1 USB 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 Program" in your online User’s Guide for instructions for more information about 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.

4611 10

Quick Reference Guide 21

2 LAN indicator

light

3 power button Press this button to turn on the computer.

4 Dell badge This badge can be rotated to match the orientation of your

5 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to

6 diagnostic lights Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer

This light indicates that a local area network (LAN) connection is established.

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.

computer. To rotate, place fingers around the outside of the badge, press firmly, and turn the badge. You can also rotate the badge using the slot provided near the bottom of the badge.

indicate different operating states:

• 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 — S

User’s Guide

online

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 powersaving mode, see "Power Management" in your online User’s Guide for instructions.

See "System Lights" on page 54 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55.

for instructions.

"Power Problems" in your

22 Quick Reference Guide

7 hard-drive

activity light

8 headphone

connector

9 microphone

connector

10 drive bay This bay accommodates an optional floppy drive, media

11 optical drive

(optional)

This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.

Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.

card reader, or second hard drive.

Insert an optical drive (if supported) into this bay.

Desktop Computer — Back View

1 2 3 4

1 card slots (3) Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express

cards.

2 back-panel

connectors

3 power connector Insert the power cable.

Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connectors (see "Desktop Computer — Back-Panel Connectors" on page 24).

Quick Reference Guide 23

4 voltage selection

switch

5 padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover. 6 cover release

latch

NOTE: Your computer may or may not have a voltage selection

switch.

Your computer may equipped with a manual voltageselection 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.

Allows you to open the computer cover.

Desktop Computer — Back-Panel Connectors

987

24 Quick Reference Guide

1 parallel

connector

2 link integrity

light

3 network adapter

connector

4 network activity

light

5 line-out

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 Programs" in your online User’s Guide.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Quick Reference Guide 25

6 line-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.

7 USB 2.0

connectors (5)

8 video connector Plug the cable from your VGA-compatible monitor into the

Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.

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.

9 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the

serial port. The default designations are COM1 for serial connector 1 and COM2 for serial connector 2.

NOTE: There is only a serial connector 2 if the optional

PS2/serial adapter is used.

For more information, see "System Setup Program" in your online User’s Guide.

Small Form Factor Computer — Front View

11 10

26 Quick Reference Guide

1 USB 2.0

connectors (2)

2 power button Press to turn on the computer.

3 Dell badge This badge can be rotated to match the orientation of your

4 hard drive

activity light

5 diagnostic lights Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem

6 LAN indicator

light

Use the front USB connectors for devices that you connect occasionally, such as joysticks or cameras, or for bootable USB devices (see "System Setup Program" in your online User’s Guide for instructions about 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.

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 instructions 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.

computer. To rotate, place fingers around the outside of the badge, press firmly, and turn the badge. You can also rotate the badge using the slot provided near the bottom of the badge.

This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.

based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see "Diagnostic Lights" on page 55.

This light indicates that a LAN (local area network) connection is established.

Quick Reference Guide 27

7 power light The power light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to

indicate different operating states:

• 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.

See "Power Problems" in your

8 headphone

connector

9 microphone

connector

10 floppy drive bay

(optional)

11 optical drive

(optional)

• Blinking or solid amber —

online User’s Guide.

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 powersaving mode, see "Power Management" in your online User’s Guide.

See "System Lights" on page 54 for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.

Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.

Can contain an optional slimline floppy drive or optional slimline media card reader.

Insert slimline optical drive (if supported) into this bay.

28 Quick Reference Guide

Small Form Factor Computer — Back View

1 card slots (2) Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express

cards.

2 back-panel

connectors

3 power connector Insert the power cable. 4 voltage selection

switch

Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connectors (see "Small Form Factor Computer — BackPanel Connectors" on page 30).

Your computer may be equipped with a manual voltageselection 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.

51 2 3 4

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.

5 padlock ring Insert a padlock to lock the computer cover. 6 cover release

latch

Allows you to open the computer cover.

Quick Reference Guide 29

Small Form Factor Computer — Back-Panel Connectors

98 7

1 parallel

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.

2 link 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.

30 Quick Reference Guide

+ 200 hidden pages