Dell LATITUDE D400: AC Adapter: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x Portable Computers User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

AC Adapter:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Using the AC Adapter 

The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. The AC adapter kit includes the AC adapter with its attached DC 

cable (which inputs power to the computer) as well as an AC power cable that connects to an electrical outlet.  

You can connect the AC adapter with your computer either turned on or off. 

The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors vary among countries. Before you use AC power in a foreign 

country, you may need to obtain a new power cable designed for use in that country. 

If the computer is docked to one of Dell's C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicators (APR) or C/Dock Family Expansion Stations, it obtains power 

through the APR or expansion station, which must be connected to an electrical outlet.  

Connecting the AC Adapter 

1.

Connect the AC adapter's attached cable into the computer's AC adapter connector (see 

Figure 1

). 

2. Plug the AC power cable into the other end of the AC adapter. 

3. Plug the AC power cable into an electrical outlet.  

Figure 1. Connecting the AC Adapter

Turning On the Computer

To turn on the computer, press the 

power button

. 

Back to Contents Page

 

Using the AC Adapter

Connecting the AC Adapter

 

Turning On the Computer

NOTE: If you are running your computer on AC power with a battery installed, the AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then 

maintains the battery's charge. 

NOTICE: The AC adapter should be in a ventilated area, such as on a desktop or on the floor, when used to power the computer or 

charge the battery. Do not use the AC adapter in a poorly ventilated environment, such as inside a carrying case.

1

AC adapter 

2

  AC adapter's attached cable

3

  AC adapter connector

4

  AC power cable

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"

—

that is, it does not respond to commands

—

press and hold down the power 

button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.

Back to Contents Page

 

Power Management Settings:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide 

Experimenting With Power Conservation 

In general, the lower the value you set for each power conservation feature, the longer the battery's charge lasts. On the other hand, setting high 

values tends to optimize the computer's performance. 

To evaluate the way that different settings affect how long you can operate the computer on battery power versus the relative efficiency of how the 

software performs, experiment as follows:  

l

Use the computer with all the options set at their default values. 

l

Use the computer with all the options disabled or set to 

Off

. 

l

Use the computer with all the options set to their minimum or maximum values.  

Using Key Combinations 

Table 1

 identifies the power management key combinations. 

Table 1. Key Combinations to Activate/Deactivate Features

*

 These key combinations do not function with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI

). 

Closing the Display 

One way to conserve power on the computer is to close the display when the computer is not in use. When you close the display and an external 

Experimenting With Power Conservation

Standby Mode

Using Key Combinations

Suspend-to-Disk Mode

Closing the Display

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows 98

Suspend Mode

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows NT

NOTE: To use key combinations on an external keyboard, enable the 

External Hot Key

 option in the System Setup program, and 

press <Scroll Lock> instead of <Fn>. 

Feature

Activate/Deactivate

Turn off display

To activate, press <Fn><d>.* 

To deactivate, move the cursor or press a key on the integrated or external keyboard. (If nothing 

happens, the computer may be in 

suspend

 or 

standby

 mode. Press the power button to resume 

normal operation.)  

Turn off hard-disk drive

To activate, press <Fn><h>.* 

Automatically deactivates when the hard-disk drive is accessed.  

NOTE: If a modular hard-disk drive is installed in the C/Dock media bay, you cannot turn off the 

hard-disk drive by pressing <Fn><h>

.  

Suspend mode

To activate, press <Fn><Esc>. 

To deactivate, press the power button.  

Suspend-to-disk mode

To activate, press <Fn><a>. (On a French keyboard, press <Fn><q>.)* 

To deactivate, press the power button.  

monitor is 

not

 connected, the computer's display shuts off and the computer enters 

suspend

 mode (

standby

 mode in Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

98). 

To resume work, open the display. (The computer may take several seconds to resume operation.) 

Suspend Mode 

If your computer is running the Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT

® 

operating system, suspend mode stops almost all computer 

activity, but leaves the computer ready to resume operations immediately in about 20 to 30 seconds. Use suspend mode whenever you leave the 

computer unattended. 

NOTICE: Windows 95 and Windows NT save data to random-access memory (RAM), not to your hard-disk drive, before entering 

suspend mode. If the computer enters suspend mode while running on battery power, data loss from RAM can occur if the battery 

discharges completely.

Suspend mode conserves battery power by turning off the microprocessor clock; the display; the hard-disk drive; the CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or LS-

120 drive module (if installed); the external monitor connector; the external keyboard (if attached); the parallel port; the serial port; the touch pad; 

and the diskette drive.  

You can enter suspend mode immediately by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if the 

External Hot Key

 

option is enabled in the System Setup program). 

When you enter suspend mode, the 

power indicator

 is not lit. 

Resume from suspend mode by pressing the power button. The computer may take several seconds to return to normal operation. 

Standby Mode 

If your computer is running the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, standby mode turns off the display, stops the hard-disk drive, and turns off 

other internal devices so that the computer uses less battery power. When the computer resumes operation from standby mode, the desktop is 

restored exactly as it was before entering standby mode. 

NOTICE: Windows 98 saves data to random-access memory (RAM), not to your hard-disk drive, before entering standby mode. If the 

computer enters standby mode while running on battery power, data loss from RAM can occur if the battery discharges completely.

You can enter standby mode by pressing <Fn><Esc>.

To resume operation from standby mode, press the power button. 

Suspend-to-Disk Mode 

Suspend-to-disk (S2D) mode copies all system data to a reserved area

—

the S2D partition

—

on the hard-disk drive and then turns off all power to 

the computer. When you resume normal operation, the same programs will be running and the same files will be open that were loaded before you 

activated this mode. 

Place the computer in S2D mode if you intend to store the computer for longer than 40 days. S2D mode preserves the configuration information 

stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). The reserve battery maintains this information, but it may run out of energy after 40 days. 

If your system is running under 

Advanced Power Management

 (APM) mode, and if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System Setup 

program, you can enter S2D mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Scroll Lock><a> on an external keyboard). On a French keyboard, press <Fn><q> 

or <Scroll Lock><q>.*  

Resume operation from S2D mode by pressing the power button. 

If you connect or remove devices while the computer is in S2D mode, the computer automatically recognizes the newly connected devices when it 

resumes normal operation. 

Some PC Cards may not operate correctly after resuming from S2D mode. If you encounter problems with a card, 

remove and reinsert the card

. 

NOTE: If an external monitor is connected when you close the display, the computer does not activate suspend mode. You can still use 

the external monitor.

NOTES: On resumption from suspend mode, if a password is set, the computer displays the password prompt screen. At the password 

prompt screen, if you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to suspend mode.

Suspend mode is known as standby mode under the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.

  

NOTE: S2D mode helps preserve system data by quickly saving it to the hard-disk drive if you are about to run out of battery power.

NOTE: Dell creates an appropriately sized S2D partition before shipping the computer to you. Use the S2D utility to remove the file, to 

increase the size of the file, or to add the S2D file if you removed it. For more information about altering or creating an S2D file, see the 

* These key combinations may not function with future operating systems.

Power Management Properties for Windows 98 

Windows 98 with Advanced Power Management (APM) provides the 

Power Management

Properties

 window for setting power conservation 

features. 

To access the 

Power Management Properties

 window and set the power management features, perform the following steps:  

1. Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and click 

Control Panel

. 

2. Double-click the 

Power Management Properties

 icon. 

The 

Power Management Properties

 window contains the following tabs:  

l

Power Scheme

—

 allows you to change individual power management settings or select one of three power mode settings 

(

Always On

, 

Home/Office Desk

, or 

Portable/Laptop

) that each provide a set of default power management settings.

l

Alarms

—

 allows you to set the 

Low Battery

 and 

Critical Battery

 alarms to alert you when the computer battery falls below a 

certain percentage. When you received your computer, the 

Low Battery

 and 

Critical Battery

 alarm options were not checked. 

Dell recommends that you do not select these options. 

l

Power Meter

—

 allows you to view the percentage of battery life remaining when your computer is operating on battery power. If 

your computer is operating on AC power, the computer displays a message. 

l

Advanced

—

 allows you to display the 

Power Meter

 on the Windows 98 taskbar and to display a password prompt when the 

computer resumes operation from standby mode. 

Power Management Properties for Microsoft Windows NT 

Dell provides Softex software compatible with the Power Management Controller, which allows you to suspend and resume your portable 

computer without affecting your ability to use the docking station or its media bay. 

For information about Softex power management software, see the Softex user

’

s guides at 

http://www.dell.com/products/notebook/latitude/NT40.htm

 and see your 

Dell-Installed Microsoft Windows NT Workstation Setup Guide

. 

Back to Contents Page

 

readme.S2D

 file, which can be found in the 

Dell Utilities

 folder on your hard-disk drive or on the S2D diskette that came with your 

computer. 

Back to Contents Page

  

Batteries: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

  About the Batteries

Your computer includes a standard (34-watt/hour [WH]) or high-capacity (46-WH) lithium ion battery that provides power when an electrical outlet is 

not available. The battery is installed on the underside of the computer and forms part of the bottom of the computer. Lithium ion batteries are 

longer lived than conventional batteries and do not require replacement as often. Lithium ion batteries do not have the memory effect that is 

exhibited by nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCD) batteries. You do not need to drain a lithium ion battery completely before 

recharging it. A lithium ion battery will not forget at which point it is fully charged. NiMH and NiCD batteries may not charge fully if they are partially 

drained then recharged.

  

Do not place spent batteries with common household waste products. Contact local authorities for the location of a chemical waste collection 

program nearest you.

  

Keep the following information in mind when you are running your computer from the battery:

  

l

From a fully charged standard battery you can expect between 2.5 and 3 hours of battery life; from a fully charged high-capacity battery, you 

can expect up to 50 percent greater battery life. Actual performance varies, depending on which power management features are enabled 

and which application programs you are using. 

l

The 

integrated battery charge gauge

 lets you check the charge status of an installed or uninstalled battery at any time. 

l

The battery

’

s self-test capability alerts you to battery conditions such as low charge. 

l

There is no battery memory effect with lithium ion batteries 

—

 you can charge the battery whenever you like without fear of reducing its 

charge capacity. 

l

A battery has a life span of up to 350 full charges and 2000 partial charges, provided it is charged at normal room temperature. 

Using the Battery

The battery is partially charged when you receive it. Dell recommends that you charge your battery to full capacity before using it to power the 

computer.

  

If you are powering the computer from a battery, try to conserve battery power. A number of factors affect battery operating time:

  

l

Power conservation features that you use 

l

Type of display and microprocessor installed 

l

Use of storage media 

l

Number and type of PC Cards and other external devices that you use 

l

Kinds of application programs that you run 

l

Capacity of the memory modules that you install (the higher the capacity, the more power used)

  

When you activate 

suspend

 

mode (known as 

standby

 in the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

98 operating system), the computer can remain in suspend 

mode on battery power for approximately one week (if the battery was fully charged before activating suspend or standby mode).

  

If you are going to store the computer, disconnect all devices and turn off the computer. Remove the battery when you store your computer for an 

extended period of time. A battery will drain when not in use during prolonged storage. After a long storage period, recharge the battery fully before 

About the Batteries

First Low-Battery Warning

Using the Battery

Second Low-Battery Warning

Charging the Battery

Detecting Battery Problems

Charging a Hot Battery

Battery Disposal

Replacing the Battery

About Battery Power

Battery Charge Gauge

Turning On the Computer

NOTE: The battery is designed to work with Dell Latitude CS/CSx portable computers only. Do not use the battery with other computers, 

and do not use batteries from other computers with the Dell Latitude CS/CSx.

you attempt to run your computer from battery power.

  

Charging the Battery

Each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery in a computer that is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer 

checks the battery's charge. The AC adapter charges the battery (if needed) and then maintains the battery's charge.

  

When installed in a computer connected to an electrical outlet, the battery immediately starts charging. The green power indicator remains steady 

while the AC adapter charges the battery. The indicator starts blinking when the express charge cycle is complete. While the indicator is blinking, 

the AC adapter provides a trickle charge to bring the battery to full capacity. The indicator continues to blink until you remove the battery or 

disconnect the computer from its electrical outlet.

  

NOTICE: If the battery status indicator flashes alternately green and amber while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, 

disconnect the computer from the outlet and allow the computer and the battery to return to room temperature. Then reconnect the 

computer to its electrical outlet and continue charging the battery. If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the 

battery stops charging before it reaches full capacity.

If the computer is turned off and connected to an electrical outlet through the AC adapter, it takes the AC adapter about 1 hour and 20 minutes to 

fully charge a battery that has been completely discharged. If the computer determines that the battery is near full capacity, the AC adapter skips 

the express-charging process and starts trickle-charging the battery. If the computer is on, it takes up to 2.5 hours to charge a fully discharged 

battery, depending on which devices you are using and which programs you are running.

  

Charging a Hot Battery

Before you attempt to charge a battery that is hot (either from recent use or from being in a hot environment), note the following information:

  

l

A hot battery will not charge when you connect the AC adapter to the computer. This safety feature is important because charging a hot 

battery shortens the battery

’

s life span and may damage the battery and the computer. 

l

If the battery status indicator flashes alternately green and amber, the battery is too hot to start charging. If this occurs, disconnect the 

computer from its electrical outlet and allow it and the battery to return to room temperature. Reconnect the computer to the electrical outlet 

and continue charging the battery. 

l

If the computer is not allowed to return to room temperature, the battery stops charging before it reaches its full capacity.

  

Replacing the Battery

NOTICE: To avoid data loss, do not remove the battery while the computer is turned on unless the computer is connected to an 

electrical outlet .

To replace a battery in the battery bay, perform the following steps (see 

Figure 1

).

  

1.

If the computer is docked, undock it following your usual undocking procedure. (See the documentation that came with your docking device.) 

2.

If the computer is not docked, preserve your data in one of the following ways and then go to step 3.

  

l

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

  

l

Place the computer in suspend (or standby) mode by pressing <Fn><Esc> (or <Scroll Lock><Esc> on an external keyboard if 

the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System Setup program).

  

l

Place the computer in

S2D mode by pressing <Fn><a> (or <Fn><q> on a French keyboard). When the green power indicator 

turns off, continue to step 3.

  

NOTICE: If you choose to replace the battery with the computer in suspend (or standby) mode, you have up to 4 minutes to complete 

the battery replacement.

  

3.

Remove the battery from the battery bay. 

NOTE: For maximum battery performance, charge the battery only at normal room temperature. 

NOTE: You can leave the battery in the computer as long as you like. The battery's integrated circuitry prevents the battery from 

overcharging.

NOTES: If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding. 

You cannot replace the battery while the computer is running on battery power. To replace the battery while the computer is running, you 

must connect the computer to an electrical outlet or enter 

suspend

 (or 

standby

) mode or 

suspend-to-disk

 (S2D) mode. 

Close the computer display and turn the computer over. Slide the battery bay latch toward the unlock icon, causing the battery to pop up 

slightly on one side (see 

Figure 1

). Continue to hold the latch in the unlock position with one hand while pivoting the battery up and out of the 

bay with the other hand. Release the latch.

  

Figure 1. Removing a Battery

  

4.

Position the new battery so that its three alignment tabs fit into the three slots in the outside wall of the computer, and lower the battery into its 

compartment. Make sure that the battery snaps into place, flush with the surrounding surface, and make sure that the battery latch is 

completely closed before turning the computer over. 

5.

If you put the computer into suspend mode or S2D mode in step 2, press the power button to resume normal operation.

  

  Battery Charge Gauge

The battery charge gauge, located on the battery and accessible on the underside of the computer, consists of five indicators and a test button. 

Each indicator represents 20 percent of full charge. If only one indicator lights up, recharge the battery before using it.

  

To check the charge level, press the battery test button (see 

Figure 2

). The appropriate number of indicators lights up for a few seconds to indicate 

the amount of charge remaining in the battery. For example, if three indicators light up, your battery has between 40 percent and 60 percent of its 

charge left.

  

 

Figure 2. Battery Charge Gauge

  

Percentage of Charge

The 

battery charge gauge

 uses its five indicator lights to show the percent of charge remaining in the battery:

  

l

If one indicator lights up, the battery has 1 to 20 percent of its charge remaining. 

l

If two indicators light up, the battery has 21 to 40 percent of its charge remaining. 

l

If three indicators light up, the battery has 41 to 60 percent of its charge remaining. 

l

If four indicators light up, the battery has 61 to 80 percent of its charge remaining. 

l

If five indicators light up, the battery has 81 to 100 percent of its charge remaining.

  

NOTES: An indicator that blinks rapidly indicates a temporary failure or a potentially recoverable failure like overheating. Allow the 

battery to cool for several minutes before checking the charge level again. 

If the battery has permanently failed or completely discharged, no charge gauge indicators will light when you press the battery test 

button. If you install a failed or completely discharged battery in the computer and the 

battery status indicator

 flashes amber rapidly, the 

battery has failed. If the battery status indicator turns solid green, allow the battery to charge overnight and check it the next day. If the 

battery is fully discharged, it takes a much longer time than usual to recharge it. 

To purchase a new battery, 

call Dell

 or access the Dell World Wide Web site at 

http://www.dell.com

. 

Dispose

 of the old battery 

properly.

  First Low-Battery Warning

The first low-battery warning

—

a blinking amber battery status indicator

—

occurs when you have about 15 minutes of battery life left under current 

conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet. 

 

Figure 3. Battery Status Indicator

  

  

NOTICE: When you see a low-battery warning, save your work immediately. Then replace the battery or connect your computer to an 

electrical outlet.

Normally, if no input/output (I/O) activity occurs within 75 seconds after the first low-

battery warning, the computer enters 

S2D

 mode. If the computer 

has no S2D partition, the computer enters 

suspend

 (or 

standby

) mode, where it can preserve data for several hours.

Alternatively, you may have set the computer to enter S2D mode after a certain amount of time with no I/O activity. In this case the computer enters 

S2D mode before flashing the final low-battery warning. 

Once S2D mode is activated, no further power is consumed.

   

NOTICE: Never turn off the computer while the drive access indicator is on. Doing so could cause data loss. Instead, close all of your 

application programs before you turn off the computer.

  Second Low-Battery Warning

The second low-battery warning

—

a steady amber battery status indicator

—

occurs when you have about 5 minutes of battery life left under current 

conditions and the computer is not connected to an electrical outlet.

  

After the second low-battery warning, if no further I/O activity occurs within 15 seconds, the computer enters S2D mode. If the computer has no 

S2D partition, it enters suspend mode, in which it can preserve data for several hours.

If the computer is already in suspend mode when a final low-battery warning occurs, the computer enters S2D mode immediately. If S2D mode has 

been disabled, the computer reenters suspend mode.

   

NOTICE: To avoid losing data (and possibly corrupting data areas on your hard-disk drive), save your work immediately after a 

second low-battery warning. Then connect your computer to an electrical outlet, or place the computer in suspend mode. If the 

battery runs completely out of power, the computer shuts off without properly closing any open files.

  Detecting Battery Problems

A battery problem may prevent the battery from being charged to its full potential and can lead to unpredictable operation. To obtain a new battery, 

call Dell

 or access the Dell World Wide Web site at 

http://www.dell.com

.

  

Dell suggests you follow these precautions when using the battery:

  

l

To avoid installing a defective battery in your computer, first check the battery's charge, indicated by the battery charge indicators on the 

battery itself, by pressing the battery test button (see 

Figure 2

).

  

l

If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see 

Figure 3

) flashes alternately green and amber, the 

battery is too hot to charge. Turn off the computer, and let the battery and computer cool to room temperature. 

l

If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see 

Figure 3

) flashes amber for 4 seconds when you 

connect or disconnect the AC adapter or when you press the power button, you need to replace the battery. 

