Dell PP24L 22

22 About Your Computer

www.dell.com | support.dell.com

SMART CARD SLOT (WITH BLANK)—Supports one smart card. Smart cards provide a variety of functions,

including security features and data storage. The blank prevents foreign matter from entering the interior

of the computer when a smart card is not installed in the smart card slot. For more information and

instructions on removing the blank, see "Smart Cards" on page67.

WIRELESS SWITCH—When enabled through Dell QuickSet, this switch can scan for a wireless LAN (WLAN)

in your vicinity. You can also use it to rapidly turn off or on any wireless devices such as WLAN cards and

internal cards with Bluetooth wireless technology (see "Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator" on

page58).

WI-FI CATCHER™ LIGHT—The light operates as follows:

– Flashing green: Searching for networks

– Solid green: Strong network found

– Solid yellow:

Weak network found

– Flashing yellow: Error

– Off: No signal found

NOTE: The Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator light appears only when the computer is turned off and

wireless networking is activated in the system setup program. While working in Microsoft Windows

operating systems, the light is designed not to appear.

Attach headphones or speakers to the connector.

Attach a microphone to the connector.

1

"off" position

Disables wireless devices

2

"on" position

Enables wireless devices

3

"momentary" position

Scans for WLAN networks (see

"Dell Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network

Locator" on page58)

4

Wi-Fi Ca tcher ligh t

1 2 3 4

Contents

Main Notes, Notices, and Cautions Contents 1 Finding Information 2 About Your Computer 3 Transferring Information to a New Computer 4 Using a Battery 5 Using the Keyboard 6 Using the Display 7 Setting Up and Using Networks 8 Using Multimedia 9 Using Cards 10 Securing Your Computer 11 Troubleshooting 12 Intel Active Management Technology 13 System Setup Program 14 Reinstalling Software 15 Adding and Replacing Parts 16 Dell QuickSet 17 Traveling With Your Computer 18 Specifications 19 Getting Help Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 20 Appendix Finding Information NOTE: 12 NOTE: Page About Your Computer Front View 18 NOTE: 20 Left Side View 22 Right Side View 24 Back View Page 26 Bottom View Page 28 Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Media Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Media Microsoft Windows Vista Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista Page 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 and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Accessing Power Options Properties Charging the Battery Replacing the Battery Page Page Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad 42 Key Combinations System Functions Battery Display Functions Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions Power Management Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Changing the Track Stick Cap Page Page Using the Display Adjusting Brightness Using the Ambient Light Sensor Switching the Video Image Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate Dual Independent Display Mode Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Setting Up a Network in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Wireless Local Area Network What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection Checking Your Wireless Network Card Setting Up a New WLAN Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem Connecting to a WLAN Page Mobile Broadband (or Wireless Wide Area Network) What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Managing Your Network Settings Through the Dell QuickSet Location Profiler Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Microsoft Windows Firewall Page Using Multimedia Playing Media Page Copying Media How to Copy Media Using Blank Media Helpful Tips Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Microsoft Windows XP Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Using Cards Card Types PC Cards ExpressCards Smart Cards Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard PC Card ExpressCards Removing a Card or Blank Page Securing Your Computer Security Cable Lock Smart Card About Smart Cards Installing a Smart Card Passwords About Passwords Using a Primary (or System) Password Using an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive Password Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Enabling the TPM Feature Security Management Software Activating the Security Management Software Using the Security Management Software Computer Tracking Software If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad Mouse Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs Troubleshooting Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes During POST 82 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 Media 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 Media 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 Error Messages Page Page Page 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 A solid blue screen appears Other software problems Memory Problems Network Problems General Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Mobile Broadband (Wireless Wide Area Network) PC Card Problems Power Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power Considerations 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 Page Intel Active Management Technology Page Page Page System Setup Program Overview Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup Screens Commonly Used Options Changing the Boot Sequence Changing Printer Modes Changing COM Ports Page Reinstalling Software Drivers What Is a Driver? Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Page Page Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Page Using the Operating System Media Page Adding and Replacing Parts Before You Begin Recommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Before Working Inside Your Computer Hinge Cover Keyboard Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Coin-Cell Battery Memory Page Page Page Page Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Card Page Page Mobile Broadband Card Page Page Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Hard Drive Media Bay Removing Media Bay Devices FCM (Flash Cache Module) Page Page Page Dell QuickSet Page Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your Computer Packing the Computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air Specifications 152 NOTE: (continued) 154 Page 156 (continued) Page Page Getting Help Obtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order Product Information Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call Page Contacting Dell Appendix FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC Class B Macrovision Product Notice Glossary A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z