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Dell 1200 Laptop User Manual

1. If the link integrity light is off see Network Connector RJ 45 on page 27 no network communication is occurring Replace the network cable RESTART THE COMPUTER AND LOG ON TO THE NETWORK AGAIN CHECK YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network to verify that your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER See Hardware and Software Problems on page 110 Power Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide IF THE POWER LIGHT IS GREEN AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT RESPONDING See Diagnostic Lights on page 73 IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING GREEN The computer is in standby mode Press a key on the keyboard move the mouse or press the power button to resume normal operation IF THE POWER LIGHT IS OFF The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet Troubleshooting 91 e Bypass power strips power extension cables and other power protection devices to verify that the computer turns on properly Ensure that any power strips being used are plugged into an electrical outlet and are turned on e Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp
2. 67 Using a Primary or System Password 68 Using an Administrator Password 69 Computer Tracking Software 70 Fingerprint Reader Optional 70 If Your Computer Is LostorStolen 70 10 Troubleshooting Tools 73 Diagnostic Lights 73 Diagnostic Light Codes During POST 73 System Messages 24 Hardware Troubleshooter 78 Dell Diagnostics 79 When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 79 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive 79 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media 2 222 222 81 Dell Diagnostics MainMenu 82 Contents 11 Troubleshooting 85 Battery Problems 85 E Mail Modem and Internet Problems 85 Error Messages 2 2222222 87 Lockups and Software Problems 88 Memory Problems 90 Network Problems 91 Power Problems 91 Printer Problems 92 Scanner Problems 93 Sound and Speaker Problems 94 Touch Pad or Mouse Problems 95 Video and Monitor Problems 96 PowerLights 97 Dell Technical Update Service 98 Dell Support Utility 98 Accessing the Dell Support Utility 99 Clicking th
3. You are responsible for paying shipping expenses You are also responsible for insuring any product returned and you assume the risk of loss during shipment to Dell Collect On Delivery C O D packages are not accepted Returns that are missing any of the preceding requirements will be refused at Dell s receiving dock and returned to you 126 Getting Help Before You Call K NOTE Have your Express Service Code ready when you call The code helps Dell s automated support telephone system direct your call more efficiently You may also be asked for your Service Tag located on the back or bottom of your computer Remember to fill out the Diagnostics Checklist see Diagnostics Checklist on page 128 If possible turn on your computer before you call Dell for assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer You may be asked to type some commands at the keyboard relay detailed information during operations or try other troubleshooting steps possible only at the computer itself Ensure that the computer documentation is available N CAUTION Before working inside your computer follow the safety instructions in your Product Information Guide 127 Getting Help 128 Diagnostics Checklist Name Date Address Phone number Service Tag bar code on the back or bottom of the computer Express Service Code Return Material Authorization Number if provided by Dell support technician Operating system a
4. network firewall 61 problems 91 0 operating system media 116 reinstalling 16 Operating System CD 16 P passwords about 67 administrator 68 69 forgetting 68 primary 68 security 67 system 68 PC Card slot description 23 Index 161 PC Restore 113 phone numbers 129 playing CDs 49 playing DVDs 49 power hibernate mode 34 problems 91 standby mode 33 power button description 22 power light 97 conditions 91 printer problems 92 problems battery 85 blue screen 89 computer crashes 88 89 computer stops responding 88 conflicts 78 110 diagnostic lights 73 e mail 85 error messages 87 general 88 Internet 85 memory 90 modem 85 monitor hard to read 96 monitor is blank 96 network 91 power 91 power light conditions 91 printer 92 162 Index program crashes 89 program stops responding 88 restore to previous state 110 111 scanner 93 screen hard to read 96 screen is blank 96 software 88 90 volume adjusting 94 Product Information Guide 12 regulatory information 12 S safety instructions 12 scanner problems 93 94 security cable slot description 25 Service Tag 13 software conflicts 78 110 problems 88 90 speakers description 21 specifications 131 standby mode about 33 Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD 81 stolen computer 70 support contacting Dell 129 support w
5. KEYBOARD The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Windows logo key For information on supported keyboard shortcuts see Key Combinations on page 40 FINGERPRINT READER OPTIONAL Helps to keep your Dell computer secure When you slide your finger over the reader it uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity For more information on the fingerprint reader see Fingerprint Reader Optional on page 70 Touch PAD Provides the functionality of a mouse see Touch Pad on page 41 ToucH PAD BUTTONS Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when using the touch pad to move the cursor on the display see Touch Pad on page 41 SPEAKER To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker press the volume control buttons mute button or volume control keyboard shortcuts see Key Combinations on page 40 About Your Computer 21 DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is in a power management mode Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status O amp Turns on when the computer reads or writes data NOTICE To avoid loss of data never turn off the computer while the O light is flashing 3 Tums on when Bluetooth wireless technology is enabled NOTE Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional feature on your computer so the icon turns on only if you ordered Bluetooth wireless technolog
6. Upon restart the computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in System Setup 5 Press any key to confirm that you want to start from the CD DVD If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then shut down your computer and try again 6 Type 1 to Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics At the Dell Diagnostics Menu type to select Dell 32 bit Diagnostics for Resource CD graphical user interface 8 Press lt Tab gt to select Test System and then press lt Enter gt K NOTE It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer Selecting Test Memory initiates the extended memory test which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete When the test completes record the test results and then press any key to return to the previous menu Troubleshooting Tools 81 9 At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu left click with the mouse or press lt Tab gt and then lt Enter gt to select the test you want to run see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu on page 82 K NOTE Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen 10 After all tests have completed close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 11 Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer 12 Remove the Drivers and Utilities media from
7. a device by pressing the down arrow or up arrow key and then enable or disable the device or change its order in the list e To enable or disable a device highlight the item and press the space bar Enabled items appear as white and display a small triangle to the left disabled items appear blue or dimmed without a triangle e To reorder a device in the list highlight the device and then press lt gt or lt gt not case sensitive to move the highlighted device up or down Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit the system setup program Performing a One Time Boot You can set a one time only boot sequence without entering the system setup program You can also use this procedure to boot the Dell Diagnostics on the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive 1 Shut down the computer through the Start menu 2 Ifthe computer is connected to a docking device docked undock it See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions Connect the computer to an electrical outlet 4 Turn on the computer When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop Then shut down your computer and try again System Setup Program 103 5 When the boot device list appears highlight the device from which you want to boot and press lt Enter gt The computer
8. do not have an Express Service Code open the Dell Accessories folder double click the Express Service Code icon and follow the directions For instructions on using the Dell Support see Technical Support and Customer Service on page 124 K NOTE Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U S Call your local Dell representative for information on availability 123 Getting Help Technical Support and Customer Service Dell s support service is available to answer your questions about Dell hardware Our support staff uses computer based diagnostics to provide fast accurate answers To contact Dell s support service see Before You Call on page 127 and then see the contact information for your region or go to support dell com DellConnect DellConnect is a simple online access tool that allows a Dell service and support associate to access your computer through a broadband connection diagnose your problem and repair it all under your supervision For more information go to support dell com and click DellConnect Online Services You can learn about Dell products and services on the following websites e www dell com e www dell com ap Asian Pacific countries only e www dell com jp Japan only e www euro dell com Europe only e www dell comjla Latin American and Caribbean countries e www dell ca Canada only You can access Dell Support through the follo
9. key combination A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the same time kHz kilohertz A measurement of frequency that equals 1000 Hz L LAN local area network A computer network covering a small area A LAN usually is confined to a building or a few nearby buildings A LAN can be connected to another LAN over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves to form a wide area network WAN LCD liquid crystal display The technology used by portable computer and flat panel displays LED light emitting diode An electronic component that emits light to indicate the status of the computer local bus A data bus that provides a fast throughput for devices to the processor LPT line print terminal The designation for a parallel connection to a printer or other parallel device 148 Glossary Mb megabit A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb Mbps megabits per second One million bits per second This measurement is typically used for transmission speeds for networks and modems MB megabyte A measurement of data storage that equals 1 048 576 bytes 1 MB equals 1024 KB When used to refer to hard drive storage the term is often rounded to 1 000 000 bytes MB sec megabytes per second One million bytes per second This measurement is typically used for data transfer ratings media bay A bay that supports devices such as
10. 88 ERROR 8602 AUXILLIARY DEVICE FAILURE VERIFY THAT MOUSE AND KEYBOARD ARE SECURELY ATTACHED TO CORRECT CONNECTORS FLASH PART WRITE PROTECTED ERROR Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 GATE A20 FAILURE Sce Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 74 Troubleshooting Tools INVALID CONFIGURATION INFORMATION PLEASE RUN SETUP PROGRAM Enter System Setup see Viewing the System Setup Screens on page 102 and change System Setup options see Commonly Used Options on page 102 to correct the configuration error KEYBOARD FAILURE Keyboard failure or keyboard cable loose see Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 MEMORY ADDRESS LINE FAILURE AT ADDRESS READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE See Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 MEMORY DOUBLE WORD LOGIC FAILURE AT ADDRESS READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE See Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 MEMORY ODD EVEN LOGIC FAILURE AT ADDRESS READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE See Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 MEMORY WRITE READ FAILURE AT ADDRESS READ VALUE EXPECTING VALUE See Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 MEMORY SIZE IN CMOS INVALID See Lockups and Software Problems on page 88 NO BOOT DEVICE AVAILABLE STRIKE F1 TO RETRY BOOT F2 FOR SETUP UTILITY PRESS F5 TO RUN ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS The system cannot detect a bootable device or partition e If the floppy drive is your boot devic
11. Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 126 Before You Call 127 Contacting Dell 129 I6 gt SpPeCiicatOns lt 0 tn ovedsa vin daeas 131 17 AppendiX 2 a ae be 137 FCC Notice U S Only 137 FCC Class Bi 23 82 05 00 tg a Se 137 Cleaning YourComputer 138 Computer Keyboard and Display 138 Mouse Non Optical 139 Touch Pad 4 4 2 2 N che 139 CDsandDVDs 139 GIO SSA athe hie eth areas enka Bw he 141 Midex 0 tenet Sete ER BE 159 Contents 10 Contents Finding Information K NOTE Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your computer Some features or media may not be available in certain countries K NOTE Additional information may ship with your computer What Are You Looking For Find It Here e A diagnostic program for my computer e Drivers for my computer Notebook System Software NSS Drivers and Utilities Media Documentation and drivers are already installed on your computer You can use the media to reinstall drivers see Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 106 Readme files may be included on your media to provide last minute updates about technical changes to your computer or advanced technical reference material for technicians or experienced users ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER NOTE Drivers and documentation up
12. NOT WANT TO SEE POWER WARNING MESSAGES AGAIN STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO CONTINUE F2 TO RUN THE SETUP UTILITY Connect the correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station THE COMPUTER IS DOCKED AND ONLY BATTERY POWER IS DETECTED THIS CAN HAPPEN IF THE POWER ADAPTER IS MISSING THE POWER CORD IS UNPLUGGED OR THE COMPUTER IS NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED TO THE DOCKING STATION YOU SHOULD UNDOCK REDOCK ATTACH THE POWER ADAPTER OR PLUG IN THE POWER CORD STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO SHUTDOWN THE AMOUNT OF SYSTEM MEMORY HAS CHANGED IF YOU DID NOT CHANGE YOUR MEMORY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE TRY TO RESEAT THE MEMORY STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO CONTINUE F2 TO RUN THE SETUP UTILITY PRESS F5 TO RUN ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS Reseat the memory see Memory in your Service Manual e If memory was not removed or installed memory module or system board failure may have occurred Contact Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on page 129 UNSUPPORTED MEMORY STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO SHUTDOWN Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer see your Service Manual WARNING A xxx W AC ADAPTER HAS BEEN DETECTED WHICH IS LESS THAN THE RECOMMENDED 65 90 W AC ADAPTER ORIGINALLY SHIPPED THIS WILL INCREASE THE TIME TO CHARGE THE BATTERY THEY SYSTEM WILL ADJUST THE PERFORMANCE TO MATCH THE POWER AVAILABLE PLEASE CONNECT A DELL 65 90 W AC ADAPTER OR GREATER FOR BEST PERFORMANCE STRIKE THE F3 KEY BEFORE THE F1 OR F2 KEY IF YOU
13. THE UL TRIP COUNT IS SHOWN BELOW THE F3 KEY MESSAGE STRIKE THE F3 KEY TO CLEAR THE UL COUNTER ANY OTHER KEY TO CONTINUE Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 PROCESSOR MICROCODE UPDATE FAILURE THE REVISION OF PROCESSOR IN THE SYSTEM IS NOT SUPPORTED Ensure that the processor you are using is supported by your computer see Specifications on page 131 Hardware Troubleshooter If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility Windows XP 1 Click Start Help and Support 2 Iypehardware troubleshooter in the search field and press lt Enter gt to start the search In the Fix a Problem section click Hardware Troubleshooter In the Hardware Troubleshooter list select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista start button 6 and click Help and Support 2 Iypehardware troubleshooter in the search field and press lt Enter gt to start the search 3 Inthe search results select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps 78 Troubleshooting Tools Dell Diagnostics A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide
14. TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MOUSE CHECK THE TOUCH PAD 1 Shut down the computer 2 Disconnect the mouse 3 Turn on the computer 4 At the Windows desktop use the touch pad to move the cursor around select an icon and open it If the touch pad operates correctly the mouse may be defective Troubleshooting 95 CHECK THE SYSTEM SETUP PROGRAM SETTINGS Verify that the system setup program lists the correct device for the pointing device option The computer automatically recognizes a USB mouse without making any setting adjustments For more information on using the system setup program see System Setup Program on page 101 TEST THE MOUSE CONTROLLER To test the mouse controller which affects pointer movement and the operation of the touch pad or mouse buttons run the Mouse test in the Pointing Devices test group in the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 REINSTALL THE TOUCH PAD DRIVER Sce Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities on page 106 Video and Monitor Problems N CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide NOTICE If your computer came with a PCI graphics card installed removal of the card is not necessary when installing additional graphics cards however the card is required for troubleshooting purposes If you remove the card store itin a safe and secure location For information
15. When to Use the Dell Diagnostics If you experience a problem with your computer perform the checks in Troubleshooting on page 85 and then run the Dell Diagnostics before contacting Dell for assistance Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media provided with your computer K NOTE The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your computer K NOTE The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Before running the Dell Diagnostics enter System Setup see Viewing the System Setup Screens on page 102 to review your computer s configuration information and ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in System Setup and is active The Dell Diagnostics is located on a separate diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive K NOTE If the computer is connected to a docking device docked undock it See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions K NOTE If your computer does not display a screen image contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 1 Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly 2 Press and hold the lt Fn gt key or the mute button then turn on your computer K NOTE Alternatively you can select Diagnostics from the one time boot menu at startup to boot to the diagnostic utility par
16. Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non Windows Vista operating system environments 1 Click Start Control Panel gt Programs Use an older program with this version of Windows 2 Inthe welcome screen click Next Follow the instructions on the screen A solid blue screen appears TURN THE COMPUTER OFF If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off and then restart your computer Troubleshooting 89 Other software problems CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION e Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer e Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software See the software documentation for information Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly e Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program e If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY USE A VIRUS SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE FLOPPY DISKS CDs or DVDs SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START MENU Memory Problems N CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow
17. about your graphics card go to support dell com The screen is blank K NOTE For troubleshooting procedures see the monitor s documentation The screen is difficult to read CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS See Diagnostic Lights on page 73 CHECK THE MONITOR SETTINGS See the monitor documentation for instructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness demagnetizing degaussing the monitor and running the monitor self test ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Appearance and Themes 2 Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon 3 Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution 96 Troubleshooting Windows Vista 1 Click Start gt Control Panel gt Hardware and Sound gt Personalization Display Settings 2 Adjust Resolution and Colors settings as needed 3D image quality is poor CHECK THE GRAPHICS CARD POWER CABLE CONNECTION Ensure that the power cable for the graphics card s is correctly attached to the card Only part of the display is readable CONNECT AN EXTERNAL MONITOR 1 Shut down your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer 2 Turn on the computer and the monitor and adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls If the external monitor works the computer display or video controller may be defective Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 Power Lights A CAUTION Before you beg
18. below to connect to a wireless network in range or to get more information the Windows XP operating system is managing the wireless network card To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card in Windows Vista 1 Click Connect To gt Manage wireless networks 2 Double click a profile to open the wireless network properties screen 60 Setting Up and Using Networks For specific information about the wireless configuration utility installed on your computer see your wireless network documentation in the Windows Help and Support Center see Windows Help and Support on page 16 Completing the Connection to the WLAN When you turn on your computer and a network for which your computer is not configured is detected in the area a pop up appears near the network icon in the notification area in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop Follow the instructions provided in any utility prompts that appear on your screen Once you have configured your computer for the wireless network that you selected another pop up notifies you that your computer is connected to that network Thereafter whenever you log on to your computer within the range of the wireless network that you selected the same pop up notifies you of the wireless network connection K NOTE If you select a secure network you must enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted Network security settings are unique to y
