185 | Dell 8500 manual

power

fixing problems, 51 protection devices, 41 turning off your computer, 42

power button description, 20 system view, 20

printer cable, 38 connecting, 38 parallel, 38 setting up, 38 USB, 39

programs crashes, 110 fixing problems, 110 not responding, 110

R

RAM. See memory

reinstalling drivers, 114 Windows XP, 119

S

safety instructions, 11

security cable slot description, 25-26 system view, 25-26

serial connector description, 29 system view, 29

shutting down your computer, 42

software

fixing problems, 110 reinstalling software, 114

speakers description, 22 system view, 22

specifications, system, 138 surge protectors, 41

S-video TV-out connector description, 28

system view, 28 System Restore, 116

system setup program commonly used options, 146 purpose, 145

screens, 145-146viewing, 145

system specifications, 138

system views back, 27 bottom, 27, 31 front, 20

left side, 24 right side, 26

T

Tell Me How help file accessing, 104

touch pad, 65 customizing, 66 description, 22 system view, 22

troubleshooting about, 102

cannot save to floppy disk, 108 conflicts, 118

Device Driver Rollback, 114 drivers, 113

dropped or damaged computer, 112

e-mail problems, 110 external keyboard

problems, 67 Hardware Troubleshooter, 118 network problems, 91

PC card problems, 109 power problems, 51 program crash, 110 program stopped

responding, 110 reinstalling Windows XP, 119 scanner problems, 107 System Restore, 116 unexpected characters, 67 wet computer, 111

