Dell 100L Getting Help

Appendix 101

FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\patricia_drake\Desktop\New Folder\D5016c90.fm

DELL CONFIDENTIAL – PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 – FOR PROOF ONLY

Low Power Mode can improve battery charge time and battery life. Depending on system activity

levels, system performance may be reduced. To set Low Power Mode:

NOTE: You can also click the power meter icon on the taskbar.

1

Click the

Start

button

→

Control Panel

→

Performance and Maintenance

→

Power O ption s

.

2

Click the

Power Schemes

tab.

3

In the

Power schemes

drop-down menu, click

Low Power Mode

.

For more information on power management, see the

Dell Latitude 100L Help

file. To access the

help file, see page 16.

Variable Speed Fan

The computer uses a variable speed fan to prevent the computer from overheating. The fan runs

constantly, and fan speed may vary depending on usage. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate

a problem with the fan or the computer.

Getting Help

Technical Assistance

If you need help with a technical problem, Dell is ready to assist you.

CAUTION: If you need to remove the computer covers, first disconnect the computer power and

modem cables from all electrical outlets.

1

Complete the procedures in "Solving Problems" on page59."

2

Run the "Dell Diagnostics" on page59.

3

Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist and fill it out.

4

Use Dell's extensive suite of online services available at Dell Support (

support.dell.com

) for

help with installation and troubleshooting procedures.

5

If the preceding steps have not resolved the problem, contact Dell.

NOTE: Call technical support from a telephone near or at the computer so that technical support can assist

you with any necessary procedures.

NOTE: Dell's Express Service Code system may not be available in all countries.

When prompted by Dell's automated telephone system, enter your Express Service Code to

route the call directly to the proper support personnel. If you do not have an Express Service

Code, open the

Dell Accessories

folder, double-click the

Express Service Code

icon, and

follow the directions.

For instructions on using the technical support service, see "Technical Support Service."

NOTE: Some of the following services are not always available in all locations outside the continental U.S. Call

your local Dell representative for information on availability.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms DELL CONFIDENTIAL PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 FOR PROOF ONLY Contents 1A Tour of Your Computer 2Setting Up Your Computer DELL CONFIDENTIAL PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 FOR PROOF ONLY 3Using a Battery 4Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 5Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 6Setting Up a Home and Office Network 7Solving Problems 8Adding and Replacing Parts 9Appendix Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 DELL CONFIDENTIAL PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 FOR PROOF ONLY CAUTION: Safety Instructions SAFETY: General 10 SAFETY: Power SAFETY: Battery SAFETY: Air Travel CAUTION: Safety Instructions 11 SAFETY: EMC Instructions When Using Your Computer 12 SAFETY: Ergonomic Computing Habits 5 4 3 2 SAFETY: Battery Disposal Page Finding Information NOTE: 16 NOTE: Page A Tour of Your Computer Front View Page Page 22 Left Side View Right Side View 24 Back View Page Page Bottom View Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Modem and Internet Connection Problems Page E-Mail Problems Transferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer 34 Printer Problems Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies Turning Off Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Power Meter Low-Battery Warning Charging the Battery Removing a Battery Installing a Battery Storing a Battery Battery and Power Problems 40 If the battery is not charging If battery life is short Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Dell AccessDirect Button Reprogramming the Button Numeric Keypad 42 Keyboard Shortcuts System Functions CD or DVD Tray Display Functions Power Management Speaker Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad To change the touch pad or mouse settings, Settings OK Touch Pad or Mouse Problems External Keyboard Problems 46 Unexpected Characters Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the Dell Latitude 100L Help file. To access the help file, see page16. CD or DVD Problems Sound and Speaker Problems If you have a problem with integrated speakers Press <Fn><End> to disable (mute) or reenable the integrated speakers. If you have a problem with external speakers Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs Helpful Tips Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Network Problems Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining Your Network Type Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP Page Configuring Security Settings (Optional) Page Page Page Solving Problems Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Page Error Messages Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read NOTE: If only part of the display is readable Scanner Problems Drive Problems If you cannot save a file to a floppy drive 66 If you have problems with a hard drive PC Card Problems General Program Problems A program crashes A program stops responding Error messages appear Resolving Other Technical Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet Ground yourself by touching one of the metal connectors on the back of the computer. Remove any installed PC Cards, and put them in a safe place to dry. If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Page Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Using System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP Before You Reinstall Reinstalling Windows XP Page Page Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Shutting Down Your Computer Hard Drive Page Returning a Hard Drive to Dell Memory Page Modem and Mini PCI Card Replacing the Modem Adding a Mini PCI Card Page CD or DVD Drive Page Keyboard Page Page Appendix Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Page Using the System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options System and Battery Performance Optimization System Performance Overview Optimizing Power Consumption and Battery Charge Time Variable Speed Fan Getting Help Technical Assistance Page Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Page Contacting Dell Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Regulatory Notices NOM Information (Mexico Only) Dell Software License Agreement Page Page Limited Warranties and Return Policy Limited Warranty for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (U.S. Only) What is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty? How long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do? NOTE: What if I purchased a service contract? How will you fix my product? May I transfer the limited warranty? "Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (U.S. Only) Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Products (Canada Only) What is covered by this limited warranty? What is not covered by this limited warranty? How long does this limited warranty last? What do I do if I need warranty service? What will Dell do? NOTE: What if I purchased a service contract? How will you fix my product? "Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (Canada Only) Dell Software and Peripherals (Canada Only) Third-Party Software and Peripherals Products Dell-Branded Peripheral Products Return Policy 1-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the Caribbean Only) Guarantee Exclusions Making a Claim Limitation and Statutory Rights Intel Warranty Statement for Pentium and Celeron Processors Only (U.S. and Canada Only) FILE LOCATION: C:\Documents and Settings\patricia_drake\Desktop\New Folder\D5016wr0.fm DELL CONFIDENTIAL PRELIMINARY 3/18/04 FOR PROOF ONLY Page Index A B C D E F H I K R S T U V W