Main
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
1 A Tour of Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2 Setting Up Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3 Using the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5 Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
8U s i n g C a r d s
9 Setting Up a Home and Office Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
10 Securing Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
11 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
12 Adding and Replacing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
13 Traveling With Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
16 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Finding Information
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NOTE:
14
NOTE:
A Tour of Your Computer
Determining Your Computers Configuration
Front View
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The lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
NOTE:
20
Left Side View
Right Side View
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Back View
24
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Bottom View
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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
Page
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Switching the Video Image
Setting Display Resolution
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
40
Key Combinations
System Functions Battery CD or DVD Tray Display Functions
Wireless Networking and Bluetooth Wireless Technology Function Power Management
Speaker Functions
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
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
Standby Mode
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Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Dell QuickSet Features
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Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia
Playing CDs or 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 Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect
If the Computer Is On or in Standby Mode
If the Computer Is 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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Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
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Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV in Microsoft Windows XP
Using Cards
ExpressCards
ExpressCard Blanks
Installing an ExpressCard
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Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
Media Memory Cards
Installing a Media Memory Card
Removing a Media Memory Card
Page
Setting Up a Home and Office 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
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager
Completing the Connection to the WLAN
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card
Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Internet Connection Firewall
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Passwords
Computer Tracking Software
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service
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 CD
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
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
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Error Messages
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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
General
Mobile Broadband Network
ExpressCard Problems
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
Page
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
Hard Drive
Page
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Memory
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Modem
Mini-Card
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Hinge Cover
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Keyboard
Coin-Cell Battery
Optical Drive
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Page
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
Specifications
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138
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Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
Online Services
AutoTech Service
Automated Order-Status Service
Support Service
Problems With Your Order
Product Information
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit
Before You Call
148
Appendix
Using the System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screens
System Setup Screen
Commonly Used Options
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Touch Pad
CDs and DVDs
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)
FCC Class B
Macrovision Product Notice
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S.Only)
Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals
Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals
Contacting Dell
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Printers, and Projectors
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Glossary
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Index
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