www.dell.com | support.dell.comDell™ Optiplex™ 960Setup and Quick Reference GuideThis guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick se

10 About Your ComputerDesktop — Front View1 power button, power light 2 optical drive3 optical-drive tray eject button 4 Dell™ badge5 USB 2.0 connecto

About Your Computer 11Desktop — Back View1 expansion card slots (4) 2 power supply check button3 power supply check light 4 cover-release latch and pa

12 About Your ComputerDesktop — Back Panel Connectors1 PS2 mouse connector 2 parallel (printer) connector3 serial connector 4 network-activity light5

About Your Computer 13Small Form Factor— Front View1 power button, power light 2 optical-drive (slim-line)3 optical-drive eject button 4 slim-line fle

14 About Your ComputerSmall Form Factor— Back View1 expansion-card slots (2) 2 power supply check button3 power supply check light 4 cover-release lat

About Your Computer 15Small Form Factor— Back Panel Connectors1 PS2 mouse connector 2 parallel (printer) connector3 serial connector 4 network-activit

16 About Your Computer

Setting Up Your Computer 17Setting Up Your ComputerQuick Setup CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety ins

18 Setting Up Your Computer NOTE: Connection of a DisplayPort monitor or adapter will result in the x16 PCI-Express slot being disabled. This is not

Setting Up Your Computer 195Connect the network cable.6Connect the modem (if your computer has this option).

Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates

20 Setting Up Your Computer7Connect the power cable(s).8Press the power buttons on the monitor and the computer.

Setting Up Your Computer 219Connect to your network.The Dell™ Wireless Antenna, if purchased, connects to the wireless connector.1 Internet service 2

22 Setting Up Your Computer NOTE: For security, the Wireless Antenna uses special screws to connect to the system that can only be removed using the

Setting Up Your Computer 23• The enclosure should be designed so that the ambient air entering the system meets the operating temperature requirements

24 Setting Up Your ComputerConnecting to the Internet NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or ne

Setting Up Your Computer 25 NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet, see the Dell Technology Guide. If you have successfully connected in the pas

26 Setting Up Your ComputerYou can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial connection, or you can store it on removable media,

Setting Up Your Computer 276On the What do you want to transfer? screen, select the items you want to transfer and click Next.After the information ha

28 Setting Up Your ComputerTo copy data from the old computer:1On the old computer, insert the wizard disk, and click Start→ Run.2In the Open field on

Specifications 29Specifications NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the configuration of your computer, click Start→ H

Contents 3Contents1 About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Mini Tower — Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Mini Tower — Ba

30 SpecificationsMemory capacities667 MHz512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB, 8 GBNOTE: 512 MB DIMMS are available for use only in the 667-MHz memory confi

Specifications 31Bus speed x1-slot bidirectional speed — 500 MB/s (PCI Express)x16-slot bidirectional speed — 16 GB (PCI Express)1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps

32 SpecificationsPCIE_WLSconnectorone x1(available in all platforms)connector size36 pinsusefor optional wireless and WLAN cardsDrivesHard Disk Drives

Specifications 33ConnectorsExternal connectors:VideoVGA and DisplayPort connectorsNetwork adapterRJ-45 connectorUSB 2.0-compliant connectorsMini Tower

34 SpecificationsExpansion slotsMini Tower: four full-height slotsDesktop: four half-height slots without riser, two full-height slots, two half-heigh

Specifications 35Network link lightblueWiFi (optional) link lightblueRear of computer: Power supply lightsolid green — The power supply is turned on a

36 SpecificationsInput voltage (see the safety information that shipped with your computer for important voltage setting information)115/230 VACInput

Specifications 37Environmental Temperature:Operating10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F)Storage–40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F)Relative humidity 20% to 80% (noncond

38 Specifications

Troubleshooting Tips 39Troubleshooting Tips CAUTION: Always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover. NOTE: For detai

4 ContentsTransferring Information to a New Computer . . . . . . 25Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 Troubleshooting Tips NOTE: The diagnostic lights will blink when the power button is amber or off, and will not when it is blue. This has no other

