Problem with USB downstream ports on new Dell monitor

I just got a new Dell system for my office. The secretary places all orders, and I did not see the specs before the order was placed and had no input in the decision. The CPU is an Opliplex GX280. The monitor is 19" and can swivel to either horizontal or vertical (sorry, I don't have the model number at home). This seems to be an excellent system in most ways and it performs well. However, there is only one strangely-positioned USB port on the front of the CPU. It is parallel to the CPU instead of vertical, and I almost have to stand on my head to see where to insert anything. It is apparently meant only for one of those memory sticks. There are 3 USB ports on the back, but that is awkward to use. There are also 2 USB ports on the side of the monitor. Those would seem to be the logical ones to use -- but, so far, nothing that I have tried has worked with those ports. I called Dell and spend about 1-1-2 hours with the first technician, and he also had me run the diagnostics program (another 45 minutes). He didn't have any answers. On the other hand, he seemed to know very *little* about anything. I called the next day, and the tech I contacted told me that the ports on monitors "sometimes work and sometimes they don't." I informed him that it was a pretty poor decision if Dell really sent out new equipment knowing that the ports "might or might not" work.

Can anyone help? Do you know of any settings I should try? There is absolutely *no* documentation with this computer, and it is awkward trying to work my way through Dell's online support because there does not appear to be one manual where I could search alphabetically. Instead, there are numerous little modules of information (none helpful, so far). There was a one-page set of instructions for setup, and that page identified the two ports on the side of the monitor as "USB downstream" devices.

Thanks, MaryL