User’s Guide
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick
Setting Up and Using Networks
Securing Your Computer
Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
Traveling With Your Computer
102
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 116
100
104
135
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 133
134
137
Finding Information
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
What Are You Looking For?
Dell Support Website support.dell.com
To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the Quickset
About Your Computer
Front View
V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S
About Your Computer
Y B O a R D S T a T U S L I G H T S
Left Side View
D I O C O N N E C T O R S
Right Side View
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer
Back View
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device
Bottom View
About Your Computer
Start the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Click Start→ Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Windows Vista
Page
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Check the Battery Charge
Low-Battery Warning
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Standby Mode
Hibernate Mode
Click Start→ Shut Down→ Stand by. or
Replacing the Battery
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Storing a Battery
Numeric Keypad
Using the Keyboard
Battery
Key Combinations
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Power Management
Display Functions
Touch Pad
Mouse Properties window
Changing the Track Stick Cap
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick
Using Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs
Volume Control Window
Adjusting the Volume
Adjusting the Picture
Volume Control Buttons
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP
Using the Ambient Light Sensor
Click the Settings tab→ Advanced→ Displays tab
Ambient light sensor
Using the Display
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows Vista
What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Start Button and Connect To Option
Order Confirmation for Your Computer
Connecting to a Wlan
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan
Completing the Connection to the Wlan
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Network Card
Click Start→ All Programs→ Dell Wireless
Location Profile Settings General Mobility Settings
Button → Help and Support
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator
Internet Connection Firewall
Card Types
Using Cards
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard
Card Blanks
ExpressCard
Removing a Card or Blank
Using Cards
Security Cable Lock
Installing a Smart Card
Securing Your Computer
Smart Cards
Passwords
Type of Password Features
Using a Primary/System Password
Using an Administrator Password
Using a Hard Drive Password
Enabling the TPM Feature
Trusted Platform Module TPM
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Security Management Software
Computer Tracking Software
Dell Diagnostics
Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD
Option Function Test System Run System Diagnostics Exit
Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Dell Support Utility
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems
Click Start→ My Computer. In Windows Vista
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
Hard drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
Click Start→ My Computer
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Error Messages
Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on
Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs
External keyboard problems
Ieee 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
Click Device Manager
Computer does not start up
Lockups and Software Problems
Unexpected characters
Computer stops responding
Solid blue screen appears
Other software problems
Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
Click Task Manager→ click Applications
General
Memory Problems
Network Problems
PC Card or ExpressCard Problems
Power Problems
Docking Power Considerations
Printer Problems
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
AC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
No sound from headphones
No sound from external speakers
If the display is difficult to read
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
If only part of the display is readable
Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes
System Setup Screens
System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screens
Overview
Performing a One-Time Boot
Commonly Used Settings
Changing the Boot Sequence
Changing COM Ports
System Setup Program
Packing the Computer
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
Drivers
Reinstalling Software
What Is a Driver?
Identifying Drivers
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Using Windows Device Driver Rollback
Click Properties→ Hardware→ Device Manager
Manually Reinstalling Drivers
Click Start→ Help and Support
Fix a Problem section, click Hardware Troubleshooter
Restoring Your Operating System
Undoing the Last System Restore
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
Starting System Restore
Reinstalling Windows
Using the Operating System CD
Enabling System Restore
Before You Begin
Reinstalling Software
Reinstalling Software
Recommended Tools
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Turning Off Your Computer
Hard Drive
100
101
Removing the Device Security Screw
Media Bay
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
102
Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices
103
Hinge Cover
104
Keyboard
105
106
Memory
107
108
109
110
111
Wireless Cards
Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards
112
113
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Cards
114
FCM Flash Cache Module
115
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
116
117
Coin-Cell Battery
118
119
120
Dell QuickSet
121
122
Specifications
123
Memory
Ports and Connectors
124
Communications
Audio
125
Video
126
Display
Keyboard
Battery
127
Touch Pad
Physical
128
AC Adapter
129
Environmental
130
Getting Help
Technical Support and Customer Service
DellConnect Online Services
Obtaining Assistance
AutoTech Service
132
133
Problems With Your Order
Automated Order-Status Service
Before You Call
134
135
Diagnostics Checklist
Contacting Dell
Visit support.dell.com
136
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Cleaning Your Computer
Appendix
Touch Pad
Floppy Drive
Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse
Cleaning an Optical Mouse
CDs and DVDs
FCC Class B
Macrovision Product Notice
FCC Notice U.S. Only
139
140
Glossary
141
142
Device driver See driver
143
Docking device See APR
144
145
146
Module bay See media bay
147
148
149
Video resolution See resolution
150