Commonly Used Options, Changing the Boot Sequence | Dell 6400

The window at the bottom tells you how to control the system setup program with key functions. Use these keys to select a category, modify its settings, or exit the system setup program.

Commonly Used Options

Certain options require that you reboot the computer for new settings to take effect.

Changing the Boot Sequence

The boot sequence, or boot order, tells the computer where to look to find the software needed to start the operating system. You can control the boot sequence and enable/disable devices using the Boot Order page of the system setup program.

NOTE: To change the boot sequence on a one-time-only basis, see "Performing a One-Time Boot" on page 164.

The Boot Order page displays a general list of the bootable devices that may be installed in your computer, including but not limited to the following:

•Diskette Drive

•Internal HDD

•USB Storage Device

•CD/DVD/CD-RW drive

•Modular bay HDD

NOTE: Only devices that are preceded by a number are bootable.

During the boot routine, the computer starts at the top of the list and scans each enabled device for the operating system start-up files. When the computer finds the files, it stops searching and starts the operating system.

To control the boot devices, select (highlight) a device by pressing the down-arrow or up-arrow key, and then enable or disable the device or change its order in the list.

•To enable or disable a device, highlight the item and press the space bar. Enabled items are preceded by a number; disabled items are not preceded by a number.

•To reorder a device in the list, highlight the device and press either <u> to move the device up the list or <d> to move a device down the list.

Boot sequence changes take effect as soon as you save the changes and exit the system setup program.

Performing a One-Time Boot

You can set a one-time-only boot sequence without entering the system setup program. (You can also use this procedure to boot the Dell Diagnostics on the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.)

1Shut down the computer through the Start menu.

2Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

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Appendix

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Dell 6400, E1505 owner manual Commonly Used Options, Changing the Boot Sequence, Performing a One-Time Boot

Contents

Dell Inspiron 6400/E1505 W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Configuring Power Management Settings Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network What You Need to Establish a Wlan ConnectionWhat You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Double- Clicking the Dell Support Icon Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your ComputerIf only part of the display is readable Contents Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 103 100Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities 102 104 131 132163 164 Glossary Index Support.dell.com Warranty informationFinding Information Setup Diagram Enter your Service Tag or product model ConfigurationSoftware upgrades and troubleshooting hints How to use Windows XP Microsoft Windows System Restore Microsoft With your computerEarlier operating state without affecting data files Ship with your computer About Your Computer Determining Your Computer’s ConfigurationAbout Your Computer Front View W E R B U T T O N About Your Computer Y B O a R D a N D W I R E L E S S S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View Right Side View Back View Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor Bottom View Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the InternetSetting Up Your Internet Connection Setting Up Your Computer Transferring Information to a New Computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Click Finished and restart the new computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a USB Printer Power Protection Devices Surge Protectors Uninterruptible Power Supplies Line Conditioners Setting Up Your Computer Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessSwitching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution Using the Display Numeric Keypad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadUsing the Keyboard and Touch Pad Power Management Key CombinationsSystem Functions Display Functions Adjusting Keyboard Settings Microsoft Windows Logo Key FunctionsQuickSet Key Combinations Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog box Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Using a Battery Using a BatteryBattery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery MeterMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Check the Battery Charge Conserving Battery Power Low-Battery WarningPower Management Modes Check the Battery Health Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the BatteryReplacing the Battery Storing a Battery Playing CDs or DVDs Using MultimediaUsing Multimedia How to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDs Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDsHelpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirectIf the computer is turned on or in standby mode If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help Using Multimedia Video and Standard Audio Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Video cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Pdif digital audio cable Component Video and Standard Audio Using Multimedia Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component video adapter 2 S/PDIF digital audio cable Setting Up the Cyberlink CL Headphones Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Using Multimedia Using Cards Installing an ExpressCardUsing Cards ExpressCards Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Installing a Media Memory Card Media Memory Cards Removing a Media Memory Card Setting Up a Network Setting Up a NetworkPhysically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem Network Setup Wizard Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up a New Wlan Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Completing the Connection to the Wlan Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Setting Up a Network Passwords Securing Your ComputerSecurity Cable Lock Securing Your Computer Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Solving Problems Dell DiagnosticsWhen to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Option Function Tab Function Accessing the Dell Support Utility Dell Support UtilityClicking the Dell Support Icon Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Drive ProblemsCD and DVD drive problems If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsHard drive problems Error Messages Characters in filenames Solving Problems Solving Problems ExpressCard Problems Ieee 1394 Device ProblemsWindows taskbar. Ensure that the card is listed Manufacturer Unexpected characters Keyboard ProblemsExternal Keyboard problems Lockups and Software Problems Computer does not start upComputer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Dell MediaDirect problems Other software problems Memory Problems Network ProblemsMobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Communication exists. Replace the network cable Power Problems Printer Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphonesNo sound from integrated speakers No sound from external speakers If the display is blank Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsVideo and Display Problems What Is a Driver? DriversIf the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback 101 Using the Drivers and Utilities CDSave and close any open files, and exit any open programs 102 Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesRestoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore 103 Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec 104 105 Using the Operating System CD Reinstalling Windows XPBefore You Begin 106 107 108 Adding and Replacing Parts Before You BeginRecommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer 110 Optical Drive 111 Hard Drive 112 113 Memory Returning a Hard Drive to Dell 115 116 Modem 117 Hinge Cover 118 Keyboard 119 120 Wireless Mini-Card 121 Install the replacement Mini-Card 122 123 Coin-Cell Battery Display 125 Lift the display up and away from the computer 126 Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 127 128 129 Dell QuickSet FeaturesDell QuickSet Features 130 Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your ComputerPacking the Computer 131 Travel Tips Traveling by Air Contacting Dell Contacting Dell133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 Website support.ap.dell.com 148Called from within Singapore or Malaysia only 149 150 151 Printers, and Projectors for Relationship 152 153 154 Specifications 155 Ports and Connectors 156In-1 Media Memory Card Reader Memory 157 CommunicationsVideo Audio 158 Display Battery 159Keyboard Touch Pad Physical 160AC Adapter 161 Environmental 162 Using the System Setup Program Viewing the System Setup ScreenSystem Setup Screen Appendix Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot SequencePerforming a One-Time Boot Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and DisplayTouch Pad 165 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Floppy DriveCDs and DVDs 166 Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals FCC Notice U.S. OnlyDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals FCC Class B Macrovision Product Notice 168 Glossary Glossary169 170 Docking device See APR 171Device driver See driver 172 173 174 175 NIC See network adapter 176 177 System tray See notification area Video resolution See resolution 178 179 180 Index Index181 See also hard drive See also optical drive 182 183 Problems drives 184 185 186