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Dell Latitude D530: Notes, Notices, and Cautions

Notes, Notices, and Cautions: Dell Latitude D530

Finding Information

NOTE: Some features or media may be optional and may not ship with your

computer. Some features or media may not be available in certain countries.

NOTE: Additional information may ship with your computer.

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• A diagnostic program for my computer

Drivers and Utilities Media

• Drivers for my computer

Documentation and drivers are already

installed on your computer. You can use

• Notebook System Software (NSS)

the Drivers and Utilities media to reinstall

drivers (see "Reinstalling Drivers and

Utilities" on page 128) or to run the Dell

Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on

page 103).

Readme files may be included on your

media to provide last-minute updates

about technical changes to your computer

or advanced technical-reference material

for technicians or experienced users.

NOTE: Drivers and documentation updates

can be found at support.dell.com.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media may

be optional and may not ship with your

computer.

Finding Information 13

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to set up my computer

Quick Reference Guide

• Basic troubleshooting information

NOTE: This document may be optional and

may not ship with your computer.

• How to run the Dell Diagnostics

NOTE: This document is available as a PDF

at support.dell.com.

•Warranty information

Dell™ Product Information Guide

• Terms and Conditions (U.S. only)

•Safety instructions

•Regulatory information

• Ergonomics information

• End User License Agreement

• Specifications

Dell Latitude User’s Guide

• How to configure system settings

Microsoft

Windows

XP and Windows

Vista

Help and Support Center

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

Click

Start

→

Help and Support

→

Dell

User and System Guides

→

System

Guides

Click the

User’s Guide

for your

computer.

14 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows

License Label

• Microsoft Windows Product Key

NOTE: Your computer’s Service Tag and

Microsoft Windows license labels are

located on your computer.

Your computer’s Service Tag contains

both a Service Tag number and an Express

Service Code.

• Use the Service Tag to identify your

computer when you use

support.dell.com

or contact support.

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct

your call when contacting support.

• Use the product key on the license label

if you need to reinstall your operating

system.

NOTE: As an increased security measure,

the newly designed Microsoft Windows

license label incorporates a missing portion

or hole to discourage removal of the label.

Finding Information 15

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

tips, articles from technicians, online

NOTE: Select your region or business

courses, and frequently asked questions

segment to view the appropriate support

• Community — Online discussion with

site.

other Dell customers

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for

components, such as the memory, hard

drive, and operating system

• Customer Care — Contact information,

service call and order status, and

warranty and repair information

• Service and support — Service call

status and support history, service

contract, and online discussions with

technical support

• Dell Technical Update Service —

Proactive e-mail notification of software

and hardware updates for your computer

• Reference — Computer documentation,

details on my computer configuration,

product specifications, and white papers

• Downloads — Certified drivers, patches,

and software updates

• Notebook System Software (NSS)— If

To download Notebook System Software:

you reinstall the operating system for

Go to

support.dell.com

and click

your computer, you should also reinstall

Drivers & Downloads

the NSS utility. NSS automatically

Enter your Service Tag or Product Type

detects your computer and operating

and Product Model, and click

system and installs the updates

Scroll to

System and Configuration

appropriate for your configuration,

Utilities

→

Dell Notebook System

providing critical updates for your

Software

and click

Download Now

operating system and support for

Select

Drivers & Downloads

and click

processors, optical drives, USB devices,

and so on. NSS is necessary for correct

operation of your Dell computer.

NOTE: The support.dell.com user interface

may vary depending on your selections.

16 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Software upgrades and troubleshooting

Dell Support Utility

hints — Frequently asked questions, hot

The Dell Support Utility is an automated

topics, and general health of your

upgrade and notification system installed

computing environment

on your computer. This support provides

real-time health scans of your computing

environment, software updates, and

relevant self-support information. Access

the Dell Support Utility from the

icon in the taskbar. For more information,

see "Dell Support Utility

" on page 107

• How to find information about my

Windows Welcome Center

computer and its components

The Windows Welcome Center

• How to connect to the Internet

automatically appears when you use the

computer for the first time. You can

• How to add user accounts for different

choose to have it appear every time you

people

start your computer by placing a check in

• How to transfer files and settings from

the Run at startup checkbox. Another

another computer

method of accessing the Welcome Center

is to click the Windows Vista Start button

, and then click Welcome Center

Finding Information 17

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to use Microsoft Windows XP

Windows Help and Support

• How to use Microsoft Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows XP:

Click the

Start

button and click

Help

• How to work with programs and files

and Support

• How to personalize my desktop

Either select one of the topics listed, or

type a word or phrase that describes your

problem into the

box, click the

arrow icon, and then click the topic that

describes your problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Microsoft Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista Start button

, and then click

Help and Support

Search Help

, type a word or phrase

that describes your problem, and then

press <Enter> or click the magnifying

glass.

Click the topic that describes your

problem.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

• Information on network activity, the

Dell QuickSet Help

Power Management Wizard, hotkeys,

To view

Dell QuickSet Help

right-click the

and other items controlled by Dell

QuickSet icon in the Microsoft Windows

QuickSet.

taskbar, and select Help. The taskbar is

located in the lower-right corner of your

screen.

18 Finding Information

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System Media

NOTE: The Operating System media may be

optional and may not ship with your

computer.

The operating system is already installed

on your computer. To reinstall your

operating system, use the Operating

System media (see "Restoring Your

Operating System" on page 131).

After you reinstall your operating system,

use the Drivers and Utilities media to

reinstall drivers for the devices that came

with your computer.

Your operating system product key label is

located on your computer (see "Service

Tag and Microsoft Windows License

Label" on page 15).

NOTE: The color of your operating system

media varies according to the operating

system you ordered.

Finding Information 19

20 Finding Information

About Your Computer

Front View

About Your Computer 21

1 display 2 device status lights

3 keyboard 4 touch pad

5 display latch 6 speaker

7 touch pad buttons 8 keyboard status lights

9 power button

DISPLAY — For more information about your display, see "Using the Display" on

page 53.

DEVICE STATUS LIGHTS

Turns on when you turn on the computer and blinks when the computer is

in a power management mode.

Turns on when the computer reads or writes data.

NOTICE: To avoid loss of data, never turn off the computer while the

light is flashing.

Turns on steadily or blinks to indicate battery charge status.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the light operates as follows:

22 About Your Computer

– Solid green: The battery is charging.

– Flashing green: The battery is almost fully charged.

– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or external power is not available to charge

the battery).

If the computer is running on a battery, the light operates as follows:

– Off: The battery is adequately charged (or the computer is turned off).

– Flashing orange: The battery charge is low.

– Solid orange: The battery charge is critically low.

KEYBOARD — The keyboard includes a numeric keypad as well as the Windows logo

key. For information on supported keyboard shortcuts, see "Using the Keyboard" on

page 47.

TOUCH PAD — Provides the functionality of a mouse (see "Touch Pad" on page 51).

DISPLAY LATCH — Keeps the display closed.

SPEAKER — To adjust the volume of the integrated speaker, press the volume control

buttons, mute button, or volume-control keyboard shortcuts (see "Key Combinations"

on page 48").

TOUCH PAD BUTTONS — Use these buttons much like the buttons on a mouse when

you use the touch pad to move the cursor on the display (see "Touch Pad" on page 51).

About Your Computer 23

KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS

The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:

Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled.

Turns on when wireless devices are enabled.

Turns on when the uppercase letter function is enabled.

24 About Your Computer

Turns on when Bluetooth

wireless technology is

enabled. To enable or disable Bluetooth

wireless

technology or other wireless devices, press

<Fn><F2>.

NOTE: Bluetooth wireless technology is an optional

feature on your computer, so the icon turns on only if

Bluetooth wireless technology is installed on your

computer.

For more information, see the documentation that came

with your Bluetooth wireless technology.

Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled.

POWER BUTTON — Press the power button to turn on the computer or exit a power

management mode (see "Power Management Modes" on page 43).

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn off your computer by performing a Microsoft

Windows

operating system shutdown rather than by pressing the power button.

If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer

turns off completely (which may take several seconds).

Left Side View

352 41 6

1 security cable slot 2 IEEE 1394 Connector

3 PC Card/ExpressCard slot 4 infrared sensor

5 audio connectors (2) 6 hard drive

SECURITY CABLE SLOT — Lets you attach a commercially available antitheft device

About Your Computer 25

to the computer (see "Security Cable Lock" on page 93).

IEEE 1394 C

ONNECTOR — Connects devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed

transfer rates, such as some digital video cameras.

PC C

ARD/EXPRESSCARD SLOT — Supports one PC Card, such as a modem or

network adapter, or an ExpressCard (with a PCMCIA adapter). The computer ships

with a blank installed in the slot to prevent foreign matter from entering the computer

interior when a card is not installed (see "Card Types" on page 89).

INFRARED SENSOR — Lets you transfer files from your computer to another infrared-

compatible device without using cable connections. When you receive your computer,

the sensor is disabled. You can use the system setup program (see "System Setup

Program" on page 123) to enable the sensor. For information on transferring data, see

Windows Help, the Help and Support Center, or the documentation that came with

your infrared-compatible device.

AUDIO CONNECTORS

Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.

Attach a microphone to the connector.

HARD

DRIVE — Stores software and data.

26 About Your Computer

Right Side View

1 23

1 media bay 2 device latch release

3 USB connectors (2)

MEDIA BAY — You can install devices such as an optical drive, second battery, or a

Dell TravelLite™ module in the media bay.

DEVICE LATCH RELEASE — Press the latch release to eject any device installed in the

media bay.

USB

CONNECTORS

Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or

printer.

Back View

8123 4 5 6 7

About Your Computer 27

1 USB connectors (2) 2 modem connector (RJ-11)

3 network connector (RJ-45) 4 S-video TV-out connector

5 serial connector 6 video connector

7 AC adapter connector 8 air vents

USB CONNECTORS

Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or

printer.

MODEM CONNECTOR (RJ-11)

If you ordered the optional internal modem, connect the

telephone line to the modem connector.

For information on using the modem, see the online

modem documentation supplied with your computer (see

"Finding Information" on page 13).

NETWORK CONNECTOR (RJ-45)

NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To

avoid damaging the computer, do not plug a telephone line into the network

connector.

Connects the computer to a network. The two lights next

to the connector indicate status and activity for wired

network connections.

For information on using the network adapter, see the

device user’s guide supplied with your computer.

28 About Your Computer

S-VIDEO TV-OUT CONNECTOR

Connects your computer to a TV. For more information,

see "Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device"

on page 62.

SERIAL

CONNECTOR

Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device.

VIDEO

CONNECTOR

Connects video devices, such as a monitor.

AC ADAPTER CONNECTOR

Connects an AC adapter to the computer.

About Your Computer 29

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.

CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However,

power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible

cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet

may cause fire or equipment damage.

NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the

connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the

cable.

AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents,

which prevents the computer from overheating.

CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air

vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed

briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or

cause a fire.

NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is

normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.

30 About Your Computer

Bottom View

1 memory

2 battery-bay latch release

module/modem/WLAN

Mini-Card/coin-cell battery

cover

3 battery charge

4 battery

gauge/health gauge

5 docking-device connector 6 air vents

7 hard drive

MEMORY MODULE/MODEM/WLAN MINI-CARD/COIN-CELL BATTERY COVER —

Covers the compartment that contains one memory module, the modem, the WLAN

Mini-Card, and the coin-cell battery.

About Your Computer 31

BATTERY-BAY LATCH RELEASE — Release the battery.

BATTERY CHARGE GAUGE/ HEALTH GAUGE — Provides information on the battery

charge (see "Checking the Battery Charge" on page 40).

BATTERY — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without

connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see "Using a Battery" on page 39).

DOCKING-DEVICE CONNECTOR — Lets you attach your computer to a docking device.

See the Dell documentation that came with your docking device for more

information.

NOTICE: Your computer features Undock & Go™ technology that allows you to

undock your computer without going into standby mode. Because the computer

may not automatically go into standby mode when it is undocked, be sure the

settings in the Power Options control panel do not prohibit the computer from going

into standby mode. If you change the Power Options control panel to prohibit the

computer from going into standby mode, you greatly increase the chances of

causing your battery to wear down quickly or causing your computer to overheat.

AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the fan air

vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.

NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is

normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.

CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air

vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed

briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or

cause a fire.

HARD DRIVE — Stores software and data.

32 About Your Computer

Setting Up Your Computer

Transferring Information to a New Computer

You can use your operating system wizards to help you transfer files and other

data from one computer to another—for example, from an old computer to a

new computer. For instructions, see the following section that corresponds to

the operating system that your computer is running.

Microsoft

Windows

The Microsoft

Windows XP operating system provides the Files and Settings

Transfer Wizard to move data from a source computer to a new computer.

You can transfer data, such as:

• E-mail messages

• Toolbar settings

•Window sizes

• Internet bookmarks

You can transfer the data to the new computer over a network or serial

connection, or you can store it on removable media, such as a writable CD,

for transfer to the new computer.

NOTE: You can transfer information from an old computer to a new computer by

directly connecting a serial cable to the input/output (I/O) ports of the two

computers. To transfer data over a serial connection, you must access the Network

Connections utility from the Control Panel and perform additional configuration

steps, such as setting up an advanced connection and designating the host

computer and the guest computer.

For instructions on setting up a direct cable connection between two computers,

see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #305621, titled How to Set Up a Direct Cable

Connection Between Two Computers in Windows XP. This information may not be

available in certain countries.

Setting Up Your Computer 33

For transferring information to a new computer, you must run the Files and

Settings Transfer Wizard. You can use the optional Operating System media

for this process or you can create a wizard disk with the Files and Settings

Transfer Wizard.

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media

NOTE: This procedure requires the Operating System media. This media is optional

and may not be included with certain computers.

To prepare a new computer for the file transfer:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

→

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

When the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

welcome screen appears,

click

On the

Which computer is this?

screen, click

New Computer

→

On the

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

screen, click

I will use the wizard

from the Windows XP CD

→

When the

Now go to your old computer

screen appears, go to your old or

source computer. Do

not

click

at this time.

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the Windows XP

Operating System

media.

On the

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

screen, click

Perform

additional tasks

Under

What do you want to do?

, click

Transfer files and settings

→

On the

Which computer is this?

screen, click

Old Computer

→

On the

Select a transfer method

screen, click the transfer method you

prefer.

On the

What do you want to transfer?

screen, select the items you want to

transfer and click

After the information has been copied, the

Completing the Collection

Phase

screen appears.

Click

Finish

To transfer data to the new computer:

34 Setting Up Your Computer

On the

Now go to your old computer

screen on the new computer, click

On the

Where are the files and settings?

screen, select the method you

chose for transferring your settings and files and click

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your

new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

screen

appears.

Click

Finished

and restart the new computer.

Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System

Media

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard without the Operating System

media, you must create a wizard disk that will allow you to create a backup

image file to removable media.

To create a wizard disk, use your new computer with Windows XP and

perform the following steps:

Open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

→

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

When the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

welcome screen appears,

click

On the

Which computer is this?

screen, click

New Computer

→

On the

Do you have a Windows XP CD?

screen, click

I want to create a

Wizard Disk in the following drive

→

Next.

Insert the removable media, such as a writable CD, and click

When the disk creation completes and the

Now go to your old

computer

message appears,

do not

click

Go to the old computer.

To copy data from the old computer:

On the old computer, insert the wizard disk.

Click

Start

→

Run

In the

Open

field on the

Run

window, browse to the path for

fastwiz

(on

the appropriate removable media) and click

Setting Up Your Computer 35

On the

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

welcome screen, click

On the

Which computer is this?

screen, click

Old Computer

→

On the

Select a transfer method

screen, click the transfer method you

prefer.

On the

What do you want to transfer?

screen, select the items you want to

transfer and click

After the information has been copied, the

Completing the Collection

Phase

screen appears.

Click

Finish

To transfer data to the new computer:

On the

Now go to your old computer

screen on the new computer, click

On the

Where are the files and settings?

screen, select the method you

chose for transferring your settings and files and click

. Follow the

instructions on the screen.

The wizard reads the collected files and settings and applies them to your

new computer.

When all of the settings and files have been applied, the

Finished

screen

appears.

Click

Finished

and restart the new computer.

NOTE: For more information about this procedure, search support.dell.com for

document #154781 (What Are The Different Methods To Transfer Files From My Old

Computer To My New Dell™ Computer Using the Microsoft

Windows

Operating System?).

NOTE: Access to the Dell™ Knowledge Base document may not be available in

certain countries.

Microsoft Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and then click

Transfer files

and settings

→

Start Windows Easy Transfer.

In the

User Account Control

dialog box, click

Continue

Click

Start a new transfer

Continue a transfer in progress

36 Setting Up Your Computer

Follow the instructions provided on the screen by the Windows Easy Transfer

wizard.

Turning Off Your Computer

NOTICE: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open

programs before you turn off your computer.

Shut down the operating system:

Save and close all open files and exit all open programs.

