Dell 531S owner manual

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Dell™ Inspiron™ 531s Owner’s Manual

Model DCSLA

book.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:33 PM

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents 1 Setting Up and Using Your Computer . . . 15 Page 2 Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 3 Troubleshooting Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 4 Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . 101 Page Page Page Finding Information 12 NOTE: NOTE: 14 Setting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer 16 NOTICE: Back View of the Computer 18 NOTE: Back Panel Connectors NOTE: Page Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Page Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer Page Playing CDs and DVDs Page Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Using a Media Card Reader (Optional) Page Connecting Two Monitors Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector Connecting a TV Changing the Display Settings Power Management Power Management Options in Microsoft Windows XP Page Power Options Properties Power Schemes Tab Advanced Tab Hibernate Tab Power Management Options in Windows Vista Standby Mode Hibernate Mode Power Plan Properties Page Enabling Cool n Quiet Technology About RAID Configurations (For Windows Vista only) RAID Level 1 Configuration Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Using Nvidia MediaShield Transferring Information to a New Computer Page Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network Adapter Network Setup Wizard Connecting to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Page Page Page Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Battery Problems Drive Problems CD and DVD drive problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive 58 Hard drive problems E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems NOTE: Page 60 Error Messages Page Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system A solid blue screen appears Other software problems 66 Media Card Reader Problems NOTE: NOTE: Memory Problems 68 Mouse Problems u Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Page Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers No sound from headphones 76 Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Page Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights Beep Codes Page 82 System Messages Page Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Page Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Page Page Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Page Using Dell PC Restore Page Page Using the Operating System CD Page Page Removing and Installing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Removing the Computer Cover Removing the Support Bracket Page Inside View of Your Computer System Board Components Page Page Page Page Memory Memory Installation Guidelines Installing Memory Page Removing Memory Cards PCI and PCI Express Cards Page Page Page Page Page Page Bezel Removing the Bezel Replacing the Bezel Drives Recommended Drive Cable Connections Connecting Drive Cables Drive Interface Connectors Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables Hard Drives Page Page Installing a Second Hard Drive (Optional) Page Floppy Drive Page Page Page Page Page Media Card Reader Page Page Page CD or DVD Drive Page Page Battery Replacing the Battery Page Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply Page Processor Removing the Processor Page Installing the Processor Page Page I/O Panel Removing the I/O Panel Installing the I/O Panel Processor Fan Removing the Processor Fan Page Page Installing the Processor Fan Page Chassis Fan Removing the Chassis Fan Replacing the Chassis Fan System Board Removing the System Board Page Installing the System Board Replacing the Support Bracket Replacing the Computer Cover Page Appendix Specifications Page Page Page NOTE: System Setup Overview Entering System Setup System Setup Options Page Boot Sequence Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Clearing Forgotten Passwords Clearing CMOS Settings Flashing the BIOS Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Page Getting Help Obtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Page Contacting Dell Glossary A B C D Page E F G H I K L M Page N O P R S Page T U V W X Z Index A B C D E F H I K L N P R S T U V W