About Your Computer | Dell 1200 guide

CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.

B A T T E R Y — When a battery is installed, you can use the computer without connecting the computer to an electrical outlet (see "Using a Battery" on page 31).

B A T T E R Y - B A Y L A T C H R E L E A S E S — Release the battery (see "Removing the Battery" on page 36).

About Your Computer

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Dell 1200 owner manual About Your Computer

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m November RK930 Contents Customizing the Touch Pad Microsoft Windows Firewall Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Securing Your Computer 102 Dell Technical Update Service101 119 105120 123 127 126129 137 Contents What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Finding Information Dell Product Information Guide License Site What Are You Looking For? Dell Support Utility Windows Help and Support On the operating system you ordered Finding Information Front View About Your Computer Display About Your Computer V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S In-1 memory card reader Left Side View Right Side View Back View D E M C O N N E C T O R RJ T W O R K C O N N E C T O R RJ Bottom View Battery Battery-bay latch release About Your Computer About Your Computer Battery Performance Using a Battery Low-Battery Warning Checking the Battery ChargeMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Standby and Sleep Mode Conserving Battery PowerPower Management Modes Hibernate Mode Charging the Battery Configuring Power Management SettingsAccessing Power Options Properties Windows XP Removing the Battery Storing a Battery Using a Battery Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard Key Combinations Power ManagementSystem Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Mouse Properties window Customizing the Touch Pad Using a Projector Using the DisplayAdjusting Brightness Windows Vista Making Images and Text Look Bigger or SharperMicrosoft Windows XP Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Click the Settings tab→ Advanced→ Displays tab Using the Display Playing CDs or DVDs Using Multimedia DVD player includes the following basic buttons Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDs DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Adjusting the Picture Adjusting the Volume Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using Networks Checking Your Wireless Network Card Wireless Local Area Network WlanWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Start Button and Connect To Option Order Confirmation for Your Computer Connecting to a Wlan Click Start→ Settings→ Control Panel→ Network Connections Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Completing the Connection to the Wlan Microsoft Windows Firewall Setting Up and Using Networks ExpressCards Using Cards ExpressCard Blanks Installing an ExpressCard Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Slot About Passwords PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock Type of Password Features Using a Primary or System Password Using an Administrator Password If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Computer Tracking SoftwareFingerprint Reader Optional Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Diagnostic Lights Troubleshooting ToolsDiagnostic Light Codes During Post Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light Pattern System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station E S E M E S S a G E S . See System Setup Program on Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on Hardware Troubleshooter Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Troubleshooting Tools Press Tab to select Test System and then press Enter Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu TabFunction Encountered Tab Function Battery Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Troubleshooting Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper Do not use these characters in filenames Error Messages Program stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer stops responding Solid blue screen appears Program crashes repeatedlyProgram is designed for an earlier Windows operating system Other software problems Memory Problems Power Problems Network Problems Printer Problems Click Properties and click Ports Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphones Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read Video and Monitor Problems Only part of the display is readable Power Lights3D image quality is poor Dell Support Utility Dell Technical Update Service Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Accessing the Dell Support UtilityClicking the Dell Support Icon 100 101 System Setup ProgramOverview System Setup Screens Viewing the System Setup ScreensChanging the Boot Sequence Commonly Used Options 103 Performing a One-Time Boot 104 Enabling the Infrared Sensor What Is a Driver? Reinstalling SoftwareDrivers Identifying Drivers Using Windows Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesMicrosoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista 107 At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next 108 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media 109 Manually Reinstalling Drivers 110 Hardware and Software ProblemsRestoring Your Operating System 111 Using Microsoft Windows System RestoreStarting System Restore 112 Undoing the Last System RestoreEnabling System Restore 113 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image RestoreWindows XP Dell PC Restore 114 115 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows Vista Using the Operating System MediaBefore you Begin 116 117 118 Identifying Your Computer Traveling With Your ComputerPacking the Computer 119 120 Travel TipsTraveling by Air 121 122 123 Getting HelpObtaining Assistance 124 Technical Support and Customer ServiceDellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Problems With Your OrderAutomated Order-Status Service 125 126 127 Before You Call 128 Diagnostics Checklist 129 Contacting Dell 130 131 Specifications Communications 132Video Audio Keyboard 133Display 134 BatteryTouch Pad AC Adapter Drives 135Physical Environmental 136 FCC Notice U.S. Only AppendixFCC Class B 137 138 Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display 139 Mouse Non-OpticalCDs and DVDs 140 141 Glossary 142 Product ID 143 Device driver See driver 144 145 146 147 148 Module bay See media bay 149 NIC See network adapter 150 151 152 153 154 155 Video resolution See resolution 156 157 158 159 Index 160 161 See also wireless switch 162 163 164