In the Microsoft

Windows

XP operating system

, click

Start

→

Shut

Down

→

Shut down

In the Microsoft Windows Vista

operating system,

click the Windows

Vista Start button , click the arrow in the lower-right corner of the

Start menu as shown below, and then click

Shut Down

The computer turns off after the operating system shutdown process

is complete.

Ensure that the computer and all attached devices are turned off. If your

computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you

shut down your operating system, press and hold the power button for

about 4 seconds to turn them off.

Setting Up Your Computer 37

38 Setting Up Your Computer

Using a Battery

Battery Performance

NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product

Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your

computer.

For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings,

operate your Dell™ portable computer with the main battery installed at all

times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.

NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to

connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the

computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the

battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, check the Power Meter in

Power Options (see "Accessing Power Options Properties" on page 44).

Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions.

Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can

install an optional second battery in the media bay to significantly increase

operating time.

NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases

over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under

which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your

computer.

NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet

when writing to a CD or DVD.

Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations

including, but not limited to, the following:

•Using optical drives.

• Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, Express Cards, media

memory cards, or USB devices.

• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-

intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications.

Using a Battery 39

• Running the computer in maximum performance mode. See "Configuring

Power Management Settings" on page 44 for information about accessing

Windows Power Options Properties or Dell QuickSet, which you can use

to configure power management settings.

You can check the battery charge before you insert the battery into the

computer. You can also set power management options to alert you when the

battery charge is low.

CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or

explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from

Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell computer. Do not use a battery

from other computers with your computer.

CAUTION: Do not dispose of batteries with household waste. When your battery

no longer holds a charge, call your local waste disposal or environmental agency

for advice on disposing of a lithium-ion battery. See "Battery Disposal" in the

Product Information Guide

CAUTION: Misuse of the battery may increase the risk of fire or chemical burn.

Do not puncture, incinerate, disassemble, or expose the battery to temperatures

above 65°C (149°F). Keep the battery away from children. Handle damaged or

leaking batteries with extreme care. Damaged batteries may leak and cause

personal injury or equipment damage.

Checking the Battery Charge

The Dell QuickSet Battery Meter, the Microsoft Windows Power Meter

window and battery meter icon ( or ), the battery charge gauge and

health gauge, and the low-battery warning provide information on the battery

charge.

Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter

If Dell QuickSet is installed, press <Fn><F3> to display the QuickSet

Battery Meter. The Battery Meter displays status, battery health, charge level,

and charge completion time for the battery in your computer.

For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon in the

taskbar, and click Help.

40 Using a Battery

Microsoft

Windows

Power Meter

The Windows Power Meter indicates the remaining battery charge. To check

the Power Meter, double-click the battery meter icon ( or ) on the

taskbar.

If the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, a icon appears.

Charge Gauge

By either pressing once or pressing and holding the status button on the

charge gauge on the battery, you can check:

• Battery charge (check by pressing and

releasing

the status button)

• Battery health (check by pressing and

holding

the status button)

The battery operating time is largely determined by the number of times it is

charged. After hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, batteries lose some

charge capacity—or battery health. That is, a battery can show a status of

charged but maintain a reduced charge capacity (health).

Check the Battery Charge

To check the battery charge, press and release the status button on the battery

charge gauge to illuminate the charge-level lights. Each light represents

approximately 20 percent of the total battery charge. For example, if the

battery has 80 percent of its charge remaining, four of the lights are on. If no

lights appear, the battery has no charge.

Check the Battery Health

NOTE: You can check battery health in one of two ways: by using the charge gauge

on the battery as described below and by using the Battery Meter in Dell QuickSet.

For information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar, and click Help.

To check the battery health using the charge gauge, press and hold the status

button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds. If no lights appear,

the battery is in good condition, and more than 80 percent of its original

charge capacity remains. Each light represents incremental degradation. If

five lights appear, less than 60 percent of the charge capacity remains, and you

should consider replacing the battery. See "Battery" on page 155 for more

information about the battery operating time.

Using a Battery 41

Low-Battery Warning

NOTICE: To avoid losing or corrupting data, save your work immediately after a

low-battery warning. Then connect the computer to an electrical outlet, or install a

second battery in the media bay. If the battery runs completely out of power,

hibernate mode begins automatically.

A pop-up window warns you when the battery charge is approximately 90

percent depleted. If two batteries are installed, the low-battery warning

means that the combined charge of both batteries is approximately 90

percent depleted. The computer enters hibernate mode when the battery

charge is at a critically low level.

You can change the settings for the battery alarms in QuickSet or the Power

Options Properties window. See "Configuring Power Management Settings"

on page 44 for information about accessing QuickSet or the Power Options

Properties window.

Conserving Battery Power

Perform the following actions to conserve battery power:

• Connect the computer to an electrical outlet when possible because

battery life is largely determined by the number of times the battery is

used and recharged.

• Place the computer in standby mode or hibernate mode when you leave

the computer unattended for long periods of time. See "Power

Management Modes" on page 43.

• Use the Power Management Wizard or the

Power Options Properties

window to select options to optimize your computer’s power usage. These

options can also be set to change when you press the power button, close

the display, or press <Fn><Esc>.

NOTE: See "Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 44 for information

on conserving battery power.

42 Using a Battery

Power Management Modes

Standby and Sleep Mode

Standby mode (sleep mode in Microsoft Windows Vista

) conserves power

by turning off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined period of

inactivity (a time-out). When the computer exits standby or sleep mode, it

returns to the same operating state it was in before entering standby or sleep

mode.

NOTICE: If your computer loses AC and battery power while in standby or sleep

mode, it may lose data.

To enter standby mode in Windows XP, click the Start button, click Tu rn o ff

computer, and then click Stand by.

To enter sleep mode in Windows Vista, click the Windows Vista Start button

, and then click Sleep.

Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power

Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, you

may also use one of the following methods:

• Press the power button.

• Close the display.

• Press <Fn><Esc>.

To exit standby or sleep mode, press the power button or open the display,

depending on how you set the power management options. You cannot make

the computer exit standby or sleep mode by pressing a key or touching the

touch pad.

Hibernate Mode

Hibernate mode conserves power by copying system data to a reserved area on

the hard drive and then completely turning off the computer. When the

computer exits hibernate mode, it returns to the same operating state it was

in before entering hibernate mode.

NOTICE: You cannot remove devices or undock your computer while your

computer is in hibernate mode.

Your computer enters hibernate mode if the battery charge level becomes

critically low.

Using a Battery 43

To manually enter hibernate mode in Windows XP, click the Start button,

click Turn of f comput er, press and hold <Shift>, and then click Hibernate.

To manually enter hibernate mode in Windows Vista, click the Windows

Vista Start button , and then click Hibernate.

Depending on how you set the power management options in the Power

Options Properties window or the QuickSet Power Management Wizard, you

may also use one of the following methods to enter hibernate mode:

• Press the power button.

• Close the display.

• Press <Fn><Esc>.

NOTE: Some PC Cards or Express Cards may not operate correctly after the

computer exits hibernate mode. Remove and reinsert the card, or simply restart

(reboot) your computer.

To exit hibernate mode, press the power button. The computer may take a

short time to exit hibernate mode. You cannot make the computer exit

hibernate mode by pressing a key or touching the touch pad. For more

information on hibernate mode, see the documentation that came with your

operating system.

Configuring Power Management Settings

You can use the QuickSet Power Management Wizard or Windows Power

Options Properties to configure the power management settings on your

computer. For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet

icon in the taskbar and click Help.

Accessing Power Options Properties

Windows XP

Click the Start button, point to Control Panel→ Performance and

Maintenance, and then click Power Options

Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button , click Control Panel, click System

and Maintenance, and then click Power Options.

44 Using a Battery

Charging the Battery

When you connect the computer to an electrical outlet or install a battery

while the computer is connected to an electrical outlet, the computer checks

the battery charge and temperature. If necessary, the AC adapter then charges

the battery and maintains the battery charge.

NOTE: With Dell™ ExpressCharge™, when the computer is turned off, the AC

adapter charges a completely discharged battery to 80 percent in about 1 hour and

to 100 percent in approximately 2 hours. Charge time is longer with the computer

turned on. You can leave the battery in the computer for as long as you like. The

battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.

If the battery is hot from being used in your computer or being in a hot

environment, the battery may not charge when you connect the computer to

an electrical outlet.

The battery is too hot to start charging if the light flashes alternately

green and orange. Disconnect the computer from the electrical outlet and

allow the computer and the battery to cool to room temperature. Then

connect the computer to an electrical outlet to continue charging the battery.

For information about resolving problems with a battery, see "Power

Problems" on page 116.

Replacing the Battery

CAUTION: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or

explosion. Replace the battery only with a compatible battery purchased from

Dell. The battery is designed to work with your Dell™ computer. Do not use a

battery from other computers with your computer.

CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, turn off the computer, disconnect

the AC adapter from the electrical outlet and the computer, disconnect the modem

from the wall connector and computer, and remove any other external cables from

the computer.

NOTICE: You must remove all external cables from the computer to avoid possible

connector damage.

For information about replacing the second battery, which is located in the

media bay, see the Service Manual for your system on support.dell.com.

To remove the battery:

Using a Battery 45

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See

the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

Ensure that the computer is turned off.

Slide the battery-bay latch release on the bottom of the computer, and

then remove the battery from the bay.

To replace the battery, follow the removal procedure in reverse order and press

down until the battery-bay latch release fully engages.

Storing a Battery

Remove the battery when you store your computer for an extended period of

time. A battery discharges during prolonged storage. After a long storage

period, recharge the battery fully (see "Charging the Battery" on page 45)

before you use it.

46 Using a Battery

Using the Keyboard

Numeric Keypad

numeric keypad

The numeric keypad functions like the numeric keypad on an external

keyboard. Each key on the keypad has multiple functions. The keypad

numbers and symbols are marked in blue on the right of the keypad keys. To

type a number or symbol, hold down <Fn> and press the desired key.

• To enable the keypad, press <Num Lk>. The light indicates that the

keypad is active.

• To disable the keypad, press <Num Lk> again.

Using the Keyboard 47

Key Combinations

System Functions

<Ctrl><Shift><Esc> Opens the Task Manager window.

Battery

<Fn><F3> Displays the Dell™ QuickSet Battery

Meter (see "Dell™ QuickSet" on

page 139).

CD or DVD Tray

<Fn><F10> Ejects the tray out of the drive (if Dell

QuickSet is installed; see "Dell™

QuickSet" on page 139).

Display Functions

<Fn><F8> Switches the video image to the next

display option. The options include the

integrated display, an external monitor,

and both displays simultaneously.

<Fn> and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated

display only (not on an external monitor).

<Fn> and down-arrow key Decreases brightness on the integrated

display only (not on an external monitor).

Wireless Networking and Bluetooth

Wireless Technology Function

<Fn><F2> Enables and disables wireless networking

and Bluetooth wireless technology.

48 Using the Keyboard

Power Management

<Fn><Esc> Activates a power management mode.

You can reprogram this keyboard shortcut

to activate a different power management

mode using the Advanced tab in the

Power Options Properties window.

<Fn><F1> Puts the computer into hibernate mode.

Dell QuickSet is required.

Speaker Functions

<Fn><Page Up> Increases the volume of the integrated

speakers and external speakers, if

attached.

<Fn><Page Dn> Decreases the volume of the integrated

speakers and external speakers, if

attached.

<Fn><End> Enables and disables the integrated

speakers and external speakers, if

attached.

Microsoft

Windows

XP Logo Key Functions

Windows logo key and <m> Minimizes all open windows

Windows logo key and <Shift><m> Restores all minimized windows. This key

combination functions as a toggle to

restore minimized windows following the

use of the Windows logo key and <m>

key combination.

Windows logo key and <e> Runs Windows Explorer.

Windows logo key and <r> Opens the Run dialog box.

Windows logo key and <f> Opens the Search Results dialog box.

Windows logo key and <Ctrl><f> Opens the Search Results-Computer

dialog box (if the computer is connected

to a network).

Windows logo key and <Pause> Opens the System Properties dialog box.

Using the Keyboard 49

Microsoft

Windows Vista

Logo Key Functions

Windows logo key and <TAB> Cycle through programs on the Windows

Notification area by using Windows Flip 3-D (only

if using the Aero™ interface).

Ctrl+Windows logo key and

Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on

<TAB>

the Windows Notification area by using Windows

Flip 3-D (only if using the Aero interface).

Windows logo key and

Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows

Sidebar (if using Windows Sidebar).

Windows logo key and <g> Cycles through Windows Sidebar gadgets (if using

Windows Sidebar).

Windows logo key and <u> Opens the Ease of Access Center.

Windows logo key and <x> Opens the Windows Mobility Center.

Windows logo key and any

Opens the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the

number key

position that corresponds to the number. For

example, use the Windows logo key and <1> to

launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch

menu.

Windows logo key and <m> Minimizes all open windows.

Windows logo key and

Restores all minimized windows. This key

combination functions as a toggle to restore

minimized windows following the use of the

Windows logo key and <m> key combination.

Windows logo key and <e> Runs Windows Explorer.

Windows logo key and <r> Opens the Run dialog box.

Windows logo key and <f> Opens the Search Results dialog box.

Windows logo key and

Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box (if

the Tablet-PC is connected to a network).

Windows logo key and

Opens the System Properties dialog box.

50 Using the Keyboard

To adjust keyboard operation, such as the character repeat rate, open the

Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and click Keyboard. For

information about the Control Panel, see Windows Help and Support. To

access Help and Support, see "Windows Help and Support" on page 18.

Touch Pad

The touch pad detects the pressure and movement of your finger to allow you

to move the cursor on the display. Use the touch pad and touch pad buttons

as you would use a mouse.

1 touch pad 2 touch pad buttons

• To move the cursor, lightly slide your finger over the touch pad.

• To select an object, lightly tap once on the surface of the touch pad or use

your thumb to press the left touch-pad button.

Using the Keyboard 51

• To select and move (or drag) an object, position the cursor on the object

and tap twice on the touch pad. On the second tap, leave your finger on

the touch pad and move the selected object by sliding your finger over the

surface.

• To double-click an object, position the cursor on the object and tap twice

on the touch pad or use your thumb to press the left touch-pad button

twice.

Customizing the Touch Pad

You can use the Mouse Properties window to disable the touch pad or adjust

its settings.

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Printers and Other Hardware

→

Mouse

See the Windows Help and Support for information about the Control

Panel,. To access Windows Help and Support, see "Windows Help and

Support" on page 18.

In the

Mouse Properties

window:

•Click the

Device Select

tab to disable the touch pad and track stick.

•Click the

Touch Pad

tab to adjust touch pad and track stick settings.

Click

to save the settings and close the window.

52 Using the Keyboard

Using the Display

Adjusting Brightness

When a Dell™ computer is running on battery power, you can conserve power

by setting the display brightness to the lowest comfortable setting by pressing

<Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key on the keyboard.

NOTE: Brightness key combinations only affect the display on your portable

computer, not monitors or projectors that you attach to your portable computer or

docking device. If your computer is connected to an external monitor and you try to

change the brightness level, the Brightness Meter may appear, but the brightness

level on the external device does not change.

You can press the following keys to adjust display brightness:

• Press <Fn> and the up-arrow key to increase brightness on the integrated

display only (not on an external monitor).

• Press <Fn> and the down-arrow key to decrease brightness on the

integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

Using a Projector

When you start the computer with an external device (such as an external

monitor or projector) attached and turned on, the image may appear on

either the computer display or the external device.

Press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image between the display only, the

external device only, or the display and the external device simultaneously.

Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper

NOTE: If you change the display resolution from the current settings, the image

may appear blurry or text may be hard to read if you change the resolution to one

not supported by your computer and display. Before you change any of the display

settings, make a note of the current settings so you can change back to the

previous settings if you need to.

Using the Display 53

You can enhance the legibility of text and change the appearance of images

on the screen by adjusting display resolution. As you increase resolution,

items appear smaller on the screen. In contrast, lower resolution causes text

and images to appear larger and can benefit people with vision impairments.

To display a program at a specific resolution, both the video card and the

display must support the program, and the necessary video drivers must be

installed.

NOTE: Use only the Dell-installed video drivers, which are designed to offer the

best performance with your Dell-installed operating system.

If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display

supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values.

To set the display resolution and refresh rate for your display, perform the

steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your

computer is using.

Microsoft

Windows

Click

Start

→

Settings

→

Control Panel

Under

Pick a category

, click

Appearance and Themes

Under

Pick a task...

, click the area you want to change, or under

or pick a

Control Panel icon

, click

Display

In the

Display Properties

window, click the

Settings

tab.

Try different settings for

Color quality

and

Screen resolution

NOTE: As the resolution increases, icons and text appear smaller on the screen.

Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

Control Panel

Under

Appearance and Personalization

, click

Adjust screen resolution

In the

Display Settings

window, under

Resolution

, slide the slide bar to

the left/right to decrease/increase the screen resolution.

