Main
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
1 About Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2 Setting Up Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3 Using the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7U s i n g C a r d s
8 Setting Up a Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
9 Securing Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
10 Solving Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
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11 Adding and Replacing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
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Finding Information
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14
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About Your Computer
Determining Your Computers Configuration
Front View
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The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
NOTE:
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Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
22
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Bottom View
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD
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Setting Up a Printer
Printer Cable
Connecting a USB Printer
Power Protection Devices
Surge Protectors
Line Conditioners
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
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Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Switching the Video Image
Setting Display Resolution
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Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
36
Key Combinations
System Functions Display Functions
Speaker Functions
Power Management
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
QuickSet Key Combinations
Adjusting Keyboard Settings
Touch Pad
Customizing the Touch Pad
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Charge Gauge
Low-Battery Warning
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
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Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Using Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs
Copying CDs and DVDs
How to Copy a CD or DVD
Using Blank CDs and DVDs
Helpful Tips
Adjusting the Volume
Adjusting the Picture
Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect
If the computer is turned on or in standby mode
If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
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S-Video and Standard Audio
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
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Composite Video and Standard Audio
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
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Component Video and Standard Audio
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Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
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Using Cards
ExpressCards
ExpressCard Blanks
Installing an ExpressCard
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
Media Memory Cards
Installing a Media Memory Card
Removing a Media Memory Card
Setting Up a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Network Setup Wizard
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Setting Up a New WLAN
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
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Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell QuickSet
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
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Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Passwords
Computer Tracking Software
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics
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Dell Support Utility
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
Hard drive problems
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Error Messages
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ExpressCard Problems
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
External Keyboard problems
Unexpected characters
Lockups and Software Problems
The computer does not start up
The computer stops responding
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system
Dell MediaDirect problems
CHECK THE DELL MEDIADIRECT HELP FILE FOR INFORMATION Click the ? icon at the bottom of the Dell
MediaDirect screen to access Help.
TO PLAY MOVIES WITH DELL MEDIADIRECT, YOU MUST HAVE A DVD DRIVE AND THE DELL DVD PLAYER If
you purchased a DVD drive with your computer, this software should already be installed.
Memory Problems
Network Problems
Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network [WWAN])
Power Problems
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
No sound from external speakers
No sound from headphones
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
If the display is difficult to read
If only part of the display is readable
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
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Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Restoring Your Operating System
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
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Using the Operating System CD
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Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
Optical Drive
Hard Drive
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Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Memory
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Modem
Hinge Cover
Keyboard
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Wireless Mini-Card
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Coin-Cell Battery
Display
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Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
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Dell QuickSet Features
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Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
Contacting Dell
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NOTE:
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Printers, and Projectors
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Specifications
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Appendix
Using the System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screen
System Setup Screen
Commonly Used Options
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Touch Pad
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
Macrovision Product Notice
Glossary
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Index
Numbers
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