19. change user selectable features for example your computer password e To verify information about the computer s current configuration such as the amount of system memory After you set up the computer run the system setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings You may want to write down the information for future reference The system setup screens display the current setup information and settings for your computer such as e System configuration e Boot order e Boot start up configuration and docking device configuration settings e Basic device configuration settings e System security and hard drive password settings 101 System Setup Program NOTE Unless you are an expert computer user or are directed to do so by Dell technical support do not change the system setup settings Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly Viewing the System Setup Screens 1 Tum on or restart your computer 2 When the DELL logo appears press lt F2 gt immediately If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows logo appears continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop Then shut down your computer and try again System Setup Screens K NOTE For information about a specific item on a system setup screen highlight the item and see the Help area on the screen On each screen the system setup options are listed at the left To the right o
20. com NOTE Select your region or business segment to view the appropriate support site To download NSS System Software 1 Go to support dell com and click Drivers amp Downloads 2 Enter your Service Tag or Product Type and Product Model and click Go 3 Scroll to System and Configuration Utilities Dell Notebook System Software and click Download Now 4 Select Drivers amp Downloads and click Go NOTE The support dell com user interface may vary depending on your selections What Are You Looking For Find It Here Software upgrades and troubleshooting hints Frequently asked questions hot topics and general health of your computing environment Dell Support Utility The Dell Support Utility is an automated upgrade and notification system installed on your computer This support provides real time health scans of your computing environment software updates and relevant self support information Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon in the taskbar For more information see Dell Support Utility on page 98 How to find information about my computer and its components How to connect to the Internet How to add user accounts for different people How to transfer files and settings from another computer Windows Welcome Center The Windows Welcome Center automatically appears when you use the computer for the first time You can choose to have it appear every time you start your comp
21. computer restarts 7 After the computer restarts click OK Removing PC Restore NOTICE Removing Dell PC Restore from the hard drive permanently deletes the PC Restore utility from your computer After you have removed Dell PC Restore you will not be able to use it to restore your computer operating system Dell PC Restore enables you to restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased your computer It is recommended that you do not remove PC Restore from your computer even to gain additional hard drive space If you remove PC Restore from the hard drive you cannot ever recall it and you will never be able to use PC Restore to return your computer operating system to its original state 1 Log on to the computer as a local administrator 2 In Microsoft Windows Explorer go to c dell utilities DSR 3 Double click the filename DSRIRRemv2 exe K NOTE If you do not log on as a local administrator a message appears stating that you that you must log on as administrator Click Quit and then log on as a local administrator K NOTE If the partition for PC Restore does not exist on your computer hard drive a message appears stating that the partition was not found Click Quit there is no partition to delete 4 Click OK to remove the PC Restore partition on the hard drive Click Yes when a confirmation message appears The PC Restore partition is deleted and the newly available disk space is added to
22. configure devices Plug and Play provides automatic installation configuration and compatibility with existing hardware if the BIOS operating system and all devices are Plug and Play compliant POST power on self test Diagnostics programs loaded automatically by the BIOS that perform basic tests on the major computer components such as memory hard drives and video If no problems are detected during POST the computer continues the start up processor A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU central processing unit PS 2 personal system 2 A type of connector for attaching a PS 2 compatible keyboard mouse or keypad PXE pre boot execution environment A WfM Wired for Management standard that allows networked computers that do not have an operating system to be configured and started remotely RAID redundant array of independent disks A method of providing data redundancy Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0 RAID 1 RAID 5 RAID 10 and RAID 50 RAM random access memory The primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your computer readme file A text file included with a software package or hardware product Typically readme files provide installation information and describe new product enhancements or corr
23. enter a password within two minutes the computer returns to its previous operating state NOTICE If you disable the administrator password the primary password is also disabled To add or change passwords access User Accounts from the Control Panel If you have assigned an administrator password you can use it instead of the primary password The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password Using an Administrator Password The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers allowing you to assign a unique primary password To set or change administrator passwords access User Accounts from the Control Panel When you set an administrator password the Configure Setup option becomes available in system setup The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password you can enter the administrator password NOTICE If you disable the administrator password the primary password is also disabled K NOTE The administrator password provides access to the computer but it does not provide a
24. increase or decrease the volume For more information on volume control options click Help in the Volume Control window Adjusting the Picture If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory and preventing DVD playback adjust the display properties Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Appearance and Themes 2 Under Pick a task click Change the screen resolution 3 Under Screen resolution click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution setting 4 In the drop down menu under Color quality click Medium 16 bit and click OK Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button 6 click Control Panel and then click Appearance and Personalization 2 Under Personalization click Adjust Screen Resolution The Display Properties window appears 3 Under Resolution click and drag the bar reduce the resolution setting 4 In the drop down menu under Colors click Medium 16 bit 5 Click OK 54 Using Multimedia Setting Up and Using Networks Setting up a computer network provides connectivity between your computer and the Internet another computer or a network For example with a network set up in a home or small office you can print to a shared printer access drives and files on another computer browse other networks or access the Internet You can set up a local area network LAN using a network or broadband modem cab
25. is turned up and that the sound is not muted DISCONNECT HEADPHONES FROM THE HEADPHONE CONNECTOR Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are connected to the computer s front panel headphone connector TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp 94 Troubleshooting ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE Turn off nearby fans fluorescent lights or halogen lamps to check for interference RUN THE SPEAKER DIAGNOSTICS REINSTALL THE SOUND DRIVER See Drivers on page 105 RUN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER Sce Hardware and Software Problems on page 110 No sound from headphones CHECK THE HEADPHONE CABLE CONNECTION Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone connector see Right Side View on page 24 ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL Click or double click the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted Touch Pad or Mouse Problems CHECK THE TOUCH PAD SETTINGS 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Mouse 2 Try adjusting the settings CHECK THE MOUSE CABLE Shut down the computer Disconnect the mouse cable check it for damage and firmly reconnect the cable If you are using a mouse extension cable disconnect it and connect the mouse directly to the computer
26. logo key and lt m gt key combination Runs Windows Explorer Windows logo key and lt r gt Opens the Run dialog box Windows logo key and lt f gt Opens the Search Results dialog box Windows logo key and lt Ctrl gt lt f gt Opens the Search Results Computer dialog box if the computer is connected to a network Windows logo key and lt Pause gt Opens the System Properties dialog box To adjust keyboard operation such as the character repeat rate open the Control Panel click Printers and Other Hardware and click Keyboard For information about the Control Panel see the Windows Help and Support Center To access the Help and Support Center click Start Help and Support Touch Pad The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you to move the cursor on the display Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons as you would use a mouse S 1 touch pad 2 silk screen depicting scrolling capabilities To move the cursor lightly slide your finger over the touch pad e To select an object lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button Using the Keyboard 41 42 To select and move or drag an object position the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad On the second tap leave your finger on the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your finger over the surface To double click an object posi
27. optical drives a second battery or a Dell TravelLite module memory A temporary data storage area inside your computer Because the data in memory is not permanent it is recommended that you frequently save your files while you are working on them and always save your files before you shut down the computer Your computer can contain several different forms of memory such as RAM ROM and video memory Frequently the word memory is used as a synonym for RAM memory address A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM memory mapping The process by which the computer assigns memory addresses to physical locations at start up Devices and software can then identify information that the processor can access memory module A small circuit board containing memory chips which connects to the system board MHz megahertz A measure of frequency that equals 1 million cycles per second The speeds for computer processors buses and interfaces are often measured in MHz Mini PCI A standard for integrated peripheral devices with an emphasis on communications such as modems and NICs A Mini PCI card is a small external card that is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card modem A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers over analog telephone lines Three types of modems include external PC Card and internal You typically use your modem to connect to
28. or technical support setup program A program that is used to install and configure hardware and software The setup exe or install exe program comes with most Windows software packages Setup program differs from system setup shortcut An icon that provides quick access to frequently used programs files folders and drives When you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and double click the icon you can open its corresponding folder or file without having to find it first Shortcut icons do not change the location of files If you delete a shortcut the original file is not affected Also you can rename a shortcut icon SIM Subscriber Identity Module A SIM card contains a microchip that encrypts voice and data transmissions SIM cards can be used in phones or portable computers smart card A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip Smart cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards S PDIF Sony Philips Digital Interface An audio transfer file format that allows the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from an analog format which could degrade the quality of the file standby mode A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to save energy Strike Zone Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences reso
29. overexposure to sunlight dirt dust or liquids Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car or in an overhead storage compartment Travel Tips NOTICE Do not move the computer while using the optical drive to prevent loss of data NOTICE Do not check the computer as baggage Consider disabling wireless activity on your computer to maximize battery operating time To disable wireless activity press lt Fn gt lt F2 gt Consider changing your power management options to maximize battery operating time see Power Management Modes on page 33 If you are traveling internationally carry proof of ownership or of your right to use the computer if it is company owned to speed your passage through customs Investigate the customs regulations of the countries you plan to visit and consider acquiring an international carnet also known as a merchandise passport from your government Find out what type of electrical outlets are used in the countries you will visit and have appropriate power adapters Check with your credit card company for information about the kinds of emergency travel assistance it offers to users of portable computers Traveling by Air 120 NOTICE Do not walk the computer through a metal detector Send the computer through an X ray machine or have it hand inspected Ensure that you have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the compu
30. the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide IF YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem e See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements If necessary install additional memory see your Service Manual Reseat the memory modules see your Service Manual to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS Reseat the memory modules see Memory in your Service Manual to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory 90 Troubleshooting e Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines see Installing Memory in your Service Manual e Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer For more information about the type of memory supported by your computer see your Service Manual e Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 Network Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide CHECK THE NETWORK CABLE CONNECTOR Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into the network connector on the back of the computer and the network jack CHECK THE NETWORK LIGHTS
31. the Internet and exchange e mail module bay See media bay MP megapixel A measure of image resolution used for digital cameras ms millisecond A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms Glossary 149 network adapter A chip that provides network capabilities A computer may include a network adapter on its system board or it may contain a PC Card with an adapter on it A network adapter is also referred to as a NIC network interface controller NIC See network adapter notification area The section of the Windows taskbar that contains icons for providing quick access to programs and computer functions such as the clock volume control and print status Also referred to as system tray ns nanosecond A measure of time that equals one billionth of a second NVRAM nonvolatile random access memory A type of memory that stores data when the computer is turned off or loses its external power source NVRAM is used for maintaining computer configuration information such as date time and other system setup options that you can set 0 optical drive A drive that uses optical technology to read or write data from CDs DVDs or DVD RWs Example of optical drives include CD drives DVD drives CD RW drives and CD RW DVD combo drives P parallel connector An T O port often used to connect a parallel printer
32. the Product Information Guide Press the release latch and remove the card or blank For some release latches you must press the latch twice once to pop the latch out and then a second time to pop the card out Save a blank to use when no ExpressCard is installed in a slot Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Using Cards 65 66 1 slot Using Cards 2 ExpressCard Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock K NOTE Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device To use the lock attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell computer For more information see the instructions included with the device NOTICE Before you buy an antitheft device ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer Passwords About Passwords K NOTE Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer Securing Your Computer 67 A primary or system password and an administrator password prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer Type of Password Features Primary or system e Protects the computer from unauthorized access Administrator e Gives system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration e Allows you to restrict access
33. the scanner and the computer Troubleshooting 93 VERIFY THAT THE SCANNER IS RECOGNIZED BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Scanners and Cameras 2 If your scanner is listed Windows recognizes the scanner Windows Vista 1 Click Start Control Panel gt Hardware and Sound Scanners and Cameras 2 If the scanner is listed Windows recognizes the scanner REINSTALL THE SCANNER DRIVER Sce the scanner documentation for instructions Sound and Speaker Problems N CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide No sound from speakers K NOTE The volume control in MP3 and other media players may override the Windows volume setting Always check to ensure that the volume on the media player s has not been turned down or off CHECK THE SPEAKER CABLE CONNECTIONS Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the setup diagram supplied with the speakers If you purchased a sound card ensure that the speakers are connected to the card ENSURE THAT THE SUBWOOFER AND THE SPEAKERS ARE TURNED ON See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers If your speakers have volume controls adjust the volume bass or treble to eliminate distortion ADJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL Click or double click the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen Ensure that the volume
34. to remove dust from between the keys on the keyboard NOTICE To avoid damaging the computer or display do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the display Only use products specifically designed for cleaning displays and follow the instructions that are included with the product NOTICE Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest Moisten a soft lint free cloth with water or a solution suitable for the display s antistatic coating and then wipe the display until it is clean Moisten a soft lint free cloth with water and wipe the computer and keyboard Appendix Mouse Non Optical 1 Turn the retainer ring on the underside of your mouse counterclockwise and then remove the ball Wipe the ball with a clean lint free cloth Blow carefully into the ball cage to dislodge dust and lint Clean the rollers inside the ball cage with a cotton swab moistened lightly with isopropyl alcohol 5 Recenter the rollers in their channels as needed Ensure that fluff from the swab is not left on the rollers 6 Replace the ball and retainer ring and then turn the retainer ring clockwise until it clicks into place Touch Pad Shut down and turn off your computer 2 Disconnect any attached devices from the computer and from their electrical outlets Remove any installed batteries see Removing the Battery on page 36 Moisten a soft lint free cloth with water and wip
35. to your computer Also referred to as an LPT port partition A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives Each partition can contain multiple logical drives PC Card A removable I O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard Modems and network adapters are common types of PC Cards PCI peripheral component interconnect PCI is a local bus that supports 32 and 64 bit data paths providing a high speed data path between the processor and devices such as video drives and networks PCI Express A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate between the processor and the devices attached to it PCI Express can transfer data at speeds from 250 MB sec to 4 GB sec If the PCI Express chip set and the device are capable of different speeds they will operate at the slower speed 150 Glossary PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association The organization that establishes standards for PC Cards PIO programmed input output A method of transferring data between two devices through the processor as part of the data path pixel A single point on a display screen Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to create an image A video resolution such as 800 x 600 is expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down Plug and Play The ability of the computer to automatically
