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DCMA owner manual
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212 pages, 14.37 Mb
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Dell™ Inspiron™ 531 Owner’s Manual
Model DCMA
book.book Page 1 Friday
, April 4, 2008 12:10 PM
Contents
Main
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
Page
3 Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4 Troubleshooting Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
5 Removing and Installing Parts . . . . . . . . 97
Page
A Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Page
Finding Information
12
NOTE:
NOTE:
Page
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Front View of the Computer
16
NOTICE:
Back View of the Computer
18
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
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)
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
Standby Mode
Hibernate Mode
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
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
Solving Problems
Troubleshooting Tips
Battery Problems
Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
54
Hard drive problems
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
NOTE:
NOTE:
56
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 operatingsystem
A solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
62
Media Card Reader Problems
NOTE: NOTE:
Memory Problems
64
Mouse Problems
u
Network Problems
Power Problems
Printer Problems
Page
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from speakers
No sound from headphones
Video and Monitor Problems
If the screen is blank
If the screen is difficult to read
Page
Page
Troubleshooting Tools
Power Lights
Beep Codes
Page
78
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
Page
Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image 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
Page
Inside View of Your Computer
102
System Board Components
Page
Page
Page
106
Memory
Memory Installation Guidelines
Installing Memory
Page
Removing Memory
Cards
PCI and PCI Express Cards
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
Page
Floppy Drive
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Media Card Reader
Page
Page
CD or DVD Drive
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Battery
Replacing the Battery
Power Supply
Replacing the Power Supply
Page
Processor
Removing the Processor
Page
Page
Installing the Processor
Page
Page
I/O Panel
Removing the I/O Panel
Installing the I/O Panel
Page
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 Computer Cover
Page
Page
Appendix
Specifications
Page
Page
170
NOTE:
Page
System Setup
Overview
Entering System Setup
System Setup Options
174
Boot Device Property
Boot Sequence
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