Owner’s Manual
Dell Inspiron 6400/E1505
Model PP20L
August
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
Abbreviations and Acronyms
P/N MD402
Contents
Contents
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
4 Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
6 Using Multimedia
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
A program is designed for an earlier
Drivers
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Contents
Finding Information
These labels are located on the bottom of your computer
To download Notebook System Software
The operating system is already installed on your computer
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration
About Your Computer
Front View
Off The battery is adequately charged or the computer is turned off
Solid green The battery is charging
Flashing green The battery is almost fully charged
Flashing orange The battery charge is low
Mute the sound Turn the volume down Turn the volume up Play or pause
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following
Left Side View
Right Side View
Back View
A U D I O C O N N E C T O R S
USB C O N N E C T O R S
Connects an external VGA-compatible monitor
Bottom View
About Your Computer
Setting Up Your Computer
Connecting to the Internet
Setting Up Your Internet Connection
Transferring Information to a New Computer
E-mail messages Toolbar settings Window sizes Internet bookmarks
If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP 5 Click Next
Prepare the New Computer for the File Transfer
Create a Wizard Disk 1 Click the Start button
Setting Up a Printer
Connecting a USB Printer
Printer Cable
Power Protection Devices
Surge Protectors
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Line Conditioners
Setting Up Your Computer
Switching the Video Image
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Setting Display Resolution
4 Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution
Using the Display
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
Numeric Keypad
System Functions
Power Management
Key Combinations
Display Functions
Adjusting Keyboard Settings
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
QuickSet Key Combinations
Touch Pad
Customizing the Touch Pad
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Charge Gauge
Conserving Battery Power
Low-Battery Warning
Power Management Modes
To enter standby mode
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Configuring Power Management Settings
Storing a Battery
Using Multimedia
Playing CDs or DVDs
How to Copy a CD or DVD
Copying CDs and DVDs
Using Blank CDs and DVDs
Helpful Tips
Adjusting the Volume
If the computer is turned on or in standby mode
Adjusting the Picture
Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect
If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help
S-video and standard audio Composite video and standard audio
Component-out video and standard audio
S-Video and Standard Audio
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
4 Plug the other end of the S-video cable into the S-video input connector on the TV
Composite Video and Standard Audio
Using Multimedia
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Using Multimedia
composite video cable
Using Multimedia
1 composite video adapter
standard audio cable
1 component video adapter 2 component video cable
Component Video and Standard Audio
1 S-video TV-out connector 2 component video adapter
3 standard audio cable
Using Multimedia
1 component video adapter 2 component video cable
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Using Multimedia
1 component video adapter 2 component video-output
connectors
Using Multimedia
3 component video cable
Setting Up the Cyberlink CL Headphones
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Using Multimedia
ExpressCards
Using Cards
Installing an ExpressCard
ExpressCard Blanks
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
1 ExpressCard
Installing a Media Memory Card
Media Memory Cards
Removing a Media Memory Card
Setting Up a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Network Setup Wizard
Wireless Local Area Network WLAN
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Setting Up a New WLAN
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
To access the Help and Support Center
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Setting Up a Network
Passwords
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Do not share your password with other people
Computer Tracking Software
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password
Solving Problems
Dell Diagnostics
During the assessment, answer any questions that appear
Extended Test
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
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Hard drive problems
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound
Error Messages
characters in filenames
L I C E N S E D C O N T E N T I S N O T A C C E S S I B L E I N M E D I A D I R E C T - Dell MediaDirect cannot verify the Digital
M E M O R Y W R I T E / R E A D F A I L U R E A T A D D R E S S , R E A D V A L U E E X P E C T I N G V A L U E - A memory module may be
ExpressCard Problems
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
External Keyboard problems
The computer does not start up
Lockups and Software Problems
Unexpected characters
The computer stops responding
A solid blue screen appears
Dell MediaDirect problems
Other software problems
Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly
network connector on the back of the computer and the network jack
Memory Problems
Network Problems
Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into both the
Power Problems
Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network WWAN
Printer Problems
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
Scanner Problems
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
No sound from external speakers
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
Video and Display Problems
If the display is blank
If the display is difficult to read
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
If only part of the display is readable
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Identifying Drivers
2 Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD
You can restore your operating system in the following ways
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Restoring Your Operating System
To start the Hardware Troubleshooter
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
1 Turn on the computer
Using the Operating System CD
1 Save and close any open files and exit any open programs
Solving Problems
Recommended Tools
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Turning Off Your Computer
Before Working Inside Your Computer
2 Turn off your computer. See Turning Off Your Computer on page
3 Disconnect any telephone or network cables from the computer
Optical Drive
optical-drive security screw
Hard Drive
1 optical drive
notch
1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page
Memory
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
3 If you are replacing a memory module, remove the existing module
4 Ground yourself and install the new memory module
Modem
Hinge Cover
Keyboard
hinge cover
scribe
1 Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on page
1 Mini-Card
Wireless Mini-Card
antenna cable connectors
antenna cables
c Lift the Mini-Card out of its system board connector
Adding and Replacing Parts
Coin-Cell Battery
Display
8 Lift the display up and away from the computer
cable
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
1 card door
card
Adding and Replacing Parts
Dell QuickSet Features
NOTE This feature may not be available on your computer
Dell QuickSet Features
Dell QuickSet Features
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
Contacting Dell
support.dell.com support
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
toll-free 1-800-326-6061 or
Country City
Country City
Country City
800 300 410 or 800 300 411 or
Country City
Country City
Country City
Country City
Printers, and Projectors for Relationship
or toll-free
Country City
Contacting Dell
Processor
Specifications
Specifications
System Information
5-in-1 Media Memory Card Reader
Ports and Connectors
Specifications
Memory
Video
Specifications
Communications
Audio
Specifications
Audio continued
Display
Keyboard
Battery
Specifications
Touch Pad
AC Adapter
Battery continued
Specifications
Physical
Specifications
Environmental
Specifications
System Setup Screen
Using the System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screen
Appendix
Commonly Used Options
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Touch Pad
Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only
Floppy Drive
CDs and DVDs
Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals
Definition of Dell-Installed Software and Peripherals
FCC Notice U.S. Only
FCC Class B
Dell Inspiron 6400 and Inspiron E1505
Macrovision Product Notice
Product name
Model number
Glossary
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Glossary
Index
Numerics
See also hard drive See also optical drive
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Index