User’s Guide
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Accessing Power Options Properties
Customizing the Touch Pad
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Using a Hard Drive Password
Installing an ExpressCard
Using a Primary Password
Using an Administrator Password
115
113
141
137
Replacing the Hard Drive 161
155
158
159
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery
Removing the Display Assembly
Replacing the Display Assembly
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery
206
Pin Assignments for I/O Connectors 223
Video TV-Out Connector 224
202
Identifying Your Computer
Automated Order-Status Service Problems With Your Order
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit
Macrovision Product Notice
Contents
Finding Information
Finding Information
Drivers for my computer My device documentation Find It Here
What Are You Looking For?
Quick Reference Guide
Microsoft Windows License Label Find It Here
Service Tag and Microsoft Windows License
Dell Support Website support.dell.com
Computer
How to reinstall my operating system
Icon in the taskbar
Optional and may not ship with your
What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
Finding Information
About Your Computer
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration
About Your Computer
Front View
V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S
About Your Computer
Lights located above the keyboard indicate the following
About Your Computer
Left Side View
Smart card slot Hard drive ExpressCard slot
Right Side View
Back View
I D E O TV- O U T C O N N E C T O R
Connect USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer
About Your Computer
Bottom View
About Your Computer
Microsoft Windows XP
Setting Up Your Computer
Setting Up Your Computer
Transferring Information to a New Computer
To transfer data to the new computer
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
To copy data from the old computer
To copy data from the old computer
Microsoft Windows Vista
Setting Up Your Computer
Setting Up Your Computer
Using a Battery
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Checking the Battery Charge
Charge Gauge
Microsoft Windows Vista Power Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Perform the following actions to conserve battery power
Conserving Battery Power
Low-Battery Warning
Hibernate Mode
Power Management Modes
Standby and Sleep Mode
Configuring Power Management Settings
Accessing Power Options Properties
Charging the Battery
To remove the battery
Removing the Battery
Storing a Battery
Using a Battery
Numeric Keypad
Using the Keyboard
Using the Keyboard
CD or DVD Tray
Battery
Key Combinations
System Functions
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Power Management
Power Options Properties window. See Power
Speaker Functions
Microsoft Windows Vista Logo Key Functions
Touch Pad
Touch pad buttons
Customizing the Touch Pad
Using a Projector
Using the Display
Adjusting Brightness
Windows Vista
Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper
Using the Display
Using the Display
Playing CDs or DVDs
Using Multimedia
Using Multimedia
DVD player includes the following basic buttons
Copying CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc BD Media
Media Type Read Write Rewritable
CD-Writable Drives
BD-Writable Drives
Helpful Tips
Adjusting the Volume
Mute icon
Adjusting the Picture
Volume icon
Video connector Using Multimedia
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
Connector
Standard S-video cable
Audio connector
Video and Standard Audio
Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Pdif digital audio cable
Composite Video and Standard Audio
Audio input connector
Composite video adapter Using Multimedia
Standard audio cable
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Composite video adapter
Component Video and Standard Audio
Component video cable
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio
Component video adapter
Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio
Component video cable
Enabling S/PDIF in the Windows Audio Driver
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV
Using Multimedia
Setting Up and Using Networks
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Setting Up and Using Networks
What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Before you can set up a WLAN, you need
Order Confirmation for Your Computer
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting to a Wlan
Windows Vista
Mobile Broadband / Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card
To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need
Microsoft Windows Firewall
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Setting Up and Using Networks
Setting Up and Using Networks
Express Card/34
Using Cards
Using Cards
ExpressCards
100
Installing an ExpressCard
ExpressCard Blanks
Release button
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
101
About Smart Cards
Smart Cards
Gold contact pad
Installing a Smart Card
103
Smart card slot
ExpressCard slot Using Cards
104
105
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Smart Cards and Fingerprint Readers
106
Passwords
About Passwords
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines
107
Using a Primary Password
Using an Administrator Password
Using a Hard Drive Password
109
Enabling the TPM Feature
Trusted Platform Module TPM
Activating the Security Management Software
Using the Security Management Software
Security Management Software
111
Computer Tracking Software
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Alert Standard Format ASF
Touch Pad
Cleaning Your Computer
Cleaning Your Computer
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor
114
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Troubleshooting
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
116
117
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Function
118
119
Solving Problems
Follow these tips when you troubleshoot your computer
120
Battery Problems
Drive Problems
121
Optical drive problems
Problems writing to an optical drive
Hard drive problems
Windows XP Click Start→All Programs→Modem Helper
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
122
123
Error Messages
Windows XP Click Start and click Control Panel
Ieee 1394 Device Problems
124
Lockups and Software Problems
126
Other software problems
Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
Solid blue screen appears
127
Memory Problems
Network Problems
128
Power Problems
129
Printer Problems
Scanner Problems
130
Sound and Speaker Problems
No sound from speakers
131
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
No sound from headphones
132
Video and Monitor Problems
Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read
133
If only part of the display is readable
134
Power Lights
135
136
Overview
System Setup Program
You can use the system setup program as follows
System Setup Program
Commonly Used Options
Viewing the System Setup Screens
System Setup Screens
Changing the Boot Sequence
139
Diskette Drive Modular bay HDD Internal HDD Optical Drive
System Setup Program
Drivers
Reinstalling Software
What Is a Driver?