Click

How do I get the best display?

for further instructions.

If the video resolution setting is higher than that supported by the display, the

computer enters pan mode. In pan mode, the entire video image cannot be

displayed at one time, and the taskbar that usually appears at the bottom of

54 Using the Display

the desktop may no longer be visible. To view the parts of the video image

that are not visible, you can use the touch pad or track stick to pan (or move)

the image up, down, left, and right.

NOTICE: You can damage an external monitor by using an unsupported refresh

rate. Before adjusting the refresh rate on an external monitor, see the user’s guide

for the monitor.

Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display

You can attach an external monitor or projector to your computer and use it

as an extension of your display (known as dual independent display or extended

desktop mode). This mode allows you to use both screens independently and

drag objects from one screen to the other, effectively doubling the amount of

viewable work space.

To use extended desktop mode, perform the steps in the following section

that corresponds to the operating system your computer is using.

Microsoft

Windows

Connect the external monitor, TV, or projector to the computer.

Click

Start

→

Settings

→

Control Panel

Under

Pick a category

, click

Appearance and Themes

Under

Pick a task...

, click the area you want to change, or under

or pick a

Control Panel icon

, click

Display

In the

Display Properties

window, click the

Settings

tab.

NOTE: If you choose a resolution or color palette that is higher than the display

supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest supported values. For

more information, see your operating system documentation.

Click the monitor 2 icon, click the

Extend my Windows desktop...

check

box, and then click

Apply

Change

Screen Area

to the appropriate sizes for both displays and click

Apply

If prompted to restart the computer, click

Apply the new color setting

without restarting

and click

If prompted, click

to resize your desktop.

Using the Display 55

If prompted, click

Yes

to keep the settings.

Click

to close the

Display Properties

window.

To disable dual independent display mode:

Click the

Settings

tab in the

Display Properties

window.

Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the

Extend my Windows desktop onto

this monitor

option, and then click

Apply

If necessary, press <Fn><F8> to bring the screen image back to the

computer display.

Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

Control Panel

Under

Appearance and Personalization

, click

Adjust screen resolution

In the

Display Settings

window, click the monitor 2 icon, click the

Extend

the desktop onto this monitor

check box, and then click

Apply

Click

to close the

Display Settings

window.

To disable extended desktop mode:

In the

Display Settings

window, click the

Settings

tab.

Click the monitor 2 icon, uncheck the

Extend the desktop onto this

monitor

option, and then click

Apply

Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display

To swap your primary and secondary display designations (for example, to use

your external monitor as your primary display after docking), perform the

steps in the following section that corresponds to the operating system your

computer is using.

Microsoft

Windows

Click the

Start

button and click

Control Panel

Under

Pick a category

, click

Appearance and Themes

Under

Pick a task...

, click the area you want to change, or under

or pick a

Control Panel icon

, click

Display

Click the

Settings

tab

→

Advanced

→

Displays

tab.

56 Using the Display

See the documentation that came with your video card for additional

information.

Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button , and click

Control Panel

Under

Appearance and Personalization

, click

Adjust screen resolution

In the

Display Settings

window, click the monitor 2 icon, click the

This is

my main monitor

check box, and then click

Apply

Click

to close the

Display Settings

window.

Using the Display 57

58 Using the Display

Using Multimedia

Playing CDs or DVDs

NOTICE: Do not press down on the CD/DVD tray when you open or close it. Keep

the tray closed when you are not using the drive.

NOTICE: Do not move the computer while playing CDs or DVDs.

Press the eject button on the front of the drive.

Pull out the tray.

Place the disc, label side up, in the center of the tray and snap the disc

onto the spindle.

Using Multimedia 59

NOTE: If you use a module that shipped with another computer, you need to install

the drivers and software necessary to play DVDs or write data. For more

information, see the Drivers and Utilities media (the Drivers and Utilities media is

optional and may not be available for your computer or in certain countries).

Push the tray back into the drive.

To format CDs for storing data, to create music CDs, or to copy CDs, see the

CD software that came with your computer.

NOTE: Ensure that you follow all copyright laws when you create CDs.

A CD player includes the following basic buttons:

Play.

Move backward within the current track.

Pause.

Move forward within the current track.

Stop.

Go to the previous track.

Eject.

Go to the next track.

A DVD player includes the following basic buttons:

Stop.

Restart the current chapter.

Play.

Fast forward.

Pause.

Fast reverse.

Advance a single frame while in pause mode.

Go to the next title or chapter.

Continuously play the current title or chapter.

Go to the previous title or chapter.

60 Using Multimedia

Eject.

For more information on playing CDs or DVDs, click Help on the CD or

DVD player (if available).

Adjusting the Volume

NOTE: When the speakers are muted, you do not hear the CD or DVD playing.

Open the

Volume Control

window.

Click and drag the bar in the

Volume Control

column and slide it up or

down to increase or decrease the volume.

For more information on volume control options, click Help in the Volume

Control window.

The Volume Meter displays the current volume level, including mute, on your

computer. Either click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and select or deselect

Disable On Screen Volume Meter, or press the volume control buttons to

enable or disable the Volume Meter on the screen.

1 volume icon 2 Volume Meter

3 mute icon

When the meter is enabled, adjust the volume with the volume control

buttons or by pressing the following keys:

• Press <Fn> <PageUp> to increase volume.

• Press <Fn> <PageDn> to decrease volume.

Using Multimedia 61

• Press <Fn> <End> to mute volume.

For more information about QuickSet, right-click the icon in the taskbar and

click Help.

Adjusting the Picture

If an error message notifies you that the current resolution and color depth

are using too much memory and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display

properties.

Microsoft Windows XP

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Appearance and Themes

Under

Pick a task...

, click

Change the screen resolution

Under

Screen resolution

, click and drag the bar to reduce the resolution

setting.

In the drop-down menu under

Color quality

, click

Medium (16 bit)

and

click

Microsoft Windows Vista

Operating System

Click the Windows Vista Start button

click

Control Panel

, and then

click

Appearance and Personalization

Under

Personalization

, click

Adjust Screen Resolution

The

Display Properties

window appears.

Under

Resolution:

click and drag the bar reduce the resolution setting.

In the drop-down menu under

Colors:

, click

Medium (16 bit)

Click

Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio

Device

NOTE: Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio

device may not be included with your computer. Cables and TV/digital audio

adapter cables are available for purchase from Dell.

62 Using Multimedia

Your computer has an S-video TV-out connector that, together with a

standard S-video cable, a composite video adapter cable, or a component

video adapter cable (available from Dell), enable you to connect the

computer to a TV.

Your TV has either an S-video input connector, a composite video-input

connector, or a component video-input connector. Depending on what type

of connector is available on your TV, you can use a commercially available

S-video cable, composite video cable, or component video cable to connect

your computer to your TV.

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 S-video connector

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 composite video adapter

3 S/PDIF digital audio

4 composite video-output

connector

5 S-video connector

Using Multimedia 63

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 component video adapter

3 S/PDIF digital audio

4 Pr (red) component video-

connector

output connector

5 Pb (blue) component video-

6 Y (green) component video-

output connector

If you want to connect your computer to a TV or audio device, it is

recommended that you connect video and audio cables to your computer in

one of the following combinations.

• S-video and standard audio

• Composite video and standard audio

• Component-out video and standard audio

NOTE: See the diagrams at the beginning of each subsection to help you determine

which method of connection you should use.

When you finish connecting the video and audio cables between your

computer and your TV, you must enable your computer to work with the TV.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV. Additionally, if you are

using S/PDIF digital audio, see "Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio" on page 76.

64 Using Multimedia

S-Video and Standard Audio

1 audio connector 2 S-video TV-out connector

1 standard S-video cable 2 standard audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to

connect.

NOTE: If your TV or audio device supports S-video but not S/PDIF digital audio, you

can connect an S-video cable directly to the S-video TV-out connector on the

computer (without the TV/digital audio adapter cable).

Plug one end of the S-video cable into the S-video output connector on

the computer.

Plug the other end of the S-video cable into the S-video input connector

on your TV.

Using Multimedia 65

Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone

connector on your computer.

Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the

audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device.

Turn on the TV and any audio device that you connected (if applicable),

and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1 2

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 composite video adapter

66 Using Multimedia

1 composite video adapter 2 S-video cable

3 S/PDIF digital audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or the audio device that you want

to connect.

Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on

your computer.

Plug one end of the S-video cable into the S-video output connector on

the composite video adapter.

1 composite video adapter 2 S-video cable

Plug the other end of the S-video cable into the S-video input connector

on the TV.

Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the digital audio

connector on the composite video adapter cable.

Using Multimedia 67

1 2

1 composite video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable

Plug the other end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the audio input

connector on your TV or audio device.

Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if

applicable), and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Composite Video and Standard Audio

1 audio input connector 2 S-video TV-out connector

3 composite video adapter

68 Using Multimedia

1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable

3 standard audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to

connect.

Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on

your computer.

Plug one end of the composite video cable into the composite video-

output connector on the composite video adapter.

1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable

Plug the other end of the composite video cable into the composite video-

input connector on the TV.

Using Multimedia 69

Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone

connector on the computer.

Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable in to the

audio input connectors on your TV or other audio device.

Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if

applicable), and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1 2

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 composite video adapter

70 Using Multimedia

1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable

3 standard audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to

connect.

Connect the composite video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on

the computer.

Plug one end of the composite video cable into the composite video-input

connector on the composite video adapter.

1 composite video adapter 2 composite video cable

Plug the other end of the composite video cable into the composite video-

input connector on the TV.

Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable in to the S/PDIF audio

connector on the composite video adapter.

Using Multimedia 71

1 2

1 composite video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable

Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S/PDIF input

connector on your TV or other audio device.

Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if

applicable), and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Component Video and Standard Audio

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 component video adapter

72 Using Multimedia

1 component video adapter 2 component video cable

3 standard audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to

connect.

Connect the component video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on

your computer.

Plug all three ends of the component video cable into the component

video-output connectors on the component video adapter. Make sure that

the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the corresponding

adapter ports.

Using Multimedia 73

1 component video adapter 2 component video cable

Plug all three connectors from the other end of the component video cable

into the component video-input connectors on the TV. Make sure that the

red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the colors of the TV input

connectors.

Plug the single-connector end of the audio cable into the headphone

connector on the computer.

Plug the two RCA connectors on the other end of the audio cable into the

audio input connectors on your TV or audio device.

Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if

applicable), and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio

1 2

1 S-video TV-out connector 2 component video adapter

74 Using Multimedia

1 component video adapter 2 component video cable

3 standard audio cable

Turn off the computer and the TV and/or audio device that you want to

connect.

Connect the component video adapter to the S-video TV-out connector on

the computer.

Plug all three ends of the component video cable into the component

video-output connectors on the component video adapter. Make sure that

the red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the corresponding

adapter ports.

Using Multimedia 75

1 component video adapter 2 component video-output

connectors

3 component video cable

Plug all three connectors from the other end of the component video cable

into the component video-input connectors on the TV. Make sure that the

red, green, and blue colors of the cable match the colors of the TV input

connectors.

Plug one end of the S/PDIF digital audio cable into the S/PDIF audio

connector on the component video adapter.

1 component video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable

Plug the other end of the digital audio cable into the S/PDIF input

connector on your TV or other audio device.

Turn on the TV, turn on any audio device that you connected (if

applicable), and then turn on the computer.

See "Enabling the Display Settings for a TV" on page 78 to ensure that the

computer recognizes and works properly with the TV.

Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio

If your computer has a DVD drive, you can enable digital audio for DVD

playback.

Launch the

Cyberlink PowerDVD

application.

Insert a DVD into the DVD drive.

If the DVD begins playing, click the stop button.

Click the

Settings

option.

76 Using Multimedia

Click the

DVD

option.

Click the

DVD Audio Setting

icon.

Click the arrows beside the

Speaker Configuration

setting to scroll

through the options, and select the

SPDIF

option.

Click the

Back

button once, and then click the

Back

button again to

return to the main menu screen.

Enabling S/PDIF in the Windows Audio Driver

Double-click the speaker icon in the Windows notification area.

Click the

Options

menu and then click

Advanced Controls

Click

Advanced

Click

S/PDIF Interface

Click

Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones

NOTE: The CL headphone feature is available only if your computer has a DVD

drive.

If your computer has a DVD drive, you can enable digital audio for DVD

playback.

Launch the

Cyberlink PowerDVD

program.

Insert a DVD into the DVD drive.

If the DVD begins playing, click the stop button.

Click the

Settings

option.

Click the

DVD

option.

Click the

DVD Audio Setting

icon.

Click the arrows beside the

Speaker Configuration

setting to scroll

through the options, and select the

Headphones

option.

Click the arrows beside the

Audio listening mode

setting to scroll through

the options, and select the

CL Headphone

option.

Click the arrows beside the

Dynamic range compression

option to select

the most suitable option.

Using Multimedia 77

Click the

Back

button once, and then click the

Back

button again to

return to the main menu screen.

Enabling the Display Settings for a TV

NOTE: To ensure that the display options appear correctly, connect the TV to the

computer before you enable the display settings.

Microsoft Windows XP

Click the

Start

button, point to

Settings

, and then click

Control Panel

Double-click

Display

and click the

Settings

tab.

Click

Advanced

Click the tab for your video card.

NOTE: To determine the type of video card installed in your computer, see the

Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center, click

Start

→ Help and Support. Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer

information and diagnose problems. Then, under My Computer Information, select

Hardware.

In the display devices section, select the appropriate option for using

either a single display or multiple displays, ensuring that the display

settings are correct for your selection.

Microsoft Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista Start button

click

Control Panel

, and then

click

Appearance and Personalization

Under

Personalization

, click

Adjust Screen Resolution

The

Display Properties

window appears.

Click

Advanced

Click the tab for your video card.

NOTE: To determine the type of video card installed in your computer, see the

Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support Center in

Windows Vista, click the Windows Vista Start button

→

Help and Support.

Under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose

problems. Then, under My Computer Information, select Hardware.

In the display devices section, select the appropriate option for using

either a single display or multiple displays, ensuring that the display

settings are correct for your selection.

78 Using Multimedia

Setting Up and Using Networks

Setting up a computer network provides connectivity between your computer

and the Internet, another computer, or a network. For example, with a

network set up in a home or small office you can print to a shared printer,

access drives and files on another computer, browse other networks, or access

the Internet. You can set up a local area network (LAN) using a network or

broadband modem cable or set up a wireless LAN (WLAN).

The Microsoft Windows

XP and Microsoft Windows Vista

operating

systems provide wizards to help guide you through the process of networking

computers. For more information about Networking, see Windows Help and

Support (see "Windows Help and Support" on page 18).

Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem

Cable

Before you connect your computer to a network, the computer must have a

network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it.

Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the back

of your computer.

NOTE: Insert the cable connector until it clicks into place, and then gently

pull the cable to ensure that it is securely attached.

Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection

device or a network wall connector.

NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector.

Setting Up and Using Networks 79

Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft

Windows

XP Operating System

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

Communications

→

Network

Setup Wizard

→

Checklist for creating a network

NOTE: Selecting the connection method labeled This computer connects

directly to the Internet enables the integrated firewall provided with Windows

XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Complete the checklist.

Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions in the

wizard.

Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows

Vista

Operating System

Click the Windows Vista Start button

and then click

Connect To

→

Set up a connection or network

Select an option under

Choose a connection option

Click

, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with

each other over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected

to each computer. In a WLAN, a radio communications device called an

access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides

Internet, or network, access. The access point or wireless router and the

wireless network card in the computer communicate by broadcasting data

from their antennas over the air waves.

What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection

Before you can set up a WLAN, you need:

• High-speed (broadband) Internet access (such as cable or DSL)

• A broadband modem that is connected and working

• A wireless router or access point

80 Setting Up and Using Networks

• A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to

your WLAN

• A network cable with a network (RJ-45) connector

Checking Your Wireless Network Card

Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the

computer has a variety of configurations. To confirm that your computer has

a wireless network card and to determine the type of card, use one of the

following:

•The

Start

button and the

Connect To

option

• The order confirmation for your computer

Start Button and Connect To Option

In Microsoft Windows XP, click Start→ Connect To→ Show all connections.

NOTE: If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option, click Start

→

Settings

→

Network Connections to view your network connections.

In Microsoft Windows Vista, click → Connect To→ View network

computers and devices.

If Wireless Network Connection does not appear under LAN or High-Speed

Internet, you may not have a wireless network card.

If Wireless Network Connection appears, you have a wireless network card. To

view detailed information about the wireless network card:

Right-click

Wireless Network Connection

Click

Properties

The

Wireless Network Connection Properties

window appears. The

wireless network card’s name and model number are listed on the

General

tab.

NOTE: If Wireless Network Connection does not appear, you may not have a

wireless network card.

The Order Confirmation for Your Computer

The order confirmation that you received when you ordered your computer

lists the hardware and software that shipped with your computer.

Setting Up and Using Networks 81

Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband

Modem

Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to obtain specific information

about the connection requirements for your broadband modem.

