Chapter ONE Getting to Know the Basics | Alienware m5550 guide

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

CHAPTER ONE

GETTING TO KNOW THE BASICS

This chapter introduces the features and components of the computer.

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Alienware m5550 user manual Chapter ONE Getting to Know the Basics

Contents

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Table of Contents Bios Setup and Security Upgrading Your Computer Using This Manual Symbols and ConventionsPreface Here are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter Cleaning the Ventilation Grills When cleaning the computer, observe these steps Chapter Summaries Chapter ONE Getting to Know the Basics Performance Features Firewire IEEE1394 / 1394a and USB2.0 Ports Wireless LANEthernet Port Top View LCD Latch System At a Glance LED Status Indicator Touch Pad Disable / Enable ButtonPower / Suspend Button Keyboard Outlook Express Quick Key Silent Mode ButtonInternet Explorer Quick Key Windows Media Player Quick Key Power Jack DC-in Wireless On/Off SwitchBattery Pack Front and Rear View Kensington Lock Key Hole Ventilation Grill Side Views Audio Volume DialStereo Headphone / SPDIF-out Jack Microphone Jack USB2.0 Port Firewire / IEEE1394 / 1394a PortDVI-I Port TV S-Video Port ExpressCard Slot Battery Pack and Battery Latch Bottom ViewHard Disk Drive Cover Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference System Device Cover AC Adapter DC-out ConnectorAdapter AC Plug System & Power Status Indicators Function Keys Quick Keys Keyboard Features Start Key Windows KeysApplication Menu Key Embedded Numeric Keypad Tips on Using the Touch Pad Graphics Subsystem Adjusting the Display BrightnessExtending the Life of the TFT Display Device Opening and Closing the Display Panel Modem Audio Subsystem To change the modem setting, do the following Chapter TWO Bios Setup and Security Feature Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Entering the Bios Setup Screen Leaving the Bios Setup ScreenBios Action Keys Boot Setup Modifying the Bios SettingsMain Setup Boot Settings Configuration Realtek Boot Agent To boot from. If Realtek Disabled Using Password Protection Security Setup Exit Setup Power Setup Chapter Three Battery Power & Power Management Lithium-Ion Battery Battery PackBattery Low-Power Warning Low Battery Warning Very Low Battery Warning Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference To Remove the Battery Pack Installing and Removing the Battery Pack To Install the Battery Pack Charging the Battery and Charging TimeChecking the Battery Level Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage Cycles Windows’ Power Schemes Using Windows Power Options Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Suspend Mode Standby SuspendHibernate 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 Audio Problems No speaker outputSound 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 capacity Files are corrupted Hard disk takes longer to read a file Optical drive does not work Optical Drive ProblemsDrive does not read any disks Disk cannot be ejected Display panel is blank when the system is turned on Display ProblemsScreen is difficult to read Screen flickers Characters on the screen repeat when I type Keyboard and Mouse ProblemsBuilt-in touch pad performs erratically Built-in keyboard accepts no input Memory Problems Cmos Battery Problem Connection difficulties Modem Problems Built-in modem does not respond Ethernet adapter does not work Network Adapter / Ethernet Problems Windows crashes or freezes when you remove the PC card PC Card / Pcmcia ProblemsPC Cards do not function PC card cannot be recognized Performance Problems Computer becomes hotProgram appears to have stopped or runs very slowly Firewire IEEE1394 and USB2.0 Problems USB device does not workIEEE1394 port does not work Appendix a Product Specifications System Memory Processor and Core LogicDisplay Audio Modem Firewire IEEE1394aLAN / Ethernet Storage Battery Pack / AC Adapter Ports and ConnectorsKeyboard & Touch pad Express Card New Card & Multiple Card Reader Physical Specification Bios Appendix B Agency Regulatory Notices Modifications Federal Communications Commission NoticeConnections to Peripheral Devices Declaration of Conformity Canadian Notice European Notice Power Cord Requirement CanadaJapan Other Countries Telephone Lines Requirement Battery Pack Safety Lithium Battery Warning / Bridge Battery Warning Laser Safety Connecting to the Network EthernetCabling Restriction for Networks