36. use the fingerprint reader to enter your password e Launch a favorite application by swiping your finger over the fingerprint reader e Store confidential information in an encrypted folder If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen e Calla law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer Include the Service Tag in your description of the computer Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number along with the name address and phone number of the law enforcement agency If possible obtain the name of the investigating officer K NOTE If you know where the computer was lost or stolen call a law enforcement agency in that area If you do not know call a law enforcement agency where you live 70 Securing Your Computer e If the computer belongs to a company notify the security office of the company e Contact Dell customer service to report the missing computer Provide the computer Service Tag the case number and the name address and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer If possible give the name of the investigating officer The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen The representative will attempt to get the phone numb
37. 220 Windows Vista Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Microsoft Windows XP Windows Vista oo oo Contents 6 Using Multimedia 49 Playing CDsorDVDs 49 Copying CDs and DVDs 51 HowtoCopyaCDorDVD 51 Using Blank CDs andDVDs 52 HelpfulTips 02 53 Adjusting the Volume 54 Adjusting the Picture 54 7 Setting Up and Using Networks 55 Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable 55 Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System 56 Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System 56 Wireless Local Area Network WLAN 57 What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection 57 Checking Your Wireless Network Card 57 Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a BroadbandModem 58 ConnectingtoaWLAN 59 Microsoft Windows Firewall 61 8 Using Cards cscs 3 40 rin 63 ExpressCards 22222 oo onen 63 ExpressCard Blanks 64 Contents Installing an ExpressCard 64 Removing an ExpressCard or Blank 65 9 Securing YourComputer 67 Security CableLock 67 Passwords i058 ya Graces Fd Aa eae Ed 67 About Passwords
38. 56 Glossary Zip A popular data compression format Files that have been compressed with the Zip format are called Zip files and usually have a filename extension of zip A special kind of zipped file is a self extracting file which has a filename extension of exe You can unzip a self extracting file by double clicking it Zip drive A high capacity floppy drive developed by Iomega Corporation that uses 3 5 inch removable disks called Zip disks Zip disks are slightly larger than regular floppy disks about twice as thick and hold up to 100 MB of data Glossary 157 158 Glossary Index A air vents description 25 battery charging 35 checking the charge 32 performance 31 power meter 32 problems 85 removing 36 storing 37 blanks ExpressCards 64 removing 65 boot sequence 102 brightness adjusting 43 C carnet 120 CDs 51 operating system 16 playing 9 cleaning touch pad 139 computer crashes 88 89 restore to previous state 110 specifications 131 stops responding 88 conflicts software and hardware incompatibilities 78 110 connecting Mobile Broadband network 61 contacting Dell 129 copying CDs general information 51 helpful tips 53 how to 51 copying DVDs general information 51 helpful tips 53 how to 51 D Dell contacting 129 Dell support site 14 DellConnect 124 device latch release Index 159 description 29 device status lig
39. 9 K NOTE If you use a module that shipped with another computer you need to install the drivers and software necessary to play DVDs or write data For more information see the Drivers and Utilities CD the Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not be available for your computer or in certain countries 4 Push the tray back into the drive To format CDs for storing data to create music CDs or to copy CDs see the CD software that came with your computer K NOTE Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs ACD player includes the following basic buttons Play Move backward within the current track Pause Move forward within the current track Stop Go to the previous track Eject Go to the next track A J VD player includes the following basic buttons Stop Restart the current chapter Play Fast forward Pause Fast reverse Advance a single frame while in pause mode Go to the next title or chapter 0 u A BE AA NO Continuously play the current title or chapter 50 Using Multimedia g Go to the previous title or chapter a Eject For more information on playing CDs or DVDs click Help on the CD or DVD player if available Copying CDs and DVDs K NOTE Ensure that you observe all copyright laws when creating CDs or DVDs This section applies only to computers that have a CD RW DVD RW or CD RW DVD combo drive K NOTE The
40. A power management specification that enables Microsoft Windows operating systems to put a computer in standby or hibernate mode to conserve the amount of electrical power allocated to each device attached to the computer AGP accelerated graphics port A dedicated graphics port that allows system memory to be used for video related tasks AGP delivers a smooth true color video image because of the faster interface between the video circuitry and the computer memory AHCI Advanced Host Controller Interface An interface for a SATA hard drive Host Controller which allows the storage driver to enable technologies such as Native Command Queuing NCQ and hot plug antivirus software A program designed to identify quarantine and or delete viruses from your computer ASF alert standards format A standard to define a mechanism for reporting hardware and software alerts to a management console ASF is designed to be platform and operating system independent battery life span The length of time years during which a portable computer battery is able to be depleted and recharged battery operating time The length of time minutes or hours that a portable computer battery powers the computer BIOS basic input output system A program or utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system Unless you understand what effect these settings have on the computer
41. ABLED RUN THE SETUP UTILITY TO ENABLE THESE MESSAGES See System Setup Program on page 101 WARNING DELL sS DISK MONITORING SYSTEM HAS DETECTED THAT DRIVE 0 1 ON THE PRIMARY SECONDARY EIDE CONTROLLER IS OPERATING OUTSIDE OF NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS IT IS ADVISABLE TO IMMEDIATELY BACK UP YOUR DATA AND REPLACE YOUR HARD DRIVE BY CALLING YOUR SUPPORT DESK OR DELL Contact Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on page 129 YOUR POWER ADAPTER DOES NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH POWER TO RUN THE ATTACHED DOCKING STATION EITHER UNDOCK OR INSERT AN APPROPRIATE ADAPTER STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO SHUTDOWN Connect the correct AC adapter YOUR SYSTEM IS DOCKED BUT THE AC ADAPTER TYPE CANNOT BE DETERMINED EITHER UNDOCK OR INSERT AN APPROPRIATE ADAPTER STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO SHUTDOWN The AC adapter may be installed incorrectly or the AC adapter or docking station may be defective Troubleshooting Tools 71 YOUR SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY POWER OFF BECAUSE IT BECAME WARMER THAN EXPECTED THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY OPERATING OR STORING THE SYSTEM IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS TOO HIGH OR OBSTRUCTING THE AIR FLOW FROM THE SYSTEM FAN VENTS IF THE PROBLEM RECURS PLEASE CALL DELL SUPPORT WITH ERROR CODE M1004 Contact Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on page 129 PROCESSOR SSDT DATA NOT FOUND OPERATING SYSTEM POWER MANAGEMENT FOR MULTI CORE PROCESSORS WILL BE DISABLED UL CIRCUIT TRIPPED
42. DO NOT WANT TO SEE POWER WARNING MESSAGES AGAIN STRIKE THE F1 KEY TO CONTINUE F2 TO RUN THE SETUP UTILITY Connect the correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station 76 Troubleshooting Tools WARNING THE PRIMARY BATTERY CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED THIS SYSTEM WILL BE UNABLE TO CHARGE BATTERIES UNTIL THIS BATTERY IS REMOVED For computers with two batteries installed the primary battery may be installed incorrectly or the battery or system board may be defective WARNING THE SECOND BATTERY CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED THIS SYSTEM WILL BE UNABLE TO CHARGE BATTERIES UNTIL THIS BATTERY IS REMOVED For computers with two batteries installed the secondary battery may be installed incorrectly or the battery or system board may be defective WARNING THE BATTERIES CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED THIS SYSTEM WILL BE UNABLE TO CHARGE BATTERIES UNTIL THIS BATTERY IS REMOVED For computers with two batteries installed one or more of the batteries may be installed incorrectly or the batteries or system board may be defective WARNING THE BATTERY CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED THIS SYSTEM WILL BE UNABLE TO CHARGE THIS BATTERY The battery may be installed incorrectly or the battery or system board may be defective WARNING THE BATTERY ATTACHED CANNOT POWER THE SYSTEM THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BOOT WITH THIS BATTERY PLUGGED IN PRESS F1 TO SHUTDOWN THE SYSTEM WARNING BATTERY IS CRITICALLY LOW HIT F1 TO CONTINUE WARNING MESSAGES HAVE BEEN DIS
43. Dell Vostro 1200 Owner s Manual Model PP16S www dell com support dell com Notes Notices and Cautions K NOTE A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer NOTICE A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem N CAUTION A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage personal injury or death Information in this document is subject to change without notice 2007 Dell Inc All rights reserved Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc is strictly forbidden Trademarks used in this text Dell the DELL logo Vostro and TravelLite are trademarks of Dell Inc Intel and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation Microsoft Windows and Windows Vista are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and or other countries Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc Blu ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu ray Disc Association Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products Dell Inc disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own Model PP16S November 2007 P N RK930 Rev A00 Contents 1 Finding Information 11 2 About Your Computer 19 FrontV
44. Dell Travel Remote A small remote control stored in the portable computer s ExpressCard slot which provides simple functionality for enjoying multimedia content Glossary 143 device driver See driver DIMM dual in line memory module A circuit board with memory chips that connects to a memory module on the system board DIN connector A round six pin connector that conforms to DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm standards it is typically used to connect PS 2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors disk striping A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives Disk striping can speed up operations that retrieve data from disk storage Computers that use disk striping generally allow the user to select the data unit size or stripe width DMA direct memory access A channel that allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the processor docking device provides port replication cable management and security features to adapt your notebook to a desktop workspace DMTF Distributed Management Task Force A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop management standards for distributed desktop network enterprise and Internet environments domain A group of computers programs and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and procedures for use by a specific group of users A user logs on to the domain to gain access to
45. Dell installed video drivers which are designed to offer the best performance with your Dell installed operating system If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values To set the display resolution and refresh rate for your display perform the steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click Start Settings gt Control Panel 2 Under Pick a category click Appearance and Themes 3 Under Pick a task click the area you want to change or under or pick a Control Panel icon click Display 4 Inthe Display Properties window click the Settings tab 5 Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution K NOTE As the resolution increases icons and text appear smaller on the screen Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Control Panel 2 Under Appearance and Personalization click Adjust screen resolution 44 Using the Display 3 In the Display Settings window under Resolution slide the slide bar to the left right to decrease increase the screen resolution 4 Click How do I get the best display for further instructions If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display the computer enters pan mode In pan mode the entire video image cannot be displayed at one time an
46. IF THE POWER LIGHT IS BLINKING AMBER The computer is receiving electrical power but an internal power problem may exist e Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location if applicable IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER A device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed e Remove and then reinstall all memory modules see your Service Manual e Remove and then reinstall any expansion cards see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 65 ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE Some possible causes of interference are e Power keyboard and mouse extension cables e Too many devices connected to the same power strip e Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet Printer Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE If you need technical assistance for your printer contact the printer s manufacturer CHECK THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION Sce the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information ENSURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED ON CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE CONNECTIONS e See the printer documentation for cable connection information e Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer 92 Troubleshooting TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another
47. Power Management Modes on page 33 e Use the Power Options Properties window to select options to optimize your computer s power usage These options can also be set to change when you press the power button close the display or press lt Fn gt lt Esc gt K NOTE See Configuring Power Management Settings on page 35 for information on conserving battery power Power Management Modes Standby and Sleep Mode Standby mode sleep mode in Microsoft Windows Vista conserves power by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined period of inactivity a time out When the computer exits standby or sleep mode it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering standby or sleep mode NOTICE If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby or sleep mode it may lose data Using a Battery 33 To enter standby mode in Windows XP click the Start button click Turn off computer and then click Stand by To enter sleep mode in Windows Vista click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Sleep Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window you may also use one of the following methods e Press the power button e Close the display e Press lt Fn gt lt Esc gt To exit standby or sleep mode press the power button or open the display depending on how you set the power management options You cannot make the computer ex
48. Your Operating System on page 110 does not resolve the problem then reinstall the driver from the Drivers and Utilities media 1 2 108 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs Insert the Drivers and Utilities media In most cases the CD DVD starts running automatically If it does not start Windows Explorer click your CD DVD drive directory to display the CD DVD contents and then double click the autorcd exe file The first time that you run the CD DVD it might prompt you to install setup files Click OK and follow the instructions on the screen to continue From the Language drop down menu in the toolbar select your preferred language for the driver or utility if available At the welcome screen click Next and wait for the CD DVD to complete the hardware scan To detect other drivers and utilities under Search Criteria select the appropriate categories from the System Model Operating System and Topic drop down menus A link or links appear s for the specific drivers and utilities used by your computer Click the link of a specific driver or utility to display information about the driver or utility that you want to install Click the Install button if present to begin installing the driver or utility At the welcome screen follow the screen prompts to complete the installation If no Install button is present automatic installation is not an option For installation instructions eith
49. ace away from the computer or carrying case Use the Service Tag if you need to report a loss or theft to law enforcement officials and to Dell Create a file on the Microsoft Windows desktop called if_found Place information such as your name address and phone number in this file Contact your credit card company and ask if it offers coded identification tags Packing the Computer Remove any external devices attached to the computer and store them ina safe place To make the computer as light as possible replace any devices installed in the module bay with the Dell TravelLite module Fully charge the main battery and any spare batteries that you plan to carry with you Shut down the computer Disconnect the AC adapter NOTICE When the display is closed extraneous items on the keyboard or palm rest could damage the display Remove any extraneous items such as paper clips pens and paper from the keyboard and palm rest and close the display Use the optional Dell carrying case to pack the computer and its accessories together safely Traveling With Your Computer 119 Avoid packing the computer with items such as shaving cream colognes perfumes or food NOTICE If the computer has been exposed to extreme temperatures allow it to acclimate to room temperature for one hour before turning it on Protect the computer the batteries and the hard drive from hazards such as extreme temperatures and
50. alling Drivers and Utilities on page 106 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities NOTICE The Dell Support website at support dell com and your Drivers and Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell computers If you install drivers obtained from other sources your computer might not work correctly Using Windows Device Driver Rollback If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver use Windows Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously installed version Windows XP 1 Click Starts My Computer Properties Hardware Device Manager 2 Right click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties 3 Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver 106 Reinstalling Software Windows Vista 4 Click the Windows Vista start button 6 and right click Computer Click Properties Device Manager K NOTE The User Account Control window may appear If you are an administrator on the computer click Continue otherwise contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager Right click the device for which the new driver was installed and click Properties Click the Drivers tab gt Roll Back Driver If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem then use System Restore see Restoring Your Operating System on page 110 to return your computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new driver 1 ow Nas Wit
51. ant to run see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu on page 82 K NOTE Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the screen After all tests have completed close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer Troubleshooting Tools Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media Before running the Dell Diagnostics enter System Setup see Viewing the System Setup Screens on page 102 to review your computer s configuration information and ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in System Setup and is active 1 Insert the Drivers and Utilities media into the optical drive 2 Restart your computer 3 When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately K NOTE Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time To avoid possible keyboard failure press and release lt F12 gt in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then shut down your computer and try again 4 When the boot device list appears use the up or down arrow keys to highlight CD DVD CD RW Drive then press lt Enter gt K NOTE Using the one time boot menu changes the boot sequence for the current boot only
52. ation of your computer click Start Help and Support and select the option to view information about your computer Processor Processor type L2 cache External bus frequency Intel Core 2 Duo and Solo Celeron up to 4 MB 533 667 and 800 MHz System Information System chipset Intel GM965 Memory Memory module capacities Memory type Minimum memory Maximu m memory Supports two SODIMM with 512 MB 1 GB or 2 GB modules SODIMM 512 MB 4 GB Ports and Connectors Audio Modem Network adapter USB Video microphone connector stereo headphone speakers connector RJ 11 port RJ 45 port 2 0 15 pin connector Specifications 131 Ports and Connectors continued PCle ExpressCard 3 in 1 Card Reader 54 mm PCI ExpressCard Supports SD MMC MS MS Pro MS Duo including SDHC Communications Modem Type internal MDC 1 5 solution V 92 56 Kbps V 90 56 Kbps Network adapter Marvell 88E8055 GB LAN PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Wireless internal Bluetooth V 2 0 with USB 2 0 interface for wireless support Video Video type Intel integrated UMA graphics Data bus PCI Express Video controller Video memory LCD interface Intel GM965 256 MB shared with system memory LVDS Audio Audio type Audio controller Stereo conversion Interfaces Internal External 132 Specifications RealtekALC268 18 bit analog to digital an
53. attery operating time varies depending on operating conditions and can be significantly reduced under certain power intensive conditions See Battery Performance on page 31 for more information on battery life 300 discharge charge cycles Operating 0 to 35 C 32 to 95 F Storage 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F AC Adapter Input voltage Input current maximum Input frequency 134 Specifications 100 240 VAC 1 6A 50 60 Hz AC Adapter continued Output current 65W Output power Rated output voltage 3 9 A maximum at 4 second pulse 3 34 A continuous 65W 19 5 1 VDC Drives Optical Disk Drive Height 12 7 mm 5 inches Supports CD RW DVD ROM Type DVD Super Multi Hard Disk Drive Height 9 5 mm 2 5 inch SATA Capacity 80 120 160 GB 5400 RPM Physical Height 28 3 mm 1 11 inches front side 36 3 mm 1 43 inches rear side Width 300 mm 11 81 inches Depth 222 mm 8 74 inches Weight With 4 cell battery and 12 1 1 8 kg 4 0 Ib WXGA screen Environmental Temperature range Operating Storage 0 to 40 C 32 to 104 F 40 to 65 C 40 to 149 F Specifications 135 Environmental continued Relative humidity maximum Operating Storage Maximum vibration using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user environment Operating Storage Maximum shock measured with hard drive in head parked position and a 2 ms hal