1

Battery status indicator

NOTE: If the battery has 0 (zero) percent charge, you cannot use the battery test button to check the battery's capacity. The 

battery gauge indicators will not light if the battery is completely drained. 

l

If, after you insert the battery in the computer, the computer's battery status indicator (see 

Figure 3

) flashes rapidly amber, the battery is 

defective and needs to be replaced.

  

  Battery Disposal

When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal agency or environmental agency for advice on disposing the computer

’

s 

lithium ion battery.

   

  About Battery Power

You automatically conserve battery power each time you connect the computer to an electrical outlet. The battery is even being recharged when 

you use AC power. The battery's life expectancy is largely determined by the number of charges it receives, so use an electrical outlet to run the 

computer whenever possible.

  

You can customize power management by individually controlling the computer's 

power conservation features

. These features reduce power 

consumption by monitoring application programs and computer devices for inactivity and slowing down or stopping some of the computer

’

s 

internal devices.

  

Experiment with power conservation features to achieve the optimum power conservation for your work environment.

  

  Turning On the Computer

To turn on the computer, press the 

power button

. 

Back to Contents Page

 

CAUTION: Do not puncture or incinerate the battery.

NOTE

: 

This computer is supplied with a lithium ion battery. Lithium ion batteries are longer lived than conventional batteries and do not 

require replacement as often. Do not place spent batteries in common household waste products. Contact local authorities for the 

location of a chemical waste collection program nearest you. To purchase a new battery, 

call Dell

 or access the Dell World Wide Web 

site at 

http://www.dell.com

. 

NOTES: When you use power conservation features, you often trade some of the performance of the computer for increased battery 

operating time. For example, if you turn off the hard-disk drive, you may experience a delay the next time the computer tries to access 

the hard-disk drive.

Other power conservation features, such as 

suspend

 (or 

standby

) mode, stop almost all system activity. They allow you to maximize 

power conservation when your work is interrupted.

NOTE: If your computer's operating system is "locked up"

—

that is, it does not respond to commands

—

press and hold down the power 

button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer. 

Back to Contents Page

 

CD-ROM and DVD- ROM Drives: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide 

Using CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives 

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives are read-only devices that can play most commercially available 8- or 12-centimeter (cm) sound and video CDs. 

Dell installed the appropriate CD-ROM device drivers on your hard-

disk drive. Dell also installed the drivers that will allow a DVD

-ROM drive to 

play most CDs and read data from a DVD. 

To use a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, install it in the computer

’

s 

external media bay

.  

NOTICE:

Protect the CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives when they are not in the external media bay. Do not squeeze a drive or place 

objects on top of it; doing so could damage the drive motor. Keep the drive as clean as possible. 

To play a CD or DVD, press the eject button on the face of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive or press <Fn><F10>. When the tray slides out, place 

the disc into the tray, label side up. Make sure that the CD or DVD is seated correctly on the spindle by pressing down on the disc until it clicks in 

place. Then gently push in the tray.  

NOTICE:

If the CD or DVD is not seated correctly, the disc or drive can be damaged. 

NOTICE:

Do not use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive while the computer is in motion. Doing so could interrupt the flow of data 

between the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive and the hard-disk or diskette drive.

When the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is in use, the 

drive access indicator

 blinks.

If you are using the Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system, disable the autoplay feature while you use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM 

drive. (The autoplay feature can interfere with the computer

’

s 

power management

 functions.) If Dell installed the operating system, the autoplay 

feature has been disabled. If you reinstall the operating system or if you installed it yourself, be sure to disable the autoplay feature if you want to 

use the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

For instructions on changing the 

Auto Insert Notification

 option, see the operating system user

’

s guide. 

Caring for CDs and DVDs  

When handling and using CDs and DVDs, follow these precautions:  

l

Never use a damaged or warped CD or DVD. 

l

Always hold the CD or DVD by its edges. Do not touch the surface of the disc. 

l

Use a clean, dry cloth to remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints from the surface of the CD or DVD. When cleaning, wipe from the center of 

the CD or DVD to the edge. 

l

Never use solvents, such as benzene, record cleaners, or antistatic sprays, to clean the CD or DVD. 

l

Do not write on the surface of the CD or DVD. 

l

Store CD or DVDs in their containers, placing them in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures may damage CDs or DVDs. 

l

Do not bend or drop a CD or DVD. 

l

Do not place objects on top of a CD or DVD.  

Types of Supported Discs 

Using CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives

Caring for CDs and DVDs

Types of Supported Discs

NOTE: "Reading data" does not refer to playing a movie. However, if you are using the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 

operating system, you can play DVD movies in your DVD-ROM drive by installing a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card, such as a hardware 

Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) decoder, in the upper PC card slot. You must also install the drivers that came with the card. 

Your computer's CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives are able to play the following disc formats: 

l

CD-ROM red-book audio discs (CD-DA) 

l

CD-ROM yellow-book mode-1 and mode-2 data discs 

l

CD-ROM XA (mode-2 form 1 and form 2; without Adaptive Differential Pulse Code modulation [ADPCM]) 

l

CD-I (mode-2 form 1 and form 2) 

l

CD-I Ready 

l

CD-Bridge 

l

Photo CD, CD-recordable (CD-R) (single and multisession) 

l

Video CD 

l

CD-rewritable (CD-RW). The 24x CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives support reading CD-RW discs. This format is supported as read-only; 

neither the CD-ROM nor the DVD-ROM drive can write to CD-RW discs. 

l

DVD-5 (the DVD-ROM drive supports the DVD-5 format) 

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

 

Contacting Dell: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Overview

When you need to contact Dell, use the telephone numbers, codes, and electronic addresses provided in the following sections. "

International 

Dialing Codes

" provides the various codes required to make long-distance and international calls. "

Americas Contact Numbers

," "

Europe Contact 

Numbers

," and "

Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers

" provide local telephone numbers, area codes, toll-free numbers, and E-mail 

addresses, if applicable, for each department or service available in various countries around the world. 

If you are making a direct-dialed call to a location outside of your local telephone service area, determine which codes to use (if any) in 

"

International Dialing Codes

," in addition to the local numbers provided in the other sections. 

For example, to place an international call from Paris, France to Bracknell, England, dial the international access code for France followed by the 

country code for the U.K., the city code for Bracknell, and then the local number as shown in the following illustration: 

  

To place a long-distance call within your own country, use area codes instead of international access codes, country codes, and city codes. For 

example, to call Paris, France from Montpellier, France, dial the area code plus the local number as shown in the following illustration: 

  

The codes required depend on where you are calling from as well as the destination of your call; in addition, each country has a different dialing 

protocol. If you need assistance in determining which codes to use, contact a local or an international operator. 

International Dialing Codes  

Click a listed country to obtain the appropriate contact numbers.  

Overview

Europe Contact Numbers

International Dialing Codes

Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers

Americas Contact Numbers

NOTES: Toll-free numbers are for use only within the country for which they are listed. Area codes are most often used to call long 

distance within your own country (not internationally)

—

in other words, when your call originates in the same country you are calling.

Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system direct your call 

more efficiently.

Country (City)

  

International 

Access Code

  

Country Code

  

City Code

  

Australia

 (Sydney)  

0011  

61  

2  

Austria

 (Vienna)  

900  

43  

1  

Belgium

 (Brussels)  

00  

32  

2  

Brazil

0021

55

51

Brunei

  

—

  

673  

—

  

Canada

 (North York, Ontario)  

011  

—

  

Not required  

Chile

 (Santiago)  

—

  

56  

2  

China

 (Xiamen)  

—

  

86  

592  

Czech Republic

 (Prague)  

00  

420  

2  

Denmark

 (Horsholm)  

009  

45  

Not required  

Finland

 (Helsinki)  

990  

358  

9  

France

 (Paris) (Montpellier)  

00  

33  

(1) (4)  

Americas Contact Numbers  

Germany

 (Langen)  

00  

49  

6103  

Hong Kong

  

001  

852  

Not required  

Ireland

 (Bray)  

16  

353  

1  

Italy

 (Milan)  

00  

39  

2  

Japan

 (Kawasaki)  

001  

81  

44  

Korea

 (Seoul)  

001  

82  

2  

Luxembourg

  

00  

352  

—

  

Macau

  

—

  

853  

Not required  

Malaysia

 (Penang)  

00  

60  

4  

Mexico

 (Colonia Granada)  

95  

52  

5  

Netherlands

 (Amsterdam)  

00  

31  

20  

New Zealand

  

00  

64  

—

  

Norway

 (Lysaker)  

095  

47  

Not required  

Poland

 (Warsaw)  

011  

48  

22  

Singapore

 (Singapore)  

005  

65  

Not required  

South Africa

 (Johannesburg)  

09/091  

27  

11  

Spain

 (Madrid)  

07  

34  

91  

Sweden

 (Upplands Vasby)  

009  

46  

8  

Switzerland

 (Geneva)  

00  

41  

22  

Taiwan

  

002  

886  

—

  

Thailand

  

001  

66  

—

  

U.K.

 (Bracknell)  

010  

44  

1344  

U.S.A.

 (Austin, Texas)  

011  

1  

Not required  

Country (City)

  

Department Name or Service

  

Area 

Code

  

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Brazil

Sales, Customer Support, Technical Support

 

toll free: 0800 90 3355

Canada

(North York, 

Ontario) 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Canada call the 

U.S.A. for access 

to TechConnect 

BBS.

  

Automated Order-Status System  

  

toll free: 1-800-433-9014 

AutoTech (Automated technical support)  

  

toll free: 1-800-247-9362 

Customer Care (From outside Toronto)  

  

toll free: 1-800-387-5759 

Customer Care (From within Toronto)  

416  

758-2400 

Customer Technical Support  

  

toll free: 1-800-847-4096 

Sales (Direct Sales

—

from outside Toronto)  

  

toll free: 1-800-387-5752 

Sales (Direct Sales

—

from within Toronto)  

416  

758-2200 

Sales (Federal government, education, and 

medical)  

  

toll free: 1-800-567-7542 

Sales (Major Accounts)  

  

toll free: 1-800-387-5755 

TechConnect BBS (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-8528 

TechFax  

  

toll free: 1-800-950-1329 

Chile

(Santiago) 

Sales, Customer Support, and Technical Support  

  

toll free: 1230-020-4823 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Chile call the 

U.S.A. for sales, 

customer, and 

technical 

assistance

  

Latin America

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Latin America 

call the U.S.A. for 

sales, customer, 

and technical 

assistance.

  

Customer Technical Support (Austin, Texas, 

U.S.A.)  

512  

728-4093 

Customer Service (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-3619 

Fax (Technical Support and Customer Service) 

(Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-3883 

Sales (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-4397 

SalesFax (Austin, Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-4600 

728-3772 

Mexico

(Colonia 

Granada) 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Mexico call the 

U.S.A. for access 

to the Automated 

Order-Status 

System and 

AutoTech. 

Automated Order-Status System (Austin, Texas, 

U.S.A.)  

512  

728-0685 

AutoTech (Automated technical support) (Austin, 

Texas, U.S.A.)  

512  

728-0686 

Customer Technical Support  

525  

228-7870 

Sales  

525  

228-7811 

toll free: 91-800-900-37 

toll free: 91-800-904-49 

Customer Service  

525  

228-7878 

Main  

525  

228-7800 

U.S.A.

(Austin, Texas)  

Automated Order-Status System  

  

toll free: 1-800-433-9014 

AutoTech (Automated technical support)  

  

toll free: 1-800-247-9362 

Dell Home and Small Business Group:

  

Customer Technical Support (Return Material 

Authorization Numbers)  

  

toll free: 1-800-624-9896 

Customer Service 

(Credit Return Authorization Numbers)  

  

toll free: 1-800-624-9897 

National Accounts

 (systems purchased by established Dell national accounts [have your account number 

handy], medical institutions, or value-added resellers [VARs]):  

Customer Service and Technical Support (Return 

Material Authorization Numbers)  

  

toll free: 1-800-822-8965 

Public Americas International

 (systems purchased by governmental agencies [local, state, or federal] or 

educational institutions):  

Customer Service and Technical Support (Return 

Material Authorization Numbers)  

  

toll free: 1-800-234-1490 

Dell Sales  

  

toll free: 1-800-289-3355 

toll free: 1-800-879-3355 

Europe Contact Numbers 

Spare Parts Sales  

  

toll free: 1-800-357-3355 

DellWare

™

  

toll free: 1-800-753-7201 

DellWare FaxBack Service  

512  

728-1681 

Fee-Based Technical Support  

  

toll free: 1-800-433-9005 

Sales (Catalogs)  

  

toll free: 1-800-426-5150 

Fax  

  

toll free: 1-800-727-8320 

TechFax  

  

toll free: 1-800-950-1329 

TechConnect BBS  

512  

728-8528 

Dell Services for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or 

Speech-Impaired

  

toll free: 1-877-DELLTTY 

(1-877-335-5889) 

Switchboard  

512  

338-4400 

Country (City)

  

Department Name or Service

  

Area 

Code

  

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Austria

(Vienna)  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Austria call 

Langen, 

Germany for 

Technical 

Support and 

Customer Care.

Switchboard  

01  

491 040 

Home/Small Business Sales

01

795676-02

Home/Small Business Sales Fax

01

795676-05

Home/Small Business Customer Care

01

795676-03

Preferred Accounts/Corporate Customer Care

 

0660-8056

Home/Small Business Technical Support

01

795676-04

Preferred Accounts/Corporate Technical Support

 

0660-8779

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/at

  

  

  

E-mail: tech_support_germany@dell.com  

  

  

Belgium

(Brussels)  

Technical Support  

02  

481 92 88 

Customer Care  

02  

481 91 19 

Home/Small Business Sales  

  

toll free: 0800 16884 

Corporate Sales  

02  

481 91 00 

Fax  

02  

481 92 99 

Switchboard  

02  

481 91 00 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/be

  

  

  

E-mail: tech_be@dell.com  

  

  

Czech Republic

(Prague)  

Technical Support  

02  

22 83 27 27 

Customer Care  

02  

22 83 27 11 

Fax  

02  

22 83 27 14 

TechFax  

02  

22 83 27 28 

Switchboard  

02  

22 83 27 11 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/cz

  

  

  

E-mail: czech_dell@dell.com  

  

  

Denmark

(Horsholm) 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Denmark call 

Sweden for fax 

Technical Support  

  

45170182 

Customer Care  

  

45170181 

Switchboard  

  

45170100 

Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)  

  

859005594 

technical support. 

  Fax Switchboard  

  

45170117 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/dk

  

  

  

E-mail: den_support@dell.com  

  

  

Finland

(Helsinki)  

 

Technical Support  

09  

253 313 60 

Technical Support Fax

09  

253 313 81 

Customer Care  

09  

253 313 61 

Fax  

09  

253 313 99 

Switchboard  

09  

253 313 00 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/fi

  

  

  

E-mail: fin_support@dell.com

   

 

 

France

(Paris/Montpellier) 

Technical Support 

0803  

387 270 

Customer Care (Paris)  

01  

47 62 68 92 

Customer Care (Montpellier)  

04  

67 06 61 96 

TechConnect BBS (Montpellier)  

04  

67 22 53 04 

Fax (Montpellier)  

04  

67 06 60 07 

Switchboard (Paris)  

01  

47 62 69 00 

Switchboard (Montpellier)  

04  

67 06 60 00 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/fr

  

  

  

E-mail: web_fr_tech@dell.com  

  

  

Germany

(Langen) 

Technical Support  

06103  

971-200 

Technical Support Fax

06103  

971-222 

Home/Small Business Customer Care

06103 

971-530 

Corporate Customer Care

06103 

971-560 

Preferred Accounts Customer Care

06103  

971-420 

TechConnect BBS  

06103  

971-666 

Switchboard  

06103  

971-0 

Web site: 

http://www.dell.de/support

  

  

E-mail: tech_support_germany@dell.com  

  

  

Ireland

(Bray) 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Ireland call the 

U.K. for 

Home/Small 

Business 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

1-850-543-543 

Customer Care  

01  

204 4026 

Home/Small Business Customer Care (Bracknell, 

U.K.)  

  

0870 906 0010 

Sales  

  

1-850-235-235 

SalesFax  

01  

286 2020 

Fax  

01  

286 6848 

TechConnect BBS  

01  

204 4711 

TechFax  

01  

204 4708 

Switchboard  

01  

286 0500 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/ie

  

  

  

E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com  

  

  

Italy

(Milan)  

Technical Support  

2  

57782.690 

Customer Care  

2  

57782.555 

Sales  

2  

57782.411 

Fax  

2  

57503530 

Switchboard  

2  

57782.1 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/it

  

  

  

E-mail: support_italy@dell.com  

  

  

Luxembourg

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Luxembourg call 

Belgium for 

sales, customer, 

and technical 

assistance.

  

Technical Support (Brussels, Belgium)  

02  

481 92 88 

Home/Small Business Sales (Brussels, Belgium)  

  

toll free: 080016884 

Corporate Sales (Brussels, Belgium)  

02  

481 91 00 

Customer Care (Brussels, Belgium)  

02  

481 91 19 

Switchboard (Brussels, Belgium)  

02  

481 91 00 

Fax (Brussels, Belgium)  

02  

481 92 99 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/be

  

  

  

E-mail: tech_be@dell.com  

  

  

Netherlands

(Amsterdam)  

Technical Support  

020  

581 8838 

Customer Care

020 

581 8740 

Home/Small Business Sales  

  

toll free: 0800-0663 

Home/Small Business SalesFax  

020  

682 7171 

Corporate Sales  

020  

581 8818 

Corporate SalesFax  

020  

686 8003 

Fax  

020  

686 8003 

Switchboard  

020  

581 8818 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/nl

  

  

  

Norway

(Lysaker)  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Norway call 

Sweden for fax 

technical support.

  

Technical Support  

  

671 16882 

Customer Care  

  

671 16881 

Switchboard  

  

671 16800 

Fax Technical Support (Upplands Vasby, Sweden)  

  

590 05 594 

Fax Switchboard  

  

671 16865 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/no

  

  

  

E-mail: nor_support@dell.com  

  

  

Poland

(Warsaw)  

Technical Support  

22  

60 61 999 

Customer Care  

22  

60 61 999 

Sales  

22  

60 61 999 

Switchboard  

22  

60 61 999 

Fax  

22  

60 61 998 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/pl

  

  

  

E-mail: pl_support@dell.com  

  

  

Spain

(Madrid)  

Technical Support  

  

902 100 130 

Corporate Customer Care  

  

902 118 546 

Home/Small Business Customer Care  

  

902 118 540 

TechConnect BBS  

91  

329 33 53 

Corporate Sales  

  

902 100 185 

Home/Small Business Sales  

  

902 118 541 

Switchboard  

 91

  

722 92 00 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/es

  

  

  

E-mail: es_support@dell.com  

  

  

Sweden

(Upplands Vasby)  

Technical Support  

08  

590 05 199 

Customer Care  

08  

590 05 169 

Fax Technical Support  

08  

590 05 594 

Asia and Other Regions Contact Numbers 

Sales  

08  

590 05 185 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/se

  

  

  

E-mail: swe_support@dell.com  

  

  

Switzerland

(Geneva)  

Technical Support  

  

0844 811 411 

Customer Care  

  

0848 802 802 

Switchboard  

022  

799 01 01 

Fax  

022  

799 01 90 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/ch

  

  

  

E-mail: swisstech@dell.com  

  

  

U.K.