turning off your computer, 42

Index

185

Image 185

Dell 8500 manual 185

Contents

Dell Inspiron Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Checking the Charge on the Second Battery Setting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a NetworkUninterruptible Power Supplies Removing and Installing Devices While Using the Keyboard and Touchpad Connecting to a Network Adapter Connecting a Television to the ComputerConnecting to Wireless Local Area Networks Accessing Help Error Messages 107 105108 109 124 Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XP 119128 131 Limited Warranty Terms for Dell-Branded Hardware Contents General Power Battery California Residents Air TravelEMC Instructions When Using Your Computer Ergonomic Computing Habits When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Battery Disposal When Using Your Computer Tour of Your Computer Front View Display latch Power buttonMute button Track stick Light is flashing Tour of Your Computer Y B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S Left View Air vents Security cable slot Ieee 1394 connectorPC Card slot Audio connectors Infrared sensor D I O C O N N E C T O R S Module bay Right View Back View Video TV-out connectorAir vent Parallel connector Air vents USB connectors I D E O TV-O U T C O N N E C T O R Connects a parallel device, such as a printer Tour of Your Computer Bottom View Battery-bay latch releaseHard drive Fan Tour of Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Internet Connection Connecting to the Internet If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Modem and Internet Connection Problems Close the Phone and Modems Options window Transferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up Your Computer Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a Parallel Printer Connecting a USB Printer Click Control Panel Click Printers and Other Hardware Printer Problems Surge Protectors Setting Up the Docking Device to Connect to a NetworkPower Protection Devices Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power SuppliesTurning Off Your Computer Using Batteries Module Bay Devices Battery Performance Using a Battery Dell QuickSet Battery Meter Checking the Battery Charge Low-Battery Warning Microsoft Windows Power MeterCharge Gauge Health Gauge Removing a Battery Charging the Battery Installing a Battery Removing and Installing a Reserve Battery Reserve battery Connector Storing a Battery Power Problems About the Module Bay Checking the Charge on the Second Battery Status button on the charge gauge Second battery top Device latch release If the Device Screw Is Not Installed If the Device Screw Is Installed Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices If the Device Screw Is Not Installed If the Device Screw Is Installed Device latch release Using Batteries and Module Bay Devices Using the Keyboard and Touchpad System Functions Numeric KeypadKeyboard Shortcuts Power Management Radios Including Wireless Networking and BluetoothCD or DVD Tray Display Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Touch Pad or Mouse Problems Unexpected Characters External Keyboard Problems Using the Keyboard and Touchpad Using CDs, DVDs, Other Multimedia If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD Using CDs and DVDsCD or DVD problems Sound and Speaker Problems Or off Copying CDs Helpful Tips Using Easy CD Creator BasicUsing Blank CD-R Discs or Blank CD-RW Discs How to Copy a CD Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Pdif digital audio connector Connecting a Television to the ComputerVideo TV-out connector TV/digital audio adapter cable TV/digital audio adapter cable Video cable Audio cable Video and Standard Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Video and Digital Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Composite Video and Standard Audio Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Composite Video and Digital Audio ATI Video Controller Enabling the Display Settings for a Television Enabling Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio for DVD Playback Enabling S/PDIF Digital AudioNvidia Video Controller Click Enable S/PDIF output Enabling S/PDIF in the Windows Audio Driver Click Advanced Click Enable S/PDIF Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia Setting Up a Home and Office Network Network adapter connector Connecting to a Network AdapterOn computer Network cable Network Problems Network Setup Wizard Infrastructure Network Connecting to Wireless Local Area NetworksDetermining your Network Type Connecting to a Network in Windows XP Networks area Wireless network properties window appears Setting Up a Home and Office Network Finalizing your Network Connection Security Settings Click Properties Setting Up a Home and Office Network Click Properties 100 Solving Problems 102 Finding Solutions 103 104 Accessing HelpError Messages Click Control Panel Click Add or Remove Programs Video and Display ProblemsIf the display is blank 106 If the display is difficult to read Click Appearance and Themes Scanner ProblemsIf only part of the display is readable Back of floppy disk Write-protected Not write-protected Drive ProblemsIf you cannot save a file to a floppy drive Under Error-checking, click Check Now Click Start PC Card ProblemsIf you have problems with a hard drive Mail Problems General Program ProblemsError messages appear Program crashes If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling Drivers and UtilitiesUsing the Drivers and Utilities CD 114 115 Manually Reinstalling Drivers for Windows XP Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Using System RestoreCreating a Restore Point 117 Undoing the Last System RestoreEnabling System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Click Performance and Maintenance and click System Before You Reinstall Reinstalling Microsoft Windows XPReinstalling Windows XP Booting From the Operating System CD 120 Windows XP Setup 121 Reinstalling Drivers and Software Solving Problems Adding and Replacing Parts Adding Memory 125 Captive screw 126 Securing clips Per connector Memory module 127 Replace the cover Adding a Mini PCI Card 129 Mini PCI card/modem cover Captive screw 130 Mini PCI card Adding a Modem 132 133 Pull-tabscrew Modem Modem cable Replacing the Hard Drive 135 Hard drive screw Adding and Replacing Parts P e n d i Microprocessor SpecificationsSystem Information PC Card 139 Ports and ConnectorsCommunications Audio VideoDisplay 140 141 Keyboard 142 BatteryAC Adapter 143 Physical 144 Environmental Overview Standard SettingsViewing the System Setup Screens Changing the Boot Sequence System Setup ScreensCommonly Used Options 146 147 Changing COM Ports Changing Printer ModesEnabling the Infrared Sensor 148 Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Contacting DellAnguilla Antigua and Barbuda 151 152 Cayman Islands Canada North York, OntarioChile Santiago 153 Colombia China XiamenCosta Rica Czech Republic Prague Website support.euro.dell.com 155 156 India Hong KongIreland Cherrywood Website support.euro.dell.com 157 Jamaica Italy Milan Website support.euro.dell.comArea Codes Local Numbers, Toll-Free Numbers 158 159 Japan Kawasaki Website support.jp.dell.comKorea Seoul Luxembourg Website support.euro.dell.com Latin AmericaMacao Malaysia Penang Montserrat MexicoNetherlands Antilles Netherlands Amsterdam Website support.euro.dell.com 162 163 164 Spain Madrid Website support.euro.dell.comSweden Upplands Vasby Website support.euro.dell.com 165 Bracknell Website support.euro.dell.com Dell.co.uk/lca/customerservicesUruguay 166 Business A. Austin, TexasVirgin Islands Venezuela Regulatory Notices 169 NOM Information Mexico Only Limited Warranties and Return Policy What is covered by this limited warranty?What is not covered by this limited warranty? 171 How long does this limited warranty last? 172 What do I do if I need warranty service?What will Dell do? May I transfer the limited warranty? What if I purchased a service contract?How will you fix my product? 173 174 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only 175 176 177 Dell Software and Peripherals Canada Only Total Satisfaction Return Policy Canada OnlyThird-Party Software and Peripherals Products 178 Dell-Branded Peripheral Products GuaranteeReturn Policy Exclusions 180 Making a ClaimLimitation and Statutory Rights 181 Intel’s Three Year Limited Warranty What are Errata? 182 183 D ex 184 185 186