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