w w w . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
Dell Inspiron 1525/1526 Owner’s Manual
October
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
P/N NN491
2 Setting Up Your Computer
Contents
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate
4 Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
Conserving Battery Power
9 Setting Up and Using Networks
7 Using the Optional Camera
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card
10 Securing Your Computer
Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Network Assistant
What Is a Driver?
12 Adding and Replacing Parts
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
Internal Card With Bluetooth
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit
13 Traveling With Your Computer
Glossary
Drivers and Utilities Media
Finding Information
These labels are located on your computer
How to set up my computer
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
Dell Product Information Guide
Drivers & Downloads
Windows Help and Support
Dell Support Utility
Dell QuickSet Help
Operating System Media
Finding Information
Front View
About Your Computer
Mute the sound Turn the volume down Turn the volume up Play or pause
Attach headphones to the connector
D E V I C E S T A T U S L I G H T S
The blue lights located above the keyboard indicate the following
A Turns on when the uppercase letter caps lock function is enabled
9 Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled
network connector RJ-45
Left Side View
AC power adapter
USB connectors
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer
H A R D D R I V E - Stores software and data
Right Side View
page
Back View
battery release latch
Bottom View
processor/memory module/mini-card compartment
Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Computer
To set up an Internet connection with a provided ISP desktop shortcut
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Setting Up a Printer
Windows Easy Transfer
Printer Cable
Connecting a USB Printer
1 Complete the operating system setup if you have not already done so
Surge Protectors
Power Protection Devices
Line Conditioners
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Adjusting Brightness
Using the Display
Switching the Video Image From Your Computer Display To a Projector
1 Click Start →Control Panel
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate
Numeric Keypad
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
System Functions
Battery
Power Management
Key Combinations
1 Click Start , and then click Control Panel
Adjusting Keyboard Settings
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Dell QuickSet Key Combinations
Touch Pad
Customizing the Touch Pad
Using the Keyboard and Touchpad
Battery Performance
Using a Battery
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Checking the Battery Charge
Microsoft Windows Battery Meter
Conserving Battery Power
Low-Battery Warning
Using the Sleep Power State
Configuring Power Management Settings
Replacing the Battery
Charging the Battery
4 Slide the battery out of the bay
Storing a Battery
1 Ensure that the computer is turned off 2 Turn the computer over
Playing Media
Using Multimedia
A CD player includes the following basic buttons
2 Launch Windows Vista Media Center from Start →Programs
Playing Media Using Dell Travel Remote Optional
1 Install a coin-cell battery into your remote control
3 Use the remote control buttons to play media
Page Down
Copying CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc BD Media
1 Click Start →All Programs →Roxio Creator→Projects →Copy
How to Copy a CD, DVD or BD
Using Blank CD, DVD, and BD Media
When prompted, insert a blank disc into the drive and click OK
DVD-Writable and Combo Drives
Helpful Tips
Blu-ray Drives
Adjusting the Volume
1 Click Start →Control Panel→Appearance and Personalization
Adjusting the Picture
Using Dell MediaDirect
2 Under Personalization, click Adjust screen resolution
composite video-output connector
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
Pb blue component video-output
S-video and standard audio Composite video and standard audio
Component-out video and standard audio
Pr red component video-output
standard audio cable
S-Video and Standard Audio
composite video adapter
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
S-video cable
S-video cable
Composite Video and Standard Audio
composite video adapter
Using Multimedia
3 standard audio cable
composite video adapter
S-video TV-out connector
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Using Multimedia
composite video cable
Using Multimedia
composite video adapter
3 standard audio cable
S-video TV-out connector
Component Video and Standard Audio
Using Multimedia
component video cable
Using Multimedia
component video adapter
3 standard audio cable
component video adapter
Using Multimedia
component video cable
standard audio cable
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
S-video TV-out connector
Using Multimedia
component video adapter
Using Multimedia
component video-output connectors
component video cable
HDMI Optional
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Accessing the Camera’s Help File
Using the Optional Camera
Creating a Picture or a Video
Manually Adjusting the Camera Settings
ExpressCards
Using Cards
ExpressCard Blanks
Installing an ExpressCard
Memory Card Reader
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
Memory Card Blanks
Installing a Memory Card
Removing a Memory Card or Blank
Using Cards
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Setting Up and Using Networks
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Setting Up a Network
Wireless Local Area Network
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem
6 Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem
4 Select your network from the list and click Connect
Connecting to a WLAN
1 Click Start , and then click Network
3 Click Connect to a network under Tasks
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card
2 Click Connect
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card
or 1 Click Start →All Programs→Dell Wireless
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator
Setting Up and Using Networks
Securing Your Computer
Passwords
Security Cable Lock
Do not share your password with other people
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password
Securing Your Computer
Securing Your Computer
Dell Technical Update Service
Troubleshooting
Dell Diagnostics
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media
Extended Test
Symptom Tree
Exit
Express Test
Other support and service resources like DellConnect
Dell Support Utility
