Dell 1150 20

20 A Tour of Your Computer

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The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the

ACadapter with your computer turned either on or off.

CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and

power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to

the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.

CAUTION: Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the floor, when you use

it to run the computer or to charge the battery. Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items

that will reduce cooling; also, do not use the AC adapter inside a carrying case.

NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the

cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable.

USB CONNECTORS

VIDEO CONNECTOR

NETWORK CONNECTOR

NOTICE: The network connector is slightly larger than the modem connector. To avoid damaging the

computer, do not plug a telephone line into the network connector.

Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard,

orprinter.

Connects an external monitor. For more information, see

"Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. To access

the help file, see page9.

Connects the computer to a network. The lights next to the

connector indicate activity for both wired and wireless

network communications.

For information on using the network adapter, see the

online network-adapter documentation supplied with your

computer.

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1 A Tour of Your Computer 2 Setting Up Your Computer 3 Using a Battery 4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad 5 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia 6 Setting Up a Home and Office Network 7 Solving Problems 8 Adding and Replacing Parts 9 Appendix Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Page Finding Information 10 NOTE: Page A Tour of Your Computer Front View Page Page 16 Left Side View Right Side View 18 Back View 20 Bottom View Page Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Modem and Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer 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 Page 32 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 34 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 Touch Pad or Mouse Problems External Keyboard Problems 38 Unexpected Characters Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Using CDs and DVDs Dell Inspiron Help For information about using CDs and DVDs in your computer, see the file. To access the help file, see page 9. 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 and CD-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 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 56 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 If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec 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 Page Modem and Mini PCI Card Replacing the Modem Adding a Mini PCI Card Page Page CD or DVD Drive 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 Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Contacting Dell Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Index A B C D E F H I K P R S T U V W