54. boots to the selected device The next time you reboot the computer the previous boot order is restored Enabling the Infrared Sensor 1 Press lt Alt gt lt p gt until you locate Infrared Data Port under Basic Device Configuration K NOTE Ensure that the COM port that you select is different from the COM port assigned to the serial connector 2 Press the down arrow key to select the Infrared Data Port setting and press the right arrow key to change the setting toa COM port 3 Press lt Esc gt and then click Yes to save the changes and exit the system setup program If you are prompted to restart your computer click Yes Follow the instructions on the screen 5 After the infrared sensor has been enabled click Yes to restart the computer After you enable the infrared sensor you can use it to establish a link to an infrared device To set up and use an infrared device see the infrared device documentation and access the Help and Support Center click Start gt Help and Support 104 System Setup Program Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer mouse or keyboard All devices require a driver program A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already insta
55. cache A special high speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high speed storage device The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations L1 cache Primary cache stored inside the processor L2 cache Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor architecture carnet An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries Also known as a merchandise passport CD R CD recordable A recordable version of a CD Data can be recorded only once onto a CD R Once recorded the data cannot be erased or written over CD RW CD rewritable A rewritable version of a CD Data can be written to a CD RW disc and then erased and written over rewritten 142 Glossary CD RW drive A drive that can read CDs and write to CD RW rewritable CDs and CD R recordable CDs discs You can write to CD RW discs multiple times but you can write to CD R discs only once CD RW DVD drive A drive sometimes referred to as a combo drive that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD RW rewritable CDs and CD R recordable CDs discs You can write to CD RW discs multiple times but you can write to CD R discs only once clock speed The speed given in MHz that indicates how fast computer components that are connected to the system bus operate CMOS A type of electron
56. ccess to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both contact your system administrator or contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 Securing Your Computer 69 Computer Tracking Software Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen The software is optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell computer or you can contact your Dell sales representative for information about this security feature K NOTE Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries K NOTE If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to report the missing computer Fingerprint Reader Optional If your computer has the optional fingerprint reader you can use the Fingerprint Reader Suite to add biometric security to your computer The Fingerprint Reader Suite gives you the ability to enhance your security in the following ways e Associate digitized images of your fingerprints with your user name password and generated security keys in your own secure passport Use the fingerprint reader to manage OS level authentication e Register applications and web pages in a password bank so that you can
57. ception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures e Reorient the receiving antenna e Relocate the system with respect to the receiver e Move the system away from the receiver e Plug the system into a different outlet so that the system and the receiver are on different branch circuits If necessary consult a representative of Dell Inc or an experienced radio television technician for additional suggestions Appendix 137 The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this document in compliance with the FCC regulations Product name Dell Vostro 1200 Model number PP16S Company name Dell Inc Worldwide Regulatory Compliance amp Environmental Affairs One Dell Way Round Rock TX 78682 USA 512 338 4400 K NOTE For further regulatory information see your Product Information Guide Cleaning Your Computer A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Computer Keyboard and Display A CAUTION Before you clean your computer disconnect the computer from the 138 electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners which may contain flammable substances Use a can of compressed air
58. ched to your computer Allows you to customize the test if applicable by changing the test settings 84 Troubleshooting Tools Troubleshooting Follow these tips when troubleshooting your computer e If you added or removed a part before the problem started review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed e Ifa peripheral device does not work ensure that the device is properly connected e If an error message appears on the screen write down the exact message This message may help support personnel diagnose and fix the problem s If an error message occurs in a program see the TO ram s documentation K NOTE The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view so they may not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view Battery Problems CAUTION There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer s instructions A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide E Mail Modem and Internet Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE Connect the modem to an analog telephon
59. click double click or right click the icon Clicking the Dell Support Icon Click or right click the icon to perform the following tasks e Check your computing environment e View the Dell Support Utility settings e Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility e View frequently asked questions e Learn more about the Dell Support Utility Turn the Dell Support Utility off Double Clicking the Dell Support Icon Double click the icon to manually check your computing environment view frequently asked questions access the help file for the Dell Support Utility and view Dell Support settings For more information about the Dell Support Utility click the question mark at the top of the Dell Support screen Troubleshooting 99 100 Troubleshooting System Setup Program Overview K NOTE Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options available in the system setup program thus overriding options that you set through the system setup program An exception is the External Hot Key option which you can disable or enable only through the system setup program For more information on configuring features for your operating system access the Help and Support Center To access the Help and Support Center in Windows XP click Start Help and Support In Windows Vista click the Windows Vista Start button Help and Support You can use the system setup program as follows e To set or
60. crosoft Windows Vista Operating System 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Connect To gt Set up a connection or network 56 l Setting Up and Using Networks 2 Select an option under Choose a connection option 3 Click Next and then follow the instructions in the wizard Wireless Local Area Network WLAN A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected to each computer Ina WLAN a radio communications device called an access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides Internet or network access The access point or wireless router and the wireless network card in the computer communicate by broadcasting data from their antennas over the air waves What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Before you can set up a WLAN you need e High speed broadband Internet access such as cable or DSL A broadband modem that is connected and working e A wireless router or access point e A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to your WLAN e A network cable with a network RJ 45 connector Checking Your Wireless Network Card Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer the computer has a variety of configurations To confirm that your computer has a wireless network card and to determine the type of card use one of the following e The S
61. d Express Service Code A numeric code located on a sticker on your Dell computer Use the Express Service Code when contacting Dell for assistance Express Service Code service may not be available in some countries extended display mode A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display Also referred to as dual display mode extended PC Card A PC Card that extends beyond the edge of the PC Card slot when installed Glossary 145 F Fahrenheit A temperature measurement scale where 32 is the freezing point and 212 is the boiling point of water FBD fully buffered DIMM A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer AMB that speeds communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system FCC Federal Communications Commission A U S agency responsible for enforcing communications related regulations that state how much radiation computers and other electronic equipment can emit fingerprint reader A strip sensor that uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity to help secure your computer folder A term used to describe space on a disk or drive where files are organized and grouped Files in a folder can be viewed and ordered in various ways such as alphabetically by date and by size format The process that prepares a drive or disk for file storage When a drive or disk is formatted the existing informat
62. d display only not on an external monitor e Press lt Fn gt and the down arrow key to decrease brightness on the integrated display only not on an external monitor Using a Projector When you start the computer with an external device such as an external monitor or projector attached and turned on the image may appear on either the computer display or the external device Press lt F n gt lt F8 gt to switch the video image between the display only the external device only or the display and the external device simultaneously Using the Display 43 Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper K NOTE If you change the display resolution from the current settings the image may appear blurry or text may be hard to read if you change the resolution to one not supported by your computer and display Before you change any of the display settings make a note of the current settings so you can change back to the previous settings if you need to You can enhance the legibility of text and change the appearance of images on the screen by adjusting display resolution As you increase resolution items appear smaller on the screen In contrast lower resolution causes text and images to appear larger and can benefit people with vision impairments To display a program at a specific resolution both the video card and the display must support the program and the necessary video drivers must be installed K NOTE Use only the
63. d digital to analog PCI bus AC 97 microphone in connector stereo headphones speakers connector Audio continued Speaker Internal speaker amplifier Volume controls one 4 ohm speakers 1 5 W channel into 4 ohms keyboard shortcuts program menus Display Type active matrix TFT Dimensions Diagonal Maximum resolutions WXGA Response time typical Refresh rate Operating angle Viewing angles WXGA 307 34 mm 12 1 inches 1280 x 800 at 16 7 million colors 20 ms rise maximum 30 ms fall maximum 60 Hz 0 closed to 180 Horizontal 40 XGA and SXGA 50 60 UXGA 65 WXGA WSXGA and WUXGA Vertical 50 50 WXGA supports 12 1 inch 307 34 mm 1280 x 800 CCFL or 12 1 inch 307 34 mm 1280 x 800 LED B L Controls brightness can be controlled through keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Number of keys Layout 87 U S and Canada 88 Europe 91 Japan OWERTY AZERTY Kanji Specifications 133 Touch Pad X Y position resolution graphics table mode 240 cpi Size Width 64 88 mm 2 55 inch sensor active area Height 48 88 mm 1 92 inch rectangle Battery Type 4 cell smart lithium ion 2400 mAh 6 cell smart lithium ion 4800 mAh Weight Voltage 4 cell 14 8 Vde Charge time approximate Computer off Operating time Life span approximate Temperature range 6 cell 11 1 Vde 2 5 hours B
64. d the taskbar that usually appears at the bottom of the desktop may no longer be visible To view the parts of the video image that are not visible you can use the touch pad or track stick to pan or move the image up down left and right NOTICE You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh rate Before adjusting the refresh rate on an external monitor see the user s guide for the monitor Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it as an extension of your display known as dual independent display or extended desktop mode This mode allows you to use both screens independently and drag objects from one screen to the other effectively doubling the amount of viewable work space To use extended desktop mode perform the steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using Microsoft Windows XP 1 Connect the external monitor TV or projector to the computer 2 Click Start Settings Control Panel 3 Under Pick a category click Appearance and Themes 4 Under Pick a task click the area you want to change or under or pick a Control Panel icon click Display 5 In the Display Properties window click the Settings tab K NOTE If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display supports the settings adjust automatically to the closes
65. dates can be found at support dell com Finding Information 11 12 What Are You Looking For e Warranty information Find It Here e Terms and Conditions U S only e Safety instructions e Regulatory information e Ergonomics information e End User License Agreement Dell Product Information Guide e How to set up my computer e How to set up my computer Setup Diagram NOTE See the setup diagram that came with your computer NOTE The appearance of your setup diagram may vary Finding Information What Are You Looking For Find It Here Service Tag and Express Service Code e Microsoft Windows License Label Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License NOTE Your computer s Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License labels are located on your computer Your computer s Service Tag contains both a Service Tag number and an Express Service Code e Use the Service Tag to identify your computer when you use support dell com or contact support Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting support UR gece egre SERVICE TAG 6888868 EXPRESS SERVICE CODE Windows Vista Menem e Use the product key on the License Label if you need to reinstall your operating system NOTE As an increased security measure the newly designed Microsoft Windows license label incorporates a missing portion or hole to discourage removal of t
66. device such as a lamp VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware View installed printers or fax printers If the printer is listed right click the printer icon Click Properties Ports For a parallel printer ensure that the Print to the following port s setting is LPT Printer Port For a USB printer ensure that the Print to the following port s setting is USB Windows Vista 1 Click Start Control Panel gt Hardware and Sound Printer 2 If the printer is listed right click the printer icon 3 Click Properties and click Ports 4 Adjust the settings as needed REINSTALL THE PRINTER DRIVER SEE THE PRINTER DOCUMENTATION FOR INFORMATION ON REINSTALLING THE PRINTER DRIVER Scanner Problems A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide K NOTE If you need technical assistance for your scanner contact the scanner s manufacturer CHECK THE SCANNER DOCUMENTATION See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information UNLOCK THE SCANNER Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if the scanner has a locking tab or button RESTART THE COMPUTER AND TRY THE SCANNER AGAIN CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS e See the scanner documentation for information on cable connections e Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to
67. do not change them Also referred to as system setup bit The smallest unit of data interpreted by your computer Glossary 141 TM Blu ray Disc BD An optical storage technology offering storage capacity of up to 50 GB full 1080p video resolution HDTV required and as many as 7 1 channels of native uncompressed surround sound Bluetooth wireless technology A wireless technology standard for short range 9 m 29 feet networking devices that allows for enabled devices to automatically recognize each other boot sequence Specifies the order of the devices from which the computer attempts to boot bootable media A CD DVD or floppy disk that you can use to start your computer In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a virus ensure that you always have a bootable CD DVD or floppy disk available Your Drivers and Utilities media is an example of bootable media bps bits per second The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed BTU British thermal unit A measurement of heat output bus A communication pathway between the components in your computer bus speed The speed given in MHz that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information byte The basic data unit used by your computer A byte is usually equal to 8 bits C C Celsius A temperature measurement scale where 0 is the freezing point and 100 is the boiling point of water
68. does not monitor your data files or recover them K NOTE The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view so they may not apply if you set your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view Starting System Restore Windows XP NOTICE Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state save and close any open files and exit any open programs Do not alter open or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories System Tools System Restore 2 Click either Restore my computer to an earlier time or Create a restore point 3 Click Next and follow the remaining on screen prompts Reinstalling Software 111 Windows Vista 1 Click Start 2 Inthe Start Search box type System Restore and press lt Enter gt K NOTE The User Account Control window may appear If you are an administrator on the computer click Continue otherwise contact your administrator to continue the desired action 3 Click Next and follow the remaining prompts on the screen In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue you may undo the last system restore Undoing the Last System Restore NOTICE Before you undo the last system restore save and close all open files and exit any open programs Do not alter open or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete Windows XP 1 Click Start All Program
69. e ensure that the drive is installed properly and that a bootable floppy disk is in the drive e If the hard drive is your boot device ensure that the drive is installed properly and partitioned as a boot device e Enter System Setup and ensure that the boot sequence information is correct see Viewing the System Setup Screens on page 102 No BOOT SECTOR ON HARD DISK DRIVE Enter System Setup and ensure that the configuration information for the hard drive is correct see Viewing the System Setup Screens on page 102 No TIMER TICK INTERRUPT Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 NON SYSTEM DISK OR DISK ERROR Replace the floppy disk with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the floppy disk and restart the computer NOT A BOOT DISKETTE Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer Troubleshooting Tools 75 POWER WARNING MESSAGES HAVE BEEN DISABLED RUN THE SETUP UTILITY TO ENABLE THESE MESSAGES Sce System Setup Program on page 101 READ FAILURE ON INTERNAL HARD DRIVE See your Service Manual for more information THE AC POWER ADAPTER WATTAGE AND TYPE CANNOT BE DETERMINED THE BATTERY MAY NOT CHARGE THEY SYSTEM WILL ADJUST THE PERFORMANCE TO MATCH THE POWER AVAILABLE PLEASE CONNECT A DELL AC ADAPTER OR GREATER FOR BEST SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SEE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR YOUR AC ADAPTER AT AC ADAPTER ON PAGE 134 STRIKE THE F3 KEY BEFORE THE F1 OR F2 KEY IF YOU DO
70. e Dell Support Icon 99 Double Clicking the Dell Support lcon 99 12 System Setup Program 101 Overview 222 on 101 Viewing the System Setup Screens 102 System Setup Screens 102 Commonly Used Options 102 Changing the Boot Sequence 102 Enabling the Infrared Sensor 104 Contents DIVERS a ica A nat eee Bho ae eee oe Oe te hr 105 WhatIsaDriver 04 105 Identifying Drivers 105 Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 106 Hardware and Software Problems 110 Restoring Your Operating System 110 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 111 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore muar au te te inh kt ea died 113 Using the Operating System Media 116 14 Traveling With Your Computer 119 Identifying YourComputer 119 Packingthe Computer 119 Travel Tips ni 2 ee ate 22 do ok mar was 120 TravelingbyAir 00004 120 15 Getting Help 123 Obtaining Assistance 123 Technical Support and Customer Service 124 DellConnect 0 004 124 Online Services 4 124 AutoTech Service 0 125 Automated Order Status Service 125 Problems With Your Order 125 Contents ProductInformation 126 Returning
71. e a problem with your order such as missing parts wrong parts or incorrect billing contact Dell for customer assistance Have your invoice or packing slip handy when you call For the telephone number to call for your region sce Contacting Dell on page 129 Getting Help 125 Product Information If you need information about additional products available from Dell or if you would like to place an order visit the Dell website at www dell com For the telephone number to call for your region or to speak to a sales specialist see Contacting Dell on page 129 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Prepare all items being returned whether for repair or credit as follows 1 Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 129 2 Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return 3 Include a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist see Diagnostics Checklist on page 128 indicating the tests that you have run and any error messages reported by the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on page 79 4 Include any accessories that belong with the item s being returned power cables software floppy disks guides and so on if the return is for credit 5 Pack the equipment to be returned in the original or equivalent packing materials
