Dell Latitude D810: instruction

Dell™ Latitude™ D810

Quick Reference Guide

Model PP15L

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the

problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the

User’s Guide

(depending on your operating system,

double-click the

User’s Guide

icon on your desktop, or click the

Start

button, click

Help and Support Center

,

and then click

User and system guides

).

®

®

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft

Windows

operating systems are not applicable.

The

Drivers and Utilities

CD and the

Operating System

CD are optional and may not ship with all computers.

_________________

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

© 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and Latitude are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks

of Microsoft Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.

Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model PP15L

February 2005 P/N Y4302 Rev. A01

Contents

Finding Information for Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Up Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

About Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Front View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Left View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Right View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Back View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Bottom View

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Using a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Battery Performance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Checking the Battery Charge

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Charging the Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Removing a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Installing a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Storing a Battery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Solving Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Notebook System Software (NSS)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Lockups and Software Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Running the Dell Diagnostics

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Optional Drivers

and Utilities CD

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Contents 3

4 Contents

Finding Information for Your Computer

NOTE: Some features may not be available for your computer or 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 CD (also known as the ResourceCD)

• Drivers for my computer

Documentation and drivers are already

• My computer documentation

installed on your computer when shipped

• My device documentation

from Dell. You can use the CD to reinstall

drivers, run the Dell Diagnostics, or access

• Notebook System Software (NSS)

your documentation.

Readme files may be included on your CD

to provide last-minute updates about

technical changes to your computer or

advanced technical-reference material for

experienced users or technicians.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship with all

computers.

NOTE: The latest drivers and documentation updates can be found 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

• Service Tag and Express Service Code

Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License

®

®

• Microsoft

Windows

License Label

These labels are located on the

bottom of your computer.

• Use the Service Tag to identify your

computer when you use

support.dell.com

or contact

technical support

• Enter the Express Service Code to direct your call when contacting

technical support. The Express Service Code is not available in all

countries.

Quick Reference Guide 5

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to remove and replace parts

Latitude™ User’s Guide

• Specifications

®

®

Microsoft

Windows

XP Help and Support Center

• How to configure system settings

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support.

• How to troubleshoot and solve problems

2

Click

User and System Guides

and click

User Guides

.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

6 Quick Reference Guide

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• Solutions — Troubleshooting hints and tips,

Dell Support Website — support.dell.com

articles from technicians, online courses,

NOTE: Select your region to view the appropriate support site.

frequently asked questions

NOTE: Corporate, government, and education customers can also use the

• Community — Online discussion with other

customized Dell Premier Support website at premier.support.dell.com.

Dell customers

The website may not be available in all regions.

• Upgrades — Upgrade information for

components, such as memory, the hard drive,

and the operating system

• Customer Care — Contact information,

service call and order status, warranty, and

repair information

• Service and support — Service call status and

support history, service contract, online

discussions with technical support

• 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 you

reinstall the operating system for your

computer, you should also reinstall the NSS

utility. NSS provides critical updates for your

operating system and support for Dell™

®

3.5-inch USB floppy drives, Intel

®

Pentium

M processors, optical drives, and

USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct

operation of your Dell computer. The

software automatically detects your computer

and operating system and installs the updates

appropriate for your configuration.

To download Notebook System Software:

1

Go to

support.dell.com

and click

Downloads

.

2

Enter your Service Tag or product model.

3

In the

Download Category

drop-down menu,

click

All

.

4

Select the operating system and operating

system language for your computer, and click

Submit

.

5

Under

Select a Device

, scroll to

System and

Configuration Utilities

, and click

Dell

Notebook System Software

.

Quick Reference Guide 7

What Are You Looking For? Find It Here

• How to use Windows XP

Windows Help and Support Center

• Documentation for my computer

1

Click the

Start

button and click

Help and Support

.

• Documentation for devices (such as a

2

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the arrow

modem)

icon.

3

Click the topic that describes your problem.

4

Follow the instructions on the screen.

• How to reinstall my operating system

Operating System CD

The operating system is already installed on your computer. To reinstall

your operating system, use the Operating System CD. See your Latitude

User’s Guide for instructions.

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

After you reinstall your operating system,

use the Drivers and Utilities CD to

reinstall drivers for the devices that came

with your computer.

The operating system product key is

located on your computer.

NOTE: The color of your CD varies based

on the operating system you ordered.

NOTE: The Operating System CD is

optional and may not ship with all

computers.