(Bracknell)  

Technical Support  

  

0870-908-0800 

Corporate Customer Care  

01344  

720206 

Home/Small Business Customer Care  

  

0870-906-0010 

TechConnect BBS  

  

0870-908-0610 

Sales  

01344  

720000 

AutoFax  

  

0870-908-0510 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/uk

  

  

  

E-mail: dell_direct_support@dell.com  

  

  

Country (City)

  

Department Name or Service

  

Area 

Code

  

Local Number or

Toll-Free Number

Australia

(Sydney)  

Customer Technical Support (Dell™ Dimension™ 

systems only)  

  

1-300-65-55-33 

Customer Technical Support (Other systems)  

  

toll free: 1-800-633-559 

Customer Care  

  

toll free: 1-800-819-339 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 1-800-808-385 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 1-800-808-312 

Fax  

  

toll free: 1-800-818-341 

Brunei

  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Brunei call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Customer Technical Support 

(Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4966 

Customer Service 

(Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales 

(Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4955 

China

(Xiamen)  

Customer Service  

  

toll free: 800 858 2437 

Sales  

  

toll free: 800 858 2222 

Hong Kong

  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Hong Kong call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 800 96 4107 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 800 96 4109 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 800 96 4108 

Japan

(Kawasaki)  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 0088-22-7890 

Technical Support (Server)

  

toll free: 0120-1984-35 

Technical Support (Dimension and Inspiron™)

  

toll free: 0120-1982-56 

Technical Support (WorkStation, OptiPlex™, and 

Latitude™

)

  

toll free: 0120-1984-39 

Y2K Support

044  

556-4298 

Customer Care  

044  

556-4240 

Direct Sales  

044  

556-3344 

Commercial Sales  

044  

556-3430 

556-3440 

Faxbox Service

 

03-5972-5840 

Switchboard  

044  

556-4300 

Korea

(Seoul) 

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Korea call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 080-200-3800 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 080-200-3600 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 080-200-3900 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Fax  

  

394 3122 

Switchboard  

  

287 5600 

Macau

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Macau call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 0800 582 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 0800 581 

Malaysia

(Penang)  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 1 800 888 298 

Customer Service  

04  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 1 800 888 202 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 1 800 888 213 

New Zealand 

Technical Support 

(Dell Dimension systems only) 

($2.50 + GST per call)  

 

0900 51010 

Technical Support (Other systems)  

  

0800 446 255 

Customer Service  

  

0800 444 617 

Sales  

  

0800 441 567 

Fax  

  

0800 441 566 

Singapore

(Singapore)  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Singapore call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 800 6011 051 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

04  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 800 6011 054 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 800 6011 053 

South Africa

(Johannesburg)  

Technical Support  

011  

709 7710 

Customer Care  

011  

709 7710 

Sales  

011  

706 7700 

Fax  

011  

709 0495 

Switchboard  

011  

709 7700 

Web site: 

support.euro.dell.com/za

  

  

  

E-mail: dell_za_support@dell.com  

  

  

Southeast 

Asian/Pacific 

Countries

(excluding 

Australia, Brunei, 

China, Hong 

Kong, Japan, 

Korea, Macau, 

Malaysia, New 

Zealand, 

Singapore, 

Customer Technical Support, Customer Service, 

and Sales (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

60 4 810-4810 

Back to Contents Page

 

Taiwan, and 

Thailand

—

refer to 

individual listings 

for these 

countries)  

Taiwan

  

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Taiwan call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 

0080 651 226/0800 33 557 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Transaction Sales  

  

toll free: 

0080 651 228/0800 33 556 

Corporate Sales  

  

toll free: 

0080 651 227/0800 33 555 

Thailand

NOTE: 

Customers in 

Thailand call 

Malaysia for 

customer 

assistance.

  

Technical Support  

  

toll free: 0880 060 07 

Customer Service (Penang, Malaysia)  

  

810 4949 

Sales  

  

toll free: 0880 060 06 

Back to Contents Page

 

Customizing Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

Using the System Setup Program

System Setup Options

Power Management Settings

Suspend-to-Disk Utility

Back to Contents Page

 

Dell™ Diagnostics: Dell Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Overview 

Unlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell Diagnostics helps you check your computer's hardware without any additional equipment and without 

destroying any data. By using the diagnostics, you can have confidence in your computer's operation. And if you find a problem you cannot solve 

by yourself, the diagnostic tests can provide you with important information you will need when talking to Dell's service and support personnel.

NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test only your Dell computer. Using this program with other computers may cause incorrect 

computer responses or result in error messages.

Features of the Dell Diagnostics 

The Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose particular test groups or subtests. You can also control the 

sequence in which the tests are run. The diagnostic test groups or subtests also have these helpful features: 

l

Options that let you run tests individually or collectively 

l

An option that allows you to choose the number of times a test group or subtest is repeated 

l

The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file 

l

Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate testing when an adjustable error limit is reached 

l

A 

Devices

 menu that briefly describes each test and its parameters 

l

A 

Config

 menu that describes the configuration of the devices in the selected device group 

l

Status messages that inform you whether test groups or subtests were completed successfully 

l

Error messages that appear if any problems are detected 

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics 

Whenever a major component or device in your computer does not function properly, you may have a component failure. As long as the 

microprocessor and the input and output components of your computer (the display, keyboard, and diskette drive) are working, you can use the 

Dell Diagnostics. If you are experienced with computers and know what component(s) you need to test, simply select the appropriate diagnostic 

test group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how to begin diagnosing a problem, read the rest of this section. 

Before You Start Testing 

If Dell installed the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 operating system on your computer's hard-disk drive

, see the online help in Dell's 

Program Diskette Maker

 utility, which is available in the 

Dell

Accessories

 group or folder, for instructions on making a program diskette set 

from the diskette image.  

Refer to your operating system's documentation for information on how to duplicate diskettes. Put the original diskette away for safekeeping. Turn 

on your printer if one is attached, and make sure it is online. 

Enter the System Setup program

, confirm your computer's system configuration 

information, and enable all its components and devices, such as ports. 

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

After you complete the preliminary instructions specified in "

Before You Start Testing

," perform the following steps to start the diagnostics: 

Overview

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

Features of the Dell Diagnostics

Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Confirming the System Configuration Information

Before You Start Testing

How to Use Dell Diagnostics

1. Turn off the computer. 

2. Insert the first diagnostics diskette into the diskette drive. 

3. Turn on the computer.  

When you start the diagnostics, the Dell logo screen appears, followed by a message telling you that the diagnostics is loading. Follow the screen 

prompts to insert the second and third diskettes.

  

After the diagnostics loads, the 

Diagnostics

Menu

 appears (see 

Figure 1

). The menu allows you to run all or specific diagnostic tests or to exit to 

the MS-DOS

® 

prompt. 

For a quick check of your computer, select 

Quickly Test All Devices

. This option runs only the subtests that do not require user interaction and 

that do not take a long time to run. Dell recommends that you choose this option first to increase the odds of tracing the source of the problem 

quickly. For a thorough check of your computer, select 

Fully Test All Devices

. To check a particular area of your computer, select 

Select 

Devices to Test

. 

To select an option from this menu, highlight the option and press <Enter>, or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the option 

you choose. 

 

Figure 1. Diagnostics Menu

  

Dell Diagnostics Main Screen Overview 

When you select 

Select Devices to Test

 from the 

Diagnostics

Menu

, the main screen of the diagnostics appears (see 

Figure 2

). The main 

screen lists the diagnostic test device groups, lists the devices of the selected device group, and allows you to select categories from a menu. 

From this screen, you can enter two other types of screens. 

Information on the main screen of the diagnostics is presented in the following five areas:

  

l

Two lines at the top of the screen identify the version number of the Dell Diagnostics. 

l

On the left side of the screen, the 

Device

Group

s area lists the diagnostic test groups in the order they will run if you select 

All

 from the 

Run

tests

 menu. Press the up- or down-arrow key to highlight a test device group. 

l

On the right side of the screen, the 

Devices for Highlighted Group

 area lists the computer's currently detected hardware and some of the 

relevant settings. 

l

The lower-right side of the screen displays information about your drive(s). 

l

Two lines at the bottom of the screen make up the menu area. The first line lists the categories you can select; press the left- or right-arrow 

key to highlight a menu category. The second line gives information about the category currently highlighted. 

Figure 2. Dell Diagnostics Main Screen

NOTE: Before you read the rest of this subsection, you may want to start the Dell Diagnostics so that you can see it on your display.

NOTE: The options displayed on your screen should reflect the hardware configuration of your computer.

  

Confirming the System Configuration Information 

When you boot your computer from your diagnostics diskette, the diagnostics checks your system configuration information and displays it in the 

Device Groups

 area on the main screen. 

The following sources supply this configuration information for the diagnostics:  

l

The system configuration information settings (stored in nonvolatile random-access memory [NVRAM]) that you selected while using the 

System Setup program 

l

Identification tests of the microprocessor, the video controller, the keyboard controller, and other key components 

l

Basic input/output system (BIOS) configuration information temporarily saved in RAM 

Do not be concerned if the 

Device Groups

 area does not list the names of all the components or devices you know are part of your computer. For 

example, you may not see a printer listed, although you know one is attached to your computer. Because your printer is a parallel communications 

device, the computer recognizes the printer by its LPT1 address and identifies it as a parallel port. You can test your printer connection in the 

Parallel Ports

 tests.  

How to Use Dell Diagnostics 

Six comprehensive, menu-driven, online Help categories provide instructions on how to use the program and explain each menu item, test group, 

subtest, and test and error result. To enter the 

Help

 menu, perform the following steps:  

1. Highlight 

Select Devices to Test

 in the 

Diagnostics

Menu

. 

2. Press <Enter>. 

3. Press <h>. 

The 

Help

 menu categories are 

Menu

, 

Keys

, 

Device

 

Group

, 

Device

, 

Test

, and 

Versions

. The online Help also provides detailed descriptions of 

the devices that you are testing. The 

Help

 categories are explained in the following subsections.  

Menu Category 

Menu

 describes the main menu screen area, the 

Device

Groups

, and the different diagnostic menus and commands and instructions on how to 

use them.  

Keys Category 

Keys

 explains the functions of the all of the keystrokes that can be used in Dell Diagnostics. 

Device Group Category 

Device Group

 describes the test group that is presently highlighted in the 

Device

Groups

 list on the main menu screen. It also provides 

reasoning for using some tests.  

Device Category 

Device

 is the educational section of online Help. It describes the function and purpose of the highlighted device in the 

Device

Groups

. 

For example, the following information appears when you select 

Device

 for 

Diskette

 in the 

Device

Groups

 list: 

Diskette drive A:

The diskette disk drive device reads and writes data to and from diskettes. Diskettes are flexible 

recording media, sometimes contained in hard shells. Diskette recording capacities are small and 

access times are slow relative to hard disk drives, but they provide a convenient means of storing 

and transferring data.

Test Category 

Test

 provides a thorough explanation of the subtest for each selected device group. For example, the following description is provided for the 

Diskette Drive Seek Test

:  

Diskette drive A: - Diskette Drive Seek Test

This test verifies the drive's ability to position its read/write heads. The test operates in two 

passes: first, seeking from the beginning to ending cylinders inclusively, and second, seeking 

alternately from the beginning to ending cylinders with convergence towards the middle.

Versions Category 

Versions

 lists the version numbers of the subtests that are used by the Dell Diagnostics.  

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

 

Diskette Drive:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Your computer was shipped with a 3.5-inch diskette drive installed in the external media bay. For more information on using and installing devices 

in the external media bay, see "

Using the External Media Bay

." 

The diskette drive lets you install programs and transfer data using 3.5-inch diskettes.  

To use the diskette drive, insert a 3.5-inch diskette into the drive (label side up and metal end first). Push the diskette into the drive until the eject 

button extends outside the drive casing. 

NOTICE:

Do not travel with a diskette in the diskette drive. Doing so could break the eject button and damage the drive.

To remove a diskette from the drive, press the eject button to release the diskette, and then pull the diskette out of the drive. 

When data is being accessed from the diskette drive, the 

drive access indicator

 blinks.

Back to Contents Page

 

NOTE: As an alternative diskette drive configuration, you can 

connect the diskette drive to the parallel connector

 on the back of the 

computer using an optional cable available from Dell. If you are running either the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 operating 

system on your computer and the 

Diskette Reconfig

 option is enabled in the System Setup program, you do not have to reboot the 

computer when you connect the diskette drive to the parallel connector. If you are running the Microsoft Windows NT

® 

operating system 

on your computer, reboot the computer after you connect the diskette drive. 

Back to Contents Page

 

Display:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Adjusting the Brightness 

To adjust the brightness of the display, you can use the key combinations shown in 

Table 1

. 

Table 1. Brightness Key Combinations and Their Functions

Expanded Video Mode 

When working in text mode, you can select the font used to display text. Press <Fn><F7> to toggle between regular video mode and expanded 

video mode. In expanded video mode, items in resolutions other than 1024 x 768 expand to fill the screen, which is useful if you are working in 800 

x 600 resolution on a 13.3-inch extended graphics array (XGA) display.  

Video Drivers and Video Resolution 

The Dell-installed video drivers work with the operating system to let you customize the video resolution, number of screen colors, and refresh rate 

of your display. 

Table 2. Combinations of Resolutions and Colors Supported 

Adjusting the Brightness

Customizing Video Resolution

Expanded Video Mode

Dual-Display Mode

Video Drivers and Video Resolution

If You Have Display Problems

NOTE: When you run the computer on battery power, set your computer's brightness control to the lowest setting that affords 

comfortable viewing. You can extend your battery life by using the minimum brightness setting.  

Key Combinations

Function

<Fn> + down arrow 

Decreases brightness

<Fn> + up arrow

Increases brightness

<Fn> + right arrow 

Has no effect on this computer

<Fn> + left arrow

Has no effect on this computer

NOTES: You cannot change contrast on an active-matrix (thin film transistor [TFT]) display, such as your computer's display.

(Contrast 

adjustments are only necessary on older passive-matrix displays.)

To use key combinations on an external keyboard, enable the 

External Hot Key

 option in the System Setup program and use <Scroll 

Lock> instead of <Fn>. 

NOTES: You may have difficulty using the display fonts feature with MS-DOS

® 

programs that use downloaded fonts.  

For optimum video performance in these cases, do not use expanded video mode.

NOTE: The Dell-installed video drivers are designed to offer the best performance on your computer. Dell recommends that you use 

only these drivers with your factory-installed operating system.

Resolution

Colors

Bits

Display Refresh 

Rate

External Monitor 

Refresh Rate

* In this resolution, the display is set to pan mode. To use 1280 x 1024 resolution, set the external monitor to 

Plug and Play Monitor

 as 

described in the following procedures. 

For Windows 95, perform the following steps:

  

1.

Click the 

Start

,button, point to 

Settings

, and then click 

Control Panel

. 

2.

Double-click the 

Display

 icon.

  

3.

Click the 

Settings

 tab, click 

Advanced Properties

, and click the 

Monitor

 tab.

  

4.

Click 

Change...

, click 

Plug and Play Monitor

, and click 

OK

 twice.

  

5.

Set 

Display area

 to 

1280 x 1024

, and click 

OK

.

  

For Windows 98, perform the following steps:

  

1.

Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and then click 

Control Panel

. 

2.

Double-click the 

Display

 icon.

  

3.

Click the 

Settings

 tab, click 

Advanced...

, and click the 

Monitor

 tab.

  

4.

Click 

Change...

, click 

Next

, and click 

Display a list of all the drivers

.

  

5.

Click 

Next

, and click 

Show all hardware

.

  

6.

Under 

Manufacturers

, click 

(Standard monitor types)

.

  

7.

Under 

Models

, click 

Plug & Play Monitor

; and click 

Next

. 

8.

Click 

Next

 again, click 

Finish

, and click 

Close

. 

9.

At the 

Display Properties

 screen, set 

Screen area

 to 

1280 x 1024

, and click 

Apply

.  

10.

Click 

OK

 , click 

Yes

, and click 

OK

.

  

To display more colors, select a lower resolution. If you select a resolution and color combination that the computer does not support, the computer 

automatically selects the next supported combination. 

Customizing Video Resolution 

1. Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and then click 

Control Panel

.  

The 

Control Panel

 window appears. 

2. Double-click the 

Display

 icon.  

The 

Display Properties

 window appears. 

3. Click the 

Settings

 tab, and then set the resolution by dragging the slider in the 

Desktop Area

 box. In the 

Color Palette

 box, choose the 

number of colors from the menu provided. For more information, see your operating system documentation.  

If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than is supported, the settings adjust automatically to the closest possible setting. 

4. To change the refresh rate, click the 

NeoMagic

 tab, and then follow the instructions on your display. 

640 x 480

256 

8

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

65,536  

(64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1677721  

(16 Million)

24 (True Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

800 x 600

256 

8 

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

65,536  

(64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1677721  

(16 Million)

24 (True Color) 

60 Hz

60 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 Hz

1024 x 768

256 

8

60 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 

Hz

65,536  

(64 K)

16 (High Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 

Hz

1677721  

(16 Million)

24 (True Color)

60 Hz

60 Hz, 70 Hz, 75 Hz, 85 

Hz

1280 x 1024*

256

8

60 Hz

60 Hz

NOTE: You can adjust the refresh rate only on an external monitor. If the 

NeoMagic

 tab is inactive, your external monitor adjusts 

the refresh rate automatically.

Dual-Display Mode 

With Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

98 and later operating systems, you can use an external monitor as an extension of your display (see your operating 

system documentation for more information). To set up your computer for dual

-display mode, perform the following steps:  

1. Connect the 

external monitor

. 

2. Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and then click 

Control Panel

.  

3. In the 

Control Panel

 window, double-click the 

Display

 icon.  

4. In the 

Display Properties

 window, click the 

Settings

 tab. 

5. Change the 

Colors

 option to 

High Color (16 bit)

. 

6. Change the 

Desktop Area

 to 

1024 by 768 pixels

. 

7. Click 

Advanced...

. 

8. Click the 

NeoMagic

 tab. 

9. Select the 

Set Dual-Display

 checkbox and click 

Apply

. 

10. Click 

Yes

 when prompted to restart your computer. 

11. Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and then click 

Control Panel

.  

12. Double-click 

Display

, and then click the 

Settings

 tab. 

Two display icons appear in the 

Settings

 window. 

13. Click the display icon marked "

2

." 

14. When asked if you want to enable this monitor, click 

Yes

. 

15. Click 

Apply

, and then click 

OK

.  

If You Have Display Problems 

If your computer is receiving power, but nothing appears on your display (such as light, text, or graphics) or the display image does not appear as 

you would expect, try the following measures to resolve the problem:  

1. If the display is blank, you may be in suspend, standby, or suspend-to-disk mode. Press the power button to resume. If the display is blank 

and the power indicator is on, the display may have timed out. In this case, press any key on the keyboard to resume normal operation. 

2. If the 

low-battery warning

 occurs, 

connect

 the AC adapter to the computer or replace the battery.  

3. Adjust the brightness. 

4. If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image to the display. 

Back to Contents Page

 

NOTE: It takes several seconds to switch the video image.

Back to Contents Page

 

Drivers: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

Installing Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 and Windows 98 Drivers

Installing Microsoft

® 

Windows NT

® 

Drivers

NOTE: For more information on using the operating system installed on your computer by Dell, see the operating system user's guide 

that came with your computer. 

Back to Contents Page

 

Error Messages and Flash Codes: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide

Error Messages

Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself can identify problems and alert you to them. When this occurs, a message 

may appear on the computer's display or on an external monitor (if one is attached), or a flash code may be emitted.

If an error message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message. For an explanation of the message and suggestions 

for correcting any errors, see 

Table 1

. The messages are listed alphabetically.

