Main
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
1 A Tour of Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2 Setting Up Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3 Using the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7 Using ExpressCards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
8 Setting Up a Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
9 Securing Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
10 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
11 Adding and Replacing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Page
16 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Finding Information
NOTE:
12
NOTE:
Page
A Tour of Your Computer
Front View
Page
Page
18
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
NOTE:
Left Side View
20
Right Side View
22
Back View
Bottom View
Page
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD
Setting Up a Printer
Printer Cable
Connecting a USB Printer
Power Protection Devices
Surge Protectors
Line Conditioners
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Switching the Video Image
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate
Page
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
Key Combinations
Speaker Functions
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Touch Pad
Customizing the Touch Pad
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Charge Gauge
Low-Battery Warning
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Page
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs
Page
Adjusting the Volume
Adjusting the Picture
Microsoft Windows XP
Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect
If the computer is on or in standby mode
If the computer is off or in hibernate mode
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help
Using the Dell MediaDirect Repair Utility CD or the Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation CD
Repairing Dell MediaDirect
Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
50
S-Video and Standard Audio
Page
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Page
Composite Video and Standard Audio
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Page
Component Video and Standard Audio
Page
Page
Page
Configuring DVD Playback Using Headphones
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Page
Using ExpressCards
ExpressCard Types
ExpressCard Blanks
Installing an ExpressCard
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
Media Memory Card Types
Media Memory Card Blanks
Installing a Media Memory Card
Removing a Media Memory Card or Blank
Page
Setting Up a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Network Setup Wizard
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Setting Up a New WLAN
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell QuickSet
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Bluetooth Network
Setting up your Bluetooth Connection
Connecting to a Bluetooth Network
Page
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Passwords
Computer Tracking Software
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Dell Support Utility
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
Hard drive problems
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Page
Error Messages
Page
Page
ExpressCard Problems
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
External Keyboard problems
Unexpected characters
Lockups and Software Problems
The computer does not start up
The computer stops responding
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system
A solid blue screen appears
Dell MediaDirect problems
Other software problems
Memory Problems
Network Problems
Power Problems
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
No sound from external speakers
No sound from headphones
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
If the display is difficult to read
If only part of the display is readable
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Page
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Restoring Your Operating System
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
Page
Using the Operating System CD
Page
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Hard Drive
Page
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Optical Drives
About the Device Security Screw
Removing and Installing Optical Drives
Memory
Installing a Memory Module in Connector DIMM B
Page
Installing a Memory Module in Connector DIMM A
Page
Page
Modem (Optional)
Page
Mini-Card
Page
Hinge Cover
Removing the Hinge Cover
Page
Replacing the Hinge Cover
Keyboard
Removing the Keyboard
Replacing the Keyboard
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Page
Coin-Cell Battery
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery
Dell QuickSet Features
Page
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
Contacting Dell
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
150
NOTE:
Page
Page
Page
154
Printers, and Projectors
Page
Page
Specifications
NOTE:
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Appendix
Using the System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screen
System Setup Screen
Commonly Used Options
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Touch Pad
Floppy Drive
CDs and DVDs
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only)
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)
FCC Class B
Macrovision Product Notice
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Z
Page
Index
Numbers
A
B
C
E
F
H
I
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W