Let’s go over a few simple steps to make sure your classroom computer is hooked up properly and ready to display your teaching material.
STEP 1
Attaching Monitor Cables
Currently, there are three setups that may apply to your computer. Please follow the diagram that more closely resembles the inputs on the back of your computer.
Option A - (Dell Optiplex 5040)
Option B - (Dell Optiplex 7010)
User will either have a Display to HDMI or a VGA to VGA cable
Option C - (Dell Optiplex 7020)
User will either have a Display to HDMI or a VGA to VGA cable
STEP 2
Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse
The keyboards and mice connect using a USB cable, they can be connected into any USB port on the computer. Here is what the connection looks like:
STEP 3
Internet Cord
Now we need to make sure you will be able to get to the internet with what is known as an Ethernet cord. They come in all different colors, but it looks similar to a phone cord and it plugs into the back of your computer instead of a phone.
TEACHER COMPUTERS
For teacher computers, the Ethernet cord needs to go to the back of your classroom phone. On the back of your phone, you will see a port that has written above it “10/100/1000 PC”. This goes from your phone to the back of your computer. Now look at the back of the phone once again and you will see another port with “10/100/1000 SW” written above it. You will need to plug a separate Ethernet cord into that port and connect the other end of it into the plate on the wall that looks like the image above. Here is a diagram of what the connections should look like.
Color of cord may be different than shown above
Below you see the general overview of how it should be plugged in.
STUDENT COMPUTERS
For student computers, the Ethernet cord needs to go to the back of the computer system to drop on the wall. There will be no phone in between.
STEP 4
Audio Cord
The cord that attaches your sound devices to your computer is what is known as an auxiliary cable or AUX cable. The cable and input will look like this:
STEP 5
Power Cables
Finally, it’s time to get power to the computer and see all our work come to life. You will see a cable like the one in the example that goes from the back of the computer to an electrical wall outlet or surge protector. You will also have the same type of cable coming from the back of your monitor (screen). After your hook in the cable, press the power button and you’re all set.