Dell Optiplex 745 ?'s

Its the slimline or small form factor Dell Optiplex 745, I don't remember there being a "c" designation on it.

you would need an external hard drive. there is no room for a 2nd internal drive.

745c is just 745 with vPro technology.

Ok, since I can't add a second hard drive, how hard is it to transfer an exact image of the one I have now to a brand new hard drive? Also I am still wondering about a different video card, is it possible or does Dell not allow it. I don't care about voiding the warranty because it is out. Also, is it possible to overclock the 1.8 Ghz dual-core processor in it or not, what about the 128 Mb ATI video card, is it overclockable?

I have 3 other desktops and a laptop, i just need to know how, i tried the windows backup once before but it got corrupted on transfer somehow and I lost everything, I'm not wanting to go with an 8800 just a 256 mb or maybe 512 mb if I can find one that uses a small amount of power, in my dreams I'm guessing.

Can I just transfer this computer out of this case into a full sized case? If so, what is the best way to do it? If I am able to do that, should I go ahead and upgrade the power supply so I can support a more powerful video card? If I decide not to upgrade the power supply or the video card would the original power supply be able to handle a second hard drive?

You'd have to buy a Dell 745 tower case somehow. Dell doesn't sell empty cases.

Another option is to buy a USB enclosure, then use Acronis Disk Director or True Image to copy your current drive (all partitions) to the new drive (in the USB enclosure) and resize if you want to. Then power down, pull the internal drive out (good backup till you confirm the new drive works), pull the new drive out of the USB enclosure and put it in the system to boot from. Keep in mind that you'll need to buy a SATA drive (not ATA (PATA)) and matching USB enclosure.

Why does it have to be another 745 case? I've never opened up my case to see everything in side of it, but what is the major differences that I would have to buy another 745 case? I have the usb enclosure, actually 2, but I'm not going to buy another hard drive until I'm absolutly sure of how I'm going to switch them out.

Message Edited by b_boy_69_00 on 08-29-2007 12:29 PM

The motherboard isn't ATX, it's BTX and doesn't use the industry standard way to connect to the chassis (screws aren't in the same spots, etc). Also the cable to go from the power button to the motherboard (also has the front USB ports going through this cable) isn't industry standard.

So unless you're really 'good with a Dremel' and creative with computer cases (to build the Dell front panel into the standard BTX case and figure out a way to attach the board to the chassis), it's not going to 'fit'.

I was told that a gx620 case might work, but I don't know what it looks like compared to the 745, anybody else think it will work? Also is there a way to put a more powerful power supply in it?

Message Edited by b_boy_69_00 on 08-30-2007 06:47 AM

A 620 case may be a little easier to find on ebay or so as it's a slightly older system, therefor more out there being offered 2nd hand. The difference that I think I've seen has been the color; the 745 is black (except for the sidepanels) where the 620 is more like a dark gray (I think Dell calls it midnight gray).

I found a 745 case for $20 plus shipping. I think I'm going to go ahead and get it.