Dell Inspiron
Owner’s Manual
w w w . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m
November
Hints, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
P/N 1R408
When Working Inside Your Computer
Contents
1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Contents
2 Solving Problems
Modem and Internet Connection Problems
Undoing the Last System Restore
3 Adding and Replacing Parts
Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP
Reinstalling Drivers and Software
Limited Warranty for the U.S
4 Appendix
Specifications
Adding Memory
Contents
CAUTION Safety Instructions
General
CAUTION Safety Instructions continued
Power
Battery
CAUTION Safety Instructions continued
Air Travel
EMC Instructions
CAUTION Safety Instructions continued
When Using Your Computer
When Using Your Computer continued
When Working Inside Your Computer
Ergonomic Computing Habits
Battery Disposal
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
When Using Your Computer continued
16 When Using Your Computer
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Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
A Tour of Your Computer
Front View
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DI S P L A Y L A T C H - Keeps the display closed
Turns on when you turn on the computer
Left Side View
hard drive
PC Card slot
HA R D DR I V E - Reads and writes data on a hard disk
audio connectors
Right Side View
modem connector
infrared sensor
Attach a microphone to the connector
Back View
NE T W O R K CO N N E C T O R
S-VI D E O TV- OU T CO N N E C T O R
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device
Connects USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer
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
Bottom View
card, and modem cover
Setting Up a Printer
Connecting a Parallel Printer
Printer Cable
Connecting a USB Printer
parallel connector on computer
Transferring Information to a New Computer With Windows XP
Setting Up a Home and Office Network With Windows XP
Connecting to the Internet
3 Click checklist for creating a network
3 Click Network and Internet Connections
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
4 Click Set up or change your Internet connection
6 Click Connect to the Internet
Copying CDs
click Project Selector
Using Easy CD Creator Basic
Using Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs
Helpful Tips
How to Copy a CD
Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off
Turning Off the Computer
About the Module Bay
3 Click Turn off
Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Running
Using the Floppy Drive as an External Device
Enabling the Infrared Sensor
Connecting a Television to the Computer
S-Video Connection
3 Plug the other end of the S-video cable into your television
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Before you begin, ensure that you have the following cables
S-video cable audio cable
Composite Video Connection
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
composite TV-out adapter cable composite video cable audio cable
S-video TV-out connector S-video connector
composite video connector
composite TV-out adapter cable
Enabling the Display Settings for a Television
2 Click Appearance and Themes and click Display
4 Click the Displays tab
Setting Up the Dolby Headphone
Setting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a Network
3 Click the Dolby Headphone tab 4 Click Enable Dolby Headphone
Power Protection Devices
Surge Protectors
Line Conditioners
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
52 Setting Up and Using Your Computer
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Solving Problems
Finding Solutions
Solving Problems
See page
See page See page 66 See page See page See page See page See page
Solving Problems
See page See page See page See page See page See page See page
See page
TO A C C E S S T H E TE L L ME HO W H E L P F I L E
Accessing Help
Power Problems
TO A C C E S S H E L P I N WI N D O W S XP
Error Messages
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
If the display is difficult to read
Solving Problems
If only part of the display is readable
Sound and Speaker Problems
If you have a problem with integrated speakers
2 Click Appearance and Themes
Printer Problems
If you have a problem with external speakers
Solving Problems
Modem and Internet Connection Problems
2 Click Printers and Other Hardware
5 Close the Phone and Modems Options window
Scanner Problems
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
External Keyboard Problems
Drive Problems
Unexpected Characters
If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk drive
If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD
does not indicate a defect with the drive or the CD
back of floppy disk
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive tray
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
If the CD-RW drive stops writing
PC Card Problems
If you have problems with a hard drive
4 Under Error-checking, click Check Now
Network Problems
General Program Problems
A program crashes
A program stops responding
E-Mail Problems
Error messages appear
A solid blue screen appears
If Your Computer Gets Wet
Resolving Other Technical Problems
If You Drop or Damage Your Computer
Identifying Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
3 In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System
3 In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System
Reinstalling Drivers
Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP
