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
104
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 116
100
102
137
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 133
134
135
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
Check the Battery Charge
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Standby Mode
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Low-Battery Warning
Click Start→ Shut Down→ Stand by. or
Hibernate Mode
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Key Combinations
Using the Keyboard
Battery
Numeric Keypad
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
Volume Control Buttons
Adjusting the Volume
Adjusting the Picture
Volume Control Window
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
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows Vista
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP
Start Button and Connect To Option
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection
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
Card Blanks
Using Cards
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard
Card Types
ExpressCard
Removing a Card or Blank
Using Cards
Smart Cards
Installing a Smart Card
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
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
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Troubleshooting
Dell Technical Update Service
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
Click Start→ My Computer. In Windows Vista
Drive Problems
CD and DVD drive problems
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Click Start→ My Computer
Hard drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Error Messages
Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on
Click Start→ Control Panel→ Add or Remove Programs
Click Device Manager
Ieee 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
External keyboard problems
Computer stops responding
Lockups and Software Problems
Unexpected characters
Computer does not start up
Click Task Manager→ click Applications
Other software problems
Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
Solid blue screen appears
Memory Problems
Network Problems
General
Power Problems
PC Card or ExpressCard Problems
AC Power Loss While the Computer Is Docked
Printer Problems
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
Docking Power Considerations
Sound and Speaker Problems
Scanner Problems
No sound from external speakers
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
No sound from headphones
No sound from integrated 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
Overview
System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screens
System Setup Screens
Commonly Used Settings
Changing the Boot Sequence
Performing a One-Time Boot
Changing COM Ports
System Setup Program
Travel Tips
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Traveling by Air
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Software
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
Click Properties→ Hardware→ Device Manager
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Using Windows Device Driver Rollback
Using the Drivers and Utilities CD
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
Before You Begin
Using the Operating System CD
Enabling System Restore
Reinstalling Windows
Reinstalling Software
Reinstalling Software
Turning Off Your Computer
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
100
Hard Drive
101
102
Media Bay
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Removing the Device Security Screw
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
Communications
Ports and Connectors
124
Memory
125
Video
Audio
Display
126
Touch Pad
Battery
127
Keyboard
128
AC Adapter
Physical
Environmental
129
130
Obtaining Assistance
Technical Support and Customer Service
DellConnect Online Services
Getting Help
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
Touch Pad
Cleaning Your Computer
Appendix
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
CDs and DVDs
Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse
Cleaning an Optical Mouse
Floppy Drive
139
Macrovision Product Notice
FCC Notice U.S. Only
FCC Class B
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