Dell support contact information like Email, Chat and Phone Numbers
Dell Support
Provides consolidated setup, alerting, and device status
DellConnect
Network Assistant
PC TuneUp
PC CheckUp
Drive Problems
3 Gently pull out the tray until it stops
Optical drive problems
Problems writing to a CD-RW, DVD+/-RW, or BD-RE drive
The drive tray cannot eject 1 Ensure that the computer is shut down
Hard drive problems
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
4 Click the Modems tab 5 Click the COM port for your modem
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly
1 Click the Start , and then click Control Panel
2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Phone and Modem Options
Error Messages
Do not use these characters in filenames
P R O G R A M - The system configuration information does not match the hardware configuration. The message is most likely to occur after a memory module is installed. Correct the appropriate options in the system setup program see Using the System Setup Program on page
N O B O O T D E V I C E A V A I L A B L E - The computer cannot find the hard drive. If the hard drive is your boot device, ensure that the drive is installed, properly seated, and partitioned as a boot device
drive and try again
If your IEEE 1394 device is listed, Windows recognizes the device
ExpressCard Problems
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
1 Click Start →Control Panel→System and Maintenance→Device Manager
External Keyboard problems
Keyboard Problems
The computer stops responding
Lockups and Software Problems
Unexpected characters
The computer does not start
1 Press CrtlShiftEsc simultaneously
Dell MediaDirect problems
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
A solid blue screen appears
Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program
Other software problems
Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly
If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program
Network Problems
Memory Problems
Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN
3 Turn on the computer
Power Problems
1 Reinstall the battery
2 Use the AC adapter to connect the computer to an electrical outlet
2 Right-click the printer icon
Printer Problems
See the printer documentation for cable connection information
1 Click Start →Control Panel→Hardware and Sound→Printers
Sound and Speaker Problems
Scanner Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
No sound from headphones
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
No sound from external speakers
If the display is blank
Video and Display Problems
If the display is difficult to read
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
If only part of the display is readable
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Using the Drivers and Utilities Media
Operating System
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems in the Windows Vista
Restoring Your Operating System
Using Windows Vista System Restore
For more information
To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration
1 Restart the computer. To do this, click Start →→Restart
Troubleshooting
Turning Off Your Computer
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
5 Turn the computer over
Before Working Inside Your Computer
2 Turn off your computer see Turning Off Your Computer on page
3 Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer
7 Slide the battery out of the battery bay
Hard Drive
3 Slide the hard drive out of the computer
Removing the Hard Drive
1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page
2 Turn the computer over and remove the two hard drive screws
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Replacing the Hard Drive
Removing the Optical Drive
Optical Drive
Replacing the Optical Drive
Removing the Hinge Cover
Hinge Cover
Replacing the Hinge Cover
Keyboard
keyboard cable
Removing the Keyboard
Replacing the Keyboard
Memory
Removing Memory Module
captive screws
4 Remove the module from the connector
Replacing Memory Module
5 Turn on the computer
3 Replace the memory module cover
Subscriber Identity Module Optional
Removing Mini-Card
Wireless Mini-Cards
securing screw
6 Lift the card out of its system board connector
4 Disconnect the antenna cables from the Mini-card
5 Release the Mini-card by removing the securing screw
Replacing Mini-Card
Flash Cache Module
Removing the FCM
Replacing the FCM
Broadcom Media PC Card
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Removing the Card
2 Connect the cable to the card
Replacing the Card
Identifying Your Computer
Traveling With Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Traveling by Air
Travel Tips
Obtaining Assistance
Getting Help
Online Services
Technical Support and Customer Service
DellConnect
Product Information
Problems With Your Order
AutoTech Service
Automated Order-Status Service
Before You Call
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit
Diagnostics Checklist Name Date Address Phone number
5 Choose the method of contacting Dell that is convenient for you
Contacting Dell
1 Visit support.dell.com
3 Click Contact Us on the left side of the page
Specifications
AMD M690T Chipset with ATI Radeon
two user-accessible SODIMM connectors
dynamic based on system memory capacity
7-pin mini-DIN connector optional S-video
24-bit analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog
shortcuts see Display Functions on page
brightness can be controlled through keyboard
Broadcom Media PC card to support Blu-ray
87 U.S. and Canada 88 Europe 91 Japan
See Using a Battery on page 45 for more
Battery operating time varies depending on
operating conditions and can be significantly
Battery continued Temperature range
Maximum vibration using a random
Specifications
Appendix
Using the System Setup Program
2 When the DELL logo appears, press F2 immediately
Viewing the System Setup Screen
System Setup Screen
Commonly Used Options
Diskette Drive Internal HDD USB Storage Device CD/DVD/CD-RW drive
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Cleaning Your Computer
Mouse
Touch Pad
Media
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
FCC Class B
Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals
FCC Notice U.S. Only
Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals
Move the system away from the receiver
Macrovision Product Notice
Reorient the receiving antenna
Relocate the system with respect to the receiver
Glossary
Page
CD-R - CD recordable - A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over
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Glossary
Numerics
Index
Page
FCM. See Flash Cache Module
Page
SIM. See Subscriber Identity Module
Page
See also Mobile Broadband
Index