Table 1. System Error Messages

Error Messages

Memory Allocations

System Flash Codes

I/O Memory Map

Avoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts

NOTE: If the message is not listed in Table 1, see the documentation for the application program or the operating system 

documentation for an explanation of the message and a recommended action.

Message

Cause

Action

Auxiliary device 

failure

The touch pad or external PS/2 mouse 

may be faulty.

If you are using an external mouse only, check the connection for a 

loose or improperly connected cable. If the problem persists, 

enable the

 Pointing Device

 option. If the problem persists, 

call 

Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Bad command or file 

name

The command you entered does not 

exist or is not in the pathname you 

specified.

Make sure that you have typed the command correctly, placed 

spaces in the proper location, and used the correct pathname.

Cache disabled due to 

failure

The primary cache internal to the 

microprocessor has failed.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

CD-ROM drive 

controller failure 1

The CD-ROM drive does not respond to 

commands from the computer.

Turn off the computer and detach the CD-ROM drive from the 

media bay connector. Reboot the computer. Turn off the computer 

again, reattach the CD-ROM drive to the computer, and verify the 

media-bay cable connection to the back of the CD-ROM drive. 

Reboot the computer. If the problem persists, run the 

CD-ROM 

Drive

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Data error

The diskette or hard-disk drive cannot 

read the data.

Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the diskette 

drive or hard-disk drive. See the documentation that came with 

your operating system.

Decreasing available 

memory

One or more memory modules may be 

faulty or improperly seated.

Reseat the 

memory module

 in the upgrade socket. If the problem 

persists, remove the memory module from the upgrade socket. If 

the problem still persists, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Disk C: failed 

initialization

The hard-disk drive failed initialization.

Remove and reseat the 

hard-disk drive

, and reboot the computer. 

If the problem persists, boot from the 

diagnostics diskett

e and run 

the 

Hard-Disk Drive

 tests. 

Diskette drive 0 seek 

failure

A cable may be loose, or the system 

configuration information may not match 

the hardware configuration.

Check and reseat the diskette drive cable. If the problem persists, 

run the 

Diskette Drive

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

 and check the 

setting for the appropriate drive (

Diskette Drive A

 or 

Diskette 

Drive B

) in the 

System Setup program

. If the problem cannot be 

corrected, call Dell for technical assistance

.

Diskette read failure

A cable may be loose, or the diskette 

may be faulty.

If the diskette-drive access indicator lights up, try a different 

diskette.

Diskette subsystem 

reset failed

The diskette drive controller may be 

faulty.

Run the 

Diskette Drive

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Diskette write-

protected

Because the diskette is write-protected, 

the operation cannot be completed.

Slide the write-protect notch up.

Drive not ready

No diskette is in the diskette drive, or no 

hard-disk drive is in the drive bay. The 

operation requires a diskette in the drive 

Put a diskette in the drive, or push the diskette all the way into the 

drive until the eject button pops out. Or, install a hard-disk drive in 

the drive bay.

or a hard-disk drive in the bay before it 

can continue.

Error reading PCMCIA 

card

The computer cannot identify the PC 

Card.

Reseat the card or try another PC Card that you know works. 

Extended memory size 

has changed

The amount of memory recorded in 

NVRAM does not match the memory 

installed in the computer.

Reboot the computer. If the error appears on the display again, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Gate A20 failure

An installed memory module may be 

loose.

Reseat the 

memory module

 in the upgrade socket. If the problem 

persists, remove the memory module from the upgrade socket. If 

the problem still persists, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

General failure

The operating system is unable to carry 

out the command.

This message is usually followed by specific information

—

for 

example,

 Printer out of paper

. Respond by taking the 

appropriate action.

Hard-disk drive 

configuration error

The computer cannot identify the drive 

type.

Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer 

from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer, reinstall the 

drive, and reboot the computer. Run the 

Hard-Disk Drive 

tests in 

the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Hard-disk drive 

controller failure 0

The hard-disk drive does not respond to 

commands from the computer.

Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer 

from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, 

reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem 

persists, try another drive. Then run the 

Hard-Disk Drive

 tests in 

the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Hard-disk drive 

failure

The hard-disk drive does not respond to 

commands from the computer.

Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer 

from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, 

reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem 

persists, try another drive. Then run the 

Hard-Disk Drive

 tests in 

the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Hard-disk drive read 

failure

The hard-disk drive may be faulty.

Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer 

from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, 

reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. If the problem 

persists, try another drive. Then run the 

Hard-Disk Drive

 tests in 

the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Invalid configuration 

information-please run 

System Setup Program

The system configuration information 

does not match the hardware 

configuration. This message is most 

likely to occur after a memory module is 

installed.

Correct the appropriate options in the 

System Setup

 program. 

Keyboard clock line 

failure

A cable or connector may be loose, or 

the keyboard may be faulty.

Run the 

Keyboard Controller 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Keyboard controller 

failure

A cable or connector may be loose, or 

the keyboard may be faulty.

Reboot the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or the 

mouse during the boot routine. If the problem persists, run the 

Keyboard Controller 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Keyboard data line 

failure

A cable or connector may be loose, or 

the keyboard may be faulty.

Run the 

Keyboard Controller 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Keyboard stuck key 

failure

If an external keyboard or keypad is 

being used, a cable or connector may be 

loose or the keyboard may be faulty. If 

the integrated keyboard is being used, 

the keyboard may be faulty. 

A key on the integrated keyboard or 

external keyboard may have been 

pressed while the computer was booting.

Run the 

Stuck Key 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Memory address line 

failure at address, 

read value expecting 

value

An installed memory module may be 

faulty or improperly seated.

Reseat the 

memory module

 in the upgrade socket. If the problem 

persists, remove the memory module from the upgrade socket. If 

the problem still persists, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Memory allocation 

error

The software you are attempting to run is 

conflicting with the operating system, 

another application program, or a utility.

Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart it. Try to 

run the program again. If the problem persists, contact the 

software company.

Memory data line 

failure at address, 

read value expecting 

value

An installed memory module may be 

faulty or improperly seated.

Reseat the 

memory module

 in the upgrade socket. If the problem 

persists, remove the memory module from the upgrade socket. If 

the problem still persists, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Memory double word 

logic failure at 

address, read value 

expecting value

System Flash Codes

When errors that occur during the boot routine cannot be reported on the display or on an external monitor (if attached), the Num Lock, Caps Lock, 

and Scroll Lock indicators (see 

Figure 1

) may flash together in a pattern of lights (or 

flash code

) that identifies the problem. For example, one 

flash, followed by a second flash, and then a burst of three flashes (code 1-1-3) means that the computer was unable to read the data in nonvolatile 

random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is important to the Dell support staff if you need to call for technical assistance.

The Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators flash briefly when the computer is turned on. The flash codes, if needed, occur after the boot 

routine.

Figure 1. Flash Code Indicators

Memory odd/even logic 

failure at address, 

read value expecting 

value

Memory write/read 

failure at address, 

read value expecting 

value

No boot device 

available

The computer cannot find the diskette or 

hard-disk drive.

If the diskette drive is your 

boot device

, make sure that there is a 

bootable diskette in the drive. If the hard-disk drive is your boot 

device, make sure that the drive is installed, properly seated, and 

partitioned as a boot device.

No boot sector on 

hard-disk drive

The operating system may be corrupted.

Reinstall your operating system. See the documentation that came 

with your operating system.

No timer tick 

interrupt

A chip on the system board may be 

malfunctioning.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Non-system disk or 

disk error

The diskette in drive A or your hard-disk 

drive does not have a bootable 

operating system installed on it.

If you are trying to boot from the diskette, replace it with one that 

has a bootable operating system. 

Not a boot diskette

There is no operating system on the 

diskette.

Boot the computer with a diskette that contains an operating 

system.

Optional ROM bad 

checksum

The optional ROM apparently failed.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

Sector not found

The operating system cannot locate a 

sector on the diskette or hard-disk drive. 

You probably have a bad sector or 

corrupted FAT on the diskette or hard-

disk drive.

Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure on the diskette 

or hard-disk drive. If a large number of sectors are defective, back 

up the data (if possible), and then reformat the diskette or hard-

disk drive.

Seek error

The operating system cannot find a 

specific track on the diskette or hard-

disk drive.

If the error is on the diskette drive, try another diskette in the drive. 

Shutdown failure

A chip on the system board may be 

malfunctioning.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Time-of-day clock lost 

power

Data stored in NVRAM has become 

corrupted.

Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. 

If the problem persists, try to restore the data. To restore the data, 

press <Fn><F1> to 

enter the System Setup program

. Then 

immediately exit it. If the message reappears, 

call Dell

 for 

technical assistance. 

Time-of-day clock 

stopped

The reserve battery that supports the 

data stored in NVRAM may be dead.

Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. 

If the problem persists, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

Time-of-day not set-

please run the System 

Setup program

The time or date stored in the System 

Setup program does not match the 

system clock.

Correct the settings for the 

Date

 and 

Time

 options. (For 

instructions, see "

System Setup Program

.")

Timer chip counter 2 

failed

A chip on the system board may be 

malfunctioning.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Unexpected interrupt 

in protected mode

The keyboard controller may be 

malfunctioning, or an installed memory 

module may be loose.

Run the 

System Memory

 tests and the 

Keyboard Controller

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

Warning: Battery is 

critically low.

The battery is running out of charge.

Replace the 

battery

, or connect the computer to an electrical 

outlet. Otherwise, activate 

suspend-to-disk

 mode or turn off the 

computer. 

When the computer emits a flash code, write it down on a copy of the 

Diagnostics Checklist

 and then look up its cause and meaning in 

Table 2

. If 

you are unable to resolve the problem, use the 

Dell Diagnostics

 to identify a more serious cause. If you are still unable to resolve the problem, 

call 

Dell

 for technical assistance.

 

Table 2. Flash Codes and Corrective Actions

Avoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts

Problems can arise if two devices attempt to use the same interrupt request (IRQ) line. To avoid this type of conflict, check the documentation for 

the default IRQ line setting for each installed device. Then consult 

Table 3

 to configure the device for one of the available IRQ lines.

1

Num Lock 

2

Caps Lock

3

Scroll Lock

Message

Cause

Action

1-1-3

NVRAM write/read failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

1-1-4

ROM BIOS checksum failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

1-2-1

Programmable interval timer failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

1-2-2

DMA initialization failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

1-2-3

DMA page register write/read failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

1-3-1 

through 

2-4-4

An installed memory module is not being 

properly identified or used.

Make sure that a memory module is installed in one of the memory module 

sockets on the system board. The computer will not function unless at least 

one memory module is installed. 

3-1-1

Slave DMA register failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

3-1-2

Master DMA register failure.

Run the 

System Set

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. If the program does not 

load, 

call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

3-1-3

Master interrupt mask register failure.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

3-1-4

Slave interrupt mask register failure.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

3-2-4

Keyboard controller test failure.

Run the 

Keyboard Controller 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

3-3-4

Display memory test failure.

Run the 

Video Memory 

test in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

3-4-1

Display initialization failure.

Run the 

Video

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

3-4-2

Display retrace test failure.

Run the 

Video

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

4-2-1

No timer tick.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

4-2-2

Shutdown failure.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

4-2-3

Gate A20 failure.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance. 

4-2-4

Unexpected interrupt in protected mode.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

4-3-1

Memory failure above address 0FFFFh.

Run the 

System Memory 

tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

.

4-3-3

Timer chip counter 2 failure.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

4-3-4

Time-of-day clock stopped.

Call Dell

 for technical assistance.

4-4-1

Serial port failure.

Run the 

Serial/Infrared Ports

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

5-1-2

No usable memory.

Run the 

System Memory

 tests in the 

Dell Diagnostics

. 

Table 3. IRQ Line Assignments

Memory Allocations

Table 4

 provides a map of the conventional memory area. When the microprocessor or a program addresses a location within the conventional 

memory range, it is physically addressing a location in main memory.

Table 4. Conventional Memory Map

Table 5

 provides a map of the upper memory area. Some of these addresses are dedicated to various system devices, such as the system/video 

basic input/output system (BIOS). Others are available for use by expansion cards and/or an expanded memory manager (EMM).

When the microprocessor or a program addresses a location within the upper memory area, it is physically addressing a location within one of 

these devices.

Table 5. Upper Memory Map

NOTES: Installed devices cannot share the same COM port address. The default address of your computer's serial port is COM1.

To view IRQ line assignments in the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 and Windows 98 operating systems, click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and click 

Control Panel

. Double-click the 

System

 icon. Select the 

Device Manager

 tab, and then double-click 

Computer

.

IRQ Line Reserved/Available

IRQ0

Reserved; generated by the system timer

IRQ1

Reserved; generated by the keyboard controller to signal that the keyboard output buffer is full

IRQ2

Reserved; generated internally by the interrupt controller to enable IRQ8 through IRQ15

IRQ3

Available for use by a PC Card unless the integrated serial port or infrared port is configured for COM2 or COM4

IRQ4

Available for use by a PC Card unless the integrated serial port or infrared port is configured for COM1 (the default) or COM3

IRQ5

Available for use by the audio controller

IRQ6

Generated by the diskette drive controller to indicate that the diskette drive requires the attention of the microprocessor

IRQ7

Available for use by a PC Card or audio controller if the parallel port is disabled

IRQ8

Reserved; generated by the system I/O controller's RTC

IRQ9

Reserved

IRQ10

Available for use by a PC Card or audio controller unless the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station is attached

IRQ11

Available for use by USB, PC Card, video controller, and audio controller 

IRQ12

Reserved; generated by the keyboard controller to indicate that the output buffer of the touch pad or external PS/2 mouse is full

IRQ13

Reserved; generated by the math coprocessor

IRQ14

Reserved; generated by the hard-disk drive to indicate that the drive requires the attention of the microprocessor

IRQ15

Reserved; generated by CD-ROM drive in the external media bay to indicate that the drive requires the attention of the 

microprocessor

NOTE: To view memory allocations in Windows 95 and Windows 98, click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Settings

, and click 

Control Panel

. 

Double-click the 

System

 icon. Click the

 Device Manager

 tab, and then double-click 

Computer

.

Address Range

Use

0000h-003FFh

Interrupt vector table

00400h-004FFh

BIOS data area

00500h-005FFh

MS-DOS

® 

and BASIC work area

00600h-9FBFFh

User memory

Address Range

Use

0009FC00-0009FFFF

PS/2-mouse data area

000A0000-000BFFFF

Video RAM

000C0000-000CBFFF

Video BIOS

000CC000-000CDFFF

PC Card

000F0000-000FFFFF

System BIOS

I/O Memory Map

Table 6

 provides a map of memory addresses reserved by the computer for peripheral input/output (I/O) devices. Use the information in Table 6 to 

determine if the memory address of an external device (such as a PC Card) conflicts with a memory address reserved by the computer.

Check the documentation of the external I/O device to determine its memory address. If a device's memory address conflicts with a memory 

address reserved by the computer, change the address of the device.

Table 6. I/O Memory Map

Back to Contents Page

 

00100000-03FFFFFF

High memory area

FD000000-FDFFFFFF (approximate; not a fixed location)

Video RAM

FF200000-FF2FFFFF (approximate; not a fixed location)

Video RAM

FFFE0000-FFFFFFFF

BIOS ROM

NOTE: To view I/O addresses in Windows 95 and Windows 98, click the 

Start

 button, 

point to 

Settings

, and click 

Control Panel

. Double-click the 

System

 icon. Click the

Device Manager

 tab, and then double-click 

Computer

.

Address

Device

0000-001F

DMA controller #1

0020-003F

Interrupt controller #1

0040-005F

System timers

0060-0060

Keyboard controller

0061-0061

System speaker

0064-0064

Keyboard controller

0070-007F

RTC and NMI enable

0080-009F

DMA page registers

00A0-00BF

Interrupt controller #2

00C0-00DF

DMA controller #2

00F0-00FF

Math coprocessor

0170-0177

CD-ROM drive controller

01F0-01F7

Hard-disk drive controller

0210-0217

Audio controller 

0220-022F

Audio controller 

0270-0277

Fast IR

0376-0376

IDE controller

0378-037F

LPT1

0388-038B

Audio controller 

03B0-03BB

VGA

03C0-03DF

VGA

03E0-03E1

PC Card controller

03E8-03EF

Fast IR

03F2-03F5;  

03F7-03F7

Diskette controller

03F8-03FF

COM1

0530-0537

Audio controller 

0778-077B

ECP registers

ECE0-ECFF

USB controller

FFA0-FFAF

PCI-IDE bus registers

Back to Contents Page

 

Connecting External Devices:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide 

About the I/O Connectors

You can connect external devices to the input/output (I/O) connectors. The computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) detects the presence of 

external devices when you boot (start) or reboot your computer. 

Figure 1

 shows the I/O connectors on the back of your computer; 

Figure 2

 shows 

the external media bay and audio connectors on the right side of the computer.

Figure 1. I/O Connectors On the Back of the Computer 

Figure 2. I/O Connectors On the Right Side of the Computer

Mouse, Keyboard, and External Numeric Keypad

You can attach a PS/2-compatible device such as a mouse, 101- or 102-key keyboard, or external numeric keypad to the mini-Deutsche Industrie 

Norm (DIN) PS/2 connector. 

You can also connect these devices to the C/Port Family APR or the C/Dock Family Expansion Station.

About the I/O Connectors

External Monitor

Mouse, Keyboard, and External Numeric Keypad

AC Adapter

USB Devices

Audio Devices

Parallel Devices

External Media Options

Docking Devices

NOTES: Some external devices require you to load software called device drivers into system memory before the devices will work. 

These device drivers help your computer recognize the external device and direct its operation. Instructions for installing this software 

are usually included in the upgrade kits. 

The C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) has the same I/O connectors as your computer. In addition, the C/Port APR has a 

second Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector, a second Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, and an Ethernet network connector. 

The C/Dock Family Expansion Station has the same I/O connectors as your computer. In addition, the C/Dock Expansion Station has a 

second PS/2 connector, a second USB connector, an Ethernet network connector, and a small computer system interface (SCSI) 

connector. 

1

PS/2 (mini-DIN) connector

2

Parallel connector

3

Video connector

4

AC adapter connector

5

Docking connector

6

USB connector

1

External media bay connector

2

Microphone (MIC IN) jack

3

Speakers and headphones (line-out/speaker-out) jack

Mouse

When you attach a PS/2 mouse to the computer, the touch pad is automatically disabled. If you disconnect the mouse, you must shut down the 

computer or enter suspend or standby mode and then resume from it before the touch pad is operational. If you do not do this, the touch pad 

resumes operation in standard PS/2 mode, which means that many of the configuration features are disabled. 

If you are using a PS/2-compatible mouse that is not made by Microsoft and the mouse does not work properly, reboot the computer. If the mouse 

still does not work, install the drivers from the diskette that came with the mouse and reboot the computer. 

Keyboard

You can use the computer's keyboard and an external keyboard at the same time. When you attach a keyboard to the computer, the embedded 

numeric keypad is automatically disabled. 

On an external keyboard, the <Scroll Lock> key acts the same way as the <

Fn> key on the computer’

s keyboard (if the 

External Hot Key

 option is 

enabled in the System Setup program). 

External Numeric Keypad

When you attach an external numeric keypad to the computer, the numeric keypad on the computer keyboard is automatically disabled. The 

indicators on the integrated keyboard track the operation of an external numeric keypad. 

USB Devices

You can attach a USB hub device to the USB connector. The USB hub device can support multiple USB devices (typically low-speed peripherals 

such as mice, keyboards, printers, and computer speakers). The C/Port APR Family and the C/Dock Expansion Station Family docking solutions 

have two USB connectors.

