User’s Guide
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Contents
Using the Keyboard
Setting Up and Using Networks
Securing Your Computer
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Traveling With Your Computer
Adding and Replacing Parts
149
Drivers and Utilities CD
Finding Information
Quick Reference Guide
Dell Support Website support.dell.com
QuickSet on
To view Dell QuickSet Help, right-click the Quickset
Icon in the Microsoft Windows taskbar
For more information on Dell QuickSet, see Dell
Front View
About Your Computer
Track stick
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
Right Side View
Back View
Connects serial devices, such as a mouse or handheld device
About Your Computer
Bottom View
To prepare the new computer for the file transfer
Transferring Information to a New Computer
Click Finished and restart the new computer
Windows Vista
Battery Performance
Using a Battery
Charge Gauge
Checking the Battery Charge
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter
Microsoft Windows Power Meter
Standby Mode
Conserving Battery Power
Power Management Modes
Low-Battery Warning
Hibernate Mode
Configuring Power Management Settings
Charging the Battery
Replacing the Battery
Storing a Battery
System Functions
Using the Keyboard
Numeric Keypad
Key Combinations
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions
Battery
Power Management
Display Functions
Touch Pad
Changing the Track Stick Cap
Customizing the Touch Pad and Track Stick
Pull the cap off the track stick
Using the Keyboard
Using the Keyboard
Playing CDs or DVDs
Using Multimedia
Volume Control Buttons
Adjusting the Volume
Adjusting the Picture
Volume Control Window
Adjusting Brightness
Using the Display
Click the Windows Vista Start button →Control Panel
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP
Click the Start button and click Control Panel
Using the Ambient Light Sensor
Ambient light sensor
Using the Display
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows XP
What You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection
Setting Up a Network in Microsoft Windows Vista
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Setting Up and Using Networks
Connecting to a Wlan
Setting Up and Using Networks
Checking Your Mobile Broadband Card
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan
Enabling/Disabling the Dell Mobile Broadband Network Card
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Dell Wi-Fi Catcher Network Locator
Internet Connection Firewall
For information about Dell QuickSet, see Dell QuickSet on
Button →Help and Support
Setting Up and Using Networks
Card Blanks
Using Cards
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard
Card Types
ExpressCard
PC Card
Removing a Card or Blank
Using Cards
About Smart Cards
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
Smart Cards
Installing a Smart Card
Passwords
Using an Administrator Password
Using a Primary/System Password
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
Securing Your Computer
Securing Your Computer
Troubleshooting
Diagnostic Lights
Diagnostic Light Codes During Post
Computer. If the computer starts
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Dell Technical Update Service
Dell Diagnostics
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
Troubleshooting
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Dell Support Utility
Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Drive Problems
Right-click Local Disk C
CD and DVD drive problems
Hard drive problems
Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive
Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Error Messages
Troubleshooting
Click Start→Control Panel→Add or Remove Programs
For Windows Vista
Ieee 1394 Device Problems
Keyboard Problems
For Windows XP
Lockups and Software Problems
External keyboard problems
Unexpected characters
Program stops responding or crashes repeatedly
Other software problems
Computer does not start up
Computer stops responding
General
Memory Problems
Network Problems
If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program
Power Problems
PC Card or ExpressCard Problems
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer
Docking Power Considerations
Memory modules see Memory on
Scanner Problems
Printer Problems
No sound from integrated speakers
Sound and Speaker Problems
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
No sound from headphones
If the display is blank
Video and Display Problems
If only part of the display is readable
If the display is difficult to read
System Setup Program
Viewing the System Setup Screens
Overview
System Setup Screens
Commonly Used Settings
Changing the Boot Sequence
Changing COM Ports
Performing a One-Time Boot
System Setup Program
Attach a name tag or business card to the computer
Traveling With Your Computer
Identifying Your Computer
Packing the Computer
Traveling by Air
Travel Tips
Identifying Drivers
Reinstalling Software
What Is a Driver?
Drivers
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities
101
Restoring Your Operating System
103
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore
Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked
Using the Operating System CD
105
106
Turning Off Your Computer
Adding and Replacing Parts
Before You Begin
Recommended Tools
Hard Drive
Follow the procedures in Before You Begin on 108
109
Media Bay
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell
Removing the Device Security Screw
111
Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices
Hinge Cover
113
Keyboard
Keyboard Keyboard screws
115
Memory
Memory module
117
Memory module
Wireless Cards
Subscriber Identity Module SIM Card
119
Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Cards
121
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network Wwan Cards
123
FCM Flash Cache Module
FCM card
125
Internal Card With Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Coin-Cell Battery
127
128
129
Dell QuickSet
130
131
Specifications
PC/SC
132
Lvds
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
Technical Support and Customer Service
Getting Help
Obtaining Assistance
DellConnect Online Services
141
Problems With Your Order
AutoTech Service
Automated Order-Status Service
142
Before You Call
Contacting Dell
For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW-DELL
143
Visit support.dell.com
Touch Pad
Cleaning Your Computer
Appendix
Computer, Keyboard, and Display
Mouse
Floppy Drive
CDs and DVDs
147
Macrovision Product Notice
FCC Notice U.S. Only
FCC Class B
148
149
Glossary
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
Video resolution See resolution