3 Click Properties
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
2 Click Performance and Maintenance and click System
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
4 Click the System Restore tab
Creating a Restore Point
2 Click the Performance and Maintenance
Using the System Restore Wizard
Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
Before You Reinstall
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP
Undoing the Last System Restore
Reinstalling Windows XP
Preparing to Boot From the Operating System CD
Starting Windows XP Setup
select To set up Windows now
Completing the GUI Setup
Completing the Operating System Setup
Reinstalling Drivers and Software
Adding and Replacing Parts
Palm Rests Display Cover Hard Drive Memory, Mini PCI Card, and Modem
Palm Rests
Adding and Replacing Parts
Display Cover
Hard Drive
To replace the hard drive in the hard drive bay
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Memory, Mini PCI Card, and Modem
foam packaging
M2.5 x 12-mm screw
Adding and Replacing Parts
captive screws
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Adding Memory
1 If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module
Adding a Mini PCI Card
Adding a Modem
2 Connect the modem cable to the modem
4 Install the screws to secure the modem to the system board
Adding and Replacing Parts
5 Replace the modem cover
98 Adding and Replacing Parts
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Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Contacting Dell
A p p e n d i
Specifications Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Regulatory Notices Limited Warranties and Return Policy
Specifications
Appendix
Video
Ports and Connectors
Communications
Appendix
Video continued
Audio
Display
Display continued
Keyboard
Touch Pad
Battery
Track Stick
Appendix
AC Adapter
Physical
Appendix
Environmental
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Definition of “Dell-Installed” Software and Peripherals
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit
Contacting Dell
Definition of “Third-Party” Software and Peripherals
Country City
Bahamas
Austria Vienna
Website support.euro.dell.com
Barbados
Cayman Islands
Brunei
Canada North York, Ontario
Chile Santiago
Colombia
China Xiamen
Tech Support website support.ap.dell.com/china
Costa Rica
Dominica
Denmark Copenhagen
Website support.euro.dell.com
Dominican Republic
E-mail support.euro.dell.com/fr/fr/emaildell
France Paris Montpellier
Website support.euro.dell.com
Home and Small Business
India
Country City
Hong Kong
Ireland Cherrywood
E-mail support.euro.dell.com/it/it/emaildell
Italy Milan
Website support.euro.dell.com
Home and Small Business
Japan Kawasaki
Website support.jp.dell.com
Korea Seoul
Website support.euro.dell.com
Latin America
Luxembourg
Macao
Netherlands Antilles
Mexico
Montserrat
Netherlands Amsterdam
Norway Lysaker
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Website support.euro.dell.com
Puerto Rico
Portugal
E-mail support.euro.dell.com/es/es/emaildell
St. Kitts and Nevis
Home and Small Business
Spain Madrid
Website support.euro.dell.com
Corporate
Customers support.euro.dell.com/ch/fr/emaildell
Switzerland Geneva
Website support.euro.dell.com
Taiwan
U.K. Bracknell
dell.co.uk/lca/customerservices
Country City
Website support.euro.dell.com
U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S.A. Austin, Texas
Business
Venezuela
Regulatory Notices
NOM Information Mexico Only
128 Appendix
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What is covered by this limited warranty?
Limited Warranty for the U.S
Limited Warranties and Return Policy
What is not covered by this limited warranty?
What will Dell do?
How long does this limited warranty last?
What do I do if I need warranty service?
Appendix
What if I purchased a service contract?
How will you fix my product?
Appendix
What do I do if I am not satisfied?
Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only
May I transfer the limited warranty?
Appendix
What is not covered by this limited warranty?
Limited Warranty Terms for Canada
What is covered by this limited warranty?
Appendix
WE DO NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT OR FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LIABILTY FOR THIRD PARTY CLAIMS AGAINST YOU FOR DAMAGES, FOR PRODUCTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE, OR FOR LOST DATA OR LOST SOFTWARE. OUR LIABILITY WILL BE NO MORE THAN THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE PRODUCT THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A CLAIM. THIS IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT FOR WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE
How long does this limited warranty last?
What do I do if I need warranty service?
What will Dell do?
What if I purchased an on-site service contract?
How will you fix my product?
Appendix
What do I do if I am not satisfied?
Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada Only
May I transfer the limited warranty?
Appendix
Dell-Branded Peripheral Products
Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only
Third-Party Software and Peripherals Products
Return Policy
Making a Claim
Guarantee
Exclusions
Limitation and Statutory Rights
Extent of Limited Warranty
Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty
Limited Warranty
How to Obtain Warranty Service
Intel’s Commitment to Quality
Appendix
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What are ’Errata’?
I n d ex
Page
Page
Index