Reinstalling Software
142
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
Microsoft Windows Vista
143
144
Manually Reinstalling Drivers
145
Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems
Restoring Your Operating System
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
You can restore your operating system in the following ways
147
148
To see if System Restore is enabled
149
150
Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore
151
Before You Begin
Using the Operating System Media
Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore
Confirm Data Deletion screen appears
153
To reinstall Windows , you need the following items
154
Turning Off Your Computer
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
156
Before Working Inside Your Computer
157
158
Your computer ships with a fixed optical drive installed
Optical Drive
Screw
Hard Drive
Removing the Hard Drive
159
160
161
Memory
Replacing the Hard Drive
Removing the Memory Modules
162
163
Replacing the Memory Modules
164
165
Modem
Removing the Modem
Pull-tab Modem Modem cable
System board connector
Replacing the Modem
166
167
Mini Card
168
Antenna connectors
Mini-card connector
Securing clips
169
170
Securing clips Antenna connectors Mini-card connector
171
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Card door M2.5 x 8-mm screw
Card connector
172
Technology
173
Hinge Cover
Removing the Hinge Cover
174
Keyboard
Replacing the Hinge Cover
Keyboard cable
Tabs Adding and Replacing Parts
175
176
Removing the Display Assembly
Display
177
Display cable in cable channel
178
Keyboard M2 x 5-mm screws Mini-card antenna cables
Board
179
Replacing the Display Assembly
180
Tab
Display Bezel
181
Two at the bottom
Removing the Display Bezel
182
Screw covers
183
Display back cover
184
185
Display Panel
Replacing the Display Bezel
Display panel M2 x 3-mm screws Display back cover
Removing the Display Panel
186
187
Connector Display cable connector Inverter connector
Replacing the Display Panel
188
Display Latch
Removing the Display Latch
189
Coin-Cell Battery
Removing the Coin-Cell Battery
Replacing the Display Latch
190
191
Replacing the Coin-Cell Battery
Flash Cache Module
Removing the FCM
192
Palm Rest
Replacing the FCM
193
Removing the Palm Rest
194
195
Biometric reader connector
LED board connector
Replacing the Palm Rest
196
Speakers
Removing the Speakers
197
USB Port Board
Replacing the Speakers
Removing the USB Port Board
198
USB port board M2.5 x 5-mm screw Notch
System board connector Tab Pin
Replacing the USB Port Board
199
200
Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly
Removing the Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly
Thermal pad
Replacing the Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly
201
Processor thermal-cooling
202
Processor Module
Removing the Processor Module
IF-socket
203
ZIF-socket cam screw
204
Video Card/Thermal-Cooling Assembly
Removing the Video Card/Thermal-Cooling Assembly
Replacing the Processor Module
205
206
Replacing the Video Card/Thermal-Cooling Assembly
System Fans
Removing the System Fans
207
M2.5 x 5-mm screws
Assembly Fan cable
208
209
Assembly, if installed Fan cable
ExpressCard Cage
Replacing the System Fans
210
Hard drive bay ExpressCard cage X 3-mm screws
Smart Card Reader
Removing the Smart Card Reader
211
212
System Board
Replacing the Smart Card Reader
Removing the System Board
213
214
ExpressCard connector
215
Technology connector
Speaker connector
216
217
218
Replacing the System Board
219
Battery Latch Assembly
Removing the Battery Latch Assembly
Hard drive bay
220
221
222
Replacing the Battery Latch Assembly
223
Flashing the Bios
Pin Assignments for I/O Connectors
USB Connector
224
Video Connector
Video TV-Out Connector
Pin Signal
225
Ieee 1394 Connector
Video PinSignal
Composite Video PinSignal
226
Dell QuickSet
Dell QuickSet
227
228
229
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
230
Travel Tips
Traveling by Air
231
232
Getting Help
Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
233
234
Technical Support and Customer Service
DellConnect Online Services
235
Problems With Your Order
AutoTech Service
Automated Order-Status Service
236
Before You Call
237
238
Diagnostics Checklist
239
Contacting Dell
240
Processor
Specifications
ExpressCard Specifications
241
In-1 media memory card reader
242
ExpressCard
Memory
243
244
245
246
With optical drive
247
AC Adapter Height
Physical
Environmental Storage
248
FCC Class B
Appendix
Macrovision Product Notice
FCC Notice U.S. Only
250
Glossary
Glossary
251
252
Device driver See driver
253
Product ID
254
255
256
257
258
NIC See network adapter
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
Video resolution See resolution
266
267
268