72. e it gently across the surface of the touch pad Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest CDs and DVDs NOTICE Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the CD DVD drive and follow the instructions that come with the compressed air product Never touch the lens in the drive If you notice problems such as skipping with the playback quality of your CDs or DVDs try cleaning the discs 1 Hold the disc by its outer edge You can also touch the inside edge of the center hole NOTICE To avoid damaging the surface do not wipe in a circular motion around the disc Appendix 139 2 With a soft lint free cloth gently wipe the bottom of the disc the unlabeled side in a straight line from the center to the outer edge of the disc For stubborn dirt try using water or a diluted solution of water and mild soap You can also purchase commercial products that clean discs and provide some protection from dust fingerprints and scratches Cleaning products for CDs are also safe to use on DVDs 140 Appendix Glossary Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may or may not describe features included with your particular computer A AC alternating current The form of electricity that powers your computer when you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet ACPI advanced configuration and power interface
73. e jack only The modem does not operate while itis connected to a digital telephone network K NOTE Do not plug a telephone cable into the network adapter connector see Back View on page 25 Troubleshooting 85 CHECK THE MICROSOFT OuTLooK EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS If you cannot open your e mail attachments 1 In Outlook Express click Tools gt Options Security 2 Click Do not allow attachments to remove the checkmark as needed CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE e Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem the jack has either a green label or a connector shaped icon next to it Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem e Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone then listen for a dial tone e If you have other telephone devices sharing the line such as an answering machine fax machine surge protector or line splitter bypass them and use the telephone to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack If you are using a line that is 3 meters 10 feet or more in length try a shorter one RUN THE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL Windows XP 1 Click Start All Programs Modem Helper 2 Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems Modem Helper is not available
74. e most common symptoms K NOTE It is recommended that you select Extended Test to perform a more thorough check of devices in the computer For any problem encountered during a test a message appears with an error code and a description of the problem Write down the error code and problem description exactly as it appears and follow the instructions on the screen If you cannot resolve the problem contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 112 K NOTE When contacting Dell support have your Service Tag ready The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option Tab Function Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered Errors Displays error conditions encountered error codes and the problem description Help Describes the test and any requirements for running the test Troubleshooting Tools 83 Tab Function Configuration Parameters Displays the hardware configuration for the selected devic The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from System Setup memory and various internal tests and displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen NOTE The device list may not display the names of all components installed on your computer or all devices atta
75. ebsite 14 System Restore 110 111 system setup program commonly used options 102 purpose 101 screens 102 viewing 102 T telephone numbers 129 touch pad 41 cleaning 139 customizing 42 track stick touch pad buttons description 21 traveling with the computer by air 120 identification tag 119 packing 119 tips 120 troubleshooting conflicts 78 110 diagnostic lights 73 Hardware Troubleshooter 78 110 restore to previous state 110 111 V volume adjusting 94 W warranty information 12 Windows 2000 hibernate mode 34 Internet Connection Firewall 61 standby mode 33 Windows Vista Factory Image Restore 113 System Restore 111 Windows XP Device Driver Rollback 106 107 Hardware Troubleshooter 78 110 hibernate mode 34 Internet Connection Firewall 61 PC Restore 113 reinstalling 16 standby mode 33 System Restore 110 111 WWAN See Mobile Broadband Index 163 164 Index
76. ections that have not yet been documented Glossary 151 read only Data and or files you can view but cannot edit or delete A file can have read only status if e It resides on a physically write protected floppy disk CD or DVD e It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to specific individuals refresh rate The frequency measured in Hz at which your screen s horizontal lines are recharged sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency The higher the refresh rate the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye resolution The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed on a monitor The higher the resolution the sharper the image RFI radio frequency interference Interference that is generated at typical radio frequencies in the range of 10 kHz to 100 000 MHz Radio frequencies are at the lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have interference than the higher frequency radiations such as infrared and light ROM read only memory Memory that stores data and programs that cannot be deleted or written to by the computer ROM unlike RAM retains its contents after you shut down your computer Some programs essential to the operation of your computer reside in ROM RPM revolutions per minute The number of rotations that occur per minute Hard drive speed is often measur
77. ed in rpm RTC real time clock Battery powered clock on the system board that keeps the date and time after you shut down the computer RTCRST real time clock reset A jumper on the system board of some computers that can often be used for troubleshooting problems S SAS serial attached SCSI A faster serial version of the SCSI interface as opposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture SATA serial ATA A faster serial version of the ATA IDE interface ScanDisk A Microsoft utility that checks files folders and the hard disk s surface for errors ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped responding SCSI small computer system interface A high speed interface used to connect devices to a computer such as hard drives CD drives printers and scanners The SCSI can connect many devices using a single controller Each device is accessed by an individual identification number on the SCSI controller bus 152 Glossary SDRAM synchronous dynamic random access memory A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor serial connector An I O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer Service Tag A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support dell com or when you call Dell for customer service
78. er management settings on your computer Accessing Power Options Properties Windows XP Click the Start button point to Control Panel gt Performance and Maintenance and then click Power Options Windows Vista Click the Windows Vista Start button click Control Panel click System and Maintenance and then click Power Options Charging the Battery When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet the computer checks the battery charge and temperature If necessary the AC adapter then charges the battery and maintains the battery charge K NOTE If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot environment the battery may not charge when you connect the computer to an electrical outlet The battery is too hot to start charging if the fs light flashes alternately green and orange Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and allow the computer and the battery to cool to room temperature Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery For information about resolving problems with a battery see Power Problems on page 91 Using a Battery 35 Removing the Battery A CAUTION Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell The battery is designed to work with your Dell c
79. er and address of the caller Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer Securing Your Computer 71 72 Securing Your Computer Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic Lights A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide Your computer has three keyboard status lights located above the keyboard see Front View on page 19 During normal operation the keyboard status lights display the current status on or off of the Num Lock Caps Lock and Scroll Lock features If the computer starts without error the lights flash and then turn off If the computer malfunctions however you can use the status of the lights to help identify the problem K NOTE After the computer completes POST the Num Lock light may remain on depending on your BIOS settings see Commonly Used Options on page 102 Diagnostic Light Codes During POST To troubleshoot a problem with your computer read the sequence of the keyboard status lights in order from left to right Num Lock Caps Lock and then Scroll Lock If the computer malfunctions the individual lights display a status of either On O Off or Flashing Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution The microcontrolleris Reseat the processor see your Service Oo handing control of Manual the system to the Pentium controller If n
80. er see the appropriate instructions in the following subsections or click Extract follow the extracting instructions and then read the readme file Reinstalling Software If instructed to navigate to the driver files click the CD DVD directory on the driver information window to display the files associated with that driver Manually Reinstalling Drivers After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous section Windows XP 1 Click Start My Computer Properties Hardware Device Manager 2 Double click the type of device for which you are installing the driver for example Audio or Video 3 Double click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver 4 Click the Driver tab Update Driver 5 Click Install from a list or specific location Advanced Next 6 Click Browse and browse to the location to which you previously copied the driver files 7 When the name of the appropriate driver appears click Next 8 Click Finish and restart your computer Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista start button and right click Computer 2 Click Properties Device Manager K NOTE The User Account Control window may appear If you are an administrator on the computer click Continue otherwise contact your administrator to enter the Device Manager 3 Double click the type of device for which you are installing the driver for example Audio or Video Double click the name of the device f
81. erating system in the following ways 110 System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files Dell PC Restore by Symantec available in Windows XP and Dell Factory Image Restore available in Windows Vista returns your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer Both Reinstalling Software permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs installed after you received the computer Use Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem e If you received an Operating System disc with your computer you can use it to restore your operating system However using the Operating System disc also deletes all data on the hard drive Use the disc only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem Using Microsoft Windows System Restore The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files if changes to the hardware software or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible NOTICE Make regular backups of your data files System Restore
82. erted your source CD or DVD and then click Disc Copy The computer copies the data from the source CD or DVD to the blank CD or DVD Once you have finished copying the source CD or DVD the CD or DVD that you have created automatically ejects Using Blank CDs and DVDs CD RW drives can write to CD recording media only including high speed CD RW media while DVD writable drives can write to both CD and DVD recording media Use blank CD Rs to record music or permanently store data files After the maximum storage capacity of a CD R is reached you cannot write to that CD R again see the Sonic documentation for more information Use blank CD RWs if you plan to erase rewrite or update information on the CD later Blank DVD Rs can be used to permanently store large amounts of data After you create a DVD R disc you may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is finalized or closed during the final stage of the disc creation process Use blank DVD RW s if you plan to erase rewrite or update information on the disc later CD Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable CD R Yes Yes No CD RW Yes Yes Yes 52 Using Multimedia DVD Writable Drives Media Type Read Write Rewritable CD R Yes Yes No CD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD R Yes Yes No DVD R Yes Yes No DVD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD RW Yes Yes Yes DVD R DL Yes Yes No DVD R DL Maybe No No DVD RAM Maybe No No Helpful Tips Use Microsoft Wind
83. f each option is the setting or value for that option You can change settings that appear as white type on the screen Options or values that you cannot change because they are determined by the computer appear less bright The upper right corner of the screen displays help information for the currently highlighted option the lower right corner displays information about the computer System setup key functions are listed across the bottom of the screen Commonly Used Options Certain options require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take effect Changing the Boot Sequence The boot sequence or boot order tells the computer where to look to find the software needed to start the operating system You can control the boot sequence and enable disable devices using the Boot Order page of the system setup program K NOTE To change the boot sequence on a one time only basis see Performing a One Time Boot on page 103 102 System Setup Program The Boot Order page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may be installed in your computer including but not limited to the following e Diskette Drive Internal HDD e Optical Drive During the boot routine the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the operating system start up files When the computer finds the files it stops searching and starts the operating system To control the boot devices select highlight
84. f sine pulse Operating Storage Altitude maximum Operating Storage Airborne contaminant level 136 Specifications 10 to 90 noncondensing 5 to 95 noncondensing 0 9 GRMS 1 3 GRMS 122G 163 G 15 2 to 3048 m 50 to 10 000 ft 15 2 to 10 668 m 50 to 35 000 ft G2 or lower as defined by ISA S71 04 1985 Appendix FCC Notice U S Only FCC Class B This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer s instruction manual may cause interference with radio and television reception This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference 2 This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation NOTICE The FCC regulations provide that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Dell Inc could void your authority to operate this equipment These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television re
85. formation on the battery charge Microsoft Windows Power Meter The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge To check the Power Meter double click the icon on the taskbar If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet a la icon appears Low Battery Warning NOTICE To avoid losing or corrupting data save your work immediately after a low battery warning Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet If the battery runs completely out of power hibernate mode begins automatically 32 Using a Battery A pop up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted If two batteries are installed the low battery warning means that the combined charge of both batteries is approximately 90 percent depleted The computer enters hibernate mode when the battery charge is at a critically low level You can change the settings for the battery alarms in the Power Options Properties window See Configuring Power Management Settings on page 35 for information about accessing the Power Options Properties window Conserving Battery Power Perform the following actions to conserve battery power e Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible since battery life is largely determined by the number of times the battery is used and recharged e Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode when leaving the computer unattended for long periods of time see
86. formation that was saved to the hard drive is automatically restored HTTP hypertext transfer protocol A protocol for exchanging files between computers connected to the Internet Hyper Threading Hyper Threading is an Intel technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously Hz hertz A unit of frequency measurement that equals 1 cycle per second Computers and electronic devices are often measured in kilohertz kHz megahertz MHz gigahertz GHz or terahertz THz iAMT Intel Active Management Technology Delivers more secure systems management capabilities regardless of whether the computer is turned on or off or the operating system is not responding IC integrated circuit A semiconductor wafer or chip on which thousands or millions of tiny electronic components are fabricated for use in computer audio and video equipment IDE integrated device electronics An interface for mass storage devices in which the controller is integrated into the hard drive or CD drive IEEE 1394 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc A high performance serial bus used to connect IEEE 1394 compatible devices such as digital cameras and DVD players to the computer infrared sensor A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and i
87. ge 129 Lockups and Software Problems N CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide The computer stops responding NOTICE You may lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown TURN THE COMPUTER OFF If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer turns off and then restart your computer A program stops responding END THE PROGRAM 1 Press lt Ctrl gt lt Shift gt lt Esc gt simultaneously to access the Task Manager 2 Click the Applications tab 88 Troubleshooting 3 Click to select the program that is no longer responding 4 Click End Task A program crashes repeatedly K NOTE Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk CD or DVD CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION If necessary uninstall and then reinstall the program A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD Windows XP The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non XP operating system environments 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories Program Compatibility Wizard Next 2 Follow the instructions on the screen Windows Vista The Program Compatibility
88. h the Windows desktop displayed insert the Drivers and Utilities media If this is your first time to use the Drivers and Utilities media go to step 2 If not go to step 5 When the Drivers and Utilities media installation program starts follow the prompts on the screen When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears remove the Resource media and click Finish to restart the computer When you see the Windows desktop reinsert the Resource media At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen click Next NOTE The Drivers and Utilities media displays drivers only for hardware that came installed in your computer If you installed additional hardware the drivers for the new hardware might not be displayed by the ResourceCD If those drivers are not displayed exit the ResourceCD program For drivers information see the documentation that came with the device A message stating that the Resource media is detecting hardware in your computer appears The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers The ResourceCD has identified these components in your system window Reinstalling Software 107 6 Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the instructions on the screen If a particular driver is not listed then that driver is not required by your operating system Using the Drivers and Utilities Media If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore see Restoring
89. hat includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory ECP extended capabilities port A parallel connector design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission Similar to EPP ECP uses direct memory access to transfer data and often improves performance EIDE enhanced integrated device electronics An improved version of the IDE interface for hard drives and CD drives EMI electromagnetic interference Electrical interference caused by electromagnetic radiation ENERGY STAR Environmental Protection Agency requirements that decrease the overall consumption of electricity EPP enhanced parallel port A parallel connector design that provides bidirectional data transmission ESD electrostatic discharge A rapid discharge of static electricity ESD can damage integrated circuits found in computer and communications equipment expansion card A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system board in some computers expanding the capabilities of the computer Examples include video modem and sound cards expansion slot A connector on the system board in some computers where you insert an expansion card connecting it to the system bus ExpressCard A removable I O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard Modems and network adapters are common types of ExpressCards ExpressCards support both the PCI Express and USB 2 0 standar
