Dell Inspiron Owner’s Manual
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Model PP14L
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
September
P/N G7903
2 Setting Up Your Computer
Contents
3 Using a Battery
1 A Tour of Your Computer
4 Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
5 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Radios Including Wireless Networking and Bluetooth
Using PC Cards
7 Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Solving Problems
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
10 Appendix
9 Adding and Replacing Parts
FCC Notices U.S. Only
Contents
Class A
Class B
How to set up my computer
Finding Information
Dell Product Information Guide
Help File
These labels are located on the bottom of your computer
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
Dell Support Website - support.dell.com
Windows Help and Support Center
Front View
A Tour of Your Computer
Flashing green The battery is almost fully charged
Solid green The battery is charging
Off The battery is adequately charged or the computer is turned off
Flashing orange The battery charge is low
T O U C H P A D - Provides the functionality of a mouse
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following
optical-drive-tray
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
V I D E O C O N N E C T O R
D I G I T A L - V I D E O I N T E R F A C E DVI C O N N E C T O R
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer
Bottom View
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Printer Cable
Setting Up a Printer
Connecting a USB Printer
Power Protection Devices
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Surge Protectors
Line Conditioners
Battery Performance
Using a Battery
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Removing a Battery
Charging the Battery
Low-Battery Warning
Charge Gauge
Storing a Battery
Installing a Battery
1 Slide the battery lengthwise into the bay at a 45-degree angle
2 Press the other side down until the latch release clicks
Using CDs and DVDs
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
How to Copy a CD or DVD
Copying CDs and DVDs
Helpful Tips
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs
media control buttons
Using MediaDirect
S-video and standard audio page S-video and S/PDIF digital audio page
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
Composite video and standard audio page
Composite video and S/PDIF digital audio page
S-Video and Standard Audio
TV/digital audio adapter cable
standard audio cable
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
S-video cable
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
TV/digital audio adapter cable
S/PDIF digital audio cable
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Composite Video and Standard Audio
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
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Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
TV/digital audio adapter cable composite video cable
standard audio cable
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Changing Your Audio Settings
4 Click the Settings tab and click Advanced 5 Click the Displays tab
Numeric Keypad
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Power Management
Battery
Key Combinations
System Functions
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Speaker Functions
Customizing the Touch Pad
Touch Pad
Installing a PC Card
Using PC Cards
PC Card Types
PC Card Blanks
To install a PC Card
Removing a PC Card or Blank
2 Remove the card or blank
1 Press the latch and remove the card or blank
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50 Using PC Cards
Connecting to a Network Adapter
Setting Up a Home and Office Network
Network Setup Wizard
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
Determining Your Network Type
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft Windows XP
Your network is configured automatically
Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Drive Problems
Problems writing to a DVD+RW drive
DVD drive problems
Hard drive problems
If you cannot eject the DVD or DVD+RW drive tray
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
C H E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E L I N E C O N N E C T I O N
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
C H E C K T H E T E L E P H O N E J A C K
U S E A D I F F E R E N T T E L E P H O N E L I N E
Error Messages
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
External keyboard problems
Unexpected characters
Lockups and Software Problems
The computer stops responding
The computer does not start up
A program stops responding
A program crashes repeatedly
A solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
Memory Problems
Network Problems
communication exists. Replace the network cable
Power Problems
PC Card Problems
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from external speakers
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No sound from headphones
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
If the display is blank
Video and Display Problems
If only part of the display is readable
If the display is difficult to read
Reinstalling Drivers
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
Identifying Drivers
Restoring Your Operating System
Creating a Restore Point
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
2 Click the task for System Restore
3 Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
1 Turn on the computer
Using the Operating System CD
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Before You Begin
Adding and Replacing Parts
Recommended Tools
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
7 Press the power button to ground the system board
Hard Drive
8 Remove any installed PC Cards from the PC Card slot
10 Remove the hard drive. See the following subsection, Hard Drive
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Memory
4 If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module
5 Ground yourself and install the new memory module
Modem
Mini PCI Card
c Lift the Mini PCI card out of its connector
5 Install the replacement Mini PCI card
Hinge Cover
Keyboard
1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page
Coin-Cell Battery
4 Remove the existing battery
a Disconnect the battery cable connector from the system board
Display
4 Remove the hinge cover. See Hinge Cover on page
Optical Drive
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Page
Appendix
Specifications
Memory
keyboard shortcuts, program menus, media
Display continued Dimensions
Battery operating time varies depending on
See Using a Battery on page 27 for more
operating conditions and can be significantly
AC Adapter continued
Using the System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screens
Overview
Commonly Used Options
System Setup Screen
Changing the Boot Sequence
Diskette Drive Internal HDD USB Storage Device CD/DVD/CD-RW drive
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals
Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals
Contacting Dell
Argentina Buenos Aires
International Access Code
Aruba
Australia Sydney
Country City
Canada North York, Ontario
Brunei
Cayman Islands
Chile Santiago
China Xiamen
Colombia
Costa Rica
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Japan Kawasaki
Website support.jp.dell.com
Korea Seoul
Country City
Country City
Country City
800 300 410 or 800 300 411 or
Country City
Country City
toll-free
Business
U.S.A. Austin, Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
Venezuela
FCC Notices U.S. Only
Class A
Class B
FCC Identification Information
Macrovision Product Notice
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128 Appendix
Index
See display
See hard drive