Ensure that you have wired Internet access through your broadband

modem before you attempt to set up a wireless Internet connection (see

"Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable" on page 79).

Install any software required for your wireless router. Your wireless router

may have been shipped with an installation CD. Installation CDs usually

contain installation and troubleshooting information. Install the required

software according to the instructions provided by the router

manufacturer.

Shut down your computer and any other wireless-enabled computers in

the vicinity through the

Start

or menu.

Disconnect your broadband modem power cable from the electrical outlet.

Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem.

Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that

there is no power connected to the router.

NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband

modem before you continue with the network setup.

Insert a network cable into the network (RJ-45) connector on the

unpowered broadband modem.

Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network (RJ-

45) connector on the unpowered wireless router.

Ensure that no network or USB cables, other than the network cable

connecting the modem and the wireless router, are connected to the

broadband modem.

NOTE: Restart your wireless equipment in the order described below to prevent a

potential connection failure.

Turn o n

only

your broadband modem and wait for at least 2 minutes for

the broadband modem to stabilize. After 2 minutes, proceed to step 12.

Turn on your wireless router and wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless

router to stabilize. After 2 minutes, proceed to the step 13.

82 Setting Up and Using Networks

Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes.

See the documentation that came with your wireless router to do the

following in order to set up the wireless router:

• Establish communication between your computer and your wireless

router.

• Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband

router.

• Find out your wireless router’s broadcast name. The technical term for

the name of your router’s broadcast name is Service Set Identifier

(SSID) or network name.

If necessary, configure your wireless network card to connect to the wireless

network (see "Connecting to a WLAN" on page 83).

Connecting to a WLAN

NOTE: Before you connect to a WLAN, ensure that you have followed the

instructions in "Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)" on page 80.

NOTE: The following networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with

Bluetooth

wireless technology or cellular products.

This section provides general procedures for connecting to a network using

wireless technology. Specific network names and configuration details vary.

See "Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)" on page 80 for more information

about how to prepare for connecting your computer to a WLAN.

Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers for

connecting to a network. The software is already installed.

NOTE: If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions in the user

documentation for your wireless network card. Verify the type of wireless network

card installed in your computer and then search for that name on the Dell™ Support

website at support.dell.com. For information on the type of wireless network card

that is installed in your computer, see "Checking Your Wireless Network Card" on

page 81.

Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager

Depending on the software installed on your computer, different wireless

configuration utilities may manage your network devices:

• Your wireless network card’s client utility

Setting Up and Using Networks 83

• The Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system

To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless

network card in Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

Settings

→

Control Panel

→

Network Connections

Right-click the

Wireless Network Connection

icon, and then click

View

Available Wireless Networks

If the Choose a wireless network window states Windows cannot configure

this connection, the wireless network card’s client utility is managing the

wireless network card.

If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list

below to connect to a wireless network in range or to get more information,

the Windows XP operating system is managing the wireless network card.

To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless

network card in Windows Vista:

Click

→

Connect To→ Manage wireless networks.

Double-click a profile to open the wireless network properties screen.

For specific information about the wireless configuration utility installed on

your computer, see your wireless network documentation in Windows Help

and Support (see "Windows Help and Support" on page 18).

Completing the Connection to the WLAN

When you turn on your computer and a network (for which your computer is

not configured) is detected in the area, a pop-up appears near the network

icon in the notification area (in the lower-right corner of the Windows

desktop).

Follow the instructions provided in any utility prompts that appear on your

screen.

Once you have configured your computer for the wireless network that you

selected, another pop-up notifies you that your computer is connected to that

network.

Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer within the range of the

wireless network that you selected, the same pop-up notifies you of the

wireless network connection.

84 Setting Up and Using Networks

NOTE: If you select a secure network, you must enter a WEP or WPA key when

prompted. Network security settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot

provide this information.

NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network.

Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card

NOTE: If you are unable to connect to a wireless network, ensure that you have all

the components for establishing a WLAN (see "What You Need to Establish a WLAN

Connection" on page 80), and then verify that your wireless network card is enabled

by pressing <Fn><F2>.

You can turn your computer’s wireless networking function on and off by

pressing the <Fn><F2> key combination.

Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet

The wireless activity indicator provides you with an easy way to monitor the

status of your computer’s wireless devices. To turn the wireless activity

indicator on or off, click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and select Hotkey

Popups. If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is not checked, the indicator is on.

If Wireless Activity Indicator Off is checked, the indicator is off.

The wireless activity indicator displays whether your computer’s integrated

wireless devices are enabled or disabled. When you turn the wireless

networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator changes to

display the status.

For more information about the Dell QuickSet wireless activity indicator,

right-click the QuickSet icon in the taskbar and select Help.

Mobile Broadband/Wireless Wide Area Network

(WWAN)

A Mobile Broadband network, also known as a Wireless Wide Area Network

(WWAN), is a high-speed digital cellular network that provides Internet

access over a much wider geographical area than a WLAN, which typically

covers only from 100 to 1000 feet. Your computer can maintain Mobile

Broadband network access as long as the computer is within a cellular-data

coverage zone. Contact your service provider for coverage of a high-speed

digital cellular network.

Setting Up and Using Networks 85

NOTE: Even if you are able to make a call from your cellular phone in a specific

geographical location, that location may not necessarily be within a cellular-data

coverage zone.

What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection

NOTE: Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband

ExpressCard or Mini-Card, but not both, to establish a Mobile Broadband network

connection.

To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need:

• A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card (depending on your

computer’s configuration)

NOTE: For instructions on using ExpressCards, see "Using Cards" on page 89.

• An activated Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or activated Subscriber

Identity Module (SIM) for your service provider

• The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility (already installed on your

computer if you purchased the card when you purchased your computer, or

on the CD that accompanied your card if purchased separately from your

computer)

If the utility is corrupted or deleted from your computer, see the Dell

Mobile Broadband Card Utility user’s guide for instructions. The user’s

guide is available through Windows Help and Support (see "Windows

Help and Support" on page 18) or on the CD that accompanied your card

if you purchased it separately from your computer.

Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card

Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the

computer has a variety of configurations. To determine your computer

configuration, see one of the following:

• Your order confirmation

• Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center

To check your Mobile Broadband card in the Windows Help and Support

Center:

Click

Start

→

Help and Support

→

Use Tools to view your computer

information and diagnose problems

86 Setting Up and Using Networks

Under

Tools

, click

My Computer Information

→

Find information about

the hardware installed on this computer.

On the My Computer Information - Hardware screen, you can view the type

of Mobile Broadband card installed in your computer as well as other

hardware components.

NOTE: The Mobile Broadband card is listed under Modems.

Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network

NOTE: These instructions only apply to Mobile Broadband ExpressCards or Mini-

Cards. They do not apply to internal cards with wireless technology.

NOTE: Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate Mobile Broadband

service through your cellular service provider. For instructions and for additional

information about using the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility, see the user's guide

available through Windows Help and Support (see "Windows Help and Support" on

page 18). The user's guide is also available on the Dell Support website at

support.dell.com and on the CD included with your Mobile Broadband card if you

purchased the card separately from your computer.

Use the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility to establish and manage a

Mobile Broadband network connection to the Internet:

Click the

Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility icon

on the Windows

desktop, to run the utility.

Click

Connect

NOTE: The Connect button changes to the Disconnect button.

Follow the instructions on the screen to manage the network connection

with the utility.

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Dell Wireless

Click

Dell Wireless Broadband

and follow the instructions on the screen.

Microsoft

Windows

Firewall

Windows Firewall provides basic protection from unauthorized access to your

computer while it is connected to the Internet. Windows Firewall is

automatically enabled when you run the Network Setup Wizard.

Setting Up and Using Networks 87

When Windows Firewall is enabled for a network connection, the firewall

icon appears with a red background in the Network Connections section of

the Control Panel.

NOTE: Enabling Windows Firewall does not reduce the need for virus-checking

software.

For more information, click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Security

→

Windows

Firewall

, or see "Windows Help and Support" on page 18

88 Setting Up and Using Networks

Using Cards

Card Types

See "Specifications" on page 151 for information on supported PC Cards.

1 32

1 54-mm ExpressCard (not

2 34-mm ExpressCard

supported by your

(supported, with an

computer)

adapter)

3 PC Card (supported by

your computer)

NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device.

The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II

card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC

Cards. Ty p e of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality.

Using Cards 89

Card Blanks

Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the card slot. Blanks

protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use

when no card is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit

your computer.

To remove the blank, see "Removing a Card or Blank" on page 92.

Extended Cards

An extended card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a

standard card and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions

when using extended cards:

• Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card

can damage the system board.

• Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its

carrying case.

Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard

You can install a PC Card or a 34-mm ExpressCard (with an adapter) in the

computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically

detects the card.

Cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to

indicate which end to insert into the slot. The cards are keyed to prevent

incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not clear, see the documentation that

came with the card.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

To install a PC Card:

Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the

top side of the card facing up. The latch may need to be in the

position

before you insert the card.

Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its

connector.

90 Using Cards

If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the

card orientation and try again.

The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the

appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the

manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the PC

Card.

To install an ExpressCard:

NOTE: Your computer supports a 34-mm ExpressCard only with the use of an

adapter. Your computer does not support the use of 54-mm ExpressCards.

With the 34-mm ExpressCard inserted into its adapter, hold the card with

its orientation symbol pointing into the PC Card/ExpressCard slot and the

top side of the card facing up. The latch may need to be in the

position

before you insert the card.

Using Cards 91

Slide the adapter into the card slot until the adapter is completely seated

in its connector.

If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the adapter. Check the

ExpressCard and adapter orientation and try again.

The computer recognizes most cards and automatically loads the appropriate

device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the

manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the card.

Removing a Card or Blank

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in your

Product Information Guide

NOTICE: Click the icon in the taskbar to select a card and stop it from

functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in

the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by

pulling its cable, if one is attached.

Press the release latch and remove the card or blank. For some release latches,

you must press the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second

time to pop the card out.

Save a blank to use when no PC Card is installed in a slot. Blanks protect

unused slots from dust and other particles.

92 Using Cards

Securing Your Computer

Security Cable Lock

NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.

A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the

lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more

information, see the instructions included with the device.

NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the

security cable slot on your computer.

Passwords

About Passwords

NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.

A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive

password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways.

The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on

your computer.

Securing Your Computer 93

Type of Password Features

Primary (or system)

• Protects the computer from unauthorized access

Administrator

• Gives system administrators or service technicians

access to computers for repair or reconfiguration

• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same

way a primary password restricts access to the computer

• Can be used instead of the primary password

Hard drive

• Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external

hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized

access

NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or

hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and

use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs,

or PC Cards with encryption features.

NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.

When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:

• Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to

guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for

passwords.

• It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it

down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure place.

• Do not share passwords with other people.

• Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).

If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on

page 149). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for

proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the

computer.

Using a Primary (or System) Password

The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized

access.

When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at

the prompt.

94 Securing Your Computer

If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its

previous operating state.

NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also

disabled.

To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.

If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the

primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the

administrator password.

Using an Administrator Password

The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or

service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The

administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to

groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.

To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the

Control Panel.

When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option

becomes available in system setup. The Configure Setup option allows you to

restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password

restricts access to the computer.

The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password.

Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the

administrator password.

NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also

disabled.

NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does

not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.

If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password

assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password

assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact

Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 149).

Securing Your Computer 95

Using a Hard Drive Password

The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from

unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for an external hard drive

(if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password

for the primary hard drive.

To assign or change a hard drive password, enter system setup (see "System

Setup Program" on page 123).

After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on

the computer and each time you restore the computer to normal operation

from standby mode.

If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on

the computer: A message appears asking for the hard drive password.

To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and

press <Enter>.

If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its

previous operating state.

If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is

invalid. Press <Enter> to try again.

If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the computer tries

to start from another bootable device if the Boot First Device option in

system setup is set to allow start-up from another device. If the Boot First

Device option is not set to allow the computer to start from another device,

the computer returns to the operating state it was in when you turned it on.

If the hard drive password, the external hard-drive password, and the primary

password are the same, the computer prompts you only for the primary

password. If the hard drive password is different from the primary password,

the computer prompts you for both. Two different passwords provide greater

security.

NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does

not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

NOTE: Computers shipping into China and Russia are not equipped with the TPM

feature.

96 Securing Your Computer

NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports

TPM. For more information, see the TPM software documentation and the help files

that came with the software.

TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and

manage computer-generated encryption keys. When combined with security

software, the TPM enhances existing network and computer security by

enabling features such as file protection capabilities and protected e-mail.

The TPM feature is enabled through a system setup option.

NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup

procedures documented in the Broadcom Secure Foundation Getting Started

Guide. In the event of these backups being incomplete, lost, or damaged, Dell will

be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted data.

Enabling the TPM Feature

Enable the TPM software:

Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test

to enter the system setup program.

Select

Security

→

TPM Security

and press <Enter>.

Under

TPM Security

, select

Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.

If prompted, click

Save/Exit

Activate the TPM setup program:

Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test

to enter the system setup program.

Select

Security

→

TPM Activation

and press <Enter>.

Under

TPM Activation

, select

Activate

and press <Enter>.

NOTE: You only need to activate the program once.

Once the process is complete, the computer either restarts

automatically or prompts you to restart your computer.

Security Management Software

The security management software is designed to utilize four different

features to help you secure your computer:

Securing Your Computer 97

• Log-in management

• Pre-boot authentication (using a fingerprint reader, smart card, or

password)

•Encryption

• Private information management

Activating the Security Management Software

NOTE: You must first enable the TPM in order for the security management

software to have full functionality.

Enable the TPM feature (see "Enabling the TPM Feature" on page 97).

Load the security management software:

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait

too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see

the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

In the drop-down menu, select

Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite

and press

<Enter> to create the icons for the software components on the

computer desktop.

Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.

If prompted, click

Save/Exit

Using the Security Management Software

For information about how to use the software and the different security

features, see the Getting Started Guide for the software:

Click Start

→

All Programs

→

Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite

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Getting Started

Guide

Computer Tracking Software

Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is

lost or stolen. The software is optional and may be purchased when you order

your Dell™ computer, or you can contact your Dell sales representative for

information about this security feature.

NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.

98 Securing Your Computer

NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen,

you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to report the

missing computer.

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

• Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer.

Include the Service Tag in your description of the computer. Ask that a

case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the

name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If

possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.

NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement

agency in that area. If you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you

live.

• If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the

company.

• Contact Dell customer service to report the missing computer. Provide the

computer Service Tag, the case number, and the name, address, and phone

number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing

computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.

The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the

computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen. If

someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag, the

computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative

will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then

contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing

computer.

Securing Your Computer 99

100 Securing Your Computer

Cleaning Your Computer

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

Computer, Keyboard, and Display

CAUTION: Before you clean your computer, disconnect the computer from the

electrical outlet and remove any installed batteries. Clean your computer with a

soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may

contain flammable substances.

• Use a can of compressed air to remove dust from between the keys on the

keyboard.

NOTICE: To avoid damaging the computer or display, do not spray cleaning solution

directly onto the display. Only use products specifically designed for cleaning

displays, and follow the instructions that are included with the product.

• Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with either water or a display cleaner, and

wipe the display until it is clean.

• Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water and wipe the computer and

keyboard. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep between the touch

pad and the surrounding palm rest.

Touch Pad

Shut down and turn off your computer (see "Turning Off Your Computer"

on page 37).

Disconnect any attached devices from the computer and from their

electrical outlets.

Remove any installed batteries (see the

Service Manual

for your system on

support.dell.com

Moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water, and wipe it gently across the

surface of the touch pad. Do not allow water from the cloth to seep

between the touch pad and the surrounding palm rest.

Cleaning Your Computer 101

Floppy Drive

NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You might accidentally

misalign the heads which prevents the drive from operating.

Clean your floppy drive using a commercially available cleaning kit. These

kits contain pretreated floppy disks to remove contaminants that accumulate

during normal operation.

CDs and DVDs

NOTICE: Always use compressed air to clean the lens in the CD/DVD drive, and

follow the instructions that come with the compressed-air product. Never touch the

lens in the drive.

If you notice problems, such as skipping, with the playback quality of your

CDs or DVDs, try cleaning the discs.

Hold the disc by its outer edge. You can also touch the inside edge of the

center hole.

NOTICE: To avoid damaging the surface, do not wipe in a circular motion around

the disc.

With a soft, lint-free cloth, gently wipe the bottom of the disc (the

unlabeled side) in a straight line from the center to the outer edge of the

disc.

For stubborn dirt, try using water or a diluted solution of water and mild

soap. You can also purchase commercial products that clean discs and

provide some protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches. Cleaning

products for CDs are also safe to use on DVDs.

102 Cleaning Your Computer

Troubleshooting

Dell Technical Update Service

The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of

software and hardware updates for your computer. The service is free and can

be customized for content, format, and how frequently you receive

notifications.

To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to

support.dell.com/technicalupdate.