Parallel Devices

You can attach a parallel device (usually a printer) to the 25-hole parallel connector. You can also connect the diskette drive to the parallel 

connector.

The parallel port sends and receives data in parallel format, where eight data bits (one byte) are sent simultaneously over eight separate lines. The 

port can be configured as a unidirectional (output-only) port for devices such as a printer or as a bidirectional port for devices such as a network 

adapter. 

The computer's integrated parallel port is designated as LPT1. The Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 and Windows 98 operating systems automatically 

recognize the parallel device and configure it correctly. The parallel port can also be configured for compatibility with the PS/2 standard. 

Connecting a Diskette Drive to the Parallel Connector

You can use the the diskette drive as a second external device if you already have a device connected to the media bay connector. The diskette 

drive letter is A, unless a diskette drive is already installed in the external media bay, in which case the drive connected to the parallel connector is 

NOTE: If the computer is in suspend (or standby) or suspend-to-disk mode when you attach a mouse, you can use the mouse when the 

computer resumes normal operation. However, programs that were already running may need to be restarted to recognize the mouse. If 

the computer is not in suspend (or standby) or suspend-to-disk mode when you attach the mouse, you must reboot the computer to use 

the mouse. 

NOTE: If the computer is in suspend (or standby) mode or suspend-to-disk mode when you attach an external keyboard, the device is 

recognized immediately by the computer when it resumes normal operation. 

NOTE: If the computer is in suspend (or standby) mode or suspend-to-disk mode when you attach an external numeric keypad, the 

device is recognized immediately by the computer when it resumes normal operation. 

NOTE: If you are using a USB external keyboard, do not enter the System Setup program by using a keyboard command on an 

external keyboard. Instead, press <Fn><F1> on the computer's keyboard.

drive B.

To connect the drive to the parallel connector on the I/O panel, use the optional parallel diskette-drive cable (available from Dell), as shown in 

Figure 5. 

Figure 5. Connecting a Diskette Drive to the Parallel Connector

NOTICE: When the diskette drive is not being used externally, remove the parallel diskette-drive cable from the parallel connector.

NOTICE: Use the parallel diskette-drive cable only with the diskette drive. Do not try to connect any other device to the computer 

with this cable.

If the 

Diskette Reconfig

 option is set to 

Any Time

 in the System Setup program, you can connect the diskette drive to the parallel connector while 

the computer is turned on. 

The drive access indicator does not blink when data is being accessed from the diskette drive connected to the parallel connector. 

NOTICE: Protect the diskette drive when it is not in the external media bay. Do not squeeze the drive or place objects on top of it; 

doing so could damage the drive motor.

Docking Devices

You can attach your computer to Dell's C/Port Family APR and C/Dock Family Expansion Station docking devices through the docking connector. 

For information on docking your computer, see the documentation that came with your docking device.

External Monitor

You can use the 15-hole video connector to attach an external monitor to the computer. 

Connecting an External Monitor

To attach an external monitor, perform the following steps. 

NOTICE: Do not place the monitor directly on top of your portable computer, even if it is closed. Doing so can crack the computer 

case, the display, or both.

  

1. Make sure that the external monitor is turned off. Set the monitor on a monitor stand, desk top, or other level surface near your computer. 

2. Connect the external monitor's video cable to the computer. 

Plug the video cable connector into the matching video connector on the back of the computer, as shown in Figure 6. If the video cable 

is not permanently attached to the monitor, connect it to the monitor. 

Figure 6. Connecting an External Monitor

Be sure to tighten all the screws on the video cable connector(s) to eliminate radio frequency interference (RFI). 

3. Connect your external monitor to a grounded electrical outlet.  

Plug the three-prong connector on one end of the monitor's power cable into a grounded power strip or some other grounded power 

source. If the cable is not permanently attached to the monitor, connect it to the monitor. 

You can also connect an external monitor to the C/Port Family APR or the C/Dock Family Expansion Station.

Using an External Monitor 

When an external monitor is connected to the computer, the video image automatically appears on the external monitor's screen when you boot 

your computer. 

To toggle the video image between the display, an external monitor, or both simultaneously, press <Fn><F8> on the keyboard. Press <Scroll 

Lock><F8> on an external keyboard if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System Setup program. 

If the external monitor is turned off when you boot your computer, the computer still sends the video image to the external monitor, but you will not 

see an image on either the computer's display or the external monitor. To see an image, turn on the external monitor or switch the video image to 

the computer

’

s display by pressing <Fn><F8> on the keyboard or <Scroll Lock><F8> on an external keyboard if the 

External Hot Key

 option is 

enabled in the System Setup program. 

AC Adapter

You can attach the 

AC adapter

 to the computer by using the AC adapter connector. 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.

The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors vary among countries. Before using AC power in a foreign 

country, you may need to obtain a new power cable designed for use in that country.

Audio Devices

You can connect audio devices such as speakers, microphones, and headphones to the two 

audio jacks

, as follows:  

l

Connect the audio cable from a microphone to the microphone jack, also called the MIC IN jack.  

l

Connect the audio cable

from speakersto the headphones/speakers jack, also called the line-out/speaker-out jack.  

If your computer is running the Windows 95 operating system, you can control the sound on your computer through the 

Dell Control Center 

Speaker

 window, the 

System Setup

 program, and 

key combinations

. 

External Media Options

You can connect 

external media options

 such CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, SuperDisk LS-120, and diskette drives to the external media bay connector. 

Back to Contents Page

 

NOTE:

If you are using the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, you can use an external monitor as an extension of your 

display. For more information, see the Windows 98 documentation or "

Dual-Display Mode

." 

NOTE: If you are using your external monitor at a resolution greater than the display supports, the simultaneous display feature is 

disabled. To use the display, switch to a resolution that the computer supports, or disconnect the external monitor and restart your 

computer. 

NOTE: The C/Port Family APR also has a headphones/speaker jack. The C/Dock Family Expansion Station has a line

-in/audio-in jack 

as well as microphone and headphones/speaker jacks. 

Back to Contents Page

 

Getting Help: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

Help Overview

Contacting Dell

Back to Contents Page

 

Help Overview: Dell™ Latitude™ CS Portable Computers User's Guide

Technical Assistance 

If you need assistance with a technical problem, perform the following steps:  

1. Run the Dell Diagnostics as described in "

Running the Dell Diagnostics

." 

2. Make a copy of the 

Diagnostics Checklist

 and fill it out. 

3. Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell's World Wide Web site (

http://www.dell.com

) for help with installation and 

troubleshooting procedures. 

4. If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem and you need to talk to a Dell technician, call Dell's technical support service. 

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 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 technical support service, refer to "

Technical Support Service

" and "

Before You Call

."  

Help Tools

Dell provides a number of tools to assist you. These tools are described in the following sections. 

World Wide Web on the Internet  

The Internet is your most powerful tool for obtaining information about your computer and other Dell products. Through the Internet, you can access 

most of the services described in this section, including AutoTech, TechFax, order status, technical support, and product information.  

Everything you need to know about your system is presented on the system support page, including the following tools and information:  

l

Technical information 

—

 Details on every aspect of your system, including hardware specifications. 

l

Self-diagnostic tools 

—

 A system-specific troubleshooting application for resolving many computer-related issues by following interactive 

flowcharts. 

l

Drivers, files, and utilities 

—

 The latest drivers and basic input/output system (BIOS) updates to keep your system functioning at its best. 

l

Component support 

—

 Technical information, documentation, and troubleshooting tips for different system components. 

l

Online communications center 

—

 Tool for submitting requests for both technical and nontechnical information on Dell products. Avoid 

telephone delays by receiving an e-mail response to your request for information if your computer is not functioning properly or if you have 

questions regarding your computer's hardware or operation. 

Dell can be accessed electronically using the following addresses:  

l

World Wide Web  

http://www.dell.com/ 

Technical Assistance

Product Information

Help Tools

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Problems With Your Order

Before You Call

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

NOTE: Some of the following tools are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Please call your local Dell 

representative for information on availability.

From Dell's World Wide Web home page (

http://www.dell.com

), click the 

Support

 icon, and click 

Support Your Dell

. Enter your service 

tag number (or, if you have one, your Express Service Code) and click 

Submit

. If you don't have your service tag number or Express 

Service Code available, you can also select support information by system.

http://www.dell.com/ap/ 

(for Asian/Pacific countries only)

http://www.euro.dell.com 

(for Europe only) 

l

Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP)

  

ftp.dell.com/

Log in as user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your password.  

l

Electronic Support Service

  

mobile_support@us.dell.com

apsupport@dell.com 

(for Asian/Pacific countries only)  

support.euro.dell.com 

(for Europe only) 

l

Electronic Quote Service  

sales@dell.com

apmarketing@dell.com 

(for Asian/Pacific countries only)  

l

Electronic Information Service  

info@dell.com

AutoTech Service  

Dell's automated technical support service

—

AutoTech

—

provides recorded answers to the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers. 

When you call AutoTech, you use your touch-tone telephone to select the subjects that correspond to your questions. You can even interrupt an 

AutoTech session and continue the session later. The code number that the AutoTech service gives you allows you to continue your session where 

you ended it. 

The AutoTech service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access this service through the technical support service. For 

the telephone number to call, refer to "

Contacting Dell

."

TechFax Service  

Dell takes full advantage of fax technology to serve you better. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, you can call the Dell TechFax line toll-

free for all kinds of technical information.  

Using a touch-tone phone, you can select from a full directory of topics. The technical information you request is sent within minutes to the fax 

number you designate. For the TechFax telephone number to call, refer to "

Contacting Dell

."  

TechConnect BBS  

Use your modem to access Dell's TechConnect bulletin board service (BBS) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is menu-driven and 

fully interactive. The protocol parameters for the BBS are 1200 to 19.2K baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. 

Automated Order-Status System 

You can call this automated service to check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered. A recording prompts you for the information 

needed to locate and report on your order. For the telephone number to call, refer to "

Contacting Dell

."  

Technical Support Service 

Dell's industry-leading hardware technical support service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your questions about Dell 

hardware. 

Our technical support staff pride themselves on their track record: more than 90 percent of all problems and questions are taken care of in just one 

toll-free call, usually in less than 10 minutes. When you call, our experts can refer to records kept on your Dell system to better understand your 

particular question. Our technical support staff use computer-based diagnostics to provide fast, accurate answers to questions.  

To contact Dell's technical support service, first refer to "

Before You Call

" and then call the number for your country as listed in "

Contacting Dell

." 

Problems With Your Order 

If you have 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, refer to "

Contacting Dell

." 

Product Information 

If you need information about additional products available from Dell, or if you would like to place an order, visit Dell's World Wide Web site at 

http://www.dell.com

. For the telephone number to call to speak to a sales specialist, refer to "

Contacting Dell

." 

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 

Prepare all items being returned, whether for repair or credit, as follows:  

1. Call Dell to obtain an authorization number, and write it clearly and prominently on the outside of the box. 

For the telephone number to call, refer to "

Contacting Dell

."  

2. Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the return. 

3. Include a copy of the 

Diagnostics Checklist

 indicating the tests you have run and any error messages reported by the Dell Diagnostics. 

4. Include any accessories that belong with the item(s) being returned (power cables, so ftware diskettes, guides, and so on) if the return is for 

credit. 

5. Pack the equipment to be returned in the original (or equivalent) packing materials. 

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 our receiving dock and returned to you. 

Before You Call 

Remember to fill out the 

Diagnostics Checklist

. If possible, turn on your system before you 

call Dell

 for technical 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 system itself. Make sure the system documentation is available. 

Diagnostics Checklist

NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell's automated-support telephone system direct your 

call more efficiently.

CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer covers, be sure to first disconnect the computer system's power and modem 

cables from all electrical outlets. 

Date:

Name:  

Address: 

Phone number: 

Service tag (bar code on the back of the computer): 

Express Service Code: 

Return Material Authorization Number (if provided by Dell support technician): 

  

Operating system and version: 

Peripherals: 

 

  

Expansion cards:

Are you connected to a network? Yes  No 

Network, version, and network card: 

Programs and versions: 

 

Back to Contents Page

 

  

Refer to 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: 

 

  

Back to Contents Page

  

  Introduction: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

  Overview

Dell Latitude CS and CS

x

 portable computers are expandable multimedia systems designed around an Intel

® 

Mobile Pentium

® 

II microprocessor 

or an Intel Mobile Pentium III microprocessor, both with Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) technology. This section describes the major 

hardware and software features of your computer. 

Figure 1

, 

Figure 2

, and 

Figure 3

 show the front/right, back/left, and bottom views of the 

computer. 

Figure 4

 identifies the system status and keyboard status indicators.

  

Figure 1. Front/Right View of the Computer

  

 

Figure 2. Back/Left View of the Computer

  

Overview

Available Options

Features

Getting Help

1

Display

2

System status indicators (3)

3

Integrated microphone

4

Audio jacks (2)

5

PC Card slots (2)

6

External media bay

7

Media bay cable (attached to media bay connector on 

computer)

8

Speaker

9

Hard-disk drive bay

10

Display latch

11

Touch pad buttons

12

Touch pad

13

Keyboard

14

Power button

15

Keyboard status indicators (3)

1

Air vent

2

Security 

cable slot

3

Air vent

4

AC adapter 

connector

5

Video 

connector

6

Docking 

connector

7

Parallel 

connector

8

USB 

connector

9

PS/2 

connector

10

Integrated 

microphone

Figure 3. Bottom View of the Computer

Figure 4. Indicator Panel Features

  Features

Your Dell computer provides the following features:

  

l

Full multimedia capability through the following standard features: 

¡

A 13.3-inch extended graphics array (XGA), 1024 x 768 thin film transistor (TFT) active-matrix color display

  

¡

An external media bay that supports storage devices such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, diskette, SuperDisk LS-120, or second hard-

disk drive 

¡

256-bit hardware-accelerated video support, with 4 megabytes (MB) of video memory 

¡

Accelerated graphics port (AGP) architecture that increases the computer's video performance 

¡

Support for a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card in the top PC Card slot 

¡

Two audio jacks for connecting a microphone and external stereo speakers or headphones 

¡

Integrated microphone and speaker 

¡

Software wavetable support and Sound Blaster software-emulation capability

  

l

System memory consisting of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) small outline, dual-inline memory modules 

(SODIMMs). Factory

-installed memory can range from 64 MB to a system maximum of 320 MB. Depending on the memory already installed, 

you may be able to increase memory by installing a 32-, 64-, or 128-MB SDRAM SODIMM in the memory upgrade socket. The achievable 

memory total for your computer depends on the computer's original memory configuration. 

l

Two power conservation modes

—

suspend (or standby) mode

 and 

suspend-to-disk mode

—

that help you conserve battery power. If the 

11

System 

status 

indicators

1

Hard-disk drive bay

2

Battery

3

Battery latch

4

Memory module cover

5

Battery charge gauge

 

1

Power button

2

Num Lock indicator

3

Caps Lock indicator

4

Scroll Lock indicator

5

Power indicator

6

Drive access indicator

7

Battery status indicator

NOTE: For information on installing devices in the external media bay, see "

External Media Bay

." 

batteries run out of power, suspend-to-disk mode prevents data loss by copying all system data to the hard-disk drive and turning off the 

computer. 

l

Connectors for two 3.3-volt (V) or 5-V PC Cards. The upper PC Card slot supports ZV PC Cards. 

l

Hardware and software support for the Dell Latitude C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) and the Dell Latitude C/Dock Family 

Expansion Station. 

l

A touch-pad pointing device positioned for both left- and right-handed users. The left and right touch-pad buttons mimic mouse buttons; you 

can also perform many pointing functions by tapping the touch pad itself. Click-and-drag buttonless functions are supported. 

l

A lithium ion battery in the battery bay. The Dell ExpressCharge

™

 technology charges a single battery in approximately 1 hour (when the 

computer is off or in suspend [or standby] mode).

  

l

A high-performance parallel port and a multipurpose Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector for attaching external devices, a monitor connector 

for attaching an external monitor to your computer, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector that supports stand-alone and hub devices. 

l

An automatic thermal management system that uses a variable-speed fan and microprocessor speed changes to keep the system running 

at the optimum temperature.

  

The following software is included with your Dell computer:

  

l

The Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95, Windows 98, or Windows NT

® 

4.0 or later operating system is installed on your hard-disk drive. For more 

information, see your operating system documentation. 

l

The 

System Setup program

 lets you view and change the system configuration.  

l

The Program Diskette Maker allows you to create program diskette sets of software that Dell installed on your computer's hard-disk drive. 

l

Dell Diagnostics

 for evaluating the computer's components and devices.

  

  Available Options

Dell offers the following devices and upgrade options:

  

l

C/Port Family APRs and C/Dock Family Expansion Stations 

l

Additional batteries

l

External keyboards and keypads 

l

External monitors 

l

External pointing devices 

l

External speakers, headphones, and microphones 

l

Printers 

l

Dell Latitude C-Family storage devices such as hard-disk drives, additional hard-disk drives for the external media bay, CD-ROM

drives, 4x 

DVD-ROM drives, and SuperDisk LS-120 drives 

l

AC adapter 

l

PC Cards 

l

32-, 64-, and 128-MB memory upgrade modules 

l

Carrying cases

  

NOTE: The PC Card controller supports the CardBus standard for 32-bit data transfer on the PC Card.

NOTE: The batteries are designed to work only with Dell Latitude CS/CSx portable computers. Do not use the batteries with other 

computers, and do not use batteries from other computers with the Dell Latitude CS/CSx. 

CAUTION: Do not puncture or incinerate the battery. When your battery no longer holds a charge, call your local waste 

disposal agency or environmental agency for advice on disposing of the computer's lithium ion battery. The lithium ion 

technology used in the battery is significantly less hazardous to the environment than the lithium metal technology used in 

some other batteries (such as watch batteries)

.

NOTE: If Dell did not install an operating system on your hard-disk drive, the drivers, system utilities, and diagnostics are available 

separately from Dell. To order them, see "

Getting Help

" for the appropriate telephone number in your location.

Instructions for connecting or installing these options are included in the upgrade kit you receive from Dell.  For more information on options 

available for your system, visit the Dell World Wide Web site at 

http://www.dell.com

. 

  Getting Help

If at any time you don't understand a procedure described in this guide, or if your computer does not perform as expected, Dell provides a number 

of tools to help you. For more information on these help tools, see "

Getting Help

."

  

Back to Contents Page

  

Back to Contents Page

 

Keyboard:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Embedded Numeric Keypad 

As you work, you may want to use the embedded numeric keypad (see 

Figure 1

) to enter numbers in spreadsheet or financial programs. The 

embedded numeric keypad shares some of the keys on your computer's keyboard. On these keys, the number and symbol characters of the 

numeric keypad appear in blue to the right of the main keypad characters. To activate the embedded numeric keypad, press <Num Lk> (the 

Num 

Lock indicator

 lights up).

 

Figure 1. Embedded Numeric Keypad

Some key combinations can be used whether or not the keypad is activated. 

Use the numeric keypad combinations in Table 1 to enable and disable several numeric keypad functions.  

Table 1. Embedded Numeric Keypad Key Combinations

Display Key Combinations 

Use the key combinations in Table 2 to adjust the computer's display.  

Table 2. Display Key Combinations

Embedded Numeric Keypad

Speaker Key Combinations

Display Key Combinations

System Function Key Combinations

Power Conservation Key Combinations

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drive Key Combinations

Processing Speed Key Combinations

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

When Keypad Is On

Function

<Num Lk> 

Toggles the embedded numeric keypad off

<Fn><

key

>

Temporarily disables the embedded numeric keypad; enables the 

lowercase characters/functions of the keyboard

<Fn><Shift><

key

>

Temporarily disables the embedded numeric keypad; enables the 

uppercase characters/functions of the keyboard

When Keypad Is Off

Function

<Num Lk> 

Toggles the embedded numeric keypad on

<Fn><Shift><

number key

>

Temporarily enables a number or symbol key in the embedded 

numeric keypad

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

Key Combinations

Function

* This key combination may not be supported by future operating systems. 