90. he label Finding Information 13 What Are You Looking For Find It Here e Solutions Troubleshooting hints and tips articles from technicians online courses and frequently asked questions e Community Online discussion with other Dell customers e Upgrades Upgrade information for components such as memory the hard drive and the operating system e Customer Care Contact information service call and order status warranty and repair information e Service and support Service call status and support history service contract and online discussions with technical support e Dell Technical Update Service Proactive e mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer e Reference Computer documentation details on my computer configuration product specifications and white papers e Downloads Certified drivers patches and software updates e Notebook System Software NSS If you reinstall the operating system for your computer you should also reinstall the NSS utility NSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for processors optical drives USB devices and so on NSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer The software automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration 14 Finding Information Dell Support Website support dell
91. hts description 22 diagnostic lights 73 diagnostics lights 73 display adjusting brightness 43 description 20 dual display operation 45 primary and secondary 6 switching the video image 43 documentation End User License Agreement 12 ergonomics 12 online 14 Product Information Guide 12 regulatory 12 safety 12 warranty 12 drivers 105 about 105 identifying 105 reinstalling 106 Drivers and Utilities CD 108 DVDs 51 playing 9 E e mail problems 85 160 Index End User License Agreement 12 ergonomics information 12 error messages diagnostic lights 73 problems 87 ExpressCards blanks 64 65 extended 63 installing 64 removing 65 slots 63 types 63 F Factory Image Restore 113 115 firewall Windows 2000 61 Windows XP 61 H hardware conflicts 78 110 Hardware Troubleshooter 78 110 hibernate mode 34 infrared sensor enabling 104 Internet problems 85 Internet Connection Firewall 61 IRQ conflicts 78 110 K keyboard numeric keypad 39 shortcuts 40 keyboard status lights description 20 keypad numeric 39 L labels Microsoft Windows 13 Service Tag 13 lights back of computer 73 diagnostic 73 lost computer 70 memory problems 90 messages error 87 Mobile Broadband network connections 61 See also wireless switch modem problems 85 monitor blank 96 hard to read 96 switching the video image 43
92. ic circuit Computers use a small amount of battery powered CMOS memory to hold date time and system setup options COA Certificate of Authenticity The Windows alpha numeric code located on a sticker on your computer Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID Consumer IR Port A port on the front of the computer that allows certain software applications to be controlled by the Dell Travel Remote in some systems In other systems this port allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared compatible devices without using a cable connection Control Panel A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings such as display settings controller A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices CRIMM continuity rambus in line memory module A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots cursor The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard touch pad or mouse action will occur It often is a blinking solid line an underline character or a small arrow D DDR SDRAM double data rate SDRAM A type of SDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle improving system performance DDR2 SDRAM double data rate 2 SDRAM A type of DDR SDRAM that uses a 4 bit prefetch and other architectural changes to boost memory speed to over 400 MHz
93. iew 22 04 19 LeftSideView 23 RightSideView 24 BackView 00 25 Bottom View 2 22 22 onen 28 3 UsingaBattery 31 Battery Performance 31 Checking the Battery Charge 32 Microsoft Windows Power Meter 32 Low BatteryWarning 32 Conserving Battery Power 33 Power Management Modes 33 Standby and Sleep Mode 33 Hibernate Mode 34 Configuring Power Management Settings 35 Accessing Power Options Properties 35 Contents Charging the Battery Removing the Battery StoringaBattery 4 Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad Key Combinations System Functions 22 2 222er Power Management Speaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad 00 Customizing the TouchPad 5 Using the Display Adjusting Brightness UsingaProjector 04 Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Microsoft Windows XP Windows Vista U Lo onen Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Microsoft Windows XP 2222222
94. in any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide The power button light located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states e If the power light is green and the computer is not responding see Diagnostic Lights on page 73 e If the power light is blinking green the computer is in standby mode Press a key on the keyboard move the mouse or press the power button to resume normal operation If the power light is off the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet Troubleshooting 97 Ifthe computer is plugged into a power strip ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on Bypass power protection devices power strips and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device such as a lamp e If the power light is blinking amber the computer is receiving electrical power but an internal power problem might exist Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location if applicable e If the power light is steady amber a device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed Rem
95. ion on it is lost FSB front side bus The data path and physical interface between the processor and RAM FTP file transfer protocol A standard Internet protocol used to exchange files between computers connected to the Internet G G gravity A measurement of weight and force GB gigabyte A measurement of data storage that equals 1024 MB 1 073 741 824 bytes When used to refer to hard drive storage the term is often rounded to 1 000 000 000 bytes GHz gigahertz A measurement of frequency that equals one thousand million Hz or one thousand MHz The speeds for computer processors buses and interfaces are often measured in GHz graphics mode A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors Graphics modes can display an unlimited variety of shapes and fonts GUI graphical user interface Software that interacts with the user by means of menus windows and icons Most programs that operate on the Windows operating systems are GUIs 146 Glossary hard drive A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk The terms hard drive and hard disk are often used interchangeably heat sink A metal plate on some processors that helps dissipate heat hibernate mode A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a reserved space on the hard drive and then turns off the computer When you restart the computer the memory in
96. it standby or sleep mode by pressing a key Hibernate Mode Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer When the computer exits hibernate mode it returns to the same operating state it was in before entering hibernate mode NOTICE You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your computer is in hibernate mode Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes critically low To manually enter hibernate mode in Windows XP click the Start button click Turn off computer press and hold lt Shift gt and then click Hibernate To manually enter hibernate mode in Windows Vista click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Hibernate Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power Options Properties window you may also use one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode e Press the power button e Close the display e Press lt Fn gt lt FI gt 34 Using a Battery To exit hibernate mode press the power button The computer may take a short time to exit hibernate mode You cannot make the computer exit hibernate mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad For more information on hibernate mode see the documentation that came with your operating system Configuring Power Management Settings You can use the Windows Power Options Properties to configure the pow
97. k for use when no ExpressCard is installed in the slot blanks from other computers may not fit your computer Remove the blank before installing an ExpressCard To remove the blank see Removing an ExpressCard or Blank on page 65 Installing an ExpressCard You can install an ExpressCard while the computer is running The computer automatically detects the card ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol such as a triangle or an arrow or a label to indicate which end to insert into the slot The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion If card orientation is not clear see the documentation that came with the card A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide To install an ExpressCard 1 Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up 2 Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector If you encounter too much resistance do not force the card Check the card orientation and try again 64 Using Cards 1 slot 2 ExpressCard The computer recognizes the ExpressCard and automatically loads the appropriate device driver If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer s drivers use the floppy disk or CD that came with the ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in
98. le or set up a wireless LAN WLAN The Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems provide wizards to help guide you through the process of networking computers For more information about Networking see the Windows Help and Support Center see Windows Help and Support on page 16 Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Before you connect your computer to a network the computer must have a network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it 1 Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back of your computer K NOTE Insert the cable connector until it clicks into place and then gently pull the cable to ensure that it is securely attached 2 Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device or a network wall connector K NOTE Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector Setting Up and Using Networks 55 j Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories Communications Network Setup Wizard Next Checklist for creating a network K NOTE Selecting the connection method labeled This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 2 SP2 2 Complete the checklist 3 Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions in the wizard Setting Up a Network in the Mi
99. lled no further installation or configuration is needed NOTICE The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system Many drivers such as the keyboard driver come with your Microsoft Windows operating system You may need to install drivers if you Upgrade your operating system e Reinstall your operating system e Connect or install a new device Identifying Drivers If you experience a problem with any device identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if necessary update the driver Reinstalling Software 105 Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel 2 Under Pick a Category click Performance and Maintenance and click System 3 In the System Properties window click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager Microsoft Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista start button and right click Computer 2 Click Properties gt Device Manager K NOTE The User Account Control window may appear If you are an administrator on the computer click Continue otherwise contact your administrator to continue Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point a yellow circle with a on the device icon If an exclamation point is next to the device name you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver see Reinst
100. m These options restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer Any programs or files added since you received your computer including data files are permanently deleted from the hard drive Data files include documents spreadsheets e mail messages digital photos music files and so on If possible back up all data before using PC Restore or Factory Image Restore Windows XP Dell PC Restore Using PC Restore 1 Turn on the computer During the boot process a blue bar with www dell com appears at the top of the screen 2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar press lt Ctrl gt lt F11 gt If you do not press lt Ctrl gt lt F11 gt in time let the computer finish starting and then restart the computer again NOTICE If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore click Reboot 3 Click Restore and click Confirm The restore process takes approximately 6 to 10 minutes to complete 4 When prompted click Finish to reboot the computer K NOTE Do not manually shut down the computer Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot Reinstalling Software 113 5 When prompted click Yes The computer restarts Because the computer is restored to its original operating state the screens that appear such as the End User License Agreement are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on 6 Click Next The System Restore screen appears and the
101. m can display video mode A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a monitor Graphics based software such as Windows operating systems displays in video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors Character based software such as text editors displays in video modes that can be defined as x columns by y rows of characters video resolution See resolution virus A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer A virus program moves from one computer to another through an infected disk software downloaded from the Internet or e mail attachments When an infected program starts its embedded virus also starts A common type of virus is a boot virus which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy disk If the floppy disk is left in the drive when the computer is shut down and then turned on the computer is infected when it reads the boot sectors of the floppy disk Glossary 155 expecting to find the operating system If the computer is infected the boot virus may replicate itself onto all the floppy disks that are read or written in that computer until the virus is eradicated V volt The measurement of electric potential or electromotive force One V appears across a resistance of 1 ohm when a current of 1 ampere flows through that resistance W W watt The measurement of electrical power One W is 1 am
102. n for the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS 2 lt gt Do not use these characters in filenames A REQUIRED DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file To remove and then reinstall the program Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Add or Remove Programs Programs and Features 2 Select the program you want to remove Click Uninstall See the program documentation for installation instructions Troubleshooting 87 Windows Vista 1 Click Start Control Panel gt Programs Programs and Features 2 Select the program you want to remove 3 Click Uninstall 4 See the program documentation for installation instructions drive letter IS NOT ACCESSIBLE THE DEVICE IS NOT READY The drive cannot read the disk Insert a disk into the drive and try again INSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA Insert a bootable floppy disk CD or DVD NON SYSTEM DISK ERROR Remove the floppy disk from the floppy drive and restart your computer NOT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY AGAIN Close all windows and open the program that you want to use In some cases you may have to restart your computer to restore computer resources If so run the program that you want to use first OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on pa
103. n restored to factory condition 8 Click Finish to reboot the system Reinstalling Software 115 Using the Operating System Media Before you Begin If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a problem with a newly installed driver first try using Windows Device Driver Rollback See Using Windows Device Driver Rollback on page 106 If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem then use System Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before you installed the new device driver See Using Microsoft Windows System Restore on page 111 NOTICE Before performing the installation back up all data files on your primary hard drive For conventional hard drive configurations the primary hard drive is the first drive detected by the computer To reinstall Windows you need the following items e Dell Operating System media e Dell Drivers and Utilities media K NOTE The Dell Drivers and Utilities media contains drivers that were installed during the assembly of the computer Use the Dell Drivers and Utilities media to load any required drivers Depending on the region from which you ordered your computer or whether you requested the media the Dell Drivers and Utilities media and Operating System media may not ship with your computer Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista The reinstallation process can take one to two hours to complete After you reins
104. nating shock or is dropped whether the computer is on or off surge protectors Prevent voltage spikes such as those that may occur during an electrical storm from entering the computer through the electrical outlet Surge protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts which occur when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC line voltage level Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors Always disconnect the network cable from the network connector during electrical storms SVGA super video graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 Glossary 153 The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the capabilities of the monitor the video controller and its drivers and the amount of video memory installed in the computer S video TV out A connector used to attach a TV or digital audio device to the computer SXGA super extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 SXGA super extended graphics array plus A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050 system board The main circuit board in your computer Also known as the motherboard system setup A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware a
105. nd the operating system System setup allows you to configure user selectable options in the BIOS such as date and time or system password Unless you understand what effect the settings have on the computer do not change the settings for this program T TAPI telephony application programming interface Enables Windows programs to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices including voice data fax and video text editor A program used to create and edit files that contain only text for example Windows Notepad uses a text editor Text editors do not usually provide word wrap or formatting functionality the option to underline change fonts and so on travel module A plastic device designed to fit inside the module bay of a portable computer to reduce the weight of the computer U UAC user account control Microsoft Windows Vista security feature that when enabled provides an added layer of security between user accounts and access to operating system settings UMA unified memory allocation System memory dynamically allocated to video UPS uninterruptible power supply A backup power source used when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level A UPS keeps a computer running for a limited amount of time when there is no electrical power UPS 154 Glossary systems typically provide surge suppression and may also provide voltage regulation Small UPS sys
106. nd version Devices Expansion cards Are you connected to a network Yes No Network version and network adapter Programs and versions See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the system s start up files If the computer is connected to a printer print each file Otherwise record the contents of each file before calling Dell Error message beep code or diagnostic code Description of problem and troubleshooting procedures you performed Getting Help Contacting Dell For customers in the United States call 800 WWW DELL 800 999 3355 K NOTE If you do not have an active Internet connection you can find contact information on your purchase invoice packing slip bill or Dell product catalog Dell provides several online and telephone based support and service options Availability varies by country and product and some services may not be available in your area To contact Dell for sales technical support or customer service issues Visit support dell com 2 Verify your country or region in the Choose A Country Region drop down menu at the bottom of the page Click Contact Us on the left side of the page Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you Getting Help 129 130 Getting Help Specifications K NOTE Offerings may vary by region For more information regarding the configur
107. network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector To avoid damaging the computer do not plug a telephone line into the network connector About Your Computer 27 Bottom View 1 air vents 2 cover for optional internal card with Bluetooth wireless technology 3 battery 4 _ battery bay latch release 2 COVER FOR OPTIONAL INTERNAL CARD WITH BLUETOOTH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY For more information see the documentation that came with your card To quickly enable or disable all wireless devices press lt Fn gt lt F2 gt A r VENTS The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air vents preventing the computer from overheating 28 About Your Computer A CAUTION Do not block push objects into or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents Do not store your computer in a low airflow environment such as a closed briefcase while it is running Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire BATTERY When a battery is installed you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet see Using a Battery on page 31 BATTERY BAY LATCH RELEASES Release the battery see Removing the Battery on page 36 About Your Computer 29 30 About Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance K NOTE For information about the Dell warranty for your computer see the Product Information Guide or separate paper warranty document