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in

"Lockups and Software Problems" on page 113 and run the Dell Diagnostics

before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your

computer.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the optional

Drivers and Utilities media.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on

your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see

"Contacting Dell" on page 149).

Troubleshooting 103

Shut down the computer.

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See

the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

The Dell Diagnostics can be invoked in one of two ways:

• Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12>

immediately. Select

Diagnostics

from the boot menu and press

<Enter>.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to

wait until you see the Microsoft

Windows

desktop. Then shut down your

computer and try again.

• Press and hold the <Fn> key while powering the computer on.

NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has

been found, run the Dell Diagnostics from the optional Drivers and Utilities CD.

The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment, a series of initial

tests of your system board, keyboard, hard drive, and display.

• During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.

• If a failure is detected, the computer stops and beeps. To stop the

assessment and restart the computer, press <Esc>; to continue to the

next test, press <y>; to retest the component that failed, press <r>.

• If failures are detected during the Pre-boot System Assessment, write

down the error code(s) and contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on

page 149)

If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, you receive the

message

Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition.

Press any key to continue

Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility

partition on your hard drive.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Optional Drivers and Utilities

Media

Insert the

Drivers and Utilities

media.

Shut down and restart the computer.

104 Troubleshooting

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until

you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try

again.

NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the

next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the

system setup program.

When the boot device list appears, highlight

CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive

and press <Enter>.

Select the

Boot from CD-ROM

option from the menu that appears and

press <Enter>.

Ty p e

to start the menu and press <Enter> to proceed.

Select

Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics

from the numbered list. If

multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your

computer.

When the Dell Diagnostics

Main Menu

appears, select the test that you

want to run.

Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the

Main

screen appears, click

the button for the option you want.

Option Function

Express Test Performs a quick test of devices. The test typically takes

10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your

part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of

tracing the problem quickly.

Extended Test Performs a thorough check of devices. The test typically

takes 1 hour or more and requires you to answer

questions periodically

Custom Test Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you

want to run.

Troubleshooting 105

Option Function

(continued)

Symptom Tree Lists the most common symptoms encountered and

allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the

problem you are having.

If a problem is encountered during a test, a message appears with an error

code and a description of the problem. Write down the error code and

problem description and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell (see

"Contacting Dell

on page 149).

NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test

screen. If you contact Dell, technical support will ask for your Service Tag.

If you run a test from the

Custom Test

Symptom Tree

option, click the

applicable tab described in the following table for more information.

Tab Function

Results Displays the results of the test and any error conditions

encountered.

Errors Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and

the problem description.

Help Describes the test and may indicate requirements for

running the test.

Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected

device.

The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information

for all devices from system setup, memory, and various

internal tests, and it displays the information in the

device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list

may not display the names of all the components

installed on your computer or all devices attached to your

computer.

Parameters Allows you to customize the test by changing the test

settings.

When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics

from the

Drivers and Utilities

remove the CD.

106 Troubleshooting

When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the

Main

screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close

the

Main

screen.

Dell Support Utility

The Dell Support Utility is installed on your computer and available from the

Dell Support, , icon on the taskbar or from the Start button. Use this

support utility for self-support information, software updates, and health

scans of your computing environment.

Accessing the Dell Support Utility

Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon on the taskbar or from the

Start menu.

If the Dell Support icon does not appear in your taskbar:

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Dell Support

→

Dell Support Settings

Ensure that the

Show icon on the taskbar

option is checked.

NOTE: If the Dell Support Utility is not available from the Start menu, go to

support.dell.com and download the software.

The Dell Support Utility is customized for your computing environment.

The icon in the taskbar functions differently when you click, double-

click, or right-click the icon.

Clicking the Dell Support Icon

Click or right-click the icon to perform the following tasks:

• Check your computing environment.

• View the Dell Support Utility settings.

• Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility.

• View frequently asked questions.

• Learn more about the Dell Support Utility.

• Turn the Dell Support Utility off.

Troubleshooting 107

Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon

Double-click the icon to manually check your computing environment,

view frequently asked questions, access the help file for the Dell Support

Utility, and view Dell Support settings.

For more information about the Dell Support Utility, click the question mark

(?) at the top of the Dell

™ Support screen.

Solving Problems

Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer:

• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the

installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed.

• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly

connected.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message.

This message may help support personnel diagnose and fix the problem(s).

• If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default

view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic

view.

Drive Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

NSURE THAT MICROSOFT

WINDOWS

RECOGNIZES THE DRIVE —

Windows XP:

•Click

Start and click My Computer

Windows Vista

•Click the Windows Vista Start button and click

Computer

If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for

and remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the

drive.

EST THE DRIVE —

• Insert another disc to eliminate the possibility that the original drive is defective.

108 Troubleshooting

• Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.

CLEAN THE DRIVE OR DISK — See "Cleaning Your Computer" on page 101.

HECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS

CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES — See "Troubleshooting Software and

Hardware Problems in the Microsoft

Windows

XP and Microsoft Windows Vista

Operating Systems" on page 131

UN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS — See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 103.

Optical drive problems

NOTE: High-speed optical drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which

does not indicate a defect in the drive or the media.

NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all

DVD titles work in all DVD drives.

DJUST THE WINDOWS VOLUME CONTROL —

• Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.

• Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up.

• Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked.

CHECK THE SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER — See "Sound and Speaker Problems" on

page 118.

Problems writing to an optical drive

CLOSE OTHER PROGRAMS — The optical drive must receive a steady stream of data

during the writing process. If the stream is interrupted, an error occurs. Try closing all

programs before you write to the optical.

URN OFF STANDBY MODE IN WINDOWS BEFORE WRITING TO A DISC — See

"Configuring Power Management Settings" on page 44 or search for the keyword

standby in Windows Help and Support for information on power management modes.

Hard drive problems

RUN CHECK DISK —

Windows XP:

Click

Start and click My Computer

Right-click

Local Disk C:

Click

Properties

→

Tool s

→

Check Now

Click

Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors and click Start

Troubleshooting 109

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

and click

Computer

Right-click

Local Disk C:

Click

Properties

→

Too ls

→

Check Now

The

User Account Control

window may appear. If you are an administrator on the

computer, click

Continue

; otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the

desired action.

Follow the instructions on the screen.

E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. The modem does not

operate while it is connected to a digital telephone network.

NOTE: Do not plug a telephone cable into the network adapter connector (see

"Back View" on page 27).

HECK THE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK

EXPRESS SECURITY SETTINGS — If you cannot

open your e-mail attachments:

In Outlook Express, click

Tools

→

Options

→

Security

Click

Do not allow attachments

to remove the checkmark, as needed.

CHECK THE TELEPHONE LINE CONNECTION

CHECK THE TELEPHONE JACK

CONNECT THE MODEM DIRECTLY TO THE TELEPHONE WALL JACK

USE A DIFFERENT TELEPHONE LINE —

• Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem (the jack has

either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it).

• Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the

modem.

• Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone, then

listen for a dial tone.

• If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine,

fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, bypass them and use the telephone to

connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. If you are using a line that is 3

meters (10 feet) or more in length, try a shorter one.

RUN THE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL —

Windows XP:

110 Troubleshooting

Click

Start

→

All

Programs

→

Modem Helper

Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems.

Modem Helper is not available on certain computers.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Modem Diagnostic Tool

Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem problems.

Modem diagnostics are not available on all computers.

VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS —

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Printers and Other Hardware

→

Phone and Modem

Options

→

Modems

Click the COM port for your modem

→

Properties

→

Diagnostics

→

Query Modem

verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.

If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Hardware and Sound

→

Phone and Modem

Options

→

Modems

Click the COM port for your modem

→

Properties

→

Diagnostics

→

Query Modem

to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.

If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.

ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET — Ensure that you have

subscribed to an Internet provider. With the Outlook Express e-mail program open,

click File. If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove it

and connect to the Internet. For help, contact your Internet service provider.

Error Messages

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

If the error message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating

system or the program that was running when the message appeared.

A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? “ <

> | — Do not use these characters in filenames.

REQUIRED .DLL FILE WAS NOT FOUND — The program that you are trying to open

is missing an essential file. To remove and then reinstall the program:

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Add or Remove Programs

→

Programs and Features

Troubleshooting 111

Select the program you want to remove.

Click

Uninstall

See the program documentation for installation instructions.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Programs

→

Programs and Features

Select the program you want to remove.

Click

Uninstall

See the program documentation for installation instructions.

drive letter

:\ IS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DEVICE IS NOT READY — The drive

cannot read the disk. Insert a disk into the drive and try again.

NSERT BOOTABLE MEDIA — Insert a bootable floppy disk, CD, or DVD.

ON-SYSTEM DISK ERROR — Remove the floppy disk from the floppy drive and

restart your computer.

OT ENOUGH MEMORY OR RESOURCES. CLOSE SOME PROGRAMS AND TRY

AGAIN — Close all windows and open the program that you want to use. In some

cases, you may have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run

the program that you want to use first.

PERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND — Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on

page 149).

IEEE 1394 Device Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

NOTE: Your computer supports only IEEE 1394a standard.

NSURE THAT THE CABLE FOR THE IEEE 1394 DEVICE IS PROPERLY INSERTED INTO

THE DEVICE AND INTO THE CONNECTOR ON THE COMPUTER

ENSURE THAT THE IEEE 1394 DEVICE IS ENABLED IN SYSTEM SETUP — See

"System Setup Screens" on page 124.

NSURE THAT THE IEEE 1394 DEVICE IS RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS —

Windows XP:

Click

Start and click

Control Panel

Under

Pick a Category

, click

Performance and Maintenance

→

System

→

System

Properties

→

Hardware

→

Device Manager

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Hardware and Sound

112 Troubleshooting

Click

Device Manager.

If your IEEE 1394 device is listed, Windows recognizes the device.

F YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A DELL IEEE 1394 DEVICE — Contact Dell (see

"Contacting Dell" on page 149).

F YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AN IEEE 1394 DEVICE NOT PROVIDED BY DELL —

Contact the IEEE 1394 device manufacturer.

Lockups and Software Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the

safety instructions in the

Product Information Guide

The computer does not start up

ENSURE THAT THE POWER CABLE IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO

THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You may lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system

shutdown.

URN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on

your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to

10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.

A program stops responding

END THE PROGRAM —

Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously to access the Task Manager.

Click the

Applications

tab.

Click to select the program that is no longer responding.

Click

End Task

A program crashes repeatedly

NOTE: Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a

floppy disk, CD, or DVD.

HECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION — f necessary, uninstall and then reinstall

the program.

Troubleshooting 113

A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system

RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD —

Windows XP:

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an

environment similar to non-XP operating system environments.

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

Program Compatibility Wizard

→

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Windows Vista:

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an

environment similar to non-Windows Vista operating system environments.

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

→

Programs

→

Use an older program with this

version of Windows.

In the welcome screen, click

Follow the instructions on the screen.

A solid blue screen appears

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on

your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to

10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.

System Setup Program

Overview

NOTE: Your operating system may automatically configure most of the options

available in the system setup program, thus overriding options that you set through

the system setup program. (An exception is the External Hot Key option, which you

can disable or enable only through the system setup program.) For more information

on configuring features for your operating system, access Help and Support. To

access Help and Support in Windows XP, click Start→ Help and Support. In

Windows Vista, click Start

→ Help and Support.

You can use the system setup program as follows:

• To set or change user-selectable features—for example, your computer

password

• To verify information about the computer's current configuration, such as

the amount of system memory

After you set up the computer, run the system setup program to familiarize

yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings.

You may want to write down the information for future reference.

The system setup screens display the current setup information and settings

for your computer, such as:

• System configuration

• Boot order

• Boot (start-up) configuration and docking-device configuration settings

• Basic device-configuration settings

• System security and hard-drive password settings

NOTE: Unless you are an expert computer user or are directed to do so by Dell

technical support, do not change the system setup settings. Certain changes might

make your computer work incorrectly.

System Setup Program 123

Viewing the System Setup Screens

Turn on (or restart) your computer.

When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately. If you wait too

long and the Microsoft

Windows

logo appears, continue to wait until

you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try

again.

System Setup Screens

NOTE: For information about a specific item on a system setup screen, highlight the

item and see the Help area on the screen.

On each screen, the system setup options are listed at the left. To the right of

each option is the setting or value for that option. You can change settings

that appear as white type on the screen. Options or values that you cannot

change (because they are determined by the computer) appear less bright.

The upper-right corner of the screen displays help information for the

currently highlighted option; the lower-right corner displays information

about the computer. System-setup key functions are listed across the bottom

of the screen.

Commonly Used Options

Certain options require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take

effect.

Changing the Boot Sequence

The boot sequence, or boot order, tells the computer where to look to find the

software needed to start the operating system. You can control the boot

sequence and enable/disable devices using the Boot Order page of the system

setup program.

NOTE: To change the boot sequence on a one-time-only basis, see "Performing a

One-Time Boot" on page 125.

The Boot Order page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may

be installed in your computer, including but not limited to the following:

• Diskette Drive

124 System Setup Program

• Modular bay HDD

• Internal HDD

• Optical Drive

During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans

each enabled device for the operating system start-up files. When the

computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the operating system.

To control the boot devices, select (highlight) a device by pressing the down-

arrow or up-arrow key, and then enable or disable the device or change its

order in the list.

• To enable or disable a device, highlight the item and press the space bar.

Enabled items appear as white and display a small triangle to the left;

disabled items appear blue or dimmed without a triangle.

• To reorder a device in the list, highlight the device and then press <u> or

<d> (not case-sensitive) to move the highlighted device up or down.

Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit

the system setup program.

Performing a One-Time Boot

You can set a one-time-only boot sequence without entering the system setup

program. (You can also use this procedure to boot the Dell Diagnostics on the

diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.)

Shut down the computer through the

Start

menu.

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See

the documentation that came with your docking device for instructions.

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

Turn on the computer. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12>

immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until

you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try

again.

When the boot device list appears, highlight the device from which you

want to boot and press <Enter>.

The computer boots to the selected device.

System Setup Program 125

The next time you reboot the computer, the previous boot order is restored.

Changing COM Ports

Serial Port allows you to map the serial port COM address or disable the serial

port and its address, which frees computer resources for another device to use.

Enabling the Infrared Sensor

Press <Alt><p> until you locate

Infrared Data Port

under

Basic Device

Configuration

NOTE: Ensure that the COM port that you select is different from the COM port

assigned to the serial connector.

Press the down-arrow key to select the

Infrared Data Port

setting, and

press the right-arrow key to change the setting to a COM port.

Press <Esc> and then click

Yes

to save the changes and exit the system

setup program. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click

Yes

Follow the instructions on the screen.

After the infrared sensor has been enabled, click

Yes

to restart the

computer.

After you enable the infrared sensor, you can use it to establish a link to an

infrared device. To set up and use an infrared device, see the infrared device

documentation and access the Help and Support Center (click Start→ Help

and Support).

126 System Setup Program

Reinstalling Software

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or

keyboard. All devices require a driver program.

A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that

use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only

its driver recognizes.

Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no

further installation or configuration is needed.

NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems

that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate

for your operating system.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft

Windows

operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:

• Upgrade your operating system.

• Reinstall your operating system.

• Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the

source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver.

Microsoft

Windows

Click

Start

→

Control Panel

Under

Pick a Category

, click

Performance and Maintenance

, and click

System

In the

System Properties

window, click the

Hardware

tab, and click

Device

Manager

Reinstalling Software 127

Microsoft Windows Vista

Click the Windows Vista start button

and right-click

Computer

Click

Properties

→

Device Manager

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your

administrator to continue.

Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow

circle with a [!]) on the device icon.

If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall

the driver or install a new driver (see "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on

page 128).

Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities

NOTICE: The Dell Support website at support.dell.com and your Drivers and

Utilities media provide approved drivers for Dell™ computers. If you install drivers

obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

Using Windows Device Driver Rollback

If a problem occurs on your computer after you install or update a driver, use

Windows Device Driver Rollback to replace the driver with the previously

installed version.

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

My Computer

→

Properties

→

Hardware

→

Device Manager

Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click

Properties

Click the

Drivers

tab

→

Roll Back Driver

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista start button

and right-click

Computer

Click

Properties

→

Device Manager

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your

administrator to enter the Device Manager.

Right-click the device for which the new driver was installed and click

Properties

128 Reinstalling Software

Click the

Drivers

tab

→

Roll Back Driver

If Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System

Restore (see "Restoring Your Operating System" on page 131) to return your

computer to the operating state that existed before you installed the new

driver.

Using the Drivers and Utilities Media

If using Device Driver Rollback or System Restore (see "Restoring Your

Operating System" on page 131) does not resolve the problem, then reinstall

the driver from the Drivers and Utilities media.

Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.

Insert the

Drivers and Utilities

media.

In most cases, the CD/DVD starts running automatically. If it does not,

start Windows Explorer, click your CD/DVD drive directory to display the

CD/DVD contents, and then double-click the

autorcd.exe

file. The first

time that you run the CD/DVD, it might prompt you to install setup files.