Power Conservation Key Combinations

Use the key combinations in Table 3 to activate or turn off the computer's power conservation features. 

Table 3. Power Conservation Key Combinations

* This key combination may not be supported by future operating systems.

Processing Speed Key Combinations

Use the key combinations in Table 4 to change the computer's processing speed.  

Table 4. Processing Speed Key Combinations

<Fn> + down arrow 

Incrementally decreases brightness.

<Fn> + up arrow 

Incrementally increases brightness.

<Fn> + right arrow

Has no effect on your computer. 

Decreases contrast on passive-matrix displays; has no effect on active-matrix 

displays.

<Fn> + left arrow

Has no effect on your computer. 

Increases contrast on passive-matrix displays; has no effect on active-matrix 

displays.

<Fn><F5> *

Toggles the computer's display between regular video mode and reverse video mode 

(white on black). This key combination works only if the computer is in text mode; it has no 

effect if the computer is running a graphical operating system or application program.

<Fn><F7> 

Toggles the computer

’

s display between expanded video mode and regular video mode.

<Fn><F8> 

Switches the video image to the next display in the following sequence: the display, an 

external monitor, or both displays simultaneously.

<Fn><d>* 

Turns off the display.

NOTES: Contrast cannot be changed on an active-matrix (thin film transistor [TFT]) display, such as the display in your computer.

To use key combinations on an external keyboard, enable the 

External Hot Key

 option in the System Setup program and use <Scroll 

Lock> instead of <Fn>. 

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

Key Combinations

Function

<Fn><d>*  

Turns off the display

<Fn><h>* 

Turns off the hard-disk drive

<Fn><Esc>*

Activates suspend or standby mode

<Fn><a> or  

<Fn><q> on French 

keyboards 

Activates suspend-to-disk mode 

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

<Fn><\> *

Switches between the microprocessor's maximum speed and a slower 

compatibility speed

* This key combination may not be supported by future operating systems.

Speaker Key Combinations 

Use the key combinations in Table 5 to adjust the computer's speaker volume and to enable and disable the speakers. 

Table 5. Speaker Key Combinations

System Function Key Combinations 

Use the key combinations in Table 6 to access MS-DOS, open the System Setup program, and open the 

Battery Status

 screen of the System 

Setup program. 

Table 6. System Function Key Combinations

* This key combination may not be supported by future operating systems.

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drive Key Combinations 

To eject the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM tray, press <Fn><F10>. 

Back to Contents Page

 

<Ctrl><\> 

In full MS-DOS

® 

mode or in a full-screen DOS box, switches between the 

microprocessor

’

s maximum speed and a slower compatibility speed

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

Key Combinations

Function

<Fn><Page Up> 

Increases the volume of the integrated speaker and the 

external speakers, if attached

<Fn><Page Dn> 

Decreases the volume of the integrated speaker and the 

external speakers, if attached

<Fn><End> 

Enables and disables the integrated speaker and the 

external speakers, if attached

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program.

Key Combinations

Function

<Ctrl><Alt><Del> 

Restarts (reboots) the computer in MS-DOS mode. In the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95, Windows 98, and Windows NT

® 

operating systems, click 

the 

Start

 button and click 

Shut Down

.

<Fn><F1>* 

Opens the System Setup program.

<Fn><F3>*

Opens the 

Battery Status

 screen of the System Setup program.

NOTE: On an external keyboard, use <Scroll Lock> with the appropriate keys if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled in the System 

Setup program. 

Back to Contents Page 

External Media Bay:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

Using the External Media Bay

You can use the external media bay (see 

Figure 1

) for the diskette drive that comes with your system. Alternatively, you can install an optional 

device (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, SuperDisk LS-120, or second hard-disk drive) in the bay.

To install a device in the external media bay, perform the following steps: 

1.

If your computer is running the Dell-installed Microsoft

® 

Windows NT

® 

operating system with Softex Docking Services, or if it is running 

the Dell-installed Microsoft Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 operating system with Softex Bay Manager:

 Right-click the Softex icon (the icon 

looks like a tiny open portable computer) in the system tray at the bottom right on your display, and select either 

Remove or Swap Devices

or 

Insert Bay Devices

.

If your computer is not running one of the Softex programs: S

ave your work, close all open files and application programs, and turn off the 

computer. 

NOTICE: When a device is not inside the external media bay, it is fragile and must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Do not 

press down on it or place a  heavy object on top of it. Place the device in a travel case to keep it free of dust and liquids. Store the 

device in a safe place.

2. If the external media bay contains a device, remove the media bay cable from the back of the bay. Then remove the device by sliding the 

release latch on the bottom of the bay to the release position, holding it there, and pulling the device out of the bay. 

3. Slide the new device firmly into the external media bay. 

You should hear a click when the device is fully seated. 

4. Connect the media bay cable. 

Position the larger of the cable connectors with its shiny metal lip down, and connect it firmly to the back of the device through the slot in the 

back of the bay. Make sure that the securing clips are fully engaged and the connector is fully seated. Make sure that the other end of the 

cable is connected to the media bay connector on the right-hand side of the computer (see Figure 1). 

Figure 1. External Media Bay 

5.

If your computer is running Softex Docking Services or Softex Bay Manager: Click 

OK

 at the 

Softex Docking Services 

or 

Softex Bay 

Manager

 screen.  Click 

OK

 at the 

Device Removal

 screen (if it appears), and then click 

OK

 at the 

Device Configured

 screen. 

If you turned off the computer in step 1: Press the power button to turn the computer back on. 

Using the External Media Bay

Setting Up a Second Hard-Disk Drive

NOTE:  If desired, you can use the media bay cable to connect a device directly to the external media bay connector, without using the 

external media bay.

NOTE: For the latest information on Softex Docking Services software, see 

http://www.dell.com/products/notebook/latitude/NT40.htm

. 

  Setting Up a Second Hard-Disk Drive 

The first time you install a second hard-disk drive in the external media bay, you must format that drive. For instructions, see the documentation that 

came with the device.  

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

 

Media Options: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

External Media Bay

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Drives

Diskette Drive

Back to Contents Page

 

PC Cards:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

About PC Cards 

The computer provides two slots in which you can install PC Cards that comply with Release 2.01 of the Personal Computer Memory Card 

International Association (PCMCIA) standard and Release 4.2 of the Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association (JEIDA) standard. 

The computer supports type I, type II, and type III PC Cards, such as modems, local area network (LAN) cards, wireless LAN cards, and small 

computer system interface (SCSI) cards. Also supported are such memory devices as static random-access memory (SRAM) cards that emulate 

diskettes, random

-access memory (RAM) cards, and one-time programmable (OTP) ROM cards, and advanced technology attachment (ATA) 

cards that emulate integrated drive electronics (IDE) hard-disk drives.  

If you are using the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 operating system, you can use a zoomed video (ZV) PC Card, such as a hardware 

Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) decoder. ZV cards must be used only in the upper PC Card slot. (The Microsoft Windows NT

® 

4.0 

operating system does not support ZV.) 

NOTICE: Take extra precautions if you use extended PC Cards in your computer. Extended cards are longer versions of standard 

PC Cards. They fit into, and operate correctly with, your computer. However, they extend beyond the edge of the computer when 

installed. If something strikes the exposed end of an installed card, your system board can be damaged. Because of space 

considerations, you may have trouble using two PC Cards in your computer if one of them is an extended card. It may be easier to 

use an extended card if you install it in the upper PC Card slot. Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer 

in its carrying case.

You can use the following PC Card combinations in the PC Card slots: 

l

A single type I or type II card (using either the upper or lower PC Card slot) 

l

A single type III card (using the lower

 PC Card slot only)  

l

One type I card and one type II card (using either slot) 

l

Two type I cards or two type II cards 

Installing PC Cards

PC Cards are generally marked with a symbol, such as a triangle or an arrow, to indicate which end should be inserted 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.

You do not need to turn off your computer or exit suspend or standby mode before you install a PC Card. To install a PC Card (see Figure 1), 

perform the following steps.

Figure 1. Installing a PC Card

About PC Cards

Removing PC Cards

Installing PC Cards

Configuring PC Cards

NOTES: A PC Card is not a boot device.  

The "type" of a card refers to its thickness, not its functionality. 

Your computer recognizes most I/O cards and automatically loads the device driver associated with that card.

Note: Use a ZV PC Card in the upper slot only.

  

1.

If necessary, remove the blank from the PC Card slot you intend to use. Press the eject button once to pop the button out, press it again to 

eject the blank partway, and then pull the blank out. 

2.

Make sure that the eject button is pressed all the way in. Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the 

card facing up. 

3.

Insert the card into the slot and press in firmly until the card is completely seated in the internal PC Card connector.

4.

If you encounter too much resistance when inserting it, do not force the card. Check the card's orientation and try again.

  

PC Card Blanks 

Save the blank to use whenever you do not have a PC Card installed. The blank protects the PC Card slot from dust and other particles. 

Removing PC Cards 

NOTICE: If you are using Windows 95 or Windows 98, use the PC Card configuration utility on the taskbar to select and stop a card 

before you remove it. If you do not remove the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data from open application programs.

To remove a PC Card  (see Figure 2), perform the following steps.

Figure 2. Removing a PC Card

 

  

1.

Press the PC Card eject button once to pop the button out, and then press the button in again to eject the card partway. (The button may or 

may not pop out again when you eject the card.) 

  

2.

Gently remove the card. 

To protect the PC Card slots, install a blank if you are not going to use the slots. 

Configuring PC Cards 

The PC Card configuration utility performs the following functions:  

l

Notifies you whenever a PC Card is inserted and tells you how the card is configured 

l

Automatically loads the proper device driver if it is available on the hard-disk drive 

l

If drivers are not available on the hard-disk drive, prompts you to install them by using the device driver diskette that came with the card 

The operating system automatically detects a PC Card and opens the 

Add New Hardware

 menu from the 

Control Panel

. For information, see 

the PC Card operating system documentation. 

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

 

Powering Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Back to Contents Page

 

AC Adapter

Power Management Settings

Batteries

Back to Contents Page

  

Preface: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

  About This Guide

This guide is intended for anyone who uses the Dell Latitude CS/CS

x

 portable computers. It can be used by both first-time and experienced 

computer users who want to learn about the features of the computer. This guide also provides basic troubleshooting procedures and instructions 

for using the Dell Diagnostics to test your computer and its components. The sections are summarized as follows:

  

l

"

Introduction

" 

—

 overview of the computer features and available upgrades

  

l

"

Setup and Operation

" 

—

 instructions on operating your computer

  

l

"

Powering Your Computer

" 

—

 instructions and options on how to power your computer

  

l

"

Traveling With Your Computer

" 

—

 suggestions on how to travel safely with your computer

  

l

"

Drivers

" 

—

 instructions on how to install driver software on your computer

  

l

"

Customizing Your Computer

" 

—

 instructions on accessing the System Setup program, power management software, and the Suspend-to-

Disk utility, all of which allow you to change system settings affecting your computer's power conservation features

  

l

"

Removing and Replacing Parts

" 

—

 instructions on how to remove and install hard-disk drives and memory modules

  

l

"

Troubleshooting Your Computer

" 

—

 initial checks and procedures that can be used to solve basic computer problems, general guidelines 

on analyzing software problems, messages, and beep codes

  

l

"

Technical Specifications

" 

—

 reference material about the details of your computer

  

l

"

Getting Help

" 

—

 help tools Dell provides to assist you if you have a problem with the computer and explains how and when to call Dell for 

technical assistance.

  

  Warranty and Return Policy Information

Dell Computer Corporation ("Dell") manufactures its hardware products from parts and components that are new or equivalent to new in 

accordance with industry-standard practices.

  

For information about the Dell warranty and return policy, see your Dell Latitude

 System Information

 guide. 

  Other Documents You May Need

Besides this 

User's Guide

, the following documentation is included with your computer.

  

l

The operating system 

Setup Guide

, which describes how to set up the Dell-installed operating system on your computer.

  

l

Microsoft

® 

Windows 95

®

, Windows 98, and Windows NT

® 

operating system documentation is included if you ordered your operating 

system from Dell. This documentation describes how to configure and use your operating system software.

  

l

Documentation is included with any options you purchase separately from your computer. This documentation includes information that you 

need to configure and install these options in your Dell computer.

  

l

"Readme" files may be installed on your hard-disk drive to provide last-minute updates about technical changes to your computer or 

advanced technical reference material intended for experienced users or technicians.

  

About This Guide

Notational Conventions

Warranty and Return Policy Information

Typographical Conventions

Other Documents You May Need

NOTE: Documentation updates are sometimes included with your computer to describe changes to your computer or software. Always 

read these updates 

before

 consulting any other documentation because the updates contain the latest information. 

  Notational Conventions

The following subsections list notational conventions used in this document.

  

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

Throughout this guide, blocks of text may be accompanied by an icon and printed in bold type or in italic type. These blocks are notes, cautions, 

and warnings, and they are used as follows:

  

  Typographical Conventions

The following list defines (where appropriate) and illustrates typographical conventions used as visual cues for specific elements of text throughout 

this document:

  

l

Interface components

 are window titles, button and icon names, menu names and selections, and other options that appear on the monitor 

screen or display. They are presented in bold.

  

Example: Click 

OK

.

  

l

Keycaps

, the labeling that appears on the keys on a keyboard, are enclosed in angle brackets.

Example: <Enter>

  

l

Key combinations

 are series of keys to be pressed simultaneously (unless otherwise indicated) to perform a single function.

  

Example: <Ctrl><Alt><Enter>

  

l

Commands

 presented in lowercase bold are for reference purposes only and are not intended to be typed at that particular point in the 

discussion.

Example: "Use the 

setup

 command to . . . ."

  

In contrast, commands presented in the Courier New font are intended to be typed as part of an instruction.

  

Example: "Type

format a:

 to format the diskette in drive A."

  

l

Filenames

 and 

directory names

 are presented in lowercase bold.

Examples: 

autoexec.bat 

and

 c:\windows

  

l

Syntax lines

 consist of a command and all its possible parameters. Commands are displayed in lowercase bold; variable parameters 

(those for which you substitute a value) are displayed in lowercase italics; constant parameters are displayed in lowercase bold. The 

brackets indicate items that are optional.

Example: 

del

 [

drive

:

] [[

path

]

filename

] [

/p

]

  

l

Command lines

 consist of a command and may include one or more of the command's possible parameters. Command lines are 

presented in the Courier New font. 

Example: 

del c:\myfile.doc

  

l

Screen text

 is text that appears on the screen of your display or external monitor. It can be a system message, for example, or it can be text 

that you are instructed to type as part of a command (referred to as a 

command line)

. Screen text is presented in the Courier New font. 

Example: The following message appears on your screen:

  

No boot device available

l

Variables 

are symbols for which you substitute a value. They are presented in italics.

Example: module

 n

 (where 

n

 represents the memory module number)

  

Back to Contents Page

  

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. 

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates the potential for bodily harm and tells you how to avoid the problem. 

Back to Contents Page

  

Removing and Replacing Parts:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide

Replacing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive

NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer before you remove the hard-disk drive. Do not remove the hard-disk drive if 

the computer is in suspend (or standby) mode or if the drive access indicator is lit. Removing the drive under these conditions will 

lead to loss of data.

NOTICE: Hard-

disk drives are extremely fragile and must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Follow these guidelines: 

  

l

The primary hard-disk drive is installed in a metal carrier to protect the drive and make installation easier. When you remove and 

install hard-disk drives, handle the drive carrier, not the drive itself.

  

l

Never press down on the top of the drive.

  

l

Do not drop the drive. Even a slight jar or bump can damage the drive heads and spinning plates, thus rendering the drive 

inoperable.

  

To replace a primary hard-disk drive, perform the following steps:

  

1.

Save any open files, turn off the computer, and remove any installed batteries.

  

NOTICE: To avoid scratching the top of the computer, make sure that your work surface is clean. You may want to put down a 

protective mat before turning over the computer. 

2.

Remove the old hard-disk drive from the drive bay.

  

Close the display and turn the computer over. Using a #0 (very small) Phillips-

head screwdriver, remove the two screws in the hard

-

disk drive door (see Figure 1). Save the screws for use later in this procedure. 

With the computer still upside-down, press upward on the hard-disk drive door until it feels loose; then grasp the door and pull it and the 

drive straight out from the side of the computer. 

When the hard-disk drive is not in the computer, protect the drive from exposure to static electricity.

Figure 1. Removing a Hard-Disk Drive

  

  

3.

Remove the new hard-disk drive assembly from its packaging.

  

Save the original packaging to use when you store or ship the hard-disk drive.

NOTICE: If the hard-disk drive assembly does not slide in easily, pull it out and try again. To avoid damage, do not force the drive 

assembly into the bay.

  

4.

Install the new hard-disk drive in the computer.

  

Insert the drive, connector first and label facing down, into the drive bay. Holding the drive door up slightly, push the drive all the way into the 

Replacing a Primary Hard-Disk Drive

Installing a Memory Module

 

CAUTION: The primary hard-disk drive may be hot to the touch under extreme environmental conditions. If the drive is hot, 

allow it to cool before you replace it.

bay. Then press down and in on the drive door until it snaps into position, flush with the computer case. 

5.

Replace the screws you removed in step 2. Be careful not to overtighten the screws.

  

If you have installed a new hard-disk drive, follow the directions that came with the drive to partition and logically format the drive and to create an 

S2D partition.

  

Preparing a New Primary Drive

Every primary hard-disk drive must be physically formatted, partitioned, and logically formatted before it can be used to store data. Every primary 

hard-disk drive from Dell is physically formatted before it is sent to you. Use the program(s) provided by your operating system to partition and 

logically format the hard-disk drive.

For more information, see both your operating system and your drive documentation

. 

  Installing Memory Modules

Your system's factory-installed memory can range from 64 megabytes (MB) to a system maximum of 320 MB. Depending on the memory already 

installed, you may be able to increase memory by installing a 32-, 64-, or 128-MB synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) small-

outline dual-inline memory modules (SODIMMs) in the memory upgrade socket. The maximum achievable memory for your system depends on the 

system's original memory configuration.

NOTICE: Dell Latitude CS/CS

x

 portable computers support only SDRAM SODIMMs. Extended-data out (EDO) memory modules are 

not supported. 

To upgrade computer memory, you can install or replace a memory module through the memory module cover on the underside of the 

computer. 

To prepare the computer for the removal or installation of a memory module, perform the following steps.

NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface of a connector on the back of the computer. While you work, 

periodically touch the connector to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

  

1.

Turn off the computer and any attached devices.

  

Do not install memory modules while the computer is in suspend, standby, or suspend-to-disk mode.

2.

If the computer is docked, undock it.

  

3.

Disconnect the computer and peripherals from their electrical outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock.

  

4.

Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

  

5.

Remove the battery from the battery bay. 

  

To remove or install a memory module, perform the following steps.

NOTICE: To avoid scratching the top of the computer, make sure that your work surface is clean. You may want to put down a 

protective mat before turning over the computer. 

1.

Close the display, turn the computer upside down, and remove the memory module cover (see Figure 2). 

Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the memory module cover. When the memory module cover pops up 

slightly, lift it up and remove it to expose the memory socket or installed memory module beneath.

Figure 2. Removing the Memory Module Cover

  

  

2.

If you are replacing a memory module, remove the old one. 