108. nfrared compatible devices without using a cable connection integrated Usually refers to components that are physically located on the computer s system board Also referred to as built in T O input output An operation or device that enters and extracts data from your computer Keyboards and printers are I O devices Glossary 147 T O address An address in RAM that is associated with a specific device such as a serial connector parallel connector or expansion slot and allows the processor to communicate with that device IrDA Infrared Data Association The organization that creates international standards for infrared communications IRQ interrupt request An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so that the device can communicate with the processor Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment you cannot operate both devices simultaneously ISP Internet service provider A company that allows you to access its host server to connect directly to the Internet send and receive e mail and access websites The ISP typically provides you with a software package user name and access phone numbers for a fee K Kb kilobit A unit of data that equals 1024 bits A measurement of the capacity of memory integrated circuits KB kilobyte A unit of data that equals 1024 bytes but is often referred to as 1000 bytes
109. o processor is installed or there is no FWH ROM this code persists If the problem persists contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 Troubleshooting Tools 73 Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution 0O OQO OO vy v g Wer ROS Memory subsystem If available install working memory of configuration activity the same type into your computer see is in progress or a your Service Manual memory failure was e Jf the problem persists contact Dell detected see Contacting Dell on page 129 The system is in flash Contact Dell see Contacting Dell on recovery mode page 129 No LCD panel Reseat the LCD cable see your detected or LCD self Service Manual test failure occurred If the problem persists contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 EEPROM SPD data If available install working memory of indicates all the same type into your computer see SODIMMS are your Service Manual unusable If the problem persists contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 System Messages K NOTE If the message you received is not listed in the table see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared CMOS Fa Lure Possible system board failure or the RTC battery is low Press lt F1 gt to load defaults DECREASING AVAILABLE MEMORY See Lockups and Software Problems on page
110. omputer Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer A CAUTION Before performing these procedures turn off the computer disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the computer disconnect the modem from the wall connector and computer and remove any other external cables from the computer NOTICE You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible connector damage To remove the battery 1 Ifthe computer is connected to a docking device docked undock it See the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions Ensure that the computer is turned off Slide the battery bay latch on the bottom of the computer and release a 4 Slide the battery bay latch release closest to the side of the computer and then remove the battery from the bay 36 Using a Battery A A 5 To replace the battery follow the removal procedure in reverse order Storing a Battery Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of time A battery discharges during prolonged storage After a long storage period recharge the battery fully see Charging the Battery on page 35 before using it Using a Battery 37 38 Using a Battery Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad numeric keypad The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external keyboard Each key on the keypad has multiple functions The keypad numbe
111. on certain computers Windows Vista 1 Click Start All Programs gt Modem Diagnostic Tool 2 Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems Modem diagnostics are not available on all computers VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS Windows XP 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware gt Phone and Modem Options Modems 86 Troubleshooting 2 Click the COM port for your modem Properties Diagnostics Query Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows If all commands receive responses the modem is operating properly Windows Vista 1 Click Start Control Panel Hardware and Sound Phone and Modem Options gt Modems 2 Click the COM port for your modem Properties gt Diagnostics Query Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows If all commands receive responses the modem is operating properly ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet provider With the Outlook Express e mail program open click File If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it click the checkmark to remove it and connect to the Internet For help contact your Internet service provider Error Messages A CAUTION Before you begin any of the procedures in this section follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide If the error message is not listed see the documentatio
112. or which you are installing the driver Click the Driver tab gt Update Driver Browse my computer for driver software 6 Click Browse and browse to the location to which you previously copied the driver files Reinstalling Software 109 7 When the name of the appropriate driver appears click the name of the driver OK gt Next Click Finish and restart your computer Hardware and Software Problems This section discusses issues with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility To start the Hardware Troubleshooter Windows XP 1 Click Start Help and Support 2 Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press lt Enter gt to start the search In the Fix a Problem section click Hardware Troubleshooter 4 In the Hardware Troubleshooter list select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista start button and click Help and Support 2 Iypehardware troubleshooter in the search field and press lt Enter gt to start the search 3 In the search results select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps Restoring Your Operating System You can restore your op
113. our network Dell cannot provide this information K NOTE Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network Microsoft Windows Firewall Windows Firewall provides basic protection from unauthorized access to your computer while it is connected to the Internet Windows Firewall is automatically enabled when you run the Network Setup Wizard When Windows Firewall is enabled for a network connection the firewall icon appears with a red background in the Network Connections section of the Control Panel K NOTE Enabling Windows Firewall does not reduce the need for virus checking software For more information click Start Control Panel gt Security Windows Firewall or see Windows Help and Support on page 16 Setting Up and Using Networks 61 62 Setting Up and Using Networks Using Cards ExpressCards ExpressCards provide additional memory wired and wireless communications multimedia and security features ExpressCards support two form factors e ExpressCard 54 54 mm wide in an L shape with a 34 mm connector The 54 mm card only fits into a 54 mm card slot See Specifications on page 131 for information on supported ExpressCards K NOTE An ExpressCard is not a bootable device 1 ExpressCard 54 Using Cards 63 ExpressCard Blanks Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the ExpressCard slot Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles Save the blan
114. our primary and secondary display designations for example to use your external monitor as your primary display after docking perform the steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using 46 Using the Display Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel 2 Under Pick a category click Appearance and Themes 3 Under Pick a task click the area you want to change or under or pick a Control Panel icon click Display 4 Click the Settings tab gt Advanced Displays tab See the documentation that came with your video card for additional information Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Control Panel 2 Under Appearance and Personalization click Adjust screen resolution 3 In the Display Settings window click the monitor 2 icon click the This is my main monitor check box and then click Apply 4 Click OK to close the Display Settings window Using the Display 47 48 Using the Display Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs NOTICE Do not press down on the CD DVD tray when you open or close it Keep the tray closed when you are not using the drive NOTICE Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs 1 Press the eject button on the front of the drive 2 Pull out the tray 3 Place the disc label side up in the center of the tray and snap the disc onto the spindle Using Multimedia 4
115. ove and then reinstall any cards see Using Cards on page 63 e Eliminate interference Some possible causes of interference are Too many devices on a power strip Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet Dell Technical Update Service The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer The service is free and can be customized for content format and how frequently you receive notifications To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service go to support dell com technicalupdate Dell Support Utility The Dell Support Utility is installed on your computer and available from the Dell Support K icon on the taskbar or from the Start button Use this support utility for self support information software updates and health scans of your computing environment 98 Troubleshooting Accessing the Dell Support Utility Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon on the taskbar or from the Start menu If the Dell Support icon does not appear in your taskbar 1 Click Start All Programs Dell Support Dell Support Settings 2 Ensure that the Show icon on the taskbar option is checked K NOTE If the Dell Support Utility is not available from the Start menu go to support dell com and download the software The Dell Support Utility is customized for your computing environment The KJ icon in the taskbar functions differently when you
116. ows Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD R or CD RW only after you start Roxio Creator Plus and open a Creator project Use CD Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos CD RWs may not play in many home or car stereos You cannot create audio DVDs with Roxio Creator Plus Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all available DVD formats For a list of formats supported by your DVD player see the documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer Do not burn a blank CD R or CD RW to its maximum capacity for example do not copy a 650 MB file to a blank 650 MB CD The CD RW drive needs 1 2 MB of blank space to finalize the recording Use a blank CD RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques If you make a mistake you can erase the data on the CD RW and try again You can also use blank CD RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD R See the Sonic website at sonic com for additional information Using Multimedia 53 Adjusting the Volume K NOTE When the speakers are muted you do not hear the CD or DVD playing 1 Select Start Programs Accessories Entertainment Volume Control 2 Click and drag the bar in the Volume Control column and slide it up or down to
117. pere of current flowing at 1 volt WHr watt hour A unit of measure commonly used to indicate the approximate capacity of a battery For example a 66 WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1 hour or 33 W for 2 hours wallpaper The background pattern or picture on the Windows desktop Change your wallpaper through the Windows Control Panel You can also scan in your favorite picture and make it wallpaper WLAN wireless local area network A series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves using access points or wireless routers to provide Internet access write protected Files or media that cannot be changed Use write protection when you want to protect data from being changed or destroyed To write protect a 3 5 inch floppy disk slide its write protect tab to the open position WWAN wireless wide area network A wireless high speed data network using cellular technology and covering a much larger geographic area than WLAN WXGA wide aspect extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 800 X XGA extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768 Z ZIF zero insertion force A type of socket or connector that allows a computer chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to either the chip or its socket 1
118. rea Network WLAN on page 57 for more information about how to prepare for connecting your computer to a WLAN Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers for connecting to a network The software is already installed K NOTE If the software is removed or corrupted follow the instructions in the user documentation for your wireless network card Verify the type of wireless network card installed in your computer and then search for that name on the Dell Support website at support dell com For information on the type of wireless network card that is installed in your computer see Checking Your Wireless Network Card on page 57 Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Depending on the software installed on your computer different wireless configuration utilities may manage your network devices e Your wireless network card s client utility The Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card in Windows XP 1 Click Start Settings Control Panel Network Connections 2 Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon and then click View Available Wireless Networks If the Choose a wireless network window states Windows cannot configure this connection the wireless network card s client utility is managing the wireless network card If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list
119. rs and symbols are marked in blue on the right of the keypad keys To type a number or symbol hold down lt Fn gt and press the desired key e To enable the keypad press lt Num Lk gt The light indicates that the keypad is active To disable the keypad press lt Num Lk gt again Using the Keyboard 39 Key Combinations System Functions lt Ctrl gt lt Shift gt lt Esc gt Opens the Task Manager window Power Management lt Fn gt lt Esc gt Activates a power management mode You can reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties window see Accessing Power Options Properties on page 35 Speaker Functions lt Fn gt lt Page Up gt lt Fn gt lt Page Dn gt lt Fn gt lt End gt Increases the volume of the integrated speakers and external speakers if attached Decreases the volume of the integrated speakers and external speakers if attached Enables and disables the integrated speakers and external speakers if attached Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Windows logo key and lt m gt Windows logo key and lt Shift gt lt m gt Windows logo key and lt e gt 40 Using the Keyboard Minimizes all open windows Restores all minimized windows This key combination functions as a toggle to restore minimized windows following the use of the Windows
120. s Accessories System Tools System Restore 2 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Windows Vista 1 Click Start 2 In the Start Search box type System Restore and press lt Enter gt 3 Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Enabling System Restore K NOTE Windows Vista does not disable System Restore regardless of low disk space Therefore the steps below apply only to Windows XP If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard disk space available System Restore is automatically disabled To see if System Restore is enabled 1 Click Start Control Panel Performance and Maintenance gt System 2 Click the System Restore tab and ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked 112 Reinstalling Software Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore NOTICE Using Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you received your computer If possible back up the data before using these options Use PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem K NOTE Dell PC Restore by Symantec and Dell Factory Image Restore may not be available in certain countries or on certain computers Use Dell PC Restore Windows XP or Dell Factory Image Restore Windows Vista only as the last method to restore your operating syste
121. s one ExpressCard with a PCMIA adapter The computer ships with a blank installed in the slot to prevent foreign matter from entering the computer interior when a card is not installed see ExpressCards on page 63 3 IN 1 Memory CARD READER 3 in Card Reader Supports the following card types SD MMC MS MS Pro MS Duo including SDHC About Your Computer 23 Right Side View 1 USB connector 2 audio connectors 3 air vent 4 video connector VGA 5 security cable slot USB CONNECTOR Interfaces between the computer and add on devices such as audio players joysticks keyboards telephones scanners and printers AUDIO CONNECTORS Attach headphones to the connector Attach a microphone to the connector 24 About Your Computer A r VENTS The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents which prevents the computer from overheating A CAUTION Do not block push objects into or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents While it is running do not store your Dell computer in a low airflow environment such as a closed briefcase Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer VIDEO CONNECTOR Connects video devices such as a monitor SECURITY CABLE SLOT Lets you attach a commercially available anti
122. t access through your broadband modem before you attempt to set up a wireless Internet connection see Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable on page 55 3 Install any software required for your wireless router Your wireless router may have been shipped with an installation CD Installation CDs usually contain installation and troubleshooting information Install the required software according to the instructions provided by the router manufacturer 4 Shut down your computer and any other wireless enabled computers in the vicinity through the Start or menu Disconnect your broadband modem power cable from the electrical outlet Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem 58 Setting Up and Using Networks 7 Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected to the router K NOTE Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before you continue with the network setup 8 Insert a network cable into the network RJ 45 connector on the unpowered broadband modem 9 Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network RJ 45 connector on the unpowered wireless router 10 Ensure that no network or USB cables other than the network cable connecting the modem and the wireless router are connected to the broadband modem K NOTE Restart your wireless equipment in the order described below to prevent a poten
123. t supported values For more information see your operating system documentation 6 Click the monitor 2 icon click the Extend my Windows desktop check box and then click Apply Using the Display 45 7 Change Screen Area to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click Apply 8 If prompted to restart the computer click Apply the new color setting without restarting and click OK 9 If prompted click OK to resize your desktop 10 If prompted click Yes to keep the settings 11 Click OK to close the Display Properties window To disable dual independent display mode 1 Click the Settings tab in the Display Properties window 2 Click the monitor 2 icon uncheck the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor option and then click Apply If necessary press lt Fn gt lt F8 gt to bring the screen image back to the computer display Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Control Panel 2 Under Appearance and Personalization click Adjust screen resolution 3 Inthe Display Settings window click the monitor 2 icon click the Extend the desktop onto this monitor check box and then click Apply 4 Click OK to close the Display Settings window To disable extended desktop mode 1 In the Display Settings window click the Settings tab 2 Click the monitor 2 icon uncheck the Extend the desktop onto this monitor option and then click Apply Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display To swap y
124. tall the operating system you must also reinstall the device drivers virus protection program and other software NOTICE The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling Windows XP The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed on your hard drive Therefore do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical support representative instructs you to do so Save and close any open files and exit any open programs Insert the Operating System disc Click Exit if the Install Windows message appears BoD Restart the computer When the DELL logo appears press lt F12 gt immediately 116 Reinstalling Software K NOTE If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop then shut down your computer and try again Z NOTE The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only On the next start up the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program 5 When the boot device list appears highlight CD DVD CD RW Drive and press lt Enter gt 6 Press any key to Boot from CD ROM 7 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation Reinstalling Software 117 118 Reinstalling Software Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Attach a name tag or business card to the computer Write down your Service Tag and store it in a safe pl
125. tart button and the Connect To option e The order confirmation for your computer Start Button and Connect To Option In Microsoft Windows XP click Start Connect To Show all connections K NOTE If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option click Start gt Settings Network Connections to view your network connections Setting Up and Using Networks 57 In Microsoft Windows Vista click Connect To View network computers and devices If Wireless Network Connection does not appear under LAN or High Speed Internet you may not have a wireless network card If Wireless Network Connection appears you have a wireless network card To view detailed information about the wireless network card 1 Right click Wireless Network Connection 2 Click Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears The wireless network card s name and model number are listed on the General tab K NOTE If Wireless Network Connection does not appear you may not have a wireless network card The Order Confirmation for Your Computer The order confirmation that you received when you ordered your computer lists the hardware and software that shipped with your computer Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem 1 Contact your Internet service provider ISP to obtain specific information about the connection requirements for your broadband modem 2 Ensure that you have wired Interne