Click

, and follow the instructions on the screen to continue.

From the

Language

drop-down menu in the toolbar, select your preferred

language for the driver or utility (if available).

At the welcome screen, click

and wait for the CD/DVD to complete

the hardware scan

To detect other drivers and utilities, under

Search Criteria

, select the

appropriate categories from the

System Model

Operating System

, and

Topic

drop-down menus.

A link or links appear(s) for the specific drivers and utilities used by your

computer.

Click the link of a specific driver or utility to display information about the

driver or utility that you want to install.

Click the

Install

button (if present) to begin installing the driver or utility.

At the welcome screen, follow the screen prompts to complete the

installation.

If no

Install

button is present, automatic installation is not an option. For

installation instructions, either see the appropriate instructions in the

Reinstalling Software 129

following subsections, or click

Extract

, follow the extracting instructions,

and then read the readme file.

If instructed to navigate to the driver files, click the CD/DVD directory on

the driver information window to display the files associated with that

driver.

Manually Reinstalling Drivers

NOTE: If you are reinstalling an infrared sensor driver, you must first enable the

infrared sensor in system setup (see "System Setup Program" on page 123) before

continuing with the driver installation.

After extracting the driver files to your hard drive as described in the previous

section:

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

My Computer

→

Properties

→

Hardware

→

Device Manager

Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for

example,

Audio

Video

Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver.

Click the

Driver

tab

→

Update Driver

Click

Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)

→

Click

Browse

and browse to the location to which you previously copied

the driver files.

When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click

Click

Finish

and restart your computer.

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista start button

and right-click

Computer

Click

Properties

→

Device Manager

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your

administrator to enter the Device Manager.

Double-click the type of device for which you are installing the driver (for

example,

Audio

Video

Double-click the name of the device for which you are installing the driver.

130 Reinstalling Software

Click the

Driver

tab

→

Update Driver

→

Browse my computer for driver

software

Click

Browse

and browse to the location to which you previously copied

the driver files.

When the name of the appropriate driver appears, click the name of the

driver

→

Click

Finish

and restart your computer.

Troubleshooting Software and Hardware

Problems in the Microsoft

Windows

XP and

Microsoft Windows Vista

Operating Systems

If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is

detected but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware

Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.

To start the Hardware Troubleshooter:

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

Help and Support

Ty p e

hardware troubleshooter

in the search field and press

<Enter> to start the search.

In the

Fix a Problem

section, click

Hardware Troubleshooter

In the

Hardware Troubleshooter

list, select the option that best describes

the problem and click

to follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

Windows Vista:

Click the Windows Vista start button

and click

Help and Support.

Ty p e

hardware troubleshooter

in the search field and press

<Enter> to start the search.

In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and

follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

Reinstalling Software 131

• System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without

affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring

your operating system and preserving data files.

• Dell PC Restore by Symantec (available in Windows XP) and Dell Factory

Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) returns your hard drive to the

operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Both

permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs

installed after you received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore or Dell

Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your

operating system problem.

•If you received an

Operating System

disc with your computer, you can use

it to restore your operating system. However, using the

Operating System

disc also deletes all data on the hard drive. Use the disc

only

if System

Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

Using Microsoft

Windows

System Restore

The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which

allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without

affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system

settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any

changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely

reversible.

NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not

monitor your data files or recover them.

NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default

view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic

view.

Starting System Restore

Windows XP:

NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and

close any open files and exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any

files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

→

System

Restore

132 Reinstalling Software

Click either

Restore my computer to an earlier time

Create a restore

point

Click

and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

In the Start Search box, type

System Restore

and press <Enter>.

NOTE: The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an

administrator on the computer, click Continue; otherwise, contact your

administrator to continue the desired action.

Click

and follow the remaining prompts on the screen.

In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the

last system restore.

Undoing the Last System Restore

NOTICE: Before you undo the last system restore, save and close all open files and

exit any open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the

system restoration is complete.

Windows XP:

Click

Start

→

All Programs

→

Accessories

→

System Tools

→

System

Restore

Click

Undo my last restoration

and click

Windows Vista:

Click

Start

In the Start Search box, type

System Restore

and press <Enter>.

Click

Undo my last restoration

and click

Enabling System Restore

NOTE: Windows Vista does not disable System Restore; regardless of low disk

space. Therefore, the steps below apply only to Windows XP.

If you reinstall Windows XP with less than 200 MB of free hard-disk space

available, System Restore is automatically disabled.

To see if System Restore is enabled:

Click

Start

→

Control

Panel

→

Performance and Maintenance

→

System

Reinstalling Software 133

Click the

System Restore

tab and ensure that

Turn off System Restore

unchecked.

Using Dell™ PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore

NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes

all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers installed after you

received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using these options.

Use PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve

your operating system problem.

NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec and Dell Factory Image Restore may not be

available in certain countries or on certain computers.

Use Dell PC Restore (Windows XP) or Dell Factory Image Restore (Windows

Vista) only as the last method to restore your operating system. These options

restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased

the computer. Any programs or files added since you received your

computer—including data files—are permanently deleted from the hard

drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital

photos, music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC

Restore or Factory Image Restore.

Windows XP: Dell PC Restore

Using PC Restore:

Turn on the computer.

During the boot process, a blue bar with

www.dell.com

appears at the top

of the screen.

Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>.

If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish

starting, and then restart the computer again.

NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot.

Click

Restore

and click

Confirm

The restore process takes approximately 6 to 10 minutes to complete.

When prompted, click

Finish

to reboot the computer.

NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer

completely reboot.

134 Reinstalling Software

When prompted, click

Yes

The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original

operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License

Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer

was turned on.

Click

The

System Restore

screen appears and the computer restarts.

After the computer restarts, click

Removing PC Restore:

NOTICE: Removing Dell PC Restore from the hard drive permanently deletes the PC

Restore utility from your computer. After you have removed Dell PC Restore, you will

not be able to use it to restore your computer operating system.

Dell PC Restore enables you to restore your hard drive to the operating state

it was in when you purchased your computer. It is recommended that you do

not remove PC Restore from your computer, even to gain additional hard-

drive space. If you remove PC Restore from the hard drive, you cannot ever

recall it, and you will never be able to use PC Restore to return your computer

operating system to its original state.

Log on to the computer as a local administrator.

In Microsoft Windows Explorer, go to

c:\dell\utilities\DSR

Double-click the filename

DSRIRRemv2.exe

NOTE: If you do not log on as a local administrator, a message appears

stating that you that you must log on as administrator. Click Quit, and then log

on as a local administrator.

NOTE: If the partition for PC Restore does not exist on your computer hard

drive, a message appears stating that the partition was not found. Click Quit;

there is no partition to delete.

Click

to remove the PC Restore partition on the hard drive.

Click

Yes

when a confirmation message appears.

The PC Restore partition is deleted and the newly available disk space is

added to the free space allocation on the hard drive.

Reinstalling Software 135

Right-click

Local Disk (C)

in Windows Explorer, click

Properties

, and

verify that the additional disk space is available as indicated by the

increased value for

Free Space

Click

Finish

to close the

PC Restore Removal

window and restart the

computer.

Windows Vista: Dell Factory Image Restore

Turn on the computer. When the Dell logo appears, press <F8> several

times to access the Vista Advanced Boot Options Window.

Select

Repair Your Computer

The System Recovery Options window appears.

Select a keyboard layout and click

To access the recovery options, log on as a local user. To access the

command prompt, type

administrator

in the User name field, then

click

Click

Dell Factory Image Restore

NOTE: Depending upon your configuration, you may need to select Dell

Factory Tools, then Dell Factory Image Restore.

The Dell Factory Image Restore welcome screen appears.

Click

Next.

The Confirm Data Deletion screen appears.

NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with Factory Image Restore, click Cancel.

Click the checkbox to confirm that you want to continue reformatting the

hard drive and restoring the system software to the factory condition, then

click

The restore process begins and may take five or more minutes to complete.

A message appears when the operating system and factory-installed

applications have been restored to factory condition.

Click

Finish

to reboot the system.

136 Reinstalling Software

Using the Operating System Media

Before you Begin

If you are considering reinstalling the Windows operating system to correct a

problem with a newly installed driver, first try using Windows Device Driver

Rollback. See "Using Windows Device Driver Rollback" on page 128. If

Device Driver Rollback does not resolve the problem, then use System

Restore to return your operating system to the operating state it was in before

you installed the new device driver. See "Using Microsoft

Windows

System

Restore" on page 132.

NOTICE: Before performing the installation, back up all data files on your primary

hard drive. For conventional hard drive configurations, the primary hard drive is the

first drive detected by the computer.

To reinstall Windows, you need the following items:

•Dell™

Operating System

media

•Dell

Drivers and Utilities

media

NOTE: The

Dell

Drivers and Utilities

media

contains drivers that were installed

during the assembly of the computer. Use the

Dell

Drivers and Utilities

media

load any required drivers. Depending on the region from which you ordered your

computer, or whether you requested the media, the

Dell

Drivers and Utilities

media

and

Operating System

media may not ship with your computer.

Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista

The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you

reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus

protection program, and other software.

NOTICE: The Operating System media provides options for reinstalling Windows

XP. The options can overwrite files and possibly affect programs that are installed

on your hard drive. Therefore, do not reinstall Windows XP unless a Dell technical

support representative instructs you to do so.

Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

Insert the

Operating System

disc.

Click

Exit

if the

Install Windows

message appears.

Restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

Reinstalling Software 137

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue

to wait until you see the Microsoft

Windows

desktop; then, shut down your

computer and try again.

NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the

next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the

system setup program.

When the boot device list appears, highlight

CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive

and press <Enter>.

Press any key to

Boot from CD-ROM

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

138 Reinstalling Software

Dell™ QuickSet

NOTE: This feature may not be available on your computer.

Dell™ QuickSet provides you with easy access to configure or view the

following types of settings:

• Network connectivity

• Power management

•Display

• System information

Depending on what you want to do in Dell™ QuickSet, you can start it by

either clicking, double-clicking, or right-clicking the QuickSet icon in the

Microsoft

Windows

taskbar. The taskbar is located in the lower-right

corner of your screen.

For more information about QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon and

select Help.

Dell™ QuickSet 139

140 Dell™ QuickSet

Traveling With Your Computer

Identifying Your Computer

• Attach a name tag or business card to the computer.

• Write down your Service Tag and store it in a safe place away from the

computer or carrying case. Use the Service Tag if you need to report a loss

or theft to law enforcement officials and to Dell.

• Create a file on the Microsoft

Windows

desktop called

if_found

. Place

information such as your name, address, and phone number in this file.

• Contact your credit card company and ask if it offers coded identification

tags.

Packing the Computer

• Remove any external devices attached to the computer and store them in a

safe place. Remove any cables attached to installed PC Cards, and remove

any extended PC Cards (see "Removing a Card or Blank" on page 92).

• To make the computer as light as possible, replace any devices installed in

the module bay with the Dell TravelLite™ module.

• Fully charge the main battery and any spare batteries that you plan to carry

with you.

• Shut down the computer.

• Disconnect the AC adapter.

NOTICE: When the display is closed, extraneous items on the keyboard or palm

rest could damage the display.

• Remove any extraneous items, such as paper clips, pens, and paper, from

the keyboard and palm rest and close the display.

• Use the optional Dell™ carrying case to pack the computer and its

accessories together safely.

• Avoid packing the computer with items such as shaving cream, colognes,

perfumes, or food.

Traveling With Your Computer 141

NOTICE: If the computer has been exposed to extreme temperatures, allow it to

acclimate to room temperature for 1 hour before turning it on.

• Protect the computer, the batteries, and the hard drive from hazards such

as extreme temperatures and overexposure to sunlight, dirt, dust, or

liquids.

• Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car

or in an overhead storage compartment.

Travel Tips

NOTICE: Do not move the computer while using the optical drive to prevent loss of

data.

NOTICE: Do not check the computer as baggage.

• Consider disabling wireless activity on your computer to maximize battery

operating time. To disable wireless activity, press<Fn><F2>.

• Consider changing your power management options to maximize battery

operating time (see "Power Management Modes" on page 43).

• If you are traveling internationally, carry proof of ownership—or of your

right to use the computer if it is company-owned—to speed your passage

through customs. Investigate the customs regulations of the countries you

plan to visit, and consider acquiring an international carnet (also known as

merchandise passport

) from your government.

• Find out what type of electrical outlets are used in the countries you will

visit, and have appropriate power adapters.

• Check with your credit card company for information about the kinds of

emergency travel assistance it offers to users of portable computers.

Traveling by Air

NOTICE: Do not walk the computer through a metal detector. Send the computer

through an X-ray machine or have it hand-inspected.

• Ensure that you have a charged battery available in case you are asked to

turn on the computer.

• Prior to entering the airplane, verify that using a computer is permitted.

Some airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during flight. All airlines

forbid the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

142 Traveling With Your Computer

Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

If you experience a problem with your computer, you can complete the

following steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:

See "Troubleshooting" on page 103 for information and procedures that

pertain to the problem your computer is experiencing.

See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 103 for procedures on how to run Dell

Diagnostics.

Fill out the "Diagnostics Checklist" on page 148.

Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support

(

support.dell.com

) for help with installation and troubleshooting

procedures. See "Online Services" on page 144 for a more extensive list of

Dell Support online.

If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, see "Contacting

Dell" on page 149.

NOTE: Call Dell Support from a telephone near or at the computer so that the

support staff can assist you with any necessary procedures.

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

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express

Service Code to route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you

do not have an Express Service Code, open the Dell Accessories folder,

double-click the Express Service Code icon, and follow the directions.

For instructions on using the Dell Support, see "Technical Support and

Customer Service" on page 144.

NOTE: Some of the following services are not always available in all locations

outside the continental U.S. Call your local Dell representative for information on

availability.

Getting Help 143

Technical Support and Customer Service

Dell's support service is available to answer your questions about Dell™

hardware. Our support staff uses computer-based diagnostics to provide fast,

accurate answers.

To contact Dell's support service, see "Before You Call" on page 146, and then

see the contact information for your region or go to support.dell.com.

DellConnect

DellConnect is a simple online access tool that allows a Dell service and

support associate to access your computer through a broadband connection,

diagnose your problem and repair it all under your supervision. For more

information, go to support.dell.com and click DellConnect.

Online Services

You can learn about Dell products and services on the following websites:

www.dell.com

www.dell.com/ap

(Asian/Pacific countries only)

www.dell.com/jp

(Japan only)

www.euro.dell.com

(Europe only)

www.dell.com/la

(Latin American and Caribbean countries)

www.dell.ca

(Canada only)

You can access Dell Support through the following websites and e-mail

addresses:

• Dell Support websites:

–

support.dell.com

–

support.jp.dell.com

(Japan only)

–

support.euro.dell.com

(Europe only)

• Dell Support e-mail addresses"

– mobile_support@us.dell.com

– support@us.dell.com

144 Getting Help

– la-techsupport@dell.com (Latin America and Caribbean countries

only)

– apsupport@dell.com

(Asian/Pacific countries only)

• Dell Marketing and Sales e-mail addresses:

–apmarketing@dell.com

(Asian/Pacific countries only)

– sales_canada@dell.com (Canada only)

• Anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP):

–

ftp.dell.com

– Log in as user:

anonymous

, and use your e-mail address as your

password.

AutoTech Service

Dell's automated support service—AutoTech—provides recorded answers to

the questions most frequently asked by Dell customers about their portable

and desktop computers.

When you call AutoTech, use your touch-tone telephone to select the

subjects that correspond to your questions. For the telephone number to call

for your region, see "Contacting Dell" on page 149.

Automated Order-Status Service

To check on the status of any Dell products that you have ordered, you can go

to support.dell.com, or you can call the automated order-status service. A

recording prompts you for the information needed to locate and report on

your order. For the telephone number to call for your region, see "Contacting

Dell" on page 149.

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 for your

region, see "Contacting Dell" on page 149

Getting Help 145

Product Information

If you need information about additional products available from Dell, or if

you would like to place an order, visit the Dell website at www.dell.com. For

the telephone number to call for your region or to speak to a sales specialist,

see "Contacting Dell" on page 149.

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

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

Call Dell to obtain a Return Material Authorization Number, and write it

clearly and prominently on the outside of the box.

For the telephone number to call for your region, see

"Contacting Dell

" on

page 149.

Include a copy of the invoice and a letter describing the reason for the

return.

Include a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist"

on page 148), indicating the tests that you have run and any error

messages reported by the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on

page 103).

Include any accessories that belong with the item(s) being returned

(power cables, software floppy disks, guides, and so on) if the return is for

credit.

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

Dell’s receiving dock and returned to you.

Before You Call

NOTE: Have your Express Service Code ready when you call. The code helps Dell’s

automated-support telephone system direct your call more efficiently. You may also

be asked for your Service Tag (located on the back or bottom of your computer).

