About Your Computer | Dell TX453 guide

The AC adapter converts AC power to the DC power required by the computer. You can connect the AC adapter with your computer turned either on or off.

CAUTION: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to the power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or equipment damage.

NOTICE: When you disconnect the AC adapter cable from the computer, grasp the connector, not the cable itself, and pull firmly but gently to avoid damaging the cable. When you wrap the AC adapter cable, ensure that you follow the angle of the connector on the AC adapter to avoid damaging the cable.

AIR VENTS — The computer uses an internal fan to create airflow through the vents, which prevents the computer from overheating.

CAUTION: Do not block, push objects into, or allow dust to accumulate in the air vents. Do not store your computer in a low-airflow environment, such as a closed briefcase, while it is running. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.

NOTE: The computer turns on the fan when the computer gets hot. Fan noise is normal and does not indicate a problem with the fan or the computer.

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About Your Computer

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Dell TX453 manual About Your Computer

Contents

User’s Guide W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Microsoft Windows Logo Key FunctionsCustomizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Setting Up and Using Networks What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon Contents Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 103 If only part of the display is readable100 102 Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices 111 Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards 120Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 125 Technical Support and Customer Service 139 Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit 141 142145 146 Documentation updates Finding InformationCan be found at support.dell.com Finding Information Quick Reference Guide Dell Support Website support.dell.com To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the Quickset Icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbarFor more information on Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet on About Your Computer About Your Computer Volume control buttons Mute button Ambient light sensor Touch pad Solid orange The battery charge is critically low Light is flashing 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 Flashing yellow Error Right Side View Video TV-out connector Back View Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device About Your Computer Docking-device connector Bottom View About Your Computer Transferring Information to a New Computer To prepare the new computer for the file transfer Click Finished and restart the new computer Windows Vista Page Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Dell QuickSet Battery MeterMicrosoft Windows Power Meter Charge Gauge Conserving Battery Power Power Management ModesLow-Battery Warning Standby Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the BatteryReplacing the Battery Storing a Battery Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch PadNumeric Keypad Key Combinations Battery Power ManagementPower Options Properties window see Configuring Display Functions Touch Pad Changing the Track Stick Cap Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying CDs or DVDs Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Connecting Your Computer to a TV Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Click the tab for your video card Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessUsing the Display Microsoft Windows XP Click the Windows Vista Start button →Control Panel Microsoft Windows XP Using the Ambient Light Sensor Click the Start button and click Control Panel Ambient light sensor Using the Display Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem CableSetting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows Vista Wireless Local Area Network WlanChecking Your Wireless Network Card What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting to a Wlan Setting Up and Using Networks Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Network Card Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator Internet Connection FirewallFor information about Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet on Setting Up and Using Networks Setting Up and Using Networks Using Cards Installing a PC Card or ExpressCardCard Types Card Blanks PC Card ExpressCard Removing a Card or Blank Using Cards Securing Your Computer Security Cable LockSmart Cards About Smart Cards Passwords Installing a Smart Card Using a Primary/System Password Using an Administrator Password Using a Hard Drive Password Enabling the TPM Feature Trusted Platform Module TPM Security Management Software Computer Tracking SoftwareIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Troubleshooting Dell Technical Update ServiceDell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Troubleshooting Accessing the Dell Support Utility Dell Support UtilityClicking the Dell Support Icon Drive Problems Double-Clicking the Dell Support IconClick the Windows Vista Start button →Computer CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Right-click Local Disk C Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Error Messages Keyword spyware Troubleshooting Click Start→Control Panel→Add or Remove Programs Ieee 1394 Device Problems Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software Problems External keyboard problemsUnexpected characters Other software problems Computer does not start upComputer stops responding Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly Memory Problems Network ProblemsIf necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on PC Card or ExpressCard Problems Power Problems Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer Docking Power ConsiderationsExtension cable to verify that the computer turns on Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Touch Pad or Mouse ProblemsNo sound from headphones No sound from integrated speakers Video and Display Problems If the display is blank If the display is difficult to read If only part of the display is readable System Setup Program Viewing the System Setup ScreensSystem Setup Program Overview System Setup Screens Commonly Used SettingsChanging the Boot Sequence Performing a One-Time Boot Changing COM Ports System Setup Program Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your ComputerPacking the Computer Attach a name tag or business card to the computer Travel Tips Traveling by Air Reinstalling Software What Is a Driver?Reinstalling Software Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 101 Restoring Your Operating System 102 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore 103 Using the Operating System Media Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked Touch Pad Enhances the pointing device features Other 105Chipset Components and controllers 106 Adding and Replacing Parts Before You BeginRecommended Tools Turning Off Your Computer Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on 108 Hard Drive 109 Screws Media Bay Returning a Hard Drive to DellRemoving the Device Security Screw Foam packaging Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices 111Device security screw Device latch release Hinge Cover Push the new device into the bay until it clicks Keyboard 113Hinge cover Keyboard connector Keyboard Keyboard screws Memory 115 Memory module 117 Captive screw Memory module Wireless Cards Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card119 SIM card Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards Antenna cables 121 Wlan card Metal securing bracket Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Cards FCM Flash Cache Module 123Wwan card Metal securing bracket Lift the card out of its connector 124 FCM card Antennae cables Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology 125FCM card Metal tab Card Cable connector Coin-Cell Battery Card Card connector Cable connectorMylar Coin-cell battery 127 128 Dell QuickSet 129Dell QuickSet 130 Specifications 131 Ieee Pin serial connector Video TV-out 132To composite video adapter cable Modem RJ-11 support Network adapter RJ-45 port Dock 133 LCD interface 134 Certain power-intensive conditions see 135Keycaps Can be significantly reduced under 136 137 138 Technical Support and Customer Service Getting HelpObtaining Assistance 139 DellConnect Online Services Problems With Your Order AutoTech ServiceAutomated Order-Status Service 141 Before You Call Contacting Dell 143 144 Cleaning Your Computer AppendixComputer, Keyboard, and Display Touch Pad Mouse CDs and DVDs146 Macrovision Product Notice FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B 147 148 Glossary 149 150 Extended display mode a display setting that allows Glossary 151 152 153 Memory a temporary data storage area inside your Glossary 154 155 156 157 Video resolution See resolution 158