126. tem use the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall drivers for the devices that came with your computer Your operating system product key label is located on your computer NOTE The color of your CD varies based on the operating system you ordered Finding Information 17 18 Finding Information About Your Computer Front View 12 11 10 9 1 left array microphone optional with 2 camera optional camera About YourComputer 19 3 rightarray microphone optional with 4 display camera 5 media control buttons 6 keyboard status lights 7 keyboard 8 fingerprint reader 9 touch pad 10 touch pad buttons 11 speaker 12 device status lights 13 power button MICROPHONE The built in microphone allows you to communicate without connecting an external microphone CAMERA The built in camera features a 2 0 mega pixel CMOS web camera DISPLAY For more information about your display see Using the Display on page 3 MEDIA CONTROL BUTTONS Press these buttons to adjust the volume Press lt Fn gt and the right arrow key to toggle on and off these lights for illumination of the keyboard in low light environments KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS 20 About Your Computer The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following A Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled
127. tems provide battery power for a few minutes to enable you to shut down your computer USB universal serial bus A hardware interface for a low speed device such as a USB compatible keyboard mouse joystick scanner set of speakers printer broadband devices DSL and cable modems imaging devices or storage devices Devices are plugged directly in to a 4 pin socket on your computer or in to a multi port hub that plugs in to your computer USB devices can be connected and disconnected while the computer is turned on and they can also be daisy chained together UTP unshielded twisted pair Describes a type of cable used in most telephone networks and some computer networks Pairs of unshielded wires are twisted to protect against electromagnetic interference rather than relying on a metal sheath around each pair of wires to protect against interference UXGA ultra extended graphics array A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 V video controller The circuitry on a video card or on the system board in computers with an integrated video controller that provides the video capabilities in combination with the monitor for your computer video memory Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions Video memory is usually faster than system memory The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a progra
128. ter Traveling With Your Computer e Prior to entering the airplane verify that using a computer is permitted Some airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during flight All airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing Traveling With Your Computer 121 122 Traveling With Your Computer Getting Help Obtaining Assistance If you experience a problem with your computer you can complete the following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem 1 See Troubleshooting on page 85 for information and procedures that pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing 2 See Dell Diagnostics on page 79 for procedures on how to run Dell Diagnostics 3 Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist on page 128 4 Use Dell s extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support support dell com for help with installation and troubleshooting procedures See Online Services on page 124 for a more extensive list of Dell Support online 5 Ifthe preceding steps have not resolved the problem see Contacting Dell on page 129 K NOTE Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures K NOTE Dell s Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries When prompted by Dell s automated telephone system enter your Express Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel If you
129. that shipped with your computer For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings operate your Dell portable computer with the main battery installed at all times One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay K NOTE Because the battery may not be fully charged use the AC adapter to connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the computer For best results operate the computer with the AC adapter until the battery is fully charged To view battery charge status check the Power Meter in Power Options see Accessing Power Options Properties on page 35 Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions K NOTE Battery operating time the time the battery can hold a charge decreases over time Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under which it is used you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your computer K NOTE It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet when writing to a CD or DVD Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations including but not limited to the following e Using optical drives e Using wireless communications devices PC Cards ExpressCards media memory cards or USB devices Using high brightness display settings 3D screen savers or other power intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications Using a Batter
130. the free space allocation on the hard drive 114 Reinstalling Software 6 Right click Local Disk C in Windows Explorer click Properties and verify that the additional disk space is available as indicated by the increased value for Free Space 7 Click Finish to close the PC Restore Removal window and restart the computer Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 1 Tum on the computer When the Dell logo appears press lt F8 gt several times to access the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window 2 Select Repair Your Computer The System Recovery Options window appears 3 Select a keyboard layout and click Next 4 To access the recovery options log on as a local user To access the command prompt type administrator in the User name field then click OK 5 Click Dell Factory Image Restore K NOTE Depending upon your configuration you may need to select Dell Factory Tools then Dell Factory Image Restore The Dell Factory Image Restore welcome screen appears 6 Click Next The Confirm Data Deletion screen appears NOTICE If you do not want to proceed with Factory Image Restore click Cancel 7 Click the checkbox to confirm that you want to continue reformatting the hard drive and restoring the system software to the factory condition then click Next The restore process begins and may take five or more minutes to complete A message appears when the operating system and factory installed applications have bee
131. the optical drive Dell Diagnostics Main Menu After the Dell Diagnostics loads the following menu appears Option Function Test Memory Test System Exit Run the stand alone memory test Run system diagnostics Exit the diagnostics Press lt Tab gt to select the test you want to run and then press lt Enter gt K NOTE It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer Selecting Test Memory initiates the extended memory test which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete When the test completes record the test results and then press any key to return to this menu After Test System is selected the following menu appears Option Function Express Test Performs a quick test of devices in the system This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes NOTE The Express Test requires no interaction on your part Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing a problem quickly 82 Troubleshooting Tools Option Function Extended Test Performs a thorough check of devices in the system This typically can take an hour or more NOTE The Extended Test periodically requires your input to answer specific questions Custom Test Use to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run Symptom Tree This option allows you to select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having This option lists th
132. the resources DRAM dynamic random access memory Memory that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors driver Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a printer Many devices do not work properly if the correct driver is not installed in the computer DSL Digital Subscriber Line A technology that provides a constant high speed Internet connection through an analog telephone line dual core A technology in which two physical computational units exist inside a single processor package thereby increasing computing efficiency and multi tasking ability dual display mode A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display Also referred to as extended display mode DVD R DVD recordable A recordable version of a DVD Data can be recorded only once onto a DVD R Once recorded the data cannot be erased or written over DVD RW DVD rewritable A rewritable version of a DVD Data can be written to a DVD RW disc and then erased and written over rewritten DVD RW technology is different from DVD RW technology 144 Glossary DVD RW drive drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD RW rewritable DVDs discs DVI digital video interface A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display E ECC error checking and correction A type of memory t
133. theft device to the computer see Security Cable Lock on page 67 Back View 1 2 1 AC adapter connector 2 modem connector RJ 11 3 network connector RJ 45 AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR Connects an AC adapter to the computer About Your Computer 25 The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off A CAUTION The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide However power connectors and power strips vary among countries Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage NOTICE When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer grasp the connector not the cable itself and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable When you wrap the AC adapter cable ensure that you follow the angle of the connector on the AC adapter to avoid damaging the cable MoDEM Connector RJ 11 2 For information on using the modem see the online modem documentation supplied with your computer 26 About Your Computer NETWORK CONNECTOR RJ 45 Connects the computer to a network The two lights next to the connector indicate status and activity for wired I network connections For information on using the network adapter see the device user s guide supplied with your computer NOTICE The
134. tial connection failure 11 Turn on only your broadband modem and wait for at least 2 minutes for the broadband modem to stabilize After 2 minutes proceed to step 12 12 Turm on your wireless router and wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to stabilize After 2 minutes proceed to the step 13 13 Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes 14 See the documentation that came with your wireless router to do the following in order to set up the wireless router e Establish communication between your computer and your wireless router e Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband router e Find out your wireless router s broadcast name The technical term for the name of your router s broadcast name is Service Set Identifier SSID or network name 15 Ifnecessary configure your wireless network card to connect to the wireless network see Connecting toa WLAN on page 59 Connecting to a WLAN K NOTE Before you connect to a WLAN ensure that you have followed the instructions in Wireless Local Area Network WLAN on page 57 Setting Up and Using Networks 59 K NOTE The following networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology or cellular products This section provides general procedures for connecting to a network using wireless technology Specific network names and configuration details vary See Wireless Local A
135. tion the cursor on the object and tap twice on the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch pad button twice Customizing the Touch Pad You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad and adjust settings 1 Open the Control Panel and then click Mouse For information about the Control Panel see the Windows Help and Support Center To access the Help and Support Center click Start Help and Support In the Mouse Properties window e Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad and track stick e Click the Touch Pad tab to adjust touch pad and track stick settings Click OK to save the settings and close the window Using the Keyboard Using the Display Adjusting Brightness When a Dell computer is running on battery power you can conserve power by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing lt Fn gt and the up or down arrow key on the keyboard K NOTE Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable computer not monitors or projectors that you attach to your portable computer or docking device If your computer is connected to an external monitor and you try to change the brightness level the Brightness Meter may appear but the brightness level on the external device does not change You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness e Press lt Fn gt and the up arrow key to increase brightness on the integrate
136. tition and run the Dell Diagnostics see Changing the Boot Sequence on page 102 Troubleshooting Tools 79 80 The computer runs the Pre boot System Assessment PSA a series of initial tests of your system board keyboard display memory hard drive etc During the assessment answer any questions that appear e If failures are detected during the PSA write down the error code s and see Contacting Dell on page 129 e Ifthe PSA completes successfully the following message appears Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition Press any key to continue K NOTE If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and Utilities media see Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media on page 81 Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive Press lt Tab gt to select Test System and then press lt Enter gt K NOTE It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer Selecting Test Memory initiates the extended memory test which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete When the test completes record the test results and then press any key to return to the previous menu At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu left click with the touch pad mouse or press lt Tab gt and then lt Enter gt to select the test you w
137. to system setup in the same way a primary password restricts access to the computer Can be used instead of the primary password K NOTE Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords NOTICE Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive However they are not foolproof If you require more security obtain and use additional forms of protection such as smart cards data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features When using passwords observe the following guidelines e Choose passwords that you can remember but not ones that are easy to guess For example do not use the names of family members or pets for passwords e It is recommended that you do not write down passwords If you do write it down however ensure that the password is stored in a secure place Do not share passwords with other people e Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password s If you forget any of your passwords contact Dell see Contacting Dell on page 129 For your protection Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer Using a Primary or System Password The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access When you first start your computer you must assign a primary password at the prompt 68 Securing Your Computer If you do not
138. types of CD or DVD drives offered by Dell may vary by country The following instructions explain how to make an exact copy of a CD or DVD using Roxio Creator Plus Dell Edition You can also use Roxio Creator Plus for other purposes such as creating music CDs from audio files stored on your computer or backing up important data For help open Roxio Creator Plus and then click the question mark icon in the upper right corner of the window How to Copy a CD or DVD K NOTE CD RW DVD combo drives cannot write to DVD media If you have a CD RW DVD combo drive and you experience recording problems check for available software patches on the Sonic support website at sonic com The DVD writable drives installed in Dell computers can write to and read DVD R DVD RW and DVD R DL dual layer media but cannot write to and may not read DVD RAM or DVD R DL media K NOTE Most commercial DVDs have copyright protection and cannot be copied using Roxio Creator Plus 1 Open Roxio Creator Plus 2 Under the Copy tab click Disc Copy Using Multimedia 51 3 To copy the CD or DVD e If you have one CD DVD drive ensure that the settings are correct and then click Dise Copy The computer reads your source CD or DVD and copies the data to a temporary folder on your computer hard drive When prompted insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive and click OK e If you have two CD DVD drives select the drive into which you have ins
139. uter by placing a check in the Run at startup checkbox Another method of accessing the Welcome Center is to click the Windows Vista Start button and then click Welcome Center Finding Information 15 What Are You Looking For Find It Here How to use Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista How to work with programs and files e How to personalize my desktop Windows Help and Support Microsoft Windows XP 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support 2 Either select one of the topics listed or type a word or phrase that describes your problem into the Search box click the arrow icon and then click the topic that describes your problem 3 Follow the instructions on the screen Microsoft Windows Vista 1 Click the Windows Vista Start button 6 and then click Help and Support 2 In Search Help type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then press lt Enter gt or click the magnifying glass 3 Click the topic that describes your problem 4 Follow the instructions on the screen e How to reinstall my operating system 16 Finding Information Operating System Media The operating system is already installed on your computer To reinstall your operating system use the Operating System media See Restoring Your Operating System on page 110 ALEEADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER What Are You Looking For Find It Here After you reinstall your operating sys
140. wing websites and e mail addresses e Dell Support websites e support dell com e support jp dell com Japan only e support euro dell com Europe only e Dell Support e mail addresses e mobile_support us dell com support us dell com 124 Getting Help e la techsupport dell com Latin America and Caribbean countries only e apsupport dell com Asian Pacific countries only e Dell Marketing and Sales e mail addresses e apmarketing dell com Asian Pacific countries only sales_canada dell com Canada only e Anonymous file transfer protocol FTP ftp dell com Log in as user anonymous and use your e mail address as your password AutoTech Service Dell s automated support service Auto lech provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable and desktop computers When you call AutoTech use your touch tone telephone to select the subjects that correspond to your questions For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 129 Automated Order Status Service To check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered you can go to support dell com or you can call the automated order status service A recording prompts you for the information needed to locate and report on your order For the telephone number to call for your region see Contacting Dell on page 129 Problems With Your Order If you hav
141. y 31 e Running the computer in maximum performance mode See Configuring Power Management Settings on page 35 for information about accessing Windows Power Options Properties which you can use to configure power management settings You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the computer You can also set power management options to alert you when the battery charge is low A CAUTION Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from Dell The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer Do not use a battery from other computers with your computer N CAUTION Do not dispose of batteries with household waste When your battery no longer holds a charge call your local waste disposal or environmental agency for advice on disposing of a lithium ion battery See Battery Disposal in the Product Information Guide A CAUTION Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn Do not puncture incinerate disassemble or expose the battery to temperatures above 65 C 149 F Keep the battery away from children Handle damaged or leaking batteries with extreme care Damaged batteries may leak and cause personal injury or equipment damage Checking the Battery Charge The Microsoft Windows Power Meter window and icon the battery charge gauge and health gauge and the low battery warning provide in
142. y with your computer For more information see the documentation that came with your Bluetooth wireless technology If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet the light operates as follows Solid blue The battery is fully charged Flashing amber The battery is charging If the computer is running on a battery the light operates as follows Solid blue The battery is fully charged Solid amber The battery is in low battery state POWER BUTTON Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power management mode see Power Management Modes on page 33 22 About Your Computer NOTICE To avoid losing data turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft Windows operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button If the computer stops responding press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely which may take several seconds Left Side View 1 USB connectors 2 2 optical drive 3 eject button 4 54mm ExpressCard slot wireless 5 3 in 1 memory card reader USB CONNECTOR Interfaces between the computer and add on devices such as audio players joysticks keyboards telephones scanners and printers OPTICAL DRIVE Supports a floppy or an optical drive second battery second hard drive or a Dell TravelLite module see Using Multimedia on page 49 EJECT BUTTON Ejects media in the optical drive EXPRESSCARD SLOT Support

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