Carefully spread apart the inner metal tabs of the memory module socket just far enough for the memory module to disengage from the 

socket (it should pop up slightly). Then lift the memory module away from the socket (see Figure 3).

 

Figure 3. Removing a Memory Module

  

NOTE:

If necessary, print these instructions for reference before proceeding.

  

3.

Ground yourself and unpack the new memory module from the upgrade kit.

  

4.

Install the new memory module in the socket (see Figure 4). 

Figure 4. Installing a Memory Module

  

Memory modules are

 keyed

, or designed to fit into their sockets in only one direction. The socket is notched so that the memory module can 

be seated only one way as follows:

a.

Align the memory module

’

s edge connector with the slot in the center of the memory module socket.

  

b.

With the module at a 45-degree angle, press the memory module

’

s edge connector firmly into the memory module socket.

  

c.

Pivot the memory module down until it clicks into place.

  

If you do not hear a click as each end of the memory module snaps into the metal tabs, remove the memory module and reinstall it.

  

5.

Replace the memory module cover as follows:

  

a.

Set the memory module cover into the opening, aligning the tabs on one side with the slots in the computer cover.  

b.

Press the cover down and replace the screws you removed in step 1. 

NOTICE: After installation, if the memory module cover does not fit or is difficult to close, you may have installed the memory module 

improperly. Remove the module and reinstall it. Do not force the memory module cover to close because you may damage your 

computer. 

  

6.

Reconnect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets and turn them on.

  

As the computer boots, it detects the presence of additional memory and automatically updates the system configuration information.

7.

In one of the following ways, verify that the 

System Memory

option in the System Setup program reflects the newly installed memory:

  

l

Click the 

Start 

button, point to 

Settings

, click 

Control Panel

, and click the 

System

 icon. The amount of memory installed in the 

computer is displayed in the lower-right corner of the 

General

 tab window. 

l

In the System Setup program, the 

System Memory

 option appears in the lower-right corner of pages 1, 2, and 4.

  

If the system memory total is incorrect, the memory module(s) may not be installed properly. Repeat 

preparatory steps

 1 through 5 and 

removal and installation steps

 1 through 7 until the memory total is correct.

8.

Run the 

System Memory

 test of the 

Dell Diagnostics

 to confirm that all installed memory modules are operating correctly.

  

9.

Use the 

Suspend-to-Disk utility

 to update the S2D partition on your hard-disk drive. The S2D partition stores system data while the computer 

is in S2D mode.

  

Back to Contents Page

  

1

Memory module

2

Metal tabs (2)

Back to Contents Page

 

Suspend-to-Disk Utility:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide  

Suspend-to-Disk Utility 

The Suspend-to-Disk (S2D) utility allows you to manage the S2D partition in your file system as your computing needs change. For instance, you 

can remove the S2D partition if you need the space on the hard-disk drive for other purposes, or you can use the S2D utility to create the partition 

if you have removed it. 

Removing the S2D Partition 

If you want to use the S2D partition on your hard-disk drive for another purpose (for instance, if you are running out of file space), perform the 

following steps to remove the partition:  

1. At an MS-DOS

® 

prompt, type 

cd c:\dell\util

 and press <Enter> to change to the directory on your hard-disk drive that contains the 

S2D utility files.  

If you are using an operating system that is not compatible with MS-DOS, see the 

readme.s2d

 file for instructions. 

2. Type 

rms2d

 and press <Enter>.  

Status messages appear on the display as the removal process progresses. When the S2D partition has been removed, the following 

message appears: 

The S2D partition was successfully removed.

Creating the S2D Partition 

The 

mks2d.exe

 file creates the S2D partition the computer uses to store the system data that is saved when you put the computer in S2D mode. 

Use the 

mks2d.exe

 file to create a new S2D partition in the following cases:  

l

If Dell did not install MS-DOS on your hard-disk drive 

l

If you increase the amount of system memory by adding a memory module 

l

If you used the 

rms2d.exe

 file to remove the original S2D partition and now want to recreate the partition  

l

If your hard-disk drive becomes corrupted 

l

If you install a new hard-disk drive 

l

If you received the system utilities separately on diskette or if you deleted the S2D utility from your hard-disk drive  

To create an S2D partition, perform the following steps. 

1. At an MS-DOS prompt, type 

cd c:\dell\util

 and press <Enter> to change to the directory on your hard-disk drive that contains the 

S2D utility files. 

2. Type 

mks2d

 and press <Enter>.  

As the utility builds the partition, status messages appear on the display. If an error message appears, it provides information about 

which steps to take to continue building the partition. 

When the S2D partition has been built and verified, the following message appears: 

Suspend-to-Disk Utility

Removing the S2D Partition

Creating the S2D Partition

NOTE: After you remove the S2D partition, the computer cannot enter S2D mode until you recreate the partition. If you try to enter S2D 

mode and receive the message 

No Suspend-To-Disk partition available

, you must create an S2D partition.

NOTE: If you are creating the partition on a new hard-disk drive, if Dell did not install MS-DOS on your hard-disk drive, or if you are 

using an operating system that is not compatible with MS-DOS, read the 

readme.s2d

 file before performing the following procedure.

The S2D partition was successfully created.

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

 

Securing Your Computer:  Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide 

About Passwords 

A primary password prevents unauthorized access to the computer at start-up. An administrator password can be used in place of the primary 

password. A hard-disk drive password helps prevent the unauthorized access of data on the hard-disk drive, even when the device is placed into 

another computer. 

NOTICE: The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer or hard-disk drive. However, they are 

not foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption 

programs or PC Cards with encryption features. 

If you forget any of your passwords, 

call Dell

. For your protection, Dell

’

s technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to make sure 

that an unauthorized person is not trying to use the computer. 

Using a Primary Password 

The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access. 

After assigning a primary password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following message appears at the bottom of the 

screen each time you turn on the computer: 

Please type in the primary or administrator password and press <Enter>.

To continue, type your password and press <Enter>. 

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. 

NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled. 

Using an Administrator Password 

The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians in large companies access to computers for repair 

or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers as they are unpacked 

and configured, leaving the primary password free to be assigned by the user. 

When you set an administrator password, the 

Configure Setup

 option becomes available in the System Setup program. The 

Configure Setup

option allows you to restrict access to the System Setup program in the same way a system password restricts access to the system. 

The administrator password can be used in place of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can 

enter the administrator password instead.  

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, 

call Dell

. 

NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled. 

About Passwords

Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password

Using a Primary Password

Physically Securing the Computer

Using an Administrator Password

Asset Tag Utility

NOTES: All three passwords are disabled when you receive your computer. You need to assign those passwords if you require 

password security for your computer. Some companies may assign any or all of these passwords before distributing the computer.  

Use the 

System Setup program

 to assign all passwords.

NOTE: If no password is entered within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous state.

NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the system, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when it is 

protected by a password. 

Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password 

The hard-disk drive password helps protect the data on your hard-disk drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for the 

modular hard-disk drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard-disk drive. 

After assigning a hard-disk drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you resume normal operation from 

suspend mode or standby mode. 

If the hard-disk drive password is enabled, the following message appears at the bottom of the screen each time you turn on the computer: 

Please type in the hard-disk drive password and press <Enter>.

To continue, enter the hard-disk drive password. Press <Esc> to return the computer to its previous state

—

suspend, standby, or off. 

If you enter the wrong password, the following message appears: 

Invalid password 

[Press Enter to retry]

If the correct password is not entered in three attempts, you receive a message stating that the hard-disk drive cannot be found. If the hard-disk 

drive is inaccessible and the 

boot options

 in the System Setup program are set to allow booting from another device, the computer tries to boot 

from another device. If all boot attempts are unsuccessful, the computer prompts you to enter the System Setup program and modify the boot 

options. 

Physically Securing the Computer  

To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, you can use a security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object. Your computer has 

a security cable slot located on the left side of the computer near the back (

see Figure 1

).  

Description of Security Cable Slots 

The security cable slot allows you to attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Antitheft devices for portable computers 

usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and associated key. You can use a security cable on your 

computer when it is undocked and also when it is docked in a Dell Latitude C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (C/Port APR) or a C/Dock 

Family Expansion Station. 

Basic Instructions for Using Security Cable Slots 

To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into either of the security 

cable slots, and lock the device. See Figure 1 for an example of how to secure your computer. Complete instructions for installing this kind of 

antitheft device are usually included with the device. 

Figure 1. Securing the Computer

NOTE: Hard-disk drives that are not purchased from Dell for use with Latitude C-Family computers may not support the hard-disk drive 

password option.

NOTE: If no password is entered within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous state.

NOTES: If the hard-disk drive password, the modular hard-disk drive password, and the primary password are the same, you are 

prompted only for the primary password. If the hard-disk drive password is different from the primary password, you are prompted for 

both. Two different passwords provide greater security.

The administrator password provides access to the system, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when it is protected by a 

password. 

NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure that it will work with the security cable slot 

in your computer.

Asset Tag Utility 

Dell has installed the Asset Tag utility on your computer. The Asset Tag utility allows you to perform the following actions:  

l

View the computer's service tag 

The non-modifiable service tag, which is viewable in the System Setup program, is set by Dell at the factory. It is used to identify your 

computer to Dell for service and warranty purposes.  

l

Set, view, and modify the computer's asset tag 

The asset tag, which can be set by you or your company, is optional and is not required or used by Dell. The asset tag can be used in any 

way desired; typically it is used by a company to differentiate and identify multiple computers that use an internally assigned identifier.  

l

Set, view and modify the computer's owner tag 

The owner tag, which can be set by you or your company, is optional and is not required or used by Dell. It can be used in any way desired. 

Typically, it is used by a company to identify the computer as belonging to the company; it might contain a telephone number that can be 

used to help return a unit to its owner. This tag is displayed on the system log-on screen and on the screens that prompt for the primary and 

hard-disk drive passwords.  

Viewing Existing Asset, Service, and Owner Tags 

To view existing asset, service, and owner tags, perform the following steps: 

1. Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Programs

, and click 

MS-DOS Prompt

.  

2. Type

cd c:\Dell\Util

 and press <Enter>.  

3. Type 

asset

 and press <Enter>.  

Assigning an Asset Tag 

An asset tag can have up to ten characters; any combination of characters is valid except those that begin with a forward slash (/) or a question 

mark (?). Spaces count as characters. To assign or change an asset tag, perform the following steps: 

1.

Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Programs

, and click 

MS-DOS Prompt

.

  

2.

Type 

cd c:\Dell\Util

 and press <Enter>.  

3. Type 

asset

 and a space followed by the new tag, and press <Enter>.  

For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>: 

asset 1234 $AB&C 

4.

When the computer prompts you to verify that you want to change the asset tag, type 

y

 and press <Enter>.  

The computer displays the new or modified asset tag and the service tag.

  

Deleting an Asset Tag 

To delete the asset tag without assigning a new one, perform the following steps: 

1.

Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Programs

, and click 

MS-DOS Prompt

.

  

2.

Type 

cd c:\Dell\Util

 and press <Enter>.

  

3.

Type 

asset /d

 and press <Enter>.

  

Assigning an Owner Tag 

An owner tag can have up to 48 characters, including spaces. Any combination of characters is valid except those that begin with a forward slash 

(/) or a question mark (?). To assign an owner tag, perform the following steps: 

1.

Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Programs

, and click 

MS-DOS Prompt

.

  

2.

Type 

cd c:\Dell\Util

 and press <Enter>.

  

3.

Type 

asset /o

 and a space followed by the new owner tag, and press <Enter>. 

For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>: 

NOTE: For security reasons, you cannot set, change, or delete the asset tag if either the primary or the administrator password is set.

asset /o ABC Company

4.

When the computer prompts you to verify that you want to change the owner tag, type 

y

 and press <Enter>.  

The computer displays the new owner tag.

  

Deleting an Owner Tag 

To delete the owner tag without assigning a new one, perform the following steps: 

1.

Click the 

Start

 button, point to 

Programs

, and click 

MS-DOS Prompt

. 

2.

Type 

cd c:\Dell\Util

 and press <Enter>. 

3.

Type 

asset /o /d

 and press <Enter>.

  

Table 1

 lists the command-line options you can use with the Asset Tag utility. To use one of these options, open an MS-DOS

® 

prompt, type 

asset

 and a space followed by the option, and then press <Enter>.

Table 1. Asset Tag Utility Commands

Back to Contents Page

 

NOTE: For security reasons, you cannot set, change, or delete the owner tag if either the primary or the administrator password is set.

Asset Tag  

Command

Function

asset

Displays the asset, service, and owner tags

asset <

tag

>

Sets a new asset tag

asset /d

Deletes the asset tag 

asset /o 

<tag>

Sets a new owner tag

asset /o /d

Deletes the owner tag

asset /?

Displays the 

Asset Tag

 utility help screen

Back to Contents Page

 

Using the System Setup Program : Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's  Guide

Overview

Each time you turn on your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-

access memory (NVRAM). If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates an error message for each incorrect configuration setting. You can 

use the System Setup program to adjust the configuration settings. 

You can use the System Setup program as follows: 

l

To set or change user-selectable features 

—

 for example, your password or power management features 

l

To verify information about your computer's current configuration, such as the amount of system memory

  

For some setup options, you must reboot the computer before any changes take effect. Changes for other options take effect immediately.

After you set up your computer, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional 

settings. Dell recommends that you write down the information for future reference.

For more information, see "

System Setup Options

."

Entering the System Setup Program

To enter the System Setup program, press <Fn><F1> at any time on the computer keyboard (or press <Scroll Lock><F1> on an external keyboard 

if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled). To open the System Setup program directly to the 

Battery Status

 screen, press <Fn><F3> on the 

computer keyboard (or press <Scroll Lock><F3> on an external keyboard if the 

External Hot Key

 option is enabled).

To exit the System Setup program, press <Esc>. If you change the setting of an option that requires rebooting to take effect, exit the operating 

system 

before

 rebooting. (The 

Help

 text in the upper-right corner of System Setup screens 1, 2, and 4 tells you if the computer must be rebooted.)

For more information, see "

System Setup Options

."

Using the System Setup Program

The System Setup screens display the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your computer. Information on the 

screens is organized in five boxed areas: 

l

Title

The box at the top of all screens lists the page number, system name, and version number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).

l

Options

The box on the left half of screens 1, 2, and 4 lists options that define the installed hardware in your computer and the power conservation 

Overview

Entering the System Setup Program

Using the System Setup Program

NOTE:

If you change an option that is activated by rebooting, the System Setup program displays the setting you selected rather than 

the setting currently in effect. You 

must

 reboot for the new setting to take effect.

NOTES: If the computer uses the Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 operating system, you can also use the Dell Control Center to view and 

change the system configuration. Access the Dell Control Center from the 

Dell Accessories

 folder. 

If the computer uses the Microsoft Windows NT

® 

4.0 or Windows 98 operating system, you must use the System Setup program to view 

and change your system configuration.

NOTE: If the System Setup program is running when the computer enters suspend mode, the computer exits the System Setup 

program and then enters suspend mode.

and security features for your computer.

Fields next to the options contain settings or values. You can change those values that appear white on the screen. Options or values that you 

cannot change (because they are determined or calculated by the computer) appear dimmed or blue, depending on your display.

l

Help

The box on the upper-right half of screens 1, 2, and 4 displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field.

l

Computer data

The box in the lower-right corner of screens 1, 2, and 4 displays information about your computer.

l

Key functions

The line of boxes across the bottom of all screens lists keys and their functions within the System Setup program.

For more information, see "

System Setup Options

."

Back to Contents Page

 

Back to Contents Page

  

System Setup Options: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

  AC

AC

, an option under 

Power Management

, allows you to set different time-outs for the following options when you operate your computer from AC 

power: 

Display Time-out, Disk Time-out, Suspend Time-out, S2D Time-out, Smart CPU Mode

, and 

Brightness

.

  

A change to the 

AC

 option takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Admin Password

Admin Password

 displays the current status of your administrator password and allows you to assign or change this password. Settings for this 

option are:

  

l

Disabled

 (the default) 

—

 Indicates that no administrator password is assigned 

l

Enabled

—

 Indicates that an administrator password is currently assigned

  

The administrator password is designed for use by system administrators and service technicians in corporate environments. If an administrator 

password is assigned, you can use it to access the computer even if you do not know the primary password.

  

NOTICE:

The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not foolproof. If 

your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC 

Cards with encryption features.

  Alarm Resume

Alarm Resume

 directs the computer to resume normal operation when it is in suspend mode and detects an alarm from the real-time clock 

(RTC). Such alarms can be set through various application programs. For the alarms in these programs to work, 

Alarm Resume

 must be set to 

Enabled

.

  

AC

Disk Time-Out

Parallel Mode

Admin Password

Diskette Drive A

Pointing Device

Alarm Resume

Diskette Drive B

Power Management

Asset Tag

Diskette Reconfig

Primary Hard Drive

Audio Mode

Display Close

Primary Password

Battery

Display Time-out

Ring/Event Resume

Battery Status

Docking Ethernet

S2D Time-out

BIOS Version

Docking IRQ

Serial Port

Boot First Device

Docking Status

Service Tag

Boot Second Device

External Hot Key

Smart CPU Mode

Boot Third Device

External Media Bay

Suspend Time-out

 

Boot Speed

Infrared Data Port

System Memory

 

Brightness

Infrared Mode

System Primary

Click Volume

Internal Cache

Time

Configure Setup

Keyboard Click

Universal Connect

Date

Microprocessor

Video Memory

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Enabled

 (the default) 

—

 Resumes normal operation when the computer detects an alarm 

l

Disabled

—

 Keeps the computer in suspend mode even if the computer detects an alarm

  

A change to 

Alarm Resume

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Asset Tag

Asset Tag

 displays the asset tag code if you or your organization assigned one to your computer.

  

For more information, see "

Asset Tag Utility

.

"  

  Audio Mode

Audio Mode

 manages the audio resources of the computer and the external devices you use with it. This option is set to 

Full Duplex

, which 

allows the computer's audio system to play and record sounds simultaneously.

No user-selectable settings are available for this option.

  Battery

Battery

, an option under 

Power Management

, allows you to set different time-outs for the following options when you operate your computer from 

battery power: 

Display Time-out

, 

Disk Time-out

, 

Suspend Time-out

, 

S2D Time-out

, 

Smart CPU Mode

, and 

Brightness

.

  

A change to 

Battery

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Battery Status

Battery Status

 (page 3 of the System Setup screens) is a graphical representation of the approximate amount of charge left in the battery. No 

user-selectable settings are available for this option. If a battery is not installed, the battery gauge illustration indicates 

Battery Status: Not 

Installed

.

  

If you are not in the System Setup program, you can see the battery gauge illustration at any time by pressing <Fn><F3>.

  

  BIOS Version

BIOS Version 

displays the version number and release date of the basic input/output system (BIOS) in your computer. A service technician may 

ask you for this version number if you call Dell for technical assistance.

  

  

  Boot First Device

Boot First device

 determines which disk device your computer uses to find the software needed to start the operating system.

  

The term 

boot

 refers to the computer's start-up procedure. When you turn on the computer, it "bootstraps" itself into an operational state by loading 

into memory a small program, which in turn loads the necessary operating system. 

Boot First device

 tells the computer where to look first for the 

files that it needs to load.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Diskette Drive

 (the default) 

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to boot from a bootable diskette

  

l

Internal HDD

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to boot from the hard-disk drive

  

l

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to boot from a bootable CD

  

l

Ext Media Bay HDD

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the external media bay 

l

PCI Slot NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to boot from a network interface controller (NIC) PC Card 

NOTE: Dell may periodically offer revisions of the BIOS that add features or solve specific problems. Because the BIOS for your 

computer is stored on a reprogrammable flash-memory chip, you can use the Flash BIOS Update program to update your computer's 

BIOS entirely through software.

l

Dock II/Port II NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt first to bootfrom a NIC cardinstalled in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family 

Expansion Station 

l

None

  

For a change to 

Boot First device

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Boot Second Device

If the computer cannot find the software it needs to start the operating system on the drive identified in 

Boot First device

, it will search the device 

named in 

Boot Second device

.

