Desktop Computer

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 745 User's Guide

About Your 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 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.

2

LAN indicator light

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

3

power 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 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.

4

Dell badge

This badge can be rotated to match the orientation of your 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.

5

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.
Blinking or solid amber — See Power Problems.
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.

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

6

diagnostic lights

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

7

hard-drive activity light

This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.

8

headphone connector

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

9

microphone connector

Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.

10

3.5-inch drive bay

Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader.

11

5.25-inch drive bay

Can contain an optical drive. Insert a CD or DVD (if supported) into this drive.

Back View

1

card slots

Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards.

2

back-panel connectors

Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connectors (see Back-Panel Connectors).

3

power connector

Insert the power cable.

4

voltage selection switch

Your computer is 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.

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.

Back-Panel Connectors

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 Options.

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.

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

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.

5

line-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.

6

line-in/microphone connector

Use the blue and pink line-in/microphone connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.; or a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program.

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

7

USB 2.0 connectors (6)

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

8

video 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. Connect your monitor to the connector on the graphics card. Do not remove the cap.

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.

For more information, see System Setup Options.

Inside Your Computer

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before removing the computer cover.

NOTICE: Be careful when opening the computer cover to ensure that you do not accidentally disconnect cables from the system board.

1

drive bays (media card reader or floppy drive, optical drive and hard drive)

5

card slots

2

power supply

6

heat sink assembly

3

optional chassis-intrusion switch

7

front I/O panel

4

system board

System Board Components

1

internal speaker (INT_SPKR)

11

intrusion switch connector (INTRUDER)

2

processor connector (CPU)

12

battery socket (BATT)

3

processor power connector (12VPOWER)

13

PCI Express x16 connector (SLOT1)

4

memory module connectors (DIMM_1, DIMM_2, DIMM_3, DIMM_4)

14

PCI connector (SLOT3)

5

RTC reset jumper (RTCRST)

15

PCI connector (SLOT2)

6

password jumper (PSWD)

16

serial connector (SER2)

7

SATA connectors (SATA0, SATA1)

17

floppy drive connector (DSKT)

8

front-panel connector (FNT_PANEL)

18

system board speaker (BEEP)

9

power connector (POWER)

19

fan connector (FAN)

10

internal USB (INTERNAL_USB)

Back to Contents Page

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 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.
2	LAN indicator light	This light indicates that a LAN (local area network) connection is established.
3	power 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 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.
4	Dell badge	This badge can be rotated to match the orientation of your 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.
5	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. Blinking or solid amber — See Power Problems. 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. See System Lights for a description of light codes that can help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.
6	diagnostic lights	Use the lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the diagnostic code. For more information, see Diagnostic Lights.
7	hard-drive activity light	This light flickers when the hard drive is being accessed.
8	headphone connector	Use the headphone connector to attach headphones and most kinds of speakers.
9	microphone connector	Use the microphone connector to attach a microphone.
10	3.5-inch drive bay	Can contain an optional floppy drive or optional Media Card Reader.
11	5.25-inch drive bay	Can contain an optical drive. Insert a CD or DVD (if supported) into this drive.

1	card slots	Access connectors for any installed PCI and PCI Express cards.
2	back-panel connectors	Plug serial, USB, and other devices into the appropriate connectors (see Back-Panel Connectors).
3	power connector	Insert the power cable.
4	voltage selection switch	Your computer is 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. 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.

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 Options.
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.
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	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.
5	line-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.
6	line-in/microphone connector	Use the blue and pink line-in/microphone connector to attach a record/playback device such as a cassette player, CD player, or VCR.; or a personal computer microphone for voice or musical input into a sound or telephony program. On computers with a sound card, use the connector on the card.
7	USB 2.0 connectors (6)	Use the back USB connectors for devices that typically remain connected, such as printers and keyboards.
8	video 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. Connect your monitor to the connector on the graphics card. Do not remove the cap. 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. For more information, see System Setup Options.

1	drive bays (media card reader or floppy drive, optical drive and hard drive)	5	card slots
2	power supply	6	heat sink assembly
3	optional chassis-intrusion switch	7	front I/O panel
4	system board

1	internal speaker (INT_SPKR)	11	intrusion switch connector (INTRUDER)
2	processor connector (CPU)	12	battery socket (BATT)
3	processor power connector (12VPOWER)	13	PCI Express x16 connector (SLOT1)
4	memory module connectors (DIMM_1, DIMM_2, DIMM_3, DIMM_4)	14	PCI connector (SLOT3)
5	RTC reset jumper (RTCRST)	15	PCI connector (SLOT2)
6	password jumper (PSWD)	16	serial connector (SER2)
7	SATA connectors (SATA0, SATA1)	17	floppy drive connector (DSKT)
8	front-panel connector (FNT_PANEL)	18	system board speaker (BEEP)
9	power connector (POWER)	19	fan connector (FAN)
10	internal USB (INTERNAL_USB)