146 Getting Help

Remember to fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist"

on page 148). If possible, turn on your computer before you call Dell for

assistance and call from a telephone at or near the computer. You may be

asked to type some commands at the keyboard, relay detailed information

during operations, or try other troubleshooting steps possible only at the

computer itself. Ensure that the computer documentation is available.

CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, follow the safety instructions in

your

Product Information

Guide

Getting Help 147

Diagnostics Checklist

Name:

Date:

Address:

Phone number:

Service Tag (bar code on the back or bottom of the computer):

Express Service Code:

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

Operating system and version:

Devices:

Expansion cards:

Are you connected to a network? Yes No

Network, version, and network adapter:

Programs and versions:

See your operating system documentation to determine the contents of the

system’s start-up files. If the computer is connected to a printer, print each file.

Otherwise, record the contents of each file before calling Dell.

Error message, beep code, or diagnostic code:

Description of problem and troubleshooting procedures you performed:

148 Getting Help

Contacting Dell

For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL (800-999-3355).

NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact

information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.

Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options.

Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be

available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or

customer service issues:

Visit

support.dell.com

Verify your country or region in the

Choose A Country/Region

drop-down

menu at the bottom of the page.

Click

on the left side of the page.

Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.

Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you.

Getting Help 149

150 Getting Help

Specifications

NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the

configuration of your computer, click Start→ Help and Support and select the

option to view information about your computer.

Processor

Processor type Intel

Core™2 Duo processor, Intel Core

Duo processor, Intel Core Solo processor, or

Intel Celeron

M processor

L1 cache 32 KB (internal)

L2 cache up to 4 MB (on die), depending on your

Intel Core processor, and 1 MB for Celeron

M processor

External bus frequency 533 or 800 MHz

System Information

System chipset Mobile Intel Express (GM 965 or GL 960)

Data bus width 64 bits

DRAM bus width dual-channel (2) 64-bit buses

Processor address bus width 36 bits

PC Card

CardBus controller O2Micro OZ711EZ1 (PC Cards and 34-mm

ExpressCards)

(support for USB ExpressCards through

adapter in CardBus slot)

PC Card connector one (supports one Type I or Type II card and

one 34-mm ExpressCard with adapter)

NOTE: You must use an adapter with the

34-mm ExpressCard before you insert the card

into the PC Card connector.

Specifications 151

PC Card

(continued)

Cards supported 3.3 V and 5 V PC Cards

1.5 V ExpressCards (with adapter)

PC Card connector size 68 pins

Data width (maximum) PCMCIA 16 bits

CardBus 32 bits

Memory

Memory module connector two user-accessible SODIMM sockets

Memory module capacities 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB

Memory type GM 965 supports 533 MHz and 667 Mhz

DDR2

GL 960 supports 533 MHz DDR2

Minimum memory 512 MB

Maximum memory GM 965 supports 4 GB

GL 960 supports 2 GB

Ports and Connectors

Serial 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible,

16-byte buffer connector

Video 15-hole connector

Audio microphone miniconnector, stereo

headphones/speakers miniconnector

S-video TV-out 7-pin mini-DIN connector (optional adapter

cable(s) with S-video and composite video

connectors)

USB four 4-pin USB 2.0-compliant connectors

Infrared sensor sensor compatible with IrDA Standard 1.1

(Fast IR) and IrDA Standard 1.0 (Slow IR)

Modem RJ-11 support

IEEE 1394a 4-pin serial connector

Mini-Card one Type IIIA Mini-Card slot

152 Specifications

Ports and Connectors

(continued)

Network adapter RJ-45 port

D-Port standard docking connector for D/Port

advanced port replicator

Communications

Modem:

Ty p e

v.92 56K MDC

Controller

softmodem

Interface

Intel High-Definition Audio

Network adapter 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN on system board

Wireless internal PCI-e Mini-Card WLAN support;

Bluetooth

wireless technology support;

WWAN support via ExpressCard with

adapter in PC Card slot

Video

Video type Intel integrated UMA

Data bus PCI Express

Controller/Memory up to 358 MB (shared with the system

memory)

LCD interface LVDS

TV support NTSC or PAL in S-video and composite

modes (through Dell™ D/Port advanced

port replicator only)

Audio

Audio type High Definition Audio (HDA)

Audio controller SigmaTel STAC9205, 5V

Stereo conversion 20-bit (stereo digital-to-analog),

18-bit (stereo analog-to-digital)

Interfaces:

Internal

Azalia

Specifications 153

Audio

(continued)

External

microphone mini-connector, stereo

headphones/speakers mini-connector

Speaker two 8-ohm speakers

Internal speaker amplifier 1-W channel into 8 ohms

Volume controls volume control buttons or program menus

Display

Type (active-matrix TFT) 15.0-in XGA

15.0-in SXGA+

Dimensions:

Height

273 mm (10.75 in)

Width

338.3 mm (13.3 in)

Diagonal

381.0 mm (15 in)

Operating angle 0° (closed) to 180°

Viewing angles:

XGA horizontal

+/– 40/40°

XGA vertical

+/– 10/30°

SXGA+ horizontal

+/– 65/65°

SXGA+ vertical

+/– 50/50°

Pixel pitch:

XGA

0.297 mm (0.012 in)

SXGA+

0.217 mm (0.008 in)

Power consumption (

panel with

backlight) (typical):

XGA

5.0 W (max)

SXGA+

4.8 W (max)

Controls brightness can be controlled through

keyboard shortcuts

154 Specifications

Keyboard

Number of keys 87 (U.S. and Canada); 87 (China); 89

(Brazil); 88 (Europe); 91 (Japan)

Key travel 2.5 mm ± 0.3 mm (0.11 in ± 0.016 in)

Key spacing 19.05 mm ± 0.3 mm (0.75 in ± 0.012 in)

Layout QWERTY/AZERTY/Kanji

Touch Pad

X/Y position resolution

(graphics table mode) 240 cpi

Size:

Width

64.88 mm (2.55-in) sensor-active area

Height

48.88-mm (1.92-in) rectangle

Battery

Ty p e

6-cell smart lithium ion (56 WHr)

(standard)

6-cell smart lithium ion (53 WHr)

(optional)

4-cell smart lithium ion (32 WHr)

(optional)

Dimensions:

Depth

77.5 mm (3.05 in)

Height

19.5 mm (0.76 in)

Width

123.4 mm (4.86 in)

Weight 0.32 kg (0.70 lb) (6 cell)

0.23 kg (0.52 lb) (4 cell)

Voltage 14.8 VDC (4 cell)

11.1 VDC (6 cell)

Charge time (approximate):

Computer off

approximately 1 hour for 80 percent charge

Specifications 155

Battery

(continued)

Operating time varies depending on operating conditions

and can be significantly reduced under

certain power-intensive conditions.

See "Battery Performance" on page 39 for

more information.

Life span (approximate) 300 discharge/charge cycles

Temperature range:

Operating

0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Storage

–40° to 60°C (–40° to 140°F)

AC Adapter

Input voltage 100–240 VAC

Input current (maximum) 1.5 A

Input frequency 50–60 Hz

Output current 3.34 A (65-W AC adapter)

4.62 A (90-W AC adapter)

Output power 65 W

90 W

Rated output voltage 19.5 VDC

Dimensions and weight (65-W AC

adapter):

Height

28.3 mm (1.11 in)

Width

57.8 mm (2.28 in)

Depth

137.2 mm (5.40 in)

Weight (with cables)

0.36 kg (0.79 lb)

Dimensions and weight (90-W AC

adapter):

Height

34.2 mm (1.35 in)

Width

60.9 mm (2.39 in)

Depth

153.42 mm (6.04 in)

156 Specifications

AC Adapter

(continued)

Weight (with cables)

0.46 kg (1.01 lb)

Temperature range:

Operating

0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Storage

–40° to 60°C (–40° to 140°F)

Physical

Height 35.8 mm (1.4 in)

Width 338.3 mm (13.3 in)

Depth 273.0 mm (10.8 in)

Weight approximately 5.45 lb (2.47 kg, with a

15.1-in XGA display, Dell TravelLite™

module, and 4-cell battery; weight varies,

depending on configuration and

manufacturing variability

Environmental

Temperature range:

Operating

0° to 35°C (32° to 95°F)

Storage

–40° to 60°C (–40° to 140°F)

Relative humidity (maximum):

Operating

10% to 90% (noncondensing)

Storage

5% to 95% (noncondensing)

Maximum vibration (using a

random-vibration spectrum that

simulates user environment):

Operating

0.66 GRMS

Storage

1.30 GRMS

Airborne contaminant level

G2 or lower as defined by ISA-S71.04-1985

Specifications 157

Environmental

(continued)

Maximum shock (measured with

hard drive in operating status and a

2-ms half-sine pulse for operating;

also measured with hard drive in

head-parked position and a 2-ms half-

sine pulse for storage):

Operating

142 G, 70 in/sec

Storage

163 G, 80 in/sec

Altitude (maximum):

Operating

–15.2 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft)

Storage

–15.2 to 10,668 m (–50 to 35,000 ft)

158 Specifications

Appendix

FCC Notice (U.S. Only)

FCC Class B

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,

if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction

manual, may cause interference with radio and television reception. This

equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B

digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to

the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful interference.

This device must accept any interference received, including interference

that may cause undesired operation.

NOTICE: The FCC regulations provide that changes or modifications not expressly

approved by Dell Inc. could void your authority to operate this equipment.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful

interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that

interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does

cause harmful interference with radio or television reception, which can be

determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are encouraged to try

to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient the receiving antenna.

• Relocate the system with respect to the receiver.

• Move the system away from the receiver.

• Plug the system into a different outlet so that the system and the receiver

are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, consult a representative of Dell Inc. or an experienced

radio/television technician for additional suggestions.

Appendix 159

The following information is provided on the device or devices covered in this

document in compliance with the FCC regulations:

• Product name: Dell™ Latitude™ D530

• Model number: PP17L

• Company name:

Dell Inc.

Worldwide Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Affairs

One Dell Way

Round Rock, TX 78682 USA

512-338-4400

NOTE: For further regulatory information, see your Product Information Guide.

Macrovision Product Notice

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected

by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property

rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this

Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only

unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering

or disassembly is prohibited.

160 Appendix

Glossary

Terms in this Glossary are provided for informational purposes only and may

or may not describe features included with your particular computer.

AC — alternating current — The form of electricity that powers your computer when

you plug the AC adapter power cable in to an electrical outlet.

ACPI — advanced configuration and power interface — A power management

specification that enables Microsoft

Windows

operating systems to put a computer

in standby or hibernate mode to conserve the amount of electrical power allocated to

each device attached to the computer.

AGP — accelerated graphics port — A dedicated graphics port that allows system

memory to be used for video-related tasks. AGP delivers a smooth, true-color video

image because of the faster interface between the video circuitry and the computer

memory.

AHCI — Advanced Host Controller Interface — An interface for a SATA hard drive

Host Controller which allows the storage driver to enable technologies such as Native

Command Queuing (NCQ) and hot plug.

ALS — ambient light sensor — A feature that helps to control display brightness.

antivirus software — A program designed to identify, quarantine, and/or delete viruses

from your computer.

ASF — alert standards format — A standard to define a mechanism for reporting

hardware and software alerts to a management console. ASF is designed to be

platform- and operating system-independent.

battery life span — The length of time (years) during which a portable computer

battery is able to be depleted and recharged.

battery operating time — The length of time (minutes or hours) that a portable

computer battery powers the computer.

BIOS — basic input/output system — A program (or utility) that serves as an

interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. Unless you

understand what effect these settings have on the computer, do not change them. Also

referred to as system setup.

Glossary 161

bit — The smallest unit of data interpreted by your computer.

Bluetooth

wireless technology — A wireless technology standard for short-range (9

m [29 feet]) networking devices that allows for enabled devices to automatically

recognize each other.

boot sequence — Specifies the order of the devices from which the computer

attempts to boot.

bootable media — A CD, DVD, or floppy disk that you can use to start your

computer. In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a virus, ensure that

you always have a bootable CD, DVD, or floppy disk available. Your Drivers and

Utilities media is an example of bootable media.

bps — bits per second — The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed.

BTU — British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output.

bus — A communication pathway between the components in your computer.

bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer

information.

byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits.

C — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where 0° is the freezing point and

100° is the boiling point of water.

cache — A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved

section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device. The cache

enhances the efficiency of many processor operations.

L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor.

L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or

incorporated into the processor architecture.

carnet — An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into

foreign countries. Also known as a merchandise passport.

CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only

once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.

CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a

CD-RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten).

CD-RW drive — A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs)

and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but

you can write to CD-R discs only once.

162 Glossary

CD-RW/DVD drive — A drive, sometimes referred to as a combo drive, that can read

CDs and DVDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs)

discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs

only once.

clock speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast computer

components that are connected to the system bus operate.

CMOS — A type of electronic circuit. Computers use a small amount of battery-

powered CMOS memory to hold date, time, and system setup options.

COA — Certificate of Authenticity — The Windows alpha-numeric code located on a

sticker on your computer. Also referred to as the Product Key or

Product ID.

Control Panel — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and

hardware settings, such as display settings.

controller — A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and

memory or between the processor and devices.

CRIMM — continuity rambus in-line memory module — A special module that has

no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots.

cursor — The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard, touch

pad, or mouse action will occur. It often is a blinking solid line, an underline character,

or a small arrow.

DDR SDRAM — double-data-rate SDRAM — A type of SDRAM that doubles the

data burst cycle, improving system performance.

DDR2 SDRAM — double-data-rate 2 SDRAM — A type of DDR SDRAM that uses a

4-bit prefetch and other architectural changes to boost memory speed to over 400

MHz.

device — Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, or keyboard that is installed in or

connected to your computer.

device driver — See driver.

DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit board with memory chips that

connects to a memory module on the system board.

DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche

Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse

cable connectors.

disk striping — A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives. Disk striping

Glossary 163

can speed up operations that retrieve data from disk storage. Computers that use disk

striping generally allow the user to select the data unit size or stripe width.

DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allows certain types of data transfer

between RAM and a device to bypass the processor.

docking device — provides port replication, cable management, and security features

to adapt your notebook to a desktop workspace.

DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and

software companies who develop management standards for distributed desktop,

network, enterprise, and Internet environments.

domain — A group of computers, programs, and devices on a network that are

administered as a unit with common rules and procedures for use by a specific group

of users. A user logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources.

DRAM — dynamic random-access memory — Memory that stores information in

integrated circuits containing capacitors.

driver — Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a

printer. Many devices do not work properly if the correct driver is not installed in the

computer.

DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology that provides a constant, high-speed

Internet connection through an analog telephone line.

dual-core — A technology in which two physical computational units exist inside a

single processor package, thereby increasing computing efficiency and multi-tasking

ability.

dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an

extension of your display. Also referred to as extended display mode.

DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version of a DVD. Data can be recorded

only once onto a DVD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.

DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be written

to a DVD+RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten). (DVD+RW

technology is different from DVD-RW technology.)

DVD+RW drive — drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to

DVD+RW (rewritable DVDs) discs.

DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a

computer and a digital video display.

ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special

164 Glossary

circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory.

ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel connector design that provides

improved bidirectional data transmission. Similar to EPP, ECP uses direct memory

access to transfer data and often improves performance.

EIDE — enhanced integrated device electronics — An improved version of the IDE

interface for hard drives and CD drives.

EMI — electromagnetic interference — Electrical interference caused by

electromagnetic radiation.

ENERGY STAR

— Environmental Protection Agency requirements that decrease

the overall consumption of electricity.

EPP — enhanced parallel port — A parallel connector design that provides

bidirectional data transmission.

ESD — electrostatic discharge — A rapid discharge of static electricity. ESD can

damage integrated circuits found in computer and communications equipment.

expansion card — A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system

board in some computers, expanding the capabilities of the computer. Examples

include video, modem, and sound cards.

expansion slot — A connector on the system board (in some computers) where you

insert an expansion card, connecting it to the system bus.

ExpressCard — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems

and network adapters are common types of ExpressCards. ExpressCards support both

the PCI Express and USB 2.0 standard.

Express Service Code — A numeric code located on a sticker on your Dell™

computer. Use the Express Service Code when contacting Dell for assistance. Express

Service Code service may not be available in some countries.

extended display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as

an extension of your display. Also referred to as dual display mode.

extended PC Card — A PC Card that extends beyond the edge of the PC Card slot

when installed.

Fahrenheit — A temperature measurement scale where 32° is the freezing point and

212° is the boiling point of water.

FBD — fully-buffered DIMM — A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an

Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) that speeds communication between the DDR2

SDRAM chips and the system.

Glossary 165

FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A U.S. agency responsible for

enforcing communications-related regulations that state how much radiation

computers and other electronic equipment can emit.

fingerprint reader — A strip sensor that uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate

your user identity to help secure your computer.

folder — A term used to describe space on a disk or drive where files are organized and

grouped. Files in a folder can be viewed and ordered in various ways, such as

alphabetically, by date, and by size.

format — The process that prepares a drive or disk for file storage. When a drive or

disk is formatted, the existing information on it is lost.