  

Settings for the option are:

  

l

Internal HDD

 (the default) 

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the hard-disk drive 

l

Diskette Drive

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the diskette drive 

l

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a bootable CD 

l

Ext Media Bay HDD

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the second hard-

disk drive installed in the external media bay

l

PCI Slot NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a NIC PC Card 

l

Dock II/Port II NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a NIC cardinstalled in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family 

Expansion Station 

l

None

  

For a change to 

Boot Second device

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Boot Third Device

If the computer cannot find the software it needs to start the operating system on the drive identified in 

Boot Second device

, it will search the 

device named in 

Boot Third device

.

  

Settings for the option are:

  

l

None

 (the default)

  

l

Internal HDD

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the hard-disk drive 

l

Diskette Drive

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the diskette drive 

l

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive

  —

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a bootable CD 

l

Ext Media Bay HDD

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the external media bay 

l

PCI Slot NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a NIC PC Card 

l

Dock II/Port II NIC

—

 Causes your computer to attempt to boot from a NIC cardinstalled in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family 

Expansion Station

  

For a change to 

Boot Third device

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Boot Speed

Boot Speed

 allows you to choose between the computer's processing speed (the default) and 

Compatible

, a slower compatibility speed. The 

compatibility speed varies, depending on the configuration of your computer.

  

When you change the setting of 

Boot Speed

, the System Setup program stores and continues to display the new setting even if you do not reboot 

your computer when you exit the System Setup program. If you start the System Setup program again during your current work session, the 

processing speed displayed for 

Boot Speed

 may not match the actual speed at which your computer is running.

  

For a change to 

Boot Speed

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Brightness

Brightness

 allows you to specify the brightness of the display when the computer is operating on battery power. Use the left- and right-arrow keys 

to change the brightness of the display. When the computer is powered by a battery, the default is 

Minimum

. If the computer is using AC power, 

the default is 

Maximum

.

  

A change to 

Brightness

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Click Volume

Click Volume

 allows you to disable or adjust the volume of the keyboard clicks if 

Keyboard Click

 is enabled. The default is 

Maximum

.

  

A change to 

Click Volume

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Configure Setup

Configure Setup

 allows you to restrict access to the System Setup program in the same way a system password restricts access to the system. 

Only available when you set the administrator password.

  

  Date

Date

 resets the date on the computer's internal calendar.

  

Your computer automatically displays the day of the week corresponding to the settings in the three fields that follow (

month

, 

day-of-the-month

, 

and 

year

).

  

A change to 

Date

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required). However, you must reboot to make the change apparent to the operating 

system.

  

To change the date, press the right-arrow key to increase the number in the highlighted field, or press the left-arrow key to decrease the number. If 

you prefer, you can type numbers in the 

month

 and 

day-of-the-month

 fields.

  

  Disk Time-out

Disk Time-out

 lets you determine how long your hard-disk drive remains idle before the drive motor turns off to conserve battery power.

  

The 

AC

 option is set to 

Disabled

. No user-selectable settings are available for this option. Settings for the

 Battery

 option are:

   

If the computer is powered by a battery, the default is 

3 Minutes

. To increase battery operating time, set 

Disk Time-out

 to a lower number. 

However, if your software requires frequent hard-disk drive accesses, using a higher time-out setting may save battery power and time by 

minimizing the number of times the hard-disk drive must power up.

   

A change to 

Disk Time-out

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

If you are not in the System Setup program, you can turn off the hard-disk drive immediately by pressing <Fn><h>. The drive resumes normal 

operation automatically when it is accessed by the microprocessor.

  

  Diskette Drive A

l

Disabled 

l

15 Seconds 

l

1 Minute 

l

2 Minutes 

l

3 Minutes 

l

4 Minutes

  

l

5 Minutes 

l

10 Minutes 

l

15 Minutes 

l

30 Minutes 

l

1 Hour

  

NOTE: Set 

Disk Time-out

 to 

Disabled

 if using it causes compatibility problems with your software.

Diskette Drive A

 identifies the location of the 3.5-inch diskette drive: 

External Media Bay

, 

Parallel Port

, or 

Not Installed

. No user-selectable 

settings are available for this option.

  

  Diskette Drive B

Diskette Drive B

 identifies the location of a second 3.5-inch diskette drive: 

External Media Bay

,

 Parallel Port

,  or 

Not Installed

. No user-

selectable settings are available for this option.

  

  Diskette Reconfig

Diskette Reconfig

 allows hot plugging of a diskette drive and allows application programs that access the diskette drive to run at their optimum 

speed. Settings are 

At Reboot Only

 and 

Any Time

.

  

When

 Diskette Reconfig

 is set to

 Any Time

 (the default), you do not have to reboot after you install a diskette drive in the external media bay or 

attach a diskette drive to the parallel connector on the back of the computer. However, when this option is set to 

Any Time

, some application 

programs (such as virus scans) that access the diskette drive will run very slowly if no diskette drive is attached to the computer or installed in the 

docking option. When 

Diskette Reconfig

 is set to 

At Reboot Only

, such application programs run at normal speed, but you must reboot after 

installing or attaching a diskette drive.

  

  Display Close

Display Close

 lets you determine whether your computer enters suspend mode when the display is closed or whether only the display is turned 

off.

  

l

Suspend

 (the default)  —

 Allows the computer to enter suspend mode when the display is closed 

l

Active

—

 Turns off the display, but does not put the computer into suspend mode

  

  Display Time-out

Display Time-out

 lets you decide how long the computer operates with no input/output (I/O) activity before turning off the display to conserve 

battery power.

  

Settings for this option in both 

AC

 and 

Battery

 are:

  

The default is 

4 Minutes

. To increase battery operating time, set 

Display Time-out 

to a lower number of minutes.

  

A change to 

Display Time-out

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

If you are not in the System Setup program, you can turn off the display immediately by pressing <Fn><d>. The display resumes normal operation 

automatically when you press a key, move the cursor, or press the power button.

  

  Docking Ethernet

Docking Ethernet

 enables and disables the internal ethernet controller in the Dell Latitude C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) or 

C/Dock Family Expansion Station. A change to this option takes effect when you reboot.

  

  Docking IRQ

l

Disabled 

l

1 Minute 

l

2 Minutes 

l

3 Minutes 

l

4 Minutes 

l

5 Minutes 

l

10 Minutes 

l

15 Minutes 

l

30 Minutes 

l

1 Hour

  

NOTE:

Set 

Display Time-out

 to 

Disabled

 if using it causes compatibility problems with your software.

Docking IRQ

 tells the computer which interrupt request (IRQ) to assign to the docking station or replicator during the boot sequence. If 

Docking 

IRQ

 is set to 

Optimized

, the docking station or replicator is assigned a dedicated IRQ during the boot sequence. Select 

IRQ11

 if a peripheral 

device requires the use of the dedicated IRQ.

  

  Docking Status

Docking Status

 shows whether the computer is attached to a Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station. No user-

selectable settings are available for this option.

  

  External Hot Key

External Hot Key

 lets you use the <Scroll Lock> key on the external keyboard the same way you use the <Fn> key on the computer's keyboard. 

Set this option to 

Scroll Lock

 (the default) if you are using an external keyboard. Set this option to 

Not Installed

 to disable this function on the 

external keyboard.

  

  External Media Bay

External Media Bay 

identifies the type of device

—

Diskette

Drive

, 

CD-ROM

Drive

, 

DVD-ROM Drive

, or 

LS-120 Disk Drive

—

installed in the 

external media bay. If the external media bay does not contain a device or is not attached, this option reads 

Not Installed

. No user-selectable 

settings are available for this option.

  

  Infrared Data Port

Infrared Data Port

 is available only when the computer is docked; otherwise, this option is blue or dimmed. This option allows you to avoid 

resource conflicts by disabling or remapping the address of the infrared port on the Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion 

Station. The 

COM1

, 

COM2

, 

COM3

, and 

COM4

 settings allow you to take advantage of the computer's infrared support.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Disabled

—

 Disables the infrared data port and makes the direct memory access (DMA), IRQ, and I/O resources available for another serial 

device to use

  

l

COM1

—

 Maps the infrared data port to COM1

  

l

COM2

—

 Maps the infrared data port to COM2

  

l

COM3

 (the default) 

—

 Maps the infrared data port to COM3

  

l

COM4

—

 Maps the infrared data port to COM4

  

For a change to 

Infrared Data Port

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Infrared Mode

Infrared Mode 

is visible only when the computer is docked and 

Infrared Data Port

 is enabled. 

Infrared Mode

 manages the infrared resources of 

the computer and the external devices you use with it. This option lets you select 

Fast IR

 (the default) or 

Slow IR

 to use with an infrared device.

For a change to 

Infrared Mode 

to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Internal Cache

Internal Cache

 displays the amount of internal cache your computer has. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.

  

  Keyboard Click

Keyboard Click

 lets you choose whether the computer's keyboard makes audible clicking sounds. 

Click Volume

 must be enabled for 

Keyboard 

Click

 to function. The volume of the simulated key clicks is controlled by the 

Click Volume

 setting.

  

Settings for this option are 

Disabled

 (the default) and 

Enabled

.

  

A change to 

Keyboard Click 

takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Microprocessor

Microprocessor

 displays the type and speed of the microprocessor installed on your computer's system board. No user-selectable settings are 

available for this option.

  

  Parallel Mode

Parallel Mode

 controls whether the computer's integrated parallel port acts as a Personal System/2 (PS/2)-compatible (

Bidirectional

) port, 

Advanced Technology (AT)-compatible (

Normal

) port, or Extended Capabilities Port (

ECP

)-compatible port. The default for 

Parallel Mode

 is 

ECP

.

  

The Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 and Windows 98 operating systems use ECP protocol automatically if it detects an ECP-compatible device.

  

Set this option according to the type of device connected to the parallel port. To determine the correct mode to use, see the documentation that 

came with the device.

   

Setting 

Parallel Mode

 to 

Disabled

 disables the parallel port and its assigned LPT address, freeing its interrupt for another device to use.

  

For a change in 

Parallel Mode 

to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Pointing Device

Pointing Device

 enables and disables the computer's touch pad.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Touch Pad-PS/2 Mouse

 (the default)

  

l

Serial Mouse

—

 Disables the touch pad and allows you to use a mouse connected to the serial connector on the I/O port

  

If you want to use a serial mouse, you must first set the 

Pointing Device

 option to

 Serial Mouse

.

  

For a change in 

Pointing Device

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Power Management

Power Management

 (Page 4 of the System Setup screens) allows you to enable or disable power conservation features when the computer is 

being powered by a battery or AC power.

  

If you want to use any of the time-out options while using battery power, set 

Battery

 to 

Enabled

. If you want to use the time-out options while using 

AC power, set 

AC

 to 

Enabled

.

  

A change to 

Power Management

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Primary Hard Drive

Primary Hard Drive

 displays the capacity of your computer's hard-disk drive. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.

  

  Primary Password

Primary Password

 displays the current status of the primary password and allows you to assign or change this password.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Disabled

 (the default) 

—

 Indicates that no primary password is assigned 

l

Enabled

—

 Indicates that a primary password is currently assigned

  

NOTE: The 

ECP

 setting also works for most software written for the AT and PS/2 modes. Devices that use 

ECP

 mode may come with 

special drivers that need to be installed in order to use these modes.

If you assign a primary password, the computer prompts you for the password each time you boot the computer.

  

NOTICE:

The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not foolproof. If 

your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC 

Cards with encryption features.

  Ring/Event Resume

Ring/Event Resume

 lets you determine if the computer exits suspend mode when an installed modem PC Card receives an incoming call. This 

feature must be supported by your modem PC Card and your operating system.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Enabled

 (the default) 

—

 Resumes normal operation when the computer detects a modem ring

  

l

Disabled

—

 Keeps the computer in suspend mode when the computer detects a modem ring

  

A change to 

Ring/Event Resume 

takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  S2D Time-out

S2D Time-out

 lets you determine how long your computer remains idle (no I/O activity) before activating suspend-to-disk (S2D) mode to conserve 

battery power.

  

S2D Time-out

 settings for the 

AC

 and 

Battery

 options are:

  

A change to 

S2D Time-out

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

If you are not in the System Setup program and your computer is running in Advanced Power Management (APM) mode, you can activate S2D

mode at any time by pressing <Fn><a>. Press the power button to resume operation from S2D mode.

  

  Serial Port

Serial Port

 allows you to disable or remap the address of the serial port on the Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion 

Station. When the computer is undocked, this option is blue or dimmed and has no user-selectable settings.

Settings for this option are:

  

l

COM1

 (the default) 

—

 Maps the serial port to COM1 

l

COM2

—

 Maps the serial port to COM2 

l

COM3

—

 Maps the serial port to COM3 

l

COM4

—

 Maps the serial port to COM4 

l

Disabled

—

 Disables the serial port and its assigned COM address, freeing that interrupt for another device to use

  

NOTES: Dell recommends that you set 

Ring/Event Resume

 to 

Disabled

 when an external serial device, 

other than a modem

, is 

connected to your computer.

For 

Ring/Event Resume

 to work properly, this feature must be enabled in the device driver for your modem PC Card. All drivers 

supplied by Dell with your computer are configured to allow the computer to resume normal operation when a modem receives an 

incoming call. If you use a PC Card that you did not receive from Dell, check the card's documentation to make sure that this feature is 

set to 

Enabled

.

l

Disabled

l

30 Minutes 

l

1 Hour 

l

2 Hours

l

3 Hours

  

l

4 Hours

l

6 Hours

l

8 Hours (default)

l

12 Hours

  

For a change to 

Serial Port

 to take effect, you must reboot your computer.

  

  Service Tag

Service Tag

 displays the computer's alphanumeric service code, which was programmed into NVRAM by Dell during the manufacturing process. 

Be prepared to supply this identification during technical assistance or service calls. The service tag is also accessed by certain Dell support 

software, including diagnostics. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.

   

  Smart CPU Mode

Smart CPU Mode

 allows the computer to slow down the microprocessor automatically if it is not being actively used.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Enabled

 (the default) 

—

 Allows the computer to slow down the microprocessor when it is inactive

l

Disabled

  —

 Keeps the microprocessor running at its normal operating speed regardless of microprocessor inactivity

  

When 

Smart CPU Mode

 is set to 

Enabled

 and the microprocessor is inactive, the computer slows the microprocessor to save power.

   

A change to 

Smart CPU Mode

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

  Suspend Time-out

Suspend Time-out

 lets you determine how long your computer remains idle before activating suspend mode to conserve battery power.

  

Suspend Time-out

 settings for both 

AC

 and 

Battery

 options are:

  

To increase battery operating time, set 

Suspend Time-out

 to a lower number of minutes.

  

A change to 

Suspend Time-out

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).

  

If you are not in the System Setup program, you can activate suspend mode at any time by pressing <Fn><Esc>. The computer resumes normal 

operation automatically when you press the power button.

  

  System Memory

System Memory

 displays the total amount of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) installed in your computer. No user-

selectable settings are available for this option. The amount of memory displayed changes if you install or remove a memory module.

  

NOTE: Convert the service tag number into an express service code when prompted to do so the first time you turn on the computer (or 

use the program in the 

Dell Accessories

 folder). Keep the code handy in case you call Dell for technical assistance. The code helps 

Dell's automated support telephone system direct your call more efficiently.

NOTES: Some communications software may not work properly when 

Smart CPU Mode

 is enabled. Dell recommends that you set 

Smart CPU Mode

 to 

Disabled

 if you are using communications software.

Interactive application programs should function well when 

Smart CPU Mode

 is set to 

Enabled

. (Examples of interactive programs 

include spreadsheet, text editor, graphics design, entertainment, educational, and utility programs.) If your computer runs slowly while 

performing such tasks as recalculating large spreadsheets, redrawing screens, or testing the microprocessor, set 

Smart CPU Mode

 to 

Disabled

.

l

Disabled

  

l

1 Minute

  

l

2 Minutes

  

l

3 Minutes

  

l

4 Minutes

  

l

5 Minutes

  

l

10 Minutes (default)

  

l

15 Minutes

  

l

30 Minutes

  

l

1 Hour

  

NOTE: Set 

Suspend Time-out

 to 

Disabled

 if using it causes compatibility problems with your software.

  System Primary

System Primary

 displays the current status of the primary hard-disk drive password and allows you to assign or change this password.

  

Settings for this option are:

  

l

Disabled

 (the default) 

—

 Indicates that no primary hard-disk drive password is assigned 

l

Enabled

—

 Indicates that a primary hard-disk drive password is currently assigned

  

NOTICE:

The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not foolproof. If 

your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC 

Cards with encryption features.

  Time

Time

 resets the time on the computer's internal clock. Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes:seconds).

  

A change to 

Time

 takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required). However, you must reboot to make the change apparent to the operating 

system.

  

  Universal Connect

The 

Universal Connect

 option functions with the Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR and/or C/Dock Family Expansion Station if the computer uses 

Windows 95 or Windows 98.

  

Set this option to 

Enabled

 (the default) if you often use more than one C/Port APR and/or C/Dock Expansion Station and want to minimize the 

initialization time when you connect an APR or expansion station to the computer. With 

Universal Connect

 set to 

Enabled

, the system creates 

only one profile for each docking station family. If this option is set to 

Disabled

, an APR or expansion station is reinitialized each time it is 

connected to the computer, and a different docking profile is created each time. 

  Video Memory

Video Memory

 displays the amount of video memory installed on the system board. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.

  

Back to Contents Page

  

NOTE:

If a network server controls the time reflected by the 

Time

 option, changing this option has no effect.

Back to Contents Page

 

Technical Specifications: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CS x  Portable Computers User's Guide

Chip Set and Bus

Keyboard

PC Cards

Battery

Memory

AC Adapter

Connectors

Physical

Audio

Environmental (Computer)

Video

Touch Pad

Display

Chip Set and Bus

Microprocessor

Intel

® 

Mobile Pentium

® 

II for the Latitude CS;  

Intel Mobile Pentium III for the Latitude CS

x

System chip set

Intel Mobile 440 BX PCIset

Microprocessor data bus width

64 bits

DRAM bus width

64 bits

Address bus width

32 bits

Flash EPROM

4 Mbits

AGP bus

66 MHz

PCI bus

33 MHz

PC Cards

CardBus controller

Texas Instruments PCI 1225 CardBus controller

PC Card slots

two (supports type I and type II cards in any combination; type III cards can be used 

only in the lower slot; the upper slot supports ZV cards on computers running the 

Microsoft

® 

Windows

® 

95 or Windows 98 operating system)

Cards supported

3.3-V and 5-V

PC Card connector size

68 pins

Data width (maximum):

PCMCIA

16 bits

CardBus

32 bits

Memory

Architecture

SDRAM 

Memory module sockets

two (one is customer-accessible for performing memory upgrades)

Memory module capacities and type

32-, 64-, 128, and 192-MB 3.3-V SDRAM

1

 modules (the 192-MB module cannot be 

installed in the memory upgrade socket)

Standard RAM

one 64-MB memory module

Maximum RAM

320 MB 

Memory clock speed

66 MHz

Memory access time

CL2 or CL3 (Note: CL3 indicates a CAS latency of 3 clocks)

BIOS address

F000:0000-F000:FFFF