8 Quick Reference Guide

Setting Up Your Computer

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

located in the Product Information Guide.

1

Unpack the accessories box.

2

Set aside the contents of the accessories box, which you will need to complete your computer

setup.

The accessories box also contains user documentation and any software or additional

hardware (such as PC Cards, drives, or batteries) that you have ordered.

3

Connect the AC adapter to the AC adapter connector on the computer and to the electrical

outlet.

NOTICE: When using the AC adapter, secure the cable so that the cable is not pulled, tangled, stepped

on, or crushed by objects such as chair legs or desk supports.

NOTE: Do not connect the computer to the docking device until the computer has been turned on and

shut down at least once.

Quick Reference Guide 9

The following icons appear in the

Battery Meter

window:

The computer or docking device is running on battery power.

The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is charging.

The computer is connected to AC power and the battery is fully charged.

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

Help

.

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Microsoft Windows Power Meter

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

double-click the icon on the taskbar. For more information about the Power Meter tab, see your

User’s Guide

.

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

Charge Gauge

Before you install a battery, press 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.

Health Gauge

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. To

check the battery health, 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.

NOTE: When you press and hold the status button on the battery charge gauge for at least 3 seconds,

the charge-level lights will first light to display the current charge status. Then they switch to Health

status, where they represent incremental degradation when lit.

16 Quick Reference Guide

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. You can also turn the computer off and install a

second battery in the module bay. If the battery runs completely out of power, hibernate mode begins

automatically.

A low-battery warning occurs when the battery charge is approximately 90 percent depleted. The

computer beeps once, indicating that minimal battery operating time remains. During that time,

the speaker beeps periodically. 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.

Charging the Battery

NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in approximately 2 hours with the

computer turned off. Charge time is longer with the computer turned on. You can leave the battery in the

computer as long as you like. The battery’s internal circuitry prevents the battery from overcharging.

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.

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.

Removing a Battery

CAUTION: Before performing these procedures, disconnect the modem from the telephone wall jack.

NOTE: For information about removing the optional second battery,

see your

User’s Guide

.

1

Ensure that the computer is turned off and disconnected from the electrical outlet.

2

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

that came with your docking device for instructions.

Quick Reference Guide 17

3

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

the battery from the bay.

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Installing a Battery

Ensure that the computer is turned off. Slide the battery into the bay until the latch release clicks.

For information about installing the optional second battery, see your

User’s Guide

.

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 before

you use it.

Solving Problems

Notebook System Software (NSS)

If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should also reinstall the NSS utility.

This utility is available on the optional

Drivers and Utilities

CD and on the Dell Support Website.

To download the utility from the Dell Support Website, go to the

Downloads

section of the

website and select your computer model from the pull-down menu. Select the

Download Category

"System and Configuration Utilities," select your operating system and language, and then follow

the posted instructions.

18 Quick Reference Guide

NSS provides critical updates for your operating system and support for Dell™ 3.5-inch USB floppy

®

®

drives, Intel

Pentium

M processors, optical drives, and USB devices. NSS is necessary for correct

operation of your Dell computer. The software automatically detects your computer and operating

system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration.

NOTE: NSS is critical for the correct operation of USB devices, including the Dell D/Bay, D/Dock, D/Port,

and D/View devices.

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 AC ADAPTER IS FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER AND TO THE

E

LECTRICAL OUTLET

The computer stops responding

NOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or

moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computer

turns off. Then restart your computer.

A program stops responding

END THE PROGRAM —

1

Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously.

2

Click

Applications

.

3

Click the program that is no longer responding.

4

Click

End Task

.

A program crashes repeatedly

NOTE: Software usually includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk or CD.

CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

Quick Reference Guide 19

A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system

IF YOU ARE USING WINDOWS XP, RUN THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD —

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so it runs in an environment similar to non-

Windows XP operating system environments.

1

Click the

Start

button, point to

All Programs

→

Accessories

, and then click

Program Compatibility

Wizard

.

2

In the welcome screen, click

Next

.

3

Follow the instructions on the screen.

A solid blue screen appears

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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. Then restart your computer.

Other software problems

CHECK THE SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION OR CONTACT THE SOFTWARE MANUFACTURER FOR

TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION —

• Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer.

• Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See

the software documentation for information.

• Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly.

• Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.

• If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.

BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY

USE A VIRUS-SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS

SAVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE

Start

MENU

20 Quick Reference Guide