Troubleshooting Tips 41Blinking AmberA possible motherboard, power supply, or peripheral failure has occurred.1Power off computer, leaving the compute

42 Troubleshooting TipsSteady AmberMemory modules are detected, but a memory power failure has occurred.• If two or more memory modules are installed,

Troubleshooting Tips 43Steady AmberPower connector not installed properly.• Reseat the 2x2 power connector from the power supply unit. • If the system

44 Troubleshooting TipsSteady BlueA possible processor failure has occurred.• Reseat the processor (see Processor information for your computer).• If

Troubleshooting Tips 45Steady BlueNo memory modules are detected.• If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see your service m

46 Troubleshooting TipsSteady BlueA possible expansion card failure has occurred.1Determine if a conflict exists by removing an expansion card (not a

Troubleshooting Tips 47ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE — Some possible causes of interference are:• Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables• Too many devic

48 Troubleshooting TipsLockups and Software Problems NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not

Troubleshooting Tips 49Other software problemsCHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATIO

Contents 56 Finding Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577 Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Obtaining Assistan

50 Troubleshooting TipsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From the Dell Drivers and Utilities Media NOTE: The Dell Drivers and Utilities media is optional

Reinstalling Software 51Reinstalling SoftwareDriversIdentifying Drivers1Locate the list of devices for your computer.aClick the Windows Vista Start bu

52 Reinstalling SoftwareReturning to a Previous Device Driver Version1Click the Windows Vista Start button , and right-click Computer.2Click Propertie

Reinstalling Software 535At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in

54 Reinstalling Software• Dell Factory Image Restore returns your hard drive to the same operating state as when you purchased the computer. The progr

Reinstalling Software 55photos, and music files) on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer. If

56 Reinstalling Software• Microsoft System Restore (see "Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore" on page 54) NOTICE: Before performing th

Finding Information 57Finding Information NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer. Some features or media ma

58 Finding InformationSafety, Regulatory, Warranty, and Support DocumentationThis type of information may have shipped with your computer. For additio

Getting Help 59Getting HelpObtaining Assistance CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer cover, first disconnect the computer power and modem cabl

6 Contents

60 Getting Help NOTE: Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Call your local Dell repr

Getting Help 614Select Dell™ Systems Management Administrator’s Guide for Intel iAMT setup and configuration information.Technical Support and Custome

62 Getting Help• Dell Support e-mail addresses:[email protected]@us.dell.com [email protected] (Latin America and Caribbean coun

Getting Help 63Product InformationIf you need information about additional products available from Dell, or if you would like to place an order, visit

64 Getting HelpBefore You Call NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s automated-support telephone system dir

Getting Help 65Diagnostics ChecklistName:Date:Address:Phone number:Service Tag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer):Express Service Code:R

66 Getting HelpContacting DellFor customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355). NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet conne

Index 67IndexCClient Initiated Remote Access, 60connectingInternet, 24modem, 19monitor, 18network, 21network cable, 19power cables, 20contacting Dell,

68 IndexFFast Call for Help, 60Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, 25finding information, 57IIntel Active Management Technology (iAMT)documentation, 5

Index 69Ssafety information, 58Service Manual, 58Service Tag, 57setupcomputer, 17installing your computer in an enclosure, 22Internet, 24quick setup,

About Your Computer 7About Your Computer Mini Tower — Front View1 hard drive activity light 2 link integrity light3 WiFi (optional) light 4 diagnostic

70 IndexVviewback, 8, 14back panel connectors, 7-9front, 7Wwarranty information, 58Windows License label, 58Windows VistaDell Factory Image Restore, 5

8 About Your ComputerMini Tower — Back View7 optical-drive eject button 8 optical-drive filler panel9 flex bay (for optional floppy drive or memory ca

About Your Computer 9Mini Tower — Back Panel Connectors5 power connector 6 back-panel connectors7 expansion-card slots (4)1 PS2 mouse connector 2 para