Dell 8500 manual When Using Your Computer

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When Using Your Computer

Observe the following safe-handling guidelines to prevent damage to your computer:

When setting up the computer for work, place it on a level surface.

When traveling, do not check the computer as baggage. You can put your computer through an X-ray security machine, but never put your computer through a metal detector. If you have the computer checked by hand, be sure to have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the computer.

When traveling with the hard drive removed from the computer, wrap the drive in a nonconducting material, such as cloth or paper. If you have the drive checked by hand, be ready to install the drive in the computer. You can put the hard drive through an X-ray security machine, but never put the drive through a metal detector.

When traveling, do not place the computer in overhead storage compartments where it could slide around. Do not drop your computer or subject it to other mechanical shocks.

Protect your computer, battery, and hard drive from environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.

When you move your computer between environments with very different temperature and/or humidity ranges, condensation may form on or within the computer. To avoid damaging the computer, allow sufficient time for the moisture to evaporate before using the computer.

NOTICE: When taking the computer from low-temperature conditions into a warmer environment or from high-temperature conditions into a cooler environment, allow the computer to acclimate to room temperature before turning on power.

When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

Handle components with care. Hold a component such as a memory module by its edges, not its pins.

When preparing to remove a memory module from the system board or disconnect a device from the computer, turn off the computer, remove any battery installed in the battery bay or module bay, disconnect the AC adapter cable, and then wait 5 seconds before proceeding to help avoid possible damage to the system board.

When Using Your Computer

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Contents Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Setting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a Network Uninterruptible Power SuppliesChecking the Charge on the Second Battery Removing and Installing Devices While Using the Keyboard and TouchpadAccessing Help Error Messages Connecting a Television to the ComputerConnecting to a Network Adapter Connecting to Wireless Local Area Networks109 105107 108131 Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP 119124 128Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Contents General Power Battery Air Travel EMC InstructionsCalifornia Residents When Using Your Computer Ergonomic Computing Habits When Working Inside Your ComputerProtecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Battery DisposalWhen Using Your Computer Tour of Your Computer Track stick Display latch Power buttonFront View Mute buttonLight is flashing Tour of Your Computer Y B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S Air vents Security cable slot Ieee 1394 connector PC Card slot Audio connectors Infrared sensorLeft View D I O C O N N E C T O R S Module bay Right ViewVideo TV-out connector Air vent Parallel connector Air vents USB connectorsBack View I D E O TV-O U T C O N N E C T O R Connects a parallel device, such as a printer Tour of Your Computer Fan Battery-bay latch releaseBottom View Hard driveTour of Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Internet Connection Connecting to the InternetIf you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Modem and Internet Connection ProblemsClose the Phone and Modems Options window Transferring Information to a New ComputerSetting Up Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a Parallel PrinterPrinter Cable Connecting a USB Printer Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Printer ProblemsSetting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a Network Power Protection DevicesSurge Protectors Uninterruptible Power Supplies Turning Off Your ComputerLine Conditioners Using Batteries Module Bay Devices Battery Performance Using a BatteryDell QuickSet Battery Meter Checking the Battery ChargeHealth Gauge Microsoft Windows Power MeterLow-Battery Warning Charge GaugeRemoving a Battery Charging the BatteryInstalling a Battery Removing and Installing a Reserve Battery Reserve battery Connector Storing a Battery Power ProblemsAbout the Module Bay Checking the Charge on the Second BatteryStatus button on the charge gauge Second battery top Device latch release If the Device Screw Is Not InstalledIf the Device Screw Is Installed Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices If the Device Screw Is Not Installed If the Device Screw Is Installed Device latch release Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices Using the Keyboard and Touchpad Numeric Keypad Keyboard ShortcutsSystem Functions Display Functions Radios Including Wireless Networking and BluetoothPower Management CD or DVD TrayMicrosoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker FunctionsTouch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsUnexpected Characters External Keyboard ProblemsUsing the Keyboard and Touchpad Using CDs, DVDs, Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs CD or DVD problemsIf you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD Sound and Speaker Problems Or off Copying CDsUsing Easy CD Creator Basic Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW DiscsHelpful Tips How to Copy a CD Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Connecting a Television to the Computer Video TV-out connector TV/digital audio adapter cablePdif digital audio connector TV/digital audio adapter cable Video cable Audio cable Video and Standard AudioUsing CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Video and Digital Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Composite Video and Standard Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Composite Video and Digital Audio ATI Video Controller Enabling the Display Settings for a TelevisionEnabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Nvidia Video ControllerEnabling Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio for DVD Playback Click Enable S/PDIF output Enabling S/PDIF in the Windows Audio Driver Click Advanced Click Enable S/PDIFUsing CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Setting Up a Home and Office Network Network cable Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork adapter connector On computerNetwork Problems Network Setup WizardConnecting to Wireless Local Area Networks Determining your Network TypeInfrastructure Network Connecting to a Network in Windows XP Networks area Wireless network properties window appearsSetting Up a Home and Office Network Finalizing your Network Connection Security Settings Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties 100 Solving Problems 102 Finding Solutions103 Accessing Help Error Messages104 Video and Display Problems If the display is blankClick Control Panel Click Add or Remove Programs 106 If the display is difficult to readScanner Problems If only part of the display is readableClick Appearance and Themes Drive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy driveBack of floppy disk Write-protected Not write-protected PC Card Problems If you have problems with a hard driveUnder Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start Program crashes General Program ProblemsMail Problems Error messages appearIf Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Resolving Other Technical ProblemsWhat Is a Driver? DriversIdentifying Drivers 114 Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Using the Drivers and Utilities CD115 Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XPUsing System Restore Creating a Restore PointRestoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore117 Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Click Performance and Maintenance and click SystemBooting From the Operating System CD Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPBefore You Reinstall Reinstalling Windows XP120 Windows XP Setup121 Reinstalling Drivers and SoftwareSolving Problems Adding and Replacing Parts Adding Memory 125 Captive screw126 Securing clips Per connector Memory module127 Replace the coverAdding a Mini PCI Card 129 Mini PCI card/modem cover Captive screw130 Mini PCI cardAdding a Modem 132 133 Pull-tabscrew Modem Modem cableReplacing the Hard Drive 135 Hard drive screwAdding and Replacing Parts P e n d i PC Card SpecificationsMicroprocessor System InformationPorts and Connectors Communications139 140 VideoAudio Display141 KeyboardBattery AC Adapter142 143 Physical144 EnvironmentalStandard Settings Viewing the System Setup ScreensOverview 146 System Setup ScreensChanging the Boot Sequence Commonly Used Options147 148 Changing Printer ModesChanging COM Ports Enabling the Infrared SensorDell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsAntigua and Barbuda Contacting DellDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Anguilla151 152 153 Canada North York, OntarioCayman Islands Chile SantiagoCzech Republic Prague Website support.euro.dell.com China XiamenColombia Costa Rica155 156 157 Hong KongIndia Ireland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com158 Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.comJamaica Area Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free NumbersJapan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.com Korea Seoul159 Malaysia Penang Latin AmericaLuxembourg Website support.euro.dell.com MacaoNetherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com MexicoMontserrat Netherlands Antilles162 163 Spain Madrid Website support.euro.dell.com Sweden Upplands Vasby Website support.euro.dell.com164 165 166 Dell.co.uk/lca/customerservicesBracknell Website support.euro.dell.com UruguayVenezuela A. Austin, TexasBusiness Virgin IslandsRegulatory Notices 169 NOM Information Mexico OnlyWhat is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty?Limited Warranties and Return Policy 171 How long does this limited warranty last?What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do?172 173 What if I purchased a service contract?May I transfer the limited warranty? How will you fix my product?174 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only175 176 177 178 Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada OnlyDell Software and Peripherals Canada Only Third-Party Software and Peripherals ProductsExclusions GuaranteeDell-Branded Peripheral Products Return PolicyMaking a Claim Limitation and Statutory Rights180 181 Intel’s Three Year Limited WarrantyWhat are Errata? 182183 D ex184 185 186
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