FSB — front side bus — The data path and physical interface between the processor

and RAM.

FTP — file transfer protocol — A standard Internet protocol used to exchange files

between computers connected to the Internet.

G — gravity — A measurement of weight and force.

GB — gigabyte — A measurement of data storage that equals 1024 MB

(1,073,741,824 bytes). When used to refer to hard drive storage, the term is often

rounded to 1,000,000,000 bytes.

GHz — gigahertz — A measurement of frequency that equals one thousand million

Hz, or one thousand MHz. The speeds for computer processors, buses, and interfaces

are often measured in GHz.

graphics mode — A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical

pixels by z colors. Graphics modes can display an unlimited variety of shapes and

fonts.

GUI — graphical user interface — Software that interacts with the user by means of

menus, windows, and icons. Most programs that operate on the Windows operating

systems are GUIs.

hard drive — A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The terms hard drive

and hard disk are often used interchangeably.

heat sink — A metal plate on some processors that helps dissipate heat.

hibernate mode — A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a

reserved space on the hard drive and then turns off the computer. When you restart

166 Glossary

the computer, the memory information that was saved to the hard drive is

automatically restored.

HTTP — hypertext transfer protocol — A protocol for exchanging files between

computers connected to the Internet.

Hyper-Threading — Hyper-Threading is an Intel technology that can enhance overall

computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical

processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously.

Hz — hertz — A unit of frequency measurement that equals 1 cycle per second.

Computers and electronic devices are often measured in kilohertz (kHz), megahertz

(MHz), gigahertz (GHz), or terahertz (THz).

iAMT — Intel

Active Management Technology — Delivers more secure systems

management capabilities, regardless of whether the computer is turned on or off, or

the operating system is not responding.

IC — integrated circuit — A semiconductor wafer, or chip, on which thousands or

millions of tiny electronic components are fabricated for use in computer, audio, and

video equipment.

IDE — integrated device electronics — An interface for mass storage devices in which

the controller is integrated into the hard drive or CD drive.

IEEE 1394 — Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. — A high-

performance serial bus used to connect IEEE 1394-compatible devices, such as digital

cameras and DVD players, to the computer.

infrared sensor — A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and

infrared-compatible devices without using a cable connection.

integrated — Usually refers to components that are physically located on the

computer’s system board. Also referred to as built-in.

I/O — input/output — An operation or device that enters and extracts data from your

computer. Keyboards and printers are I/O devices.

I/O address — An address in RAM that is associated with a specific device (such as a

serial connector, parallel connector, or expansion slot) and allows the processor to

communicate with that device.

IrDA — Infrared Data Association — The organization that creates international

standards for infrared communications.

IRQ — interrupt request — An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so

that the device can communicate with the processor. Each device connection must be

assigned an IRQ. Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, you

Glossary 167

cannot operate both devices simultaneously.

ISP — Internet service provider — A company that allows you to access its host server

to connect directly to the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and access websites. The

ISP typically provides you with a software package, user name, and access phone

numbers for a fee.

Kb — kilobit — A unit of data that equals 1024 bits. A measurement of the capacity of

memory integrated circuits.

KB — kilobyte — A unit of data that equals 1024 bytes but is often referred to as 1000

bytes.

key combination — A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the same

time.

kHz — kilohertz — A measurement of frequency that equals 1000 Hz.

LAN — local area network — A computer network covering a small area. A LAN

usually is confined to a building or a few nearby buildings. A LAN can be connected to

another LAN over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves to form a

wide area network (WAN).

LCD — liquid crystal display — The technology used by portable computer and flat-

panel displays.

LED — light-emitting diode — An electronic component that emits light to indicate

the status of the computer.

local bus — A data bus that provides a fast throughput for devices to the processor.

LPT — line print terminal — The designation for a parallel connection to a printer or

other parallel device.

Mb — megabit — A measurement of memory chip capacity that equals 1024 Kb.

Mbps — megabits per second — One million bits per second. This measurement is

typically used for transmission speeds for networks and modems.

MB — megabyte — A measurement of data storage that equals 1,048,576 bytes. 1 MB

equals 1024 KB. When used to refer to hard drive storage, the term is often rounded to

1,000,000 bytes.

168 Glossary

MB/sec — megabytes per second — One million bytes per second. This measurement

is typically used for data transfer ratings.

media bay — A bay that supports devices such as optical drives, a second battery, or a

Dell TravelLite™ module.

memory — A temporary data storage area inside your computer. Because the data in

memory is not permanent, it is recommended that you frequently save your files while

you are working on them, and always save your files before you shut down the

computer. Your computer can contain several different forms of memory, such as

RAM, ROM, and video memory. Frequently, the word memory is used as a synonym

for RAM.

memory address — A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM.

memory mapping — The process by which the computer assigns memory addresses to

physical locations at start-up. Devices and software can then identify information that

the processor can access.

memory module — A small circuit board containing memory chips, which connects to

the system board.

MHz — megahertz — A measure of frequency that equals 1 million cycles per second.

The speeds for computer processors, buses, and interfaces are often measured in MHz.

Mini PCI — A standard for integrated peripheral devices with an emphasis on

communications such as modems and NICs. A Mini PCI card is a small external card

that is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card.

Mini-Card — A small card designed for integrated peripherals, such as

communication NICs. The Mini-Card is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI

expansion card.

modem — A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers

over analog telephone lines. Three types of modems include: external, PC Card, and

internal. You typically use your modem to connect to the Internet and exchange e-

mail.

module bay — See media bay.

MP — megapixel — A measure of image resolution used for digital cameras.

ms — millisecond — A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second.

Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms.

network adapter — A chip that provides network capabilities. A computer may

include a network adapter on its system board, or it may contain a PC Card with an

adapter on it. A network adapter is also referred to as a NIC (network interface

Glossary 169

controller).

NIC — See network adapter.

notification area — The section of the Windows taskbar that contains icons for

providing quick access to programs and computer functions, such as the clock, volume

control, and print status. Also referred to as system tray.

ns — nanosecond — A measure of time that equals one billionth of a second.

NVRAM — nonvolatile random access memory — A type of memory that stores data

when the computer is turned off or loses its external power source. NVRAM is used for

maintaining computer configuration information such as date, time, and other system

setup options that you can set.

optical drive — A drive that uses optical technology to read or write data from CDs,

DVDs, or DVD+RWs. Example of optical drives include CD drives, DVD drives, CD-

RW drives, and CD-RW/DVD combo drives.

parallel connector — An I/O port often used to connect a parallel printer to your

computer. Also referred to as an LPT port.

partition — A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more

logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can contain multiple

logical drives.

PC Card — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems and

network adapters are common types of PC Cards.

PCI — peripheral component interconnect — PCI is a local bus that supports 32-and

64-bit data paths, providing a high-speed data path between the processor and devices

such as video, drives, and networks.

PCI Express — A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate

between the processor and the devices attached to it. PCI Express can transfer data at

speeds from 250 MB/sec to 4 GB/sec. If the PCI Express chip set and the device are

capable of different speeds, they will operate at the slower speed.

PCMCIA — Personal Computer Memory Card International Association — The

organization that establishes standards for PC Cards.

PIO — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two

devices through the processor as part of the data path.

pixel — A single point on a display screen. Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to

170 Glossary

create an image. A video resolution, such as 800 x 600, is expressed as the number of

pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.

Plug-and-Play — The ability of the computer to automatically configure devices. Plug

and Play provides automatic installation, configuration, and compatibility with

existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are Plug and Play

compliant.

POST — power-on self-test — Diagnostics programs, loaded automatically by the

BIOS, that perform basic tests on the major computer components, such as memory,

hard drives, and video. If no problems are detected during POST, the computer

continues the start-up.

processor — A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions.

Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU (central processing unit).

PS/2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a PS/2-compatible

keyboard, mouse, or keypad.

PXE — pre-boot execution environment — A WfM (Wired for Management)

standard that allows networked computers that do not have an operating system to be

configured and started remotely.

RAID — redundant array of independent disks — A method of providing data

redundancy. Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0, RAID 1,

RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 50.

RAM — random-access memory — The primary temporary storage area for program

instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your

computer.

readme file — A text file included with a software package or hardware product.

Typically, readme files provide installation information and describe new product

enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented.

read-only — Data and/or files you can view but cannot edit or delete. A file can have

read-only status if:

• It resides on a physically write-protected floppy disk, CD, or DVD.

• It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned

rights only to specific individuals.

refresh rate — The frequency, measured in Hz, at which your screen's horizontal lines

are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency). The higher the

refresh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye.

resolution — The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed

Glossary 171

on a monitor. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.

RFI — radio frequency interference — Interference that is generated at typical radio

frequencies, in the range of 10 kHz to 100,000 MHz. Radio frequencies are at the

lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have

interference than the higher frequency radiations, such as infrared and light.

ROM — read-only memory — Memory that stores data and programs that cannot be

deleted or written to by the computer. ROM, unlike RAM, retains its contents after

you shut down your computer. Some programs essential to the operation of your

computer reside in ROM.

RPM — revolutions per minute — The number of rotations that occur per minute.

Hard drive speed is often measured in rpm.

RTC — real time clock — Battery-powered clock on the system board that keeps the

date and time after you shut down the computer.

RTCRST — real-time clock reset — A jumper on the system board of some computers

that can often be used for troubleshooting problems.

SAS — serial attached SCSI — A faster, serial version of the SCSI interface (as

opposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture).

SATA — serial ATA — A faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface.

ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk’s surface

for errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped

responding.

SCSI — small computer system interface — A high-speed interface used to connect

devices to a computer, such as hard drives, CD drives, printers, and scanners. The

SCSI can connect many devices using a single controller. Each device is accessed by an

individual identification number on the SCSI controller bus.

SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory — A type of DRAM that is

synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor.

serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld

digital device or digital camera to your computer.

Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when

you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer service

or technical support.

setup program — A program that is used to install and configure hardware and

software. The setup.exe or install.exe program comes with most Windows software

packages. Setup program differs from system setup.

172 Glossary

shortcut — An icon that provides quick access to frequently used programs, files,

folders, and drives. When you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and double-

click the icon, you can open its corresponding folder or file without having to find it

first. Shortcut icons do not change the location of files. If you delete a shortcut, the

original file is not affected. Also, you can rename a shortcut icon.

SIM — Subscriber Identity Module — A SIM card contains a microchip that encrypts

voice and data transmissions. SIM cards can be used in phones or portable computers.

smart card — A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip. Smart

cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards.

S/PDIF — Sony/Philips Digital Interface — An audio transfer file format that allows

the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from an

analog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.

standby mode — A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary

computer operations to save energy.

Strike Zone™ — Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by

acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences resonating shock or is

dropped (whether the computer is on or off).

surge protectors — Prevent voltage spikes, such as those that may occur during an

electrical storm, from entering the computer through the electrical outlet. Surge

protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts, which occur

when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC-line voltage level.

Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors. Always disconnect the

network cable from the network connector during electrical storms.

SVGA — super-video graphics array — A video standard for video cards and

controllers. Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768.

The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the

capabilities of the monitor, the video controller and its drivers, and the amount of

video memory installed in the computer.

S-video TV-out — A connector used to attach a TV or digital audio device to the

computer.

SXGA — super-extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and

controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.

SXGA+ — super-extended graphics array plus — A video standard for video cards and

controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050.

system board — The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the

motherboard.

system setup — A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware

Glossary 173

and the operating system. System setup allows you to configure user-selectable options

in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Unless you understand what

effect the settings have on the computer, do not change the settings for this program.

TAPI — telephony application programming interface — Enables Windows programs

to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, and

video.

text editor — A program used to create and edit files that contain only text; for

example, Windows Notepad uses a text editor. Text editors do not usually provide

word wrap or formatting functionality (the option to underline, change fonts, and so

on).

TPM — trusted platform module — A hardware-based security feature that when

combined with security software enhances network and computer security by enabling

features such as file and e-mail protection.

travel module — A plastic device designed to fit inside the module bay of a portable

computer to reduce the weight of the computer.

UAC — user account control— Microsoft Windows Vista

security feature that, when

enabled, provides an added layer of security between user accounts and access to

operating system settings.

UMA — unified memory allocation — System memory dynamically allocated to

video.

UPS — uninterruptible power supply — A backup power source used when the

electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. A UPS keeps a

computer running for a limited amount of time when there is no electrical power. UPS

systems typically provide surge suppression and may also provide voltage regulation.

Small UPS systems provide battery power for a few minutes to enable you to shut

down your computer.

USB — universal serial bus — A hardware interface for a low-speed device such as a

USB-compatible keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, set of speakers, printer,

broadband devices (DSL and cable modems), imaging devices, or storage devices.

Devices are plugged directly in to a 4-pin socket on your computer or in to a multi-port

hub that plugs in to your computer. USB devices can be connected and disconnected

while the computer is turned on, and they can also be daisy-chained together.

UTP — unshielded twisted pair — Describes a type of cable used in most telephone

174 Glossary

networks and some computer networks. Pairs of unshielded wires are twisted to protect

against electromagnetic interference, rather than relying on a metal sheath around

each pair of wires to protect against interference.

UXGA — ultra extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and

controllers that supports resolutions up to 1600 x 1200.

video controller — The circuitry on a video card or on the system board (in computers

with an integrated video controller) that provides the video capabilities—in

combination with the monitor—for your computer.

video memory — Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions.

Video memory is usually faster than system memory. The amount of video memory

installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display.

video mode — A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a

monitor. Graphics-based software, such as Windows operating systems, displays in

video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors.

Character-based software, such as text editors, displays in video modes that can be

defined as x columns by y rows of characters.

video resolution — See resolution.

virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on

your computer. A virus program moves from one computer to another through an

infected disk, software downloaded from the Internet, or e-mail attachments. When

an infected program starts, its embedded virus also starts.

A common type of virus is a boot virus, which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy

disk. If the floppy disk is left in the drive when the computer is shut down and then

turned on, the computer is infected when it reads the boot sectors of the floppy disk

expecting to find the operating system. If the computer is infected, the boot virus may

replicate itself onto all the floppy disks that are read or written in that computer until

the virus is eradicated.

V — volt — The measurement of electric potential or electromotive force. One V

appears across a resistance of 1 ohm when a current of 1 ampere flows through that

resistance.

W — watt — The measurement of electrical power. One W is 1 ampere of current

flowing at 1 volt.

WHr — watt-hour — A unit of measure commonly used to indicate the approximate

Glossary 175

capacity of a battery. For example, a 66-WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1

hour or 33 W for 2 hours.

wallpaper — The background pattern or picture on the Windows desktop. Change

your wallpaper through the Windows Control Panel. You can also scan in your favorite

picture and make it wallpaper.

WLAN — wireless local area network. A series of interconnected computers that

communicate with each other over the air waves using access points or wireless routers

to provide Internet access.

write-protected — Files or media that cannot be changed. Use write-protection when

you want to protect data from being changed or destroyed. To write-protect a 3.5-inch

floppy disk, slide its write-protect tab to the open position.

WWAN — wireless wide area network. A wireless high-speed data network using

cellular technology and covering a much larger geographic area than WLAN.

WXGA — wide-aspect extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards

and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 800.

XGA — extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and controllers

that supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768.

ZIF — zero insertion force — A type of socket or connector that allows a computer

chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to either the chip or its socket.

Zip — A popular data compression format. Files that have been compressed with the

Zip format are called Zip files and usually have a filename extension of .zip. A special

kind of zipped file is a self-extracting file, which has a filename extension of .exe. You

can unzip a self-extracting file by double-clicking it.

Zip drive — A high-capacity floppy drive developed by Iomega Corporation that uses

3.5-inch removable disks called Zip disks. Zip disks are slightly larger than regular

floppy disks, about twice as thick, and hold up to 100 MB of data.

176 Glossary

Топ 10 инструкций

100.00

MB QUART DSG 213

99.98

Skil 0790 RA

99.98

Bosch KGN39VW21

99.97

Sony CDX-CA750X RU

99.97

Braun 310 Series 3

99.96

Asus P3-PE5

99.96

Siemens MQ 5 N 298

99.96

YUKON EXTEND LRS-1000

99.96

Bosch GWS 22-230 JH Professional

99.96

Philips Lunettes 3D Active

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Оглавление

Contents

Finding Information

About Your Computer

Setting Up Your Computer

Using a Battery

Using the Keyboard

Using the Display

Using Multimedia

Setting Up and Using Networks

Using Cards

Securing Your Computer

Cleaning Your Computer

Troubleshooting

System Setup Program

Reinstalling Software

Dell™ QuickSet

Traveling With Your Computer

Getting Help

Specifications

Appendix

Glossary

Топ 10 инструкций

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