Alienware user manual Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

Page 1

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

Notice

The information in this user’s manual is subject to change without notice.

THE MANUFACTURER OR RESELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE PERFORMANCE OR USE OF THIS MANUAL.

The information in this user’s manual is protected by copyright laws. No part of this manual may be photocopied or reproduced in any form without prior written authorization from the copyright owners.

Copyright January, 2006

All rights reserved.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP/Vista are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners/companies.

The software described in this manual is delivered under a license agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

m5550-04-2007-techref.indd 1

4/6/2007 12:29:44 PM

Image 1
Contents Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Table of Contents Bios Setup and Security Upgrading Your Computer Symbols and Conventions Using This ManualPreface Here are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter Cleaning the Ventilation Grills When cleaning the computer, observe these stepsChapter Summaries Chapter ONE Getting to Know the Basics Performance Features Wireless LAN Firewire IEEE1394 / 1394a and USB2.0 PortsEthernet Port Top View LCD Latch System At a GlanceLED Status Indicator Touch Pad Disable / Enable ButtonPower / Suspend Button KeyboardOutlook Express Quick Key Silent Mode ButtonInternet Explorer Quick Key Windows Media Player Quick KeyPower Jack DC-in Wireless On/Off SwitchBattery Pack Front and Rear ViewKensington Lock Key Hole Ventilation GrillSide Views Audio Volume DialStereo Headphone / SPDIF-out Jack Microphone JackUSB2.0 Port Firewire / IEEE1394 / 1394a PortDVI-I Port TV S-Video PortExpressCard Slot Bottom View Battery Pack and Battery LatchHard Disk Drive Cover Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference System Device Cover AC Adapter DC-out ConnectorAdapter AC PlugSystem & Power Status Indicators Function Keys Quick Keys Keyboard FeaturesStart Key Windows KeysApplication Menu Key Embedded Numeric KeypadTips on Using the Touch Pad Graphics Subsystem Adjusting the Display BrightnessExtending the Life of the TFT Display Device Opening and Closing the Display PanelModem Audio SubsystemTo change the modem setting, do the following Chapter TWO Bios Setup and Security Feature Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Leaving the Bios Setup Screen Entering the Bios Setup ScreenBios Action Keys Boot Setup Modifying the Bios SettingsMain Setup Boot Settings ConfigurationRealtek Boot Agent To boot from. If Realtek Disabled Using Password Protection Security SetupExit Setup Power SetupChapter Three Battery Power & Power Management Lithium-Ion Battery Battery PackBattery Low-Power Warning Low Battery Warning Very Low Battery WarningAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference To Remove the Battery Pack Installing and Removing the Battery PackCharging the Battery and Charging Time To Install the Battery PackChecking the Battery Level Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage Cycles Windows’ Power Schemes Using Windows Power OptionsAlienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Standby Suspend Suspend ModeHibernate Suspend Power Button Action Low Battery Warning Power Menu Quick Access Windows’ Power Plans Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Suspend Mode Power Button Action M5550-04-2007-techref.indd 2007 122951 PM Power Menu Quick Access Chapter Four Upgrading Your Computer Upgrading the Hard Disk Drive Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Upgrading the System Memory Installing a memory module Dimm into the system Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Adding a Mini-PCI Type Wireless LAN Card Optional Device Installing a Mini PCI Card into the System Replace the System Device Cover and 9 Screw D’s Chapter Five Troubleshooting Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference No speaker output Audio ProblemsSound cannot be recorded Hard disk drive does not work or is not recognizable Hard Disk ProblemsHard drive is making abnormal whining noises Hard disk drive has reached its capacityFiles are corrupted Hard disk takes longer to read a fileOptical drive does not work Optical Drive ProblemsDrive does not read any disks Disk cannot be ejectedDisplay panel is blank when the system is turned on Display ProblemsScreen is difficult to read Screen flickersCharacters on the screen repeat when I type Keyboard and Mouse ProblemsBuilt-in touch pad performs erratically Built-in keyboard accepts no inputMemory Problems Cmos Battery ProblemConnection difficulties Modem Problems Built-in modem does not respondEthernet adapter does not work Network Adapter / Ethernet ProblemsWindows crashes or freezes when you remove the PC card PC Card / Pcmcia ProblemsPC Cards do not function PC card cannot be recognizedComputer becomes hot Performance ProblemsProgram appears to have stopped or runs very slowly USB device does not work Firewire IEEE1394 and USB2.0 ProblemsIEEE1394 port does not work Appendix a Product Specifications System Memory Processor and Core LogicDisplay AudioModem Firewire IEEE1394aLAN / Ethernet StorageBattery Pack / AC Adapter Ports and ConnectorsKeyboard & Touch pad Express Card New Card & Multiple Card ReaderPhysical Specification BiosAppendix B Agency Regulatory Notices Modifications Federal Communications Commission NoticeConnections to Peripheral Devices Declaration of ConformityCanadian Notice European NoticeCanada Power Cord RequirementJapan Other Countries Telephone Lines Requirement Battery Pack SafetyLithium Battery Warning / Bridge Battery Warning Laser SafetyEthernet Connecting to the